Kitchen

[lovetosing]

What is the difference between each and which is better? Hard to pick one as there are so many different ones to choose from..

[bonnielu]

I have the old variety 5200 from Costco. I still love it and at that price I doubt I will be replacing it. I only have myself and my hubby to feed... and my two chihuahuas.. so it is good enough for me. I have been tempted because I love gadgets but at the price it goes for I think it really does not make a difference for me. I hope someone will answer your post because I am interested in the answer.

[lovetosing]

thanks for your comment. The ezpay today does help..I saw one on 6 easy pays and it is the automatic one. I saw that it has a pulse button...I know I would like to chop vegetables in it for salads...wondering how the pulse button works also..

[adriennelisa]

Variable is the basic Vitamix where you can manually raise or lower the speed when the mixed is on. The automatic Vitamix does it for you. For example, the automatic has a setting for smoothies. When you use this setting, the speed starts out slow and will gradually raise on its on then turn itself off. My current one is a 6300 which has both settings, while my previous Vitamix was the basic variable model. The automatic is convenient, but if its either/or I would go with the variable. Either way Vitamix is worth the cost. My previous one, which I had over 10 years, was going strong and looked like new when I purchased my new one. I really didn't need the new one but wanted a new color for my kitchen. Other then the Blend-tec, I have never seen another blender perform as well.

[lovetosing]

Thanks adriennelisa for your comments..so you prefer the variable because you can control the speed yourself then?

[LilyBell2]

A variable speed control is important. A couple of models have both the variable speed control and presets (automatic programs). The 6300 (also sold as the 500) has 3 presets and a variable speed control. The Pro 750 has 5 presets and a variable speed control.

The 6000 has timed settings only, (I believe there are 6) ranging in selection from 30 seconds up to 6 1/2 minutes. It has no variable speed control.

There's also a variety of machines that have no presets or timed settings but they do have a variable speed control.

Then there's the two speed machine which has neither a variable speed control nor presets.

I have a 5000 (the predecessor to the 5200) and a Pro 750. Both have variable speed controls. I enjoy the presets on the Pro 750, but I would never sacrifice a variable speed control for presets or timed settings. The variable speed control is something I would not be willing to do without on any Vitamix.

So, whatever model you decide to get, just make sure it has a variable speed control and you'll do OK. Don't settle for a less functional machine just because it's available on easy pay. Vitamix machines last for a very, very, long time.

There's a good comparison guide here.

[adriennelisa]

You are welcome, lovetosing. While having the automatic is nice, since it allows me to walk away from the Vitamix since I know it will automatically turn off, you lose some of the control. There maybe times where you want to control the speed yourself. I am rarely blending anything for more then a couple of minutes, so its not too much of a burden for me to manually control the speed. I compare it to losing the ability to set the exact time desired on a microwave only and only having the ability to use preset times.