Do Vitamix owners use food processors too?

[CaliRaw]

Do those of you who have a Vitamix, use food processors too or do you use your Vitamix for everything? I'm thinking of the counter space I would save if I had one. :)

[Strawberry Smoothie]

I have the Vitamix 4500, and it does not double as a food processor. Maybe the newer model with the dial does, but mine liquifies everything. I used to have a food processor that i picked up at a garage sale for $5 and it was perfect, but somehow when I moved many of the essential parts of it went missing, so I threw it away. I'm looking for another cheap food processor, as I refuse to spend big $ on any other equipment. I can only sort of make pates in the vitamix. For the most part, it does not work out well. It starts to heat up whatever is closest to the blades and then I have to shut it of, use a spatula to try to mix it around, and it doesn't really work that great. The Vitamix in my opinion is good for smoothies and soups, and that's about it. It's a good thing I drink a lot of smoothies, or I would have thought it was a waste.

[CaliRaw]

Thanks! Do the greens become complete liquid too or do you see bits floating to the bottom? Can you drink entire smoothie with a straw? With my blender, I can drink most of it with a straw, but towards the end of the drink/meal, there's a lot of little bits that require a little chewing if I don't add more water.

[Strawberry Smoothie]

I guess I see specs, but nothing that floats to the bottom and causes the smoothie to become thicker. It's not chunky by any means. I can drink with a straw, but I never do. I like my smoothies on the thick side anyway. I cram a lot of greens in the blender and just enough water to get things moving. I also use a couple tablespoons of Superfood (Dr Schulze's green powder), although, now that I'm thinking about it, I have no idea of his green powder is raw. :confused:

[CaliRaw]

I just looked at their website. The 5000 model can dice and chop.

[CaliRaw]

I guess I see specs, but nothing that floats to the bottom and causes the smoothie to become thicker. It's not chunky by any means. I can drink with a straw, but I never do. I like my smoothies on the thick side anyway. I cram a lot of greens in the blender and just enough water to get things moving. I also use a couple tablespoons of Superfood (Dr Schulze's green powder), although, now that I'm thinking about it, I have no idea of his green powder is raw. :confused:

I know of Dr Schulze! I did his colon cleanse a few months ago. I have the green powder that alissa sells, but haven't used it yet. I also have Living Foods super food and it was not very good, but it would probably be better in a well-blended smoothie.

[tali]

You can chop in all the VMs but it's something have to practice at because of the high speed of the blades.

I don't have a food processor, only a VM but I'm new to raw so I haven't tried much. I do plan on liberating the my brother's fp since he doesn't use it much -- if I find I can't do what I want in my VM.

[Strawberry Smoothie]

I just looked at their website. The 5000 model can dice and chop.

that's what I was told about the 4500. The sales person, who was a rep from Vitamix doing a promotion at a store told me that it would replace my food processor because it could chop and dice. He lied.

[Strawberry Smoothie]

You can chop in all the VMs but it's something have to practice at because of the high speed of the blades.

I don't have a food processor, only a VM but I'm new to raw so I haven't tried much. I do plan on liberating the my brother's fp since he doesn't use it much -- if I find I can't do what I want in my VM.

Can you tell me how you chop with your vitamix? I've tried turning the switch on and off quickly and it still only liquifies what's closest to the blades, and doesn't touch anything else. If I can find a way to make this thing do what i want it to do, I'll be the happiest girl on the block. :D

[Sammijane]

if i set my vitamix (vitaprep) at the lowest variable setting, it chops stuff into a salsa-like consistancy. I only got it a few days ago but already know that it will replace my food processor for many things such as purees and pestos. It might completely replace my food processor... not sure yet but I see that potential! Just make sure the vitamix you get has variable speeds.

[tali]

Can you tell me how you chop with your vitamix? I've tried turning the switch on and off quickly and it still only liquifies what's closest to the blades, and doesn't touch anything else. If I can find a way to make this thing do what i want it to do, I'll be the happiest girl on the block. :D

Do you have your VM book? There is a section in there where it talks about it.. I'm not at home, else I'll type out the information.


