If you have a Vitamix...

[daisyduke]

can you please tell me about mine? I just got a 3600 from ebay and it doesn't have instructions. Why is the top called an action dome? How come when I put it together, the top doesn't "close" - there's still a hole at the top? How can it be a juicer? How does it make ice cream?

One more question...sometimes when I put bananas in it, it doesn't blend them. I have to push them down. Is this how you do it? Is there a better way? Thanks!

[Veganforlife]

Hey daisyduke - it you maybe go to the vitamix website, you may be able to download a manual. A lot of sites let you do that...
here, look on this link:

http://www.vitamix.com/foodservice/products/instruction_manuals_old.asp

[Dimond]

Why would you buy a Vitamix from the 1960s?!

[daisyduke]

Well, I don't plan on using it too much and I don't have $500 to spend on a blender. I never make fancy recipes and just plan on using it occasionally. Sorry if I shouldn't have purchased it...

[Dimond]

Sorry, not trying to make you feel bad. You should contact the person who sold it to you for answers, as well as the company.

[Veganforlife]

Why are you apologizing? Hey! We do what we can in life. I would bet you'd be able to find a manual on line somewhere...
Also, maybe products from the 60's were better then ones nowadays...
That's silly to apologize - come on!
Did you try the link above? Contact them (Vitamix) directly - they may have some instructions...

[D'vorah]

Welcome to the Vitamix family!!! As for the banana question, I use some water at the bottom of the blender before putting in dense fruit.

I'm not sure about the 3600 modle, but mine has a clear top piece in the middle of the lid, it's possible yours did too, but it was lost. I'm guessing from the ebay listings I looked at that the lid was a two piece lid. I'm sure you could improvise.

I did a google search and found several posts by people with the same problem of getting a 3600 and not having a manual. Here's one reply, but it's kind of old, so I don't know if the poster is still available. Click on his name to email him:

http://www.vegsource.com/talk/vegswap/messages/6217.html

Also, there are a bunch of ebay listings, people that list on ebay want to make money, so I bet one of them would be willing to sell you a copy of their manual.

If you ever want to upgrade to a more modern modle, I've heard that the company does sell refurbished units. Sometimes you can get special deals at home shows and state fairs, too.

Hope that helps.

Deborah

[JinxieKat]

You don't have the variable speed with that model then do you? As for the banana problem just start out at the lowe speed and then switch to high. If your only blending bananas, particularly frozen, they are going to 'bounce' off of the blades. I don't know about your vitamix but mine came with a tamper to fix that problem. If you look at your lid there should be two parts to it.. the black rubber outer part, then an inner circle of plastic. If your lid looks like that you can pull that inner section out then insert the tamper through that section so you can use the tamper safely while the blender is running. If you don't have a tamper, but your lid is in two sections, you can buy tampers off of vitamix's website.

You can do the juice in two ways, one is a whole food juice or the infamous green smoothie that is the topic of many discussions on this website, just use the banana to search for 'green smoothie'. Or you can blend up a fruit, then use a nut milk bag to drain out the pulp and you'll get juice.

The hole at the top, is it where the spout is or is it in the middle of the lid? If it is by the spout you may just need to press on your lid harder. I very rarely completely close my lid as it seals so tight than it is a pain to get it off once it is closed. If it is in the middle then I'd say your missing that central part of your lid where the tamper goes. Then you may want to look into ordering a new lid.

Hope that helps!

Jinx

[daisyduke]

Thank you for all of your help. I appreciate it. I guess that clear pastic part in the middle of my lid is missing. I'm sure something else will do...Thanks again.

[Pailani]

I never use the clear plastic top of my Vitamix, I just hold my hand over the hole in the lid.

[D'vorah]

I very rarely completely close my lid as it seals so tight than it is a pain to get it off once it is closed.

Me too! I keep hoping they'll come up wtih a better lid.

Deborah

[Queen Shelley]

I have a Stainless Steel Maxi-4000 and use a big fat cork for the top. I have the wooden tamper for tamping down, but rarely use it. :D

[sno white]

I am new to the group and don’t know how to get you a personal message but I have a Vita mix 3600 that I bought many years ago and I also have the book that goes with it. If I could get your mailing address I would be glad to send it to you.

You do need to put a liquid in to cover the blades no matter what fruit/veggie you are using; well, not when making nut butters.

As for the hole in the top I used to put an orange or something over the hole but now I put a piece of wax paper over the container and fasten the top over it.

I have used it almost daily for all these years and about 15 years ago I had to send it to the company for repairs and it cost me $40 to get it fixed. I understand not buying a new one. I have nightmares that this one is going to konk out and I will be without one.

BTW my gripe about it has always been keeping the spigot clean. Grrrr.

[sno white]

Oh, Yes! I forgot to tell you that I put my speed on low and reverse the on/off switch several times then put on high speed and turn on for a few seconds then quickly reverse the on/off switch a few more times.

Try putting about a cup of pineapple juice, 3 celery stalks and several ice cubes in the container then reverse the on/off switch several times on LOW speed until celery comes down into the juice. Then run on high forward until fairly liquid. Reverse the on/off switch several times (allow the speed to attain full speed each time before reversing)

Can add more ice or juice if desired.

[daisyduke]

Thank you all so much for the advice. It helps tremendously.

Sno White - my email is tammytrainor@hotmail.com
I would really appreciate if you would be kind enough to send me that book. I'll pay shipping, and I'll send it back to you when I've read it. I hate keeping that spigot clean too. How do you find works the best? Thanks again!

[sno white]

I am sending you a message to your email address so if you don’t get it remember to check your junk mail folder. I have been known to empty my folder without checking it and deleting info that I really wanted.

[tomch]

I never use the clear plastic top of my Vitamix, I just hold my hand over the hole in the lid.

I had to laugh when I read this, because this is what I do most of the time, too. This way I don't have to wash another Vitamix part!!

If I were smarter, I'd cover the hole in the lid with my mouth :eek: and then just drink through the hole in the lid. This would eliminate the need to use a drinking glass, and keep the juice off my hand!

For a list of 100 ways to avoid doing dishes, please send $19.95 to ....

Tom

[Randolyn]

I could email you a copy. I have a question though when I first start mine it leaks out at the action dome seal/square. Is this a bad seal or am I doing something wrong? If I use frozen things it does not leak?

[Rastadawta]

hi.. I have 3600 plus and I love it..the hole in the top, which may have been explained is for the wooden tamper..this helps the items from being sprayed up..also in order to eliminate any splashing, reduce the amount of liquids used..I use to blend for uncook foods, along with cookde foods, esp. soup.
The leaking from the dome only may occur from the foam, rubber that holds the dome to the VM..u may need to replace if it is cracked..Vitamix sells the supplies of all types..
I can go on abou the VM, but it calling me..time to make my nightly smoothie...;"