Vitamix Question...

[Princess Elaine]

I'm on a limited budge and want to buy a Vitamix...I see a huge price jump from the Vitamix 4500 to the 5000...I've studied both on the Vitamix site and even wrote the company....it seems like the 4500 model will suit me for my needs...yet I'd hate to buy it and it not be right then I'd reatlly feel bad.

Does anyone have a thought on these two blenders...is anyone happy with the 4500 model....I may not be able to afford the big bucks one so I'm hoping in advance to get some positive feed back.

Thank you, Elaine

[Rawkinlocs]

I own the 4500 and it works fine for me. I still blend, grind flax seeds and I love mine. Of course I've never used the 5000 to compare them...I'm only comparing the 4500 to my older blenders and compared to those, it does work better.

What exactly are you looking for in a blender? I was also told by the Vitamix Dealer at Costco when they were there doing demos that I could still purchase a dry-blade container for my 4500 if I wanted to, but at this point, I see no need to do so.

Edited to add: Biff mentioned below my post that some people own the 4500 and try to make it work by flipping the switch off and on...I would assume this is because they are trying to do food processing in it. Again, ask yourself what you want in a blender. Me, personally, I was not looking for a one-machine-does-it-all...I don't mind owning/using both a blender and a food processor depending on what I'm making. I only wanted a blender to blend with but I wanted it to blend smoother than my standard blender did and that's precisely what the 4500 does for me. But I also got the extra bonus of it being able to grind flax seeds and nuts for me too. But if you are wanting to give up the coffee grinder AND the food processor, then perhaps go with the 5000 so you get the all-in-one...but if that's not your main desire for getting a Vitamix and you simply want a more powerful blender, then you could go with either the 4500 or the 5000. If I'm not mistaken, I have read here on RFT that some who own the 5000 still own and operate a food processor for some recipes simply because it's easier to get food out of the processor.

Just some things to consider. I've owned a similar blender with the turn dial (the LeQuip) and it was okay, but I'm still just as happy with my 4500 and while I haven't owned a 5000, I've seen it demo'd and I'm still not completely sold on it. But again, it depends on what it is you are looking for in a blender.

[Veganforlife]

I love the 4500! Absolutely love it. Use it two, maybe three times daily. From what I've read about the 5000, the 4500 more suited my needs. I like the plastic pitcher - it's light weight and cleans easily. I don't find it too awful loud. It's loud, but not unbearable. I know Sharon in Colorado wears ear muffs! :eek:
My vote? Go for the 4500!

[Biff]

I made the same mistake as you are going to make. I first purchased the 4500 thinking that I could save a few bucks and will make it work. You really want to buy one with the speed dial on it if you will be making a lot of food and smoothies.

You will try to convince yourself now that you can make it work and keep switching it on and off to control speed. That gets very frustrating and when you are spending the effort to make healthy food, at the very least spend the money on the blender. It is by far the most used appliance in my raw kitchen.

The speed dial is great for making sauces, creams, nut cheese, smoothies, etc. Once I tried it in a class that I took, I sold my 4500 and bought one with the speed dial. In my opinion, it really is that good. I am sure that many people on this site who have a 4500 will tell you that they love theirs and make it work. But the best advice is from somebody who owned both of them. I am pretty certain that if I offered to trade mine with the speed dial to anybody with a 4500 that they would make the trade in heartbeat.

Do you know anybody who owns both of them? Go try out the 5000 or the Vitaprep 3. Once you do, you will not want the 4500.

So I wasted money by buying the 4500 new, then selling it used, and then buying the one with the speed dial. Save yourself the money now by just getting the better of the two blenders.

[RawTruth]

Hey Darlin!!

I absolutely love the BlendTec Total Blender. I got mine after you took my class, actually, so you never used it. Whichever way you go, ya know there a local source - Fern's Nutrition in Huntington Beach. Our mutual friend uses a VitaMix and is very happy with it. But, I like the variable speeds on the BlendTec. Plus, their "Will it Blend" series online is just absolutely hilarious. I'm a bit partial to anything that makes me laugh!!

http://www.willitblend.com/videos.aspx?type=unsafe

Give me a call if ya want, Elaine. I miss seeing you! And -- there's always dinner at "Cheers", ya know!!

Hugs!

[Ama]

I have a K-Tec (blendtec) Total blender as well and love it. I got the demo model right from the company so it was cheaper. I don't see any on their site (http://www.blendtec.com/products.aspx?catagory=1) right now but you could always contact the company you are interested in and ask if they have demo models.

[daimajin108]

Jakc Lalane Health Mater 100 . $150 Buckaroos. It sure does look like it comes from the same warehouse that manufactures Vita-Mix blenders. I hae a Vita-Mix 5000. It works great. I use the speed control dial a lot. If I was in the market for a new blender I would be looking at the healthmaster 100. Someone on this board posted about this blender. I don't know if they ever got one. I would be interested to hear some feedback on these.

[Ginger]

"Will it Blend" series online is just absolutely hilarious. I'm a bit partial to anything that makes me laugh!!

http://www.willitblend.com/videos.aspx?type=unsafe



OMG!!! That was hilarious thanks! :D

[Biff]

Hey there Rawkinlocs - I actually have two food processors also in addition to my Vitamix. :) The speed dial on my blender really is a nice feature. I can honestly say that I mostly use it for green smoothies, sauces, and soups.

Like I mentioned, I had the 4500, then signed up for raw culinary school, and got instantly hooked when I used their vitamix 5000s and Vitaprep 3s - both with speed dials. I came home and my 4500 wasn't the same. I sold my 4500 and used the money to buy one with a speed dial. (and I also bought a new upgraded food processor that they used in class!)

When I make my food, I like it to be fun and easy. I also teach raw food classes find that most of the students like the speed dial better. I guess what it boils down to is the fact that everybody would pick the one with the speed dial if they were the same price. So what Princess Elaine needs to decide is the difference in price worth it to her. For me it was. But I admit that I have spent a lot of my money on raw food gadgets. And my Vitamix with the speed dial is my favorite one.

[Princess Elaine]

Oh, thank you everyone...I just got home and quickly turned on my computer hoping to get at least one response and ya'lls have given me lots of ideas....Rawkinlocs...I make A LOT of green smoothies...I have a food processer and a nut grinder so my blender wouldn't be used for those things...I've been using my roommates and have beaten the heck out of it (I bought her a new one but don't wanna beat that one up , too, so I'll get my own, one that is capable of being used a lot.

Raw Truth....Yup, let's get together soon!!!...I'm doing great and I talk about you all the time and how we met...and I STILL don't drink coffee thanks to you!!!! No longer even like the smell of it.

Thanks everyone for your help...I see there's more then one way to make my green smoothies and I'll look into the other blenders before I make this purchase...

Elaine