Tali

[Raw Mom]

I use my Vitamix everyday, my fp a few times a week. Love both.....:cool:

[SmilingRawDancer]

I can't do chopping in my Vitamix - not the kind of chopping I want done, anyways. I get my money's worth out of a cheap $40 FP and my Vitamix as well.
I run the Vitamix at least twice a day for various projects (smoothies, nut butter) and I use the FP to pulse chop veggies for a quick salad, or to get a ricey cauliflower consistancy etc.

I say just get both, you'll use them. I don't go out to eat anymore, and I've had times where one meal at a place would cost $40 which is how much it cost to just get a FP. So I see it as WELL worth it.

[luckitri]

Thanks for starting this topic Cali. I have been thinking that I am confused about what equipment will do what. I assumed that Alissa would have all the equipment necessary for sale in her store and I also assumed that she would pick the best for raw use. So now when I look at recipes and it says food processor I don't know if that means a high end Vitamix or something else like a Cuisanart. I remember someone on here complaining that she could not make small amounts of nut butter but the Vitamix in the store here says that it will do 4 oz which I think is a pretty small amount.

[tali]

Alissa said in her DVDs that the VM is a newer addition to her kitchen. She's always used a FP and a blender for most things. She does like the VM though and sells it in her shop.

It will do small amounts but you need to pay attention with them. You need to clean out from under the blades and get it onto the blades. It goes quick and you have to listen to the VM as it processes.

The VM will do nut butters but I do not believe a FP will since the blades don't move as fast and can get dull quickly.

The VM will also do smoothies with ice/frozen fruit, soup, nut butters, grain grinding (easier if it's sprouted), batter mixing (which is now more nut "batter") and it can chop things. The chopping isn't pretty and it isn't uniform - at least I've never managed to make it uniform. *G*

A food processor is probably best for making pates and other mixes that you don't want to chop the ingredients in. I admit, after watching Alissa's video that I wanted a FP and yet I've never wanted or needed one before.

[rawhjdmom23]

I own the vitamix but I don't really make anything but smoothies in it and grind flax. I use the food processer for everything else. The vitamix container is very hard to get stuff out of imo, so if I want to do something thick or make a small amount of something I can't get it out- so it ends up getting wasted. I get my money's worth out of the vitamix for the smooth smoothies alone though.

[Morn]

I have a vitamix 5000. But I also have a 14 cup cuisanart Food processor I got for Christmas. A food processor is so nice to have and I would never live without mine! Mine has different attachments so I can dice, shred, slice etc. My vitamix can't do all that my food processor can. I guess it depends on the application you are using it for. I also have a small coffee grinder to grind my flax seed, & cocoa nibs.

[jeannieh99]

I do chop with my vita mix. I love the consistancy of the pieces and I make lots of salsas with it. I also make a really good eggplant, carrot and cashew mix that I put in my lettuce leaves.....mmmmmm...

I really love my vita mix for so many things. I think it just takes getting used to all the variable settings. I took me awhile to get the hang of it.

I use my vita mix and my magic bullet every single day, several times a day.

I've thought about gettting FP, but I don't know if I really should have one or need one....I have a salad cutter from lifetime cookware for when I bought my waterless cookware.(before my raw days). It does so much incredible stuff.

Jeannie

[tali]

Jeannie --

Can you describe the process you use to chop in your VM?

Thanks.

[exurb]

I have a vitamix and I still use the FP also, but less than the VM. I would say VM daily, FP twice a week or so. If I made recipes daily I'd probably use both daily. If you needed the counter, you might get away with the FP being in a cupboard, but to me the VM doesn't replace the FP.

I can't emphasize strongly enough my agreement with everyone, to make sure when you get your vitamix you get the one with the variable speed. (you want the 5000 not the 4500) It is night and day compared to the 4500 with just high and low. That variable switch goes a long way to make certain things happen in the VM.

