Safety concern/s with my Vita-mix blender..

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

I bought my vita-mix last saturday. So I have had it for just over a week. I am happy with it and impressed etc., (although some of their recipes in the wholefoods book are not nice at all - they're mostly not raw anyway, but that's not the point) but I have a concern about the way which the container sits on the machine. If you, have a vita-mix or have used one you will know what I am referring to. I have the vita-mix 5000.

The blending container is removable from the base motor. It is really easy to remove and doesn't 'click in' onto the base. This is handy for taking it off quickly but, I find that when I am blending something hard like ice or frozen produce, even when I hold my hand on the top of the container, it sort of twists around when the blender is on and it's really dangerous because I was afraid it would come off when blending.

This nearly happened the other day.

I was making a fruit freeze and I needed to use the tamper(with the lid on:)) to push down the ingredients into the blades. I was also holding the machine down lightly while doing this. But, what ever way I was using the tamper the container kind of half lifted up from the base and made this really bad kind of noise and I panicked and had to turn the machine off. This really is annoying also and I want to know if anyone feels similar?

Another thing I want to mention is that when I am blending hard foods it makes a sort of cracking sound with the blades after all the food is blended. Strange(?).

Please let me know if you think you can help in any way, Thank you.

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

Anybody who has a vita-mix want to comment on this? :)

[Fee]

Ive had mine for two weeks now and I havent noticed this with mine (also the 5000).

I have noticed that sometimes it has spinned around a little to fix itself more securely in place againsnt the 4 base 'bits' but never anymore than this.

I made ice cream in it the other day using the tamper but I didnt have any problems. Are you having to reach up at all too it or lean in at an angle? That might have made a difference - I don't know.

As for the sound after the blending has done that seems very weird. Im sorry I can't help as I want everyone to be as happy with their vitamix as I am with mine.

P.s. does everyone around think you are weird spending so much on a blender?

[Ilse W.]

I have a 5000, which moves about 1/2 inch counterclockwise when I first start it. It obviously seats itself against the rubber prongs. After that it runs just fine. I use mine mostly for smoothies and soups, though. I'm extremely happy with my Vita-mix.

[spicyfull]

Not to worry. Once you get use to it you'll understand how it works. You'll also find that you can't stuff it or it won't blend because it is stuffed or needs liquids. The Base is pretty heavy so it won't tip over. Its a RAWonderful machine.....In Joy.

[kaybee]

i dont have a vitamix, but that sounds dodgey. can you call the place you got it from or take it back to show them whats going on? for a billion dollar machine, it seems like it should run withoudt dodgey-ness, lol.

[Visorblue]

I use my Vitamix 5000 at least twice a day now. It was different from a regular blender at first but I got used to it quickly. When I make my green lemonade smoothies (32oz.) I use the tamper a lot for the first 5-10 seconds as the thing is packed with green leafy veggies. I've learned to push the food down to the blades and not at harder angles that would tilt the container. If I somehow accidentally knocked it off the base (not likely) it wouldn't be dangerous or all that messy as the top isn't just popping off. There's a very short learning curve to using it.

If you are really concerned give Vitamix a call. They're nice helpful and knowledgeable people willing to help you. They aren't rude with "Had you read the manual you'd know..." like some companies I've dealt with.

These Vitamix videos (http://www.vitamix.com/household/products/super5000/maxnut.asp) aren't necessarily on raw food prep but some of them should give you an idea of various ways to use it - #52 is my favorite. :)

[T-Bird]

When I make my green lemonade smoothies

Recipe???
:D

[Veronica01]

IVG - The vitamix is SUPPOSED to do that, i have had mine almost a year and it is a safetl measure for the motor. It only twists like that when grinding nuts or frozen things and it is using more torque, if it had firm resistance it would likely break or burn the motor. My vitamix has never had a problem and never fallen off. DO NOT hold it downwhen it starts to twist it will cause strain on the motor. It is unlike any normal blender with way higher horse power that is why old style blenders click in and this one doesnt. It grabs underneath the container.

[Veronica01]

i dont have a vitamix, but that sounds dodgey. can you call the place you got it from or take it back to show them whats going on? for a billion dollar machine, it seems like it should run withoudt dodgey-ness, lol.

