Vitamix how important is it

[findingmyway]

Hey Everyone,

I am on the RAW 30 day challenge, but will not be making any recipes that require nuts. I will just be consuming GS and basic fruits and veggies nothing special. I am planning on getting a juicer and a food dehydrator, but how important is it for my to spend a couple hundred on a vitamix. I see people use it with recipes that require chopping nuts and things, but I have a fabulous blander at home that does the job. Should I bother with the vitamix?

[pamparred]

If your blender works, why replace it. Use it and if you find it doesn't do the job then think about replacing it. I don't have a Vitamix, I have a Waring Xtreme commercial blender. It has a 3+ horsepower that is more powerful motor than the Vitamix. I think its all about the motor and how powerful it is for chopping nuts, blending greens in smoothies, etc. Hope that helps.

[rawstrength]

You don't need a juicer if you get a vitamix. I think my vitamix works wonderfully as a juicer. Check out this video (http://www.viddler.com/explore/JuiceFeasting/videos/2/) about making juice with a vitamix and nutmilk bag. I use paint strainer bags instead of a nutmilk bag because they're cheaper - just pick them up at a hardware store.
I love my vita-mix! I used it to make nut butters, tahini, juices, smoothies, pates, dips, dressings, chopped veggies, pudding, guacamole, and many other lovely raw things. But is it necessary? No. No piece of equipment is necessary to do raw foods.
I just think the vita-mix is great because it does the job of a food processor, a blender, and a juicer all in one. Yes, there is a bit of a learning curve, but once you master a few basic techiniques the vita-mix will really enhance your raw experience, at least in my opinion.

[shashibala]

I know having a Vitamix is great, but I've been raw for 5 months very successfully without one.

[carolg]

My food processor and blender are my best friends. I don't have a Vitamix and survived several years without one. They are great as I hear, but haven't found any need. I would apply that extra money towards a juicer if you wish one. My food processor is a Cuisinart, 11c. bought at Costco. Save receipt as fabulous to the max return policy if something happens. Great guarantee from Cuisinart too. I'm hooked!
carolg

[KindnessToAllCreatures]

but I have a fabulous blander at home that does the job. Should I bother with the vitamix?

It sounds like you've already answered your own question.

I agree with pamparred. If your blender works, why replace it? My suggestion is to trust your instincts. No one knows better than you! :)

[findingmyway]

Thanks everyone I will stick with my blender until it gives out on me. It is old but young at heart..lol. When she gives out on me I guess I will consider buying a vitamix. Still a couple hundred for a blender seems steep. Might want to save that money for when I lose all this weight and need to go clothes shopping. Hang in there blender..hehe

[Aleesha Sattva]

i didn't think i really needed a vita-mix. my blender was just fine. then i got a vita-mix and discovered just how 'not fine' my blender was blending LOL

i would trade ANY of my raw appliances in except my vita-mix. honestly it is the most important, most used and most "worth the money" appliance i own.

i looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove my vita-mix!!!

[RawPaw]

I use an old blender that my parents bought in the 70s. It makes great smoothies. I say spend the least amount of money until you gain some experience and know exactly what you want.

I reckon you can buy a used Vita-Mix on eBay from someone who gave up. Is that cynical?

[rawfoodistdavid]

I use my Vitamix 5000 more than any other appliance BUT, contrary to the hype, it's just a powerful blender - rubbish as a food processor. It's very fast as a grinder with the 'dry container' but then for the price of the dry container a separate grinder could be bought.

If you don't need the power, I prefer to use my middle-of-the-road food processor as it's much easier to get the contents of thicker recipes out. If you can't pour it out of a Vitamix, you'll be frustrated.

I also use mine as a 'juicer' often, but still find you need a separate unit for certain things - carrot juice, celery juice, orange juice are better in a real juicer. And if you do wheatgrass you really need a juicer. I have the Greenstar GS1000 - that thing is the business.

[Aleesha Sattva]

And if you do wheatgrass you really need a juicer.

i humbly disagree with ya!

http://aleeshasrawlife.blogspot.com/2008/02/wheatgrass-smoothie-with-vita-mix.html

[rawstrength]

I juice carrots and celery in my vitamix all the time. Yes, you have to cut them to the right size and blend it just so, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy.

[Conscious Midwife]

My Vitamixer, GAIA, is the single most import kitchen tool/appliance/gadget I own. Actually I could make due with Gaia and a good knife alone.

Food processor is cool but dangerous to clean.
Blender, trashed several before getting GAIA
Zeus, my dehydrator, serves his pupose but... uh he's just not GAIA
Spiral Slicer thingy, flimsy and over rated

[Raspberry4]

That is a good question. I do notice that the Vitamix is faster and stronger (I would suggest soaking nuts before blending them though with any blender - that is just my opinion). But I find that even my Vitamix does not blend ALL of the nuts even after several attempts I can still have chunks in there. And with the smoothies still have pieces of frozen fruit left in. I don't like to run it too long as I don't want to 'heat' my food. But I wonder if it is JUST me - or does anyone else with a vitamix have these issues???

[Conscious Midwife]

For fine nuts or powder flour like nut meal blend before adding liquid.

Seems as if when all the ingredient are togethre chinks of nuts can get caught i ht vortex and never make it to the blade.

JUst my uneducated thought on the matter:confused:

On second thought my food processor is great for making a good nutt butter and since the blade is removable, none is wasted or caught in spaces I can't reach.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i always put something that needs good grinding in the bottom of my vita-mix. that way it gets chopped better. my avocado pits are always nice and smooth in my GS.

honestly you have to blend it on high for 4 minutes to heat it! that's a looooong time.

if in doubt... add ice! and blend some more.

but i never find i need to blend longer than a minute.

[Raspberry4]

Must be me then - even if I add ice it never chops it away - there is always a chunk left. Even after two to three minutes of blending.:(

[jacsam]

The first thing I'd get is Alissa's book and DVD....you'll see how she uses her blender, food processor and dehydrator. To me these are the first basic tools you need. You don't need the very best blender but when I finally got a vitamix, yeah, it was heavenly.