I love the VM, wouldn't be without one now! I also couldn't part with my cuisinart either.

If you plan to follow a lot of recipes, you'll probably want both.

[sfdreams]

I can't emphasize strongly enough my agreement with everyone, to make sure when you get your vitamix you get the one with the variable speed. (you want the 5000 not the 4500) It is night and day compared to the 4500 with just high and low. That variable switch goes a long way to make certain things happen in the VM.

Thanks for this post!! I have a food processor that's at least 25 years old, and it has really been getting a workout lately! I have a regular blender, but have not used it much. I DO have a Magic Bullet and I use it everyday for my smoothies--it is much more convenient than dragging out that big blender! Plus, you can process right in the cup you drink from!

I have been coveting a Vitamix or Blendtec (I wasn't sure which is better--they both have their proponents) but the cost was keeping from getting it just yet. (Ditto with the dehydrator.) I have really enjoyed reading all the posts. When I have enough money to purchase the vitamix, I will make a more informed decision! (I actually think a dehydrator will be my first purchase though--want breads and crackers for variety.)

[sfdreams]

I also have a small coffee grinder to grind my flax seed, & cocoa nibs.
I just got my cacao nibs today--ate them straight (not that great) and blended them in a banana smoothie--better but still crunchy and not too chocolaty. Now I know what I did wrong--I never knew that I should grind them first!!!:o

[Rawkinlocs]

I use both (I also have the 4500 model) but even when I had a variable speed blender (the L'equip) I still used the FP. One reason I like the FP over the Vitamix for some things is the ease of removing the food because of the wide container of a FP. Like, when I make ice cream, sure I can make it in the Vitamix, but I like the FP better as it's easier to get all of the creamy goodness out! :D

[Lady Green Jeans]

I use my VM for green smoothies in the morning and when I need some of the smoother sauces for raw recipes. Use my FP for shredding, grating and making most non-smooth recipes like pates and dips. Would be hard-pressed to give up either one.

[exurb]

sfdreams, thanks for your post.

If it helps a little with cost, Vitamix are occasionally at Costco on a "roadshow" just for a week or so at certain locations, and at Costco they sell the 5000 with variable speed, and they will be about $50 cheaper than from the company. You can call 1-800-vitamix and ask when they are at a Costco near you. You get the same 7 year warranty if you mail in the warranty card after purchase.

Others on here have also been happy with their re-conditioned machines from the company, some have got theirs from E-bay also.

[Revvell]

I use both.

Revvellicious

[eachpeachpearplum]

OK, I use both; I have my grans Cuisinart FP from 23 years ago and still works like a dream. I also have the VM 5000 and couldnt live without it!

I use both separatly and some time together. You can chop in the VM to a point but I would sill get a FP. If it is a choice between the two then go for the VM hands down and try to get a FP at a later date perhaps second hand.

If it's a storage issue I have my VM on the counter and have the FP in the upper cabinet just above the VM. I put the motor and bowl w/lid inverted into the bowl side by side and it fits great; also lifting it down is much nicer than bending down and heaving it up!

Does the VM leave bits?Ha ha ha; NO, that thing would puree my car . . .and then ask for the driveway! :eek:

[Lavendula]

Hi, I'm new and working really hard to be as raw as possible, it's all about health. I just picked up a Cuisinart Blend Central w/a fp bowl also. I have to say I'm not so impressed, though one of the Raw chef experts said Cuisinart was the best, it has a 56 oz pitcher, (huge). How big is the VM pitcher and the base? My objective is to have one motor base w/ two separate tops. Any ideas on that type. I was afraid of burning up my old Oster, though it does a fine job blending my smoothie. It was my father's, so it's a sentimental thing. I haven't really looked at the more expensive units, and I don't have much counter space. I can't get a good almond butter texture w/ either fp, an old Oscar and a Cuisinart. They're fine for everything else, I just want to streamline. Any feedback would be great