Help - Vitamix For My Wife For Christmas

[wtb]

Hello everyone,

My first post on the forum. I found the site while researching Vita-Mix blenders. A lot of info here!

My wife eats much healthier than I do, but she's slowly "pulling me in", and I'd like to give this healthy eating thing a chance - more fruits and veggies. We just have a regular blender now, and to aid the effort I'd like to buy her a Vita-Mix for Christmas.

I'm primarily looking at the 5000 and 5002 models, but I've come across a deal on a Vitaprep (3 hp). It's priced about the same as the 5002 (2hp).

So, my question is, is there any downside to going with the Vitaprep over the Vita-Mix 5000 or 5200? More hp is better in all instances, right?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for everything that I'm sure I'll learn on the forum.

Thanks!

[blaqberry]

wow, how cool. lucky wife! :)

:o ---> apologies... I don't have any helpful info to offer for which is better, but I'm sure others who do will chime in.

[Radiantly Raw]

I have a 5000. And I'm not too sure on the differences in the models you mentioned. More HP sounds great, you're right. My 5000 can handle anything I have thrown into it so far.

The thing I would recommend is the variable speed dial in the center of the base. Some models have on/off and low/high. The dial in the center that you can use while it's on low is so awesome! Without it, things splash up the sides and such. Also, I can gently blend a few last ingredients with it very low whereas if you don't have this dial, even low can pulverize things!;)

Maybe the models you're looking at all have that dial. If so, I'm not sure what the best choice would be. But I know I LOVE having the versatility of that variable speed control!:)

A VitaMix is an incredible Christmas gift and she's sure to love it whichever you choose! Glad to hear your enjoying the healthy eating as well!

Merry Christmas!

[baltochef]

wtb

The Vita-Prep 3 blender is the bottom of the line commercial model available from Vita-Mix..

It is the model that I own & I highly recommend it..

It has a slightly better motor then the home versions, although all Vita-Mix blenders are heads & shoulders better then the blenders marketed to home consumers..

Vita-Mix got it's start decades ago selling a more powerful, longer lasting blender then the Waring & Hamilton Beach offerings of the time..

Blender manufacturers here of late seem to be competing for the most powerful blender award..There are 20 & 25 amp blenders being marketed right now..

The more powerful the blender is, the MORE noise it will generate at maximum power..Even the quietest of these new generation of powerful blenders puts out in excess of 80 decibels..More then a few seconds exposure above 80 decibels is permanently harmful to human hearing..

My personal opinion is that the Vita-Prep 3 should be ALL that is needed for even the busiest raw foodist at home..

If I ever feel the need for more power then my Vita-Prep 3, then I will hook my blender up to a 20 horsepower tractor engine with a PTO..

Then I will be able to chip 6" diameter tree branches & shred leaves for the compost pile, as well as make green smoothies & raw hummus (tongue-in-cheek!)..

Good luck,

Bruce

[wtb]

Thanks for the info.

From the reivews that I've read, I'm sure that a 2HP 5000 or 5002 model would be all that we would need, but when I saw a Vitaprep 3HP for about the same price as the 5002, I thought that it might be best to go for the extra HP.

I just wanted to check to see if there were any negatives about going with 3HP model for home blending. Also, I have a few questions and concerns:

1. I've read that these blenders are loud, and I'm wondering if the 3HP is much louder than the 2HP.

2. Is the Vitaprep's container/blades good for wet and dry?

3. Another consideration is that the 5000 and 5002 are packaged with more consumer perks -DVD, recipe books, etc. Being newer to this, I figure that they'd be good resources to have.

I'd better decide soon. Christmas will soon be here!

Thanks!

[maui_butterfly]

for what its worth, i got the recipe book and the dvd with mine, and they were basically worthless. i never look at them.

better to buy her alissa's book and dvd!

[Lady Green Jeans]

Wow, that is so awsome for you to do for her. I have the 5000, which was purchased at a road show at Costco. Recently saw the road show again and they have the 5200. Looks like slightly higher hp and a shorter container to fit under cabinets. I did watch the video that came with mine but have not used the free cookbook at all. Still saved money and got the extended warranty. Both are great units so is pretty much preference. If they are the same price--get the newer model. If you order online from the company--suggest you get the set of spatulas that are shaped to help remove food from the container more easily.

[wtb]

Thanks again for the info, everyone.

I went ahead and ordred the new Vita-Mix 5200 model. It's pricey, but I expect that it will do a great job for us and consider it a loooong term investment.

I think the spec sheet even mentioned that it would give me a shave every morning and mow the lawn weekly in the summer, so it might be worth it. LOL!

Talk to you soon.

[baltochef]

Thanks again for the info, everyone.

I went ahead and ordred the new Vita-Mix 5200 model. It's pricey, but I expect that it will do a great job for us and consider it a loooong term investment.

I think the spec sheet even mentioned that it would give me a shave every morning and mow the lawn weekly in the summer, so it might be worth it. LOL!

Talk to you soon.

If it uses a straight razor instead of a safety razor, then you got a VERY good deal!!..

Bruce

[tvillemom]

It's just TOO COOL that you are suprising her with such a GREAT GIFT!!

Lucky lady!!

[eachpeachpearplum]

Congrats, it is worth EVERY PENNY!