I've got a 25-year-old Oster that just won't die. It's the most reliable appliance in my kitchen.

for the blendtec, i assume you've seen this totally awesome web site: http://www.willitblend.com/ ? ?

i have a fairly inexpensive ($50ish) waring pro model and i hate the shape of the blender pitcher. it's glass, and tall and not tapered much. it's very difficult to get stuff out of, and even in the process of blending doesn't seem to do an efficient job because of the shape. it looks like this: http://www.clearancebuys.co.uk/images/P ... RED-01.jpg ... avoid that. if you go to Salvation Army later this week you'll probably be able to buy it back from me for pennies on the dollar.

the only thing i'd add is ..if you're going to spend more than $100 on a blender make sure it doesn't have a plastic pitcher. or a good warranty.

JoelF wrote:glass or metal containers -- no plastic

dddane wrote:...make sure it doesn't have a plastic pitcher

I actually prefer plastic containers for blending. They are lighter than glass, and I don't have to worry about dropping and breaking it. As for metal, I wouldn't be able to see what I am blending.

What am I missing here? Are there really good reasons for staying away from plastic, or is this an unsupported "ewwwwwww plastic" reaction?

(On a different subject, I have really been coveting the Vita-Mix 5200 that they have been demoing at my Costco. Just haven't been able to justify it with a perfectly good, 2-year old blender sitting on my counter.)

The "eeeeeewwww" factor comes after a few months of blenderation and scratching up the inside surface. I'm not pleased with, say, how my food processors bowls look, I am certain a plastic blender will scratch up too.

I've never broken the blender container, but I have broken the geary thing that transfers power from the base to the blade -- perhaps that should be something you inspect instead.

I have, or should say had, both for my inherited 1960's Osterizer. The glass container is the original, it will probably break if you dropped it, but otherwise is nigh on indestructible. It is, indeed, heavy, but not so heavy that I can't handle it easily when full - and it goes in the dishwasher just fine.

I started using my blender to grind spices because it cleans up easier than a coffee grinder - for this purpose, I purchased one of the small plastic "mini jar" accessories and for this it worked out nicely, though the interior of the jar got scratched and stained from some of the harsher spices. Unfortunately, I decided to blend up a largeish chunk of some stale parmesan, and it shattered the thing.

Now, the mini jars probably more delicate than a full container - and as I put it in the dishwasher, it might have been weakened further. However, something to consider is that usually the jars are easy to replace online or at a parts store, and aren't all that expensive (-that is, I'd check to make sure that's the case with whatever model you decide on)

I've got a VitaMix Drink Machine Plus that rocks ice like it ain't no thing. It dims the lights in that way only an 11.5 amp (~1.8 horsepower) motor can. It's very, very loud and large.

I once brought it to a party with some rum and fruit puree for daiquiris. This was a pretty long time ago and I was a few daics in but I can clearly remember, in slow motion, a friend putting ice, rum and strawberry puree in the VitaMix and turn it on...without the lid. Several people were berried and I'm sure the ceiling needed paint.

I do wish it were smaller and quieter.

I just went nuts and bought a VitaMix at one of their road shows at a CostCo in Reno (and lugged it back to Chiciago on the plane.) Quite impressive performance Every time I turn it on with a load of ice cubes, the cat dashes into the back bedroom. We're having fun grinding up everything; the next thing I may try is a whole coconut.

I pointed out to my wife that Michael Chiarello has one, too. Then I made her several magnificent frozen Daiquiris, and she quit grumping about the cost. Every time I do those, I tell her about how I hoisted a couple of frozen daqs with Ernest Hemingway at the Floridita Bar in Havana, back in 'ought 56. (as Pogo used to say.)

MikeLM wrote: 'ought 56. (as Pogo used to say.)

by the same token, this year will be looked on upon as "naught 8."

-ramon

So I make way too many smoothies and whatnot at this point for my crappy 25$ blender to handle. I want to get a vita-mix, but I'm wondering if anyone has a good idea on where to buy it? It looks like the internet is actually not the best place to get a deal on it. Anyone have input? thanks in advance.

Suiname wrote:So I make way too many smoothies and whatnot at this point for my crappy 25$ blender to handle. I want to get a vita-mix, but I'm wondering if anyone has a good idea on where to buy it? It looks like the internet is actually not the best place to get a deal on it. Anyone have input? thanks in advance.

I know that Costco regularly has in-store demos/sales. Not sure if they offer the best price, but knowing their $$$ philosophy in general, I'm sure it's competitively priced.

