topic Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It? in Kitchen

Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

12andcounting — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 19:29:27 GMT

I finally gave in and ordered the last Vitamix TSV. I've watched it forever, probably like most everyone else.

Obviously, when watching the presentations for the Vitamix it all looks so very easy. Now, I'm not saying it's "hard," but it seems to be quite a bit more "work" than I thought it was going to be. I'm thinking maybe I just have to get used to it -- the planning ahead, the making sure I have ingredients needed, having it out on my counter while drying it from washing, things like that. This may sound silly, but it feels a bit overwhelming to me at this beginning stage. I want to make sure I'm going to use it enough to justify the price.

Anyone ever get one and find that it was a little more time-consuming than you thought it would be?

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

Cardamom — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 19:55:07 GMT

You think it's more time consuming than your regular blender? What did you buy it for? I bought mine for green smoothies and they are work. I have to keep up with the produce and I have to wash it all, dry it and store it. Sometimes I freeze fruit and sometimes I buy packaged frozen fruit. That is really the work in green smoothies. Once it's prepped the smoothie is really quick. I have to plan more for soups. I'm used to planning since I make everything I eat anyway. Use it at least for your 30 days.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

aroc3435 — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 19:58:35 GMT

No, I love mine. I use it for quick sauces--like Bearnaise. I never run out of confectioner's sugar if I'm doing spur of the moment baking because you just measure regular sugar into the container, add some cornstarch, and in moments you have it.

Just keep experimenting with it and you will find you use it more and more for many different steps when making a recipe. A "dry" blender is on my 'to get" list, but haven't purchased yet.

Playing with it and finding out how others used it helps. Every time the Q features it I learn something new. And Jan does great demos.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

12andcounting — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:00:45 GMT

On 8/25/2014 Cardamom said: You think it's more time consuming than your regular blender? What did you buy it for? I bought mine for green smoothies and they are work. I have to keep up with the produce and I have to wash it all, dry it and store it. Sometimes I freeze fruit and sometimes I buy packaged frozen fruit. That is really the work in green smoothies. Once it's prepped the smoothie is really quick. I have to plan more for soups. I'm used to planning since I make everything I eat anyway. Use it at least for your 30 days.

I actually didn't use a regular blender on a regular basis. The smoothie thing is new for me. We bought it more or less to see if we couldn't get ourselves (my husband and I) eating more fruits and vegetables. I'm sure it just takes a little getting used to if you haven't even been using a regular blender on a daily basis.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

ahoymate — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:00:51 GMT

What were your expectations? Have you not used a blender before? Same only better!

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

sparklestar — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:01:46 GMT

Some things are just worth the time and effort. But if you don't want to spend the time using it, then I guess it's best to return it. I love mine. If you're serious about what you put in your body, then it's worth every minute.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

hopi — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:04:16 GMT

I returned mine. It was like having a lawn mower on the counter. There is alot of food prep involved. The plastic top is very difficult to deal with and drips, the tamper is a problem if the machine can't handle the food. The water chop is a mess, it does not clean that easy, you have to get out a veggie brush to clean the side. That's just a few of the issues that bothered me about a $500 machine.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

Perkup — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:11:38 GMT

I've had several, all but one of which has been kidnapped by grands getting out of college and starting up new "homes". I have the 7500?? left. The use is really easier than I thought it would be. But I do remember the first time I turned one on - the noise and speed almost scared me!

My biggest issue is the trouble that Cardamom mentioned about the work of keeping a good supply of ingredients on hand. Secondly, the cost of the produce. It does add up. But we enjoy using the VitaMix and make smoothies and soups about twice a week. We also use it for little things like making bread crumbs out of fresh bread.

Give it a fair try before you return it. Watch any presentations you can find on t.v. Maybe you'll decide it isn't for you, but you just might love it! I do.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

morganjen — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:13:27 GMT

It's worth any additional work, to me. I make protein smoothies just about every day. I also use it for many other things, like hummus.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

12andcounting — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:18:06 GMT

On 8/25/2014 Perkup said:
I've had several, all but one of which has been kidnapped by grands getting out of college and starting up new "homes". I have the 7500?? left. The use is really easier than I thought it would be. But I do remember the first time I turned one on - the noise and speed almost scared me!

My biggest issue is the trouble that Cardamom mentioned about the work of keeping a good supply of ingredients on hand. Secondly, the cost of the produce. It does add up. But we enjoy using the VitaMix and make smoothies and soups about twice a week. We also use it for little things like making bread crumbs out of fresh bread.

Give it a fair try before you return it. Watch any presentations you can find on t.v. Maybe you'll decide it isn't for you, but you just might love it! I do.

Thanks, Perkup. You mentioned soup -- do you have any favorites? We made the Vitamix Black Bean soup last night and it wasn't our favorite. And thanks for the encouragement -- I will give it a fair try.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

champagnepoodle — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:24:38 GMT

My mom returned hers. VERY VERY loud. Also, its easy to use but a lot of time getting the food ready to put in that darn loud machine!

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

ahoymate — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:25:03 GMT

On 8/25/2014 hopi said:
I returned mine. It was like having a lawn mower on the counter. There is alot of food prep involved. The plastic top is very difficult to deal with and drips, the tamper is a problem if the machine can't handle the food. The water chop is a mess, it does not clean that easy, you have to get out a veggie brush to clean the side. That's just a few of the issues that bothered me about a $500 machine.

