Another blender question

[Stina]

I researched and discovered the Jack Lalanne blender has 2hp, like the Vitamix blender does. Is that the main thing to consider when comparing blenders? Other factors you'd recommend? It's so much cheaper......

[spicyfull]

I've seen the informercial and think it seems to be right up there with the Vita-Mix and I am a VM owner. And at $150- you can't beat it. I would say ''GO FOR IT'.

[MainelyRaw]

I am on a pretty strict budget for kitchen equipment, and I have been wishing for a Vitamix or a K-Tec for a year. A friend of mine who I have helped through some tough times, bought me a Healthmaster. She bought it re-furbished on line for $79.00. The thing works great but it is by no means a Vitamix. If you can afford a Vitamix I would recommend it first.

The HMaster has a plastic jar, and the lid on and off isn't the smoothest, but it works great. You can pay that much for a regular kitchen blender. Mine heats soups to 105 degrees with no problem. And in the winter, I have to have some warm soup.

Hope this helps.

Susan Brewer
Certified Living on Live Teacher
Southern Maine
www.rawfoodclasses.com

[baltochef]

I concur with MainleyRaw

There are NO inexpensive alternatives to the expensive blenders from Vita-mix, K-Tec, & Waring..

The power & durability of these machines are designed for professional kitchens, where they will be used for long periods at a time; conditions not often to be duplicated in a home kitchen..

The old saying that you get what you pay for has never been more appropiate, then when raw foodists are discussing blender choices..

There is simply NO substitute for these machines..

Trying to use less expensive blenders & expecting them to hold up, is just not realistic..

Raw foodists put more stress on blenders than do most SAD cooks, as we are constantly blending foods with a minimum of liquids or fats in them in order to duplicate the taste & texture of SAD foods..

This usage cries out for, nay demands the use of the most powerful blenders available..

Less expensive blenders will work for a while, but the strain of trying to blend hard to move foods will eventually ruin the motors..

As a professional chef I have been amused at the proliferation of restaurant grade tools that I see in many home kitchens..

Most never get used to their potential..

A Vita-Mix, Blend-Tec, or Waring blender is the one professional quality tool that I feel has a purpose in a raw kitchen..

The power is needed & it will defineately be utilized to it's potential..

Bruce

[EZ rider]

I like plenty of ice in my smoothies and I like everything blended smooth. The Vitamix does that for me. I occasionally put chunks of something into my smoothies to make soups but those items I chunk up with a cutting knife and board and add to the bowl separately.

[Zuri]

I used to use a cheap blender. Once I got my Vita-Mix I realized just how special and versatile these high tec blenders are, and if you wanna really get into green smoothies I'd recommend getting a high tec blender. I got on a payment plan with the Vitamix corporation, and some people get them refurbished or slightly used from the corporation or EBay or somewhere. I love my blender about as much as I love green smoothies and that's a lot!

However, when I first began the raw journey having the cheaper blender sufficed. I didn't know any better. As I ventured out and tried new things it becamse very necessary to buy the expensive blender. You don't know what you're missing until you try it and once you do........whoa!