It is not dodgey, that is how it's supposed to be, all of them are like that. It's so it doesn't build up resistance when grinding things that are dense.

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

Ive had mine for two weeks now and I havent noticed this with mine (also the 5000).

I have noticed that sometimes it has spinned around a little to fix itself more securely in place againsnt the 4 base 'bits' but never anymore than this.

I made ice cream in it the other day using the tamper but I didnt have any problems. Are you having to reach up at all too it or lean in at an angle? That might have made a difference - I don't know.

As for the sound after the blending has done that seems very weird. Im sorry I can't help as I want everyone to be as happy with their vitamix as I am with mine.

P.s. does everyone around think you are weird spending so much on a blender?

Yeah I may give vita-mix a call, can't hurt, after all I forked out to get it:) But it's an investment so, you know.

Yeah, when I explain to my friends I tell them I got a new machine that can make multiple things like smoothies and ice-cream and soups etc., I say it works like a blender but it's so much better, and I don't get into the price because they're not really interested in the 'machine' anyway. But, I was telling a few people last year at college about it when I saw it on the first show and they were like... crazy... Ha. I don't mind, if they can't understand - let them:) I mean they're not the type of people who would be big into their health anyway.

Why, do you get that alot from people you know?

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

Not to worry. Once you get use to it you'll understand how it works. You'll also find that you can't stuff it or it won't blend because it is stuffed or needs liquids. The Base is pretty heavy so it won't tip over. Its a RAWonderful machine.....In Joy.

Thanks but I don't mean the base tipping over, I mean the blender, which kind of happened and it sounded really bad. Thanks for your adivce though.:)

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

i dont have a vitamix, but that sounds dodgey. can you call the place you got it from or take it back to show them whats going on? for a billion dollar machine, it seems like it should run withoudt dodgey-ness, lol.

Yeah thinking about giving them a ring! Thanks

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

I use my Vitamix 5000 at least twice a day now. It was different from a regular blender at first but I got used to it quickly. When I make my green lemonade smoothies (32oz.) I use the tamper a lot for the first 5-10 seconds as the thing is packed with green leafy veggies. I've learned to push the food down to the blades and not at harder angles that would tilt the container. If I somehow accidentally knocked it off the base (not likely) it wouldn't be dangerous or all that messy as the top isn't just popping off. There's a very short learning curve to using it.

If you are really concerned give Vitamix a call. They're nice helpful and knowledgeable people willing to help you. They aren't rude with "Had you read the manual you'd know..." like some companies I've dealt with.

These Vitamix videos (http://www.vitamix.com/household/products/super5000/maxnut.asp) aren't necessarily on raw food prep but some of them should give you an idea of various ways to use it - #52 is my favorite. :)

Thank you, I will have a look at the videos:).

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

IVG - The vitamix is SUPPOSED to do that, i have had mine almost a year and it is a safetl measure for the motor. It only twists like that when grinding nuts or frozen things and it is using more torque, if it had firm resistance it would likely break or burn the motor. My vitamix has never had a problem and never fallen off. DO NOT hold it downwhen it starts to twist it will cause strain on the motor. It is unlike any normal blender with way higher horse power that is why old style blenders click in and this one doesnt. It grabs underneath the container.

Ok, I hope your right because next time I will let it twist and see how it goes, cheers.

[kaybee]

ok that makes sense what veronica said, it just sounded scary like it sounded like it was going to come off the base. the only vitamix i ever had was my moms old metal one thats 30 years old and works worse than a regular blender. ahhh. maybe someday....

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

it just sounded scary like it sounded like it was going to come off the base.

Yeah, you see that is what I am trying to say it looked like it was!




the only vitamix i ever had was my moms old metal one thats 30 years old and works worse than a regular blender. ahhh. maybe someday....


Wow, how much did that cost her?

[Eva]

ok that makes sense what veronica said, it just sounded scary like it sounded like it was going to come off the base. the only vitamix i ever had was my moms old metal one thats 30 years old and works worse than a regular blender. ahhh. maybe someday....

I had one of these too -- but it worked like a charm until very recently. I have a raw food event on Friday and can't imagine it without a VM. I plunked down money to get a new one. The good thing is -- if you ever decide to upgrade your mom's, VM will give you $75 cash back!