Interesting about the clean up. Vitamix does have a quiet model. However, the retail price I've seen is double what U paid.

My Kitchen Aid blender is not user friendly either. U have to chop up strawberries, bananas so small prior to putting into the blender. If not then U end up with large chunks of fruit. Cleaning isn't easy & it leaves a lot of the smoothie inside the glass, lid, etc. It wastes quite a bit of my lovely smoothie as U can't scrape it all out.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

millieshops — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:32:49 GMT

Good food at home is always work.. At least that's what I think, but if I had counter space for more than my coffee pot and my toaster over, I'd own a Vitamix. Every time they're on QVC, every time I see one demonstrated at Costco, I want one. As it is, I no longer have even a basic blender, and I know if I ever move again, it could actually be to have more counter space. Seems to be a silly thing at my age, but there it is.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

ahoymate — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:36:12 GMT

On 8/25/2014 millieshops said:
Good food at home is always work.. At least that's what I think, but if I had counter space for more than my coffee pot and my toaster over, I'd own a Vitamix. Every time they're on QVC, every time I see one demonstrated at Costco, I want one. As it is, I no longer have even a basic blender, and I know if I ever move again, it could actually be to have more counter space. Seems to be a silly thing at my age, but there it is.

Yes, I covet a Vitamix as well as I make smoothies every morning & have zero room for one.

ITA about good food at home does require work, preparation etc. A pain but the alternative is not an option for me.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

PilatesLover — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 20:54:42 GMT

I find that for green smoothies, you really don't have to chop so much. Here's one of my favorite green smoothies and how much prep -

1 cup water in carafe

1 green apple, halved, cored, halved again

3 kale leaves, greens stripped from stem

2 celery stalks, trimmed, halved

2" English cucumber, slice off a hunk and toss in carafe

1/2 frozen banana

1 cup frozen fruit

sprinkle of Stevia or squirt of honey

BAM whir it up, pour in a glass, clean the carafe right away per manufacturer's instructions. The cookbooks have great recipes. All you really need to do is wash the produce and minimally chop it, let this work horse do the work for you!

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

depglass — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 22:23:04 GMT

I guess I have the opposite problem. As the only one around here that eats vegetables, I usually have extra going to waste. So its no work to just throw that stuff in the Vitamix, I don't use recipes anymore. I admit it was intimidating at the beginning, I guess I was afraid I was going to break it or something.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

Perkup — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 22:29:44 GMT

On 8/25/2014 12andcounting said:
On 8/25/2014 Perkup said:
I've had several, all but one of which has been kidnapped by grands getting out of college and starting up new "homes". I have the 7500?? left. The use is really easier than I thought it would be. But I do remember the first time I turned one on - the noise and speed almost scared me!

My biggest issue is the trouble that Cardamom mentioned about the work of keeping a good supply of ingredients on hand. Secondly, the cost of the produce. It does add up. But we enjoy using the VitaMix and make smoothies and soups about twice a week. We also use it for little things like making bread crumbs out of fresh bread.

Give it a fair try before you return it. Watch any presentations you can find on t.v. Maybe you'll decide it isn't for you, but you just might love it! I do.

Thanks, Perkup. You mentioned soup -- do you have any favorites? We made the Vitamix Black Bean soup last night and it wasn't our favorite. And thanks for the encouragement -- I will give it a fair try.

I wish I were more inventive, but we just use the recipes that came with the machine. DH and I are older and our menus have grown stale, like us!! We don't make green smoothies because DH thinks spinach is God's punishment to mankind. But we do make fruit ones with different combos and veggie ones with anything but Popeye food! I'm diabetic, so I don't overdo the carrots. I hope you enjoy your VitaMix, and even if you don't use it every day like some folks do, it's still a wonderful addition to any kitchen. BTW, we don't like bean soup either.

You might want to post a question asking for VitaMix (or Ninja) soup recipes as the topic. Might give you some great ideas. There are some really good cooks on this board.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

debic — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:36:03 GMT

Not I, I like mine so much I've given a couple as gifts. Of course I really love these people.

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

terrier3 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:43:04 GMT

I make the warm vanilla custard sauce to pour over fresh summer fruit.

I've tried it with raspberries, blueberries and now peaches.

I OMIT the flour from the recipe - it seems to be smoother when I don't use it.

It's basically eggs, half and half, vanilla bean paste and butter. It's VERY easy & VERY good!

Re: Anyone Ever Get a Vitamix and Return It?

terrier3 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 01:45:50 GMT

On 8/25/2014 PilatesLover said:
I find that for green smoothies, you really don't have to chop so much. Here's one of my favorite green smoothies and how much prep -

1 cup water in carafe

1 green apple, halved, cored, halved again

3 kale leaves, greens stripped from stem

2 celery stalks, trimmed, halved

2" English cucumber, slice off a hunk and toss in carafe

1/2 frozen banana

1 cup frozen fruit

sprinkle of Stevia or squirt of honey

BAM whir it up, pour in a glass, clean the carafe right away per manufacturer's instructions. The cookbooks have great recipes. All you really need to do is wash the produce and minimally chop it, let this work horse do the work for you!

My little "tip" - I blend everything EXCEPT the frozen fruit very thoroughly for a minute or two. This tends to heat it up...but when I then add the frozen fruit, everything cools down and thickens up.

When I added everything all at once, I sometimes had celery strings and other stuff...or the smoothie would get too warm to enjoy.