Hi- You might want to check craigslist to see if you can get a used one. You might be able to get one for less money on ebay too, although you have to be careful about who you buy from on there. You can also get reconditioned machines on vitamix's website. I might have seen them at Sams Club recently too. Hope this helps, Nancy

Costco had definitely crossed my mind, but I didn't realize I could get refurbs straight from vita-mix. I will check that out.

Suiname wrote:Costco had definitely crossed my mind, but I didn't realize I could get refurbs straight from vita-mix. I will check that out.

Don't know if you're married to the Vita-Mix but Costco has a deal on BlendTec at the moment:

https://www.costco.com/

Here's their VitaMix deal:

http://www.costco.com/Vitamix-5200-Supe ... 09068.html

I'm not sure if it is still available, but the vitamix temporary booth at costco a few years ago would take in an older machine for (60%?) off. I do remember it was over 50% at the time. I mentioned this to a friend who had seen a very, very old vitamix at an antique store for $50. The trade in worked. Personally, i prefer the stainless steel versions over the newer models.

Also check out tuesday morning. On a whim I picked up a very strong non name blender that has a heating element for doing soup in one container. Easy cleanup, and it had a name brand motor when I was curious and took the base apart.

Bought a refurb Vitamix from the company eight years ago. Still chewing up rocks and nuts and bolts to this day. Love it!

Geo

I am searching for a new blender. I have narrowed down the choices to the Ninja CT805 and the Vitamix Refurbished A2500.

Any thoughts/experiences with either?

We have a vitamix and have really enjoyed its power with ice and whole vegetables, and its relative quiet as a blender. We didn't buy it refurbished however.

I can’t speak to your 2 choices.

I have heard the vitamix spoken about almost reverently as in Rick Bayless saying ‘unless you have a Vitamix, do it this way, but if you have a Vitamix do it this way.

I have had a refurbished Vitamix (purchased directly from them) forever (2007), not a single hitch ever.

annak wrote:We have a vitamix and have really enjoyed its power with ice and whole vegetables, and its relative quiet as a blender. We didn't buy it refurbished however.

You had me at 'relatively quiet'.

We have had a refurbished Vitamix purchased from them several years ago and would not buy any other blender. Have had many different blenders over the years, there is no comparison to a Vitamix.

We've also given these as gifts to our kids and other family members and everyone has loved them.

Al Ehrhardt wrote:We have had a refurbished Vitamix purchased from them several years ago and would not buy any other blender. Have had many different blenders over the years, there is no comparison to a Vitamix.

We've also given these as gifts to our kids and other family members and everyone has loved them.

Can you tell me more? I'm intrigued by the Vitamix but something (ok, my wife) tells me that I don't need a better blender.

Vitamix and Blendtec are the Ferrari of blenders because of the price point (around $400+). I like the Vitamix for 1 reason is that a majority of the models include a tamper which is a stick that allows you to push solid food down that isn't blended. The other blenders you have to stop the blender and shake the container contents down and restart your blending process. The tamper is a very useful feature that most don't think about when looking for blenders..

Vitamix Tamper:

Love my Vitamix. Pricey but reliable, durable and a great performer. I've been through a few other blenders over the years that didn't remain operational for very long (Oster, Cuisinart, etc.), even though they were never put through anything more taxing than conventional household use. The only thing I don't like about it is that the vessel is not dishwasher-safe. Instead, there's a proscribed cleaning method and it's a bit persnickety but it gets the job done.

=R=

My husband bought a Vitamix. I also like the "tamper" device, certainly a handy feature.

I don't think I would have spent that much on a blender. But now that we own one, it has definitely spoiled me. I think it would be hard to ever to back to a regular blender.

Are you guys also satisfied with the noise level?

Blimey, both come with tampers. And the wattage is a little higher on the Ninja, but not much.

Pie Lady wrote:Are you guys also satisfied with the noise level?

It's a blender, so you know there's going to be some noise, as there would be with any blender but I've never found it unbearable. That'd probably be one of the attributes with which I'd be least concerned.

=R=

Bought a re-furbed Vitamix ten years ago. Wouldn't have any other machine.

Geo

Darren72 wrote:

Al Ehrhardt wrote:We have had a refurbished Vitamix purchased from them several years ago and would not buy any other blender. Have had many different blenders over the years, there is no comparison to a Vitamix.

We've also given these as gifts to our kids and other family members and everyone has loved them.

Can you tell me more? I'm intrigued by the Vitamix but something (ok, my wife) tells me that I don't need a better blender.

The power is amazing and extremely durable. Other blenders have groaned, smoked, and then died. The tamper is very useful, which we never had on another blender. If I added up the cost of the blenders that died before the Vitamix, the Vitamix wouldn't look so expensive.

My wife uses it most of the time and she would now not live without one.

If your current blender is doing the job you probably don't need a Vitamix until yours dies.