And they're so nice about it. I talked to my contact at VM for about half an hour yesterday on my options. I ended up getting a refurbished one at $400, then got free shipping using my code, AND she's sending me a box to send back my old one. They'll credit my card as soon as they get it.

Not bad.

You still in Ireland?? They really get you with the currency conversions if you wanted to use one over there!! :eek:

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On the stability of the VM... I was a little confused too when I got my first VM. I think I've used one about 1,000 (at least) at this point and have never had a problem with it tipping over. I don't even hold it, just press the blend button and clean up a touch in the kitchen for a minute, then it's usually done doing its work. :) I hope you get it figured out! They really are nice if you call for help -- they definitely stand by their product at Vita-Mix!

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

You still in Ireland?? They really get you with the currency conversions if you wanted to use one over there!! :eek:

Me? Yeah I am living in Ireland, but we paid for the blender in sterling.


-------

On the stability of the VM... I was a little confused too when I got my first VM. I think I've used one about 1,000 (at least) at this point and have never had a problem with it tipping over. I don't even hold it, just press the blend button and clean up a touch in the kitchen for a minute, then it's usually done doing its work. :) I hope you get it figured out! They really are nice if you call for help -- they definitely stand by their product at Vita-Mix!

Yeah, they are very helpful so I'm gonna have a go at not holding it or anything.

It just worries me that it may come off. And it's really loud and sounds kind'a scary.. sometimes:) I guess I just need to get use to it. Thanks.

[Fee]

Yeah I may give vita-mix a call, can't hurt, after all I forked out to get it:) But it's an investment so, you know.

Yeah, when I explain to my friends I tell them I got a new machine that can make multiple things like smoothies and ice-cream and soups etc., I say it works like a blender but it's so much better, and I don't get into the price because they're not really interested in the 'machine' anyway. But, I was telling a few people last year at college about it when I saw it on the first show and they were like... crazy... Ha. I don't mind, if they can't understand - let them:) I mean they're not the type of people who would be big into their health anyway.

Why, do you get that alot from people you know?

Some people do think it is a bit over the top, but then they don't see me using it up to 5 times a day! At that rate the cost per use will be 21p by the time I have had it a year!

I hope you are feeling more confident about yours now.

[kaybee]

irish vegan girl--hahah i think eva was asking ME if im still in ireland, lol. im in kerry. i think my parents got it as a wedding present...i guess it was a good blender back then and i remember my mom using it all the time when i was a little kid, but a few years ago i pulled it out and i was all excited that i had a "vitamix"....lol because it really doesnt work anymore. it mostly "mushed" my greens rather than actually blending them. although i wonder if its just that it needs a new blade. well, actually i guess it would need a whole new "jar" because the blade is attached, and i dont think they make those jars anymore. the motor seems ok though. but its not anything near the power you would get today, i dont think,

Eva--thats good to know about the 75 bucks back. the old one really isnt worth having any more, i dont think. they are so much more advanced nowadays. i would love to get one, but even if i some how came up with the money, i dont know if im gonna be in ireland long term or back in the US and the voltage difference thing means i couldnt use it in both places easily. so doesnt really make sense at the moment. if i was gonna get one i would probably buy it when i was in the US for something else and then bring it back, theyre way cheaper there. i know with my excalibur i was able to buy one in the US that was meant for the european grid, and then just bring it here... i assume you can do that with vitamix too; i mean to buy one in the US thats meant for the european grid. but pipedream right now anyway ;) In the meantime, I have a Braun blender from sport on long-term borrowing J
oh eva—by the way—I never got to teach my RF course over the winter because there wasn’t enough interest…wasn’t any actually EXCEPT this one man, and he and his wife offered to hold it at their house. I just talked to them again recently, and So Im going to try to offer it again in the summer, and they are going to try to help me organize and advertise it in a way that will “work” here :) also, I met someone at the hostel who is sort of apprenticing with a man who does a great deal of foraging and they invited me to come down for a few days so im headed down there and hoping i can include some of this in my course too :)

[schanna]

Hi Irish- Not to worry about the sounds your Vita Mix makes. This is the way mine sounds too. A Vita Mix is a powerful blender. With your cover on securely, you should be fine. If you feel better, hold on to the handle while blending, at least at the beginning.

Happy blending-

schanna