Overheated my Vitamix!

[Izz]

Umm, just thought I share my embarrasing first try at the date nut torte (modified: half walnuts, half pistachios). Since I don't own a food processor but a Vitamix, I figured I just throw everything in there. Not a good idea :o at least not in the wet container! It overheated on me within a minute I think, and my dough is chunky (but still delicious). So now I have to wait 30 minutes for it to cool down and hope I didn't damage my dear Vitamix.

Has anyone made the date nut torte (Alissa's recipe) in the Vitamix before? Should I have maybe used the dry container? Now what should I do with the soaked dates? I hope they will be alright in the wet container?!?!??

Any help will greatly be appreciated,
Izz

[RawTruth]

I don't know of anyone who's done that. I really think that the Date Nut Torte is one of those things that must be made in a food processor. I sure don't kow about Australia for cheap food processors - wish I could help you out!

[Veganmama]

Hi Izz, i saw some good cheap food proccesors at Big W the other day, they were the same brand i have and i've had mine for 9 years used on almost daily basis. Braun i think is how it's spelt.

Hope your vitamix recovers :)

[Revvell]

Yup! Food processor would be a better choice IMO.

Revvell

[jaurequi]

Overheating is a common problem. It is a very powerful blender and heats to a high temperature so caution is definitely warranted if you're worried about this-or-that degree.
One thing I do is anticipate how much blending I'll be doing with a particular usage and do my best to thwart any problems ahead of time. For example, I'll chop things up a bit more before putting into the blender to facilitate emulsifying in less time.
Another thing that works really well is to use cold or frozen ingredients or add ice when water is called for.

[Izz]

Thanks You All for your replies and tips. I'll be on the lookout for a cheap food processor. Thank goodness the Vitamix recovered alright.
@ Veganmama: We don't have a Big W here in the Alice, but I'll check Wal Mart. Beginning February, we'll be in Brisbane, if I can't find anything here I'm sure I'll find something there.
Cheers,
Iz

[Tee42]

I got this one http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=1171362 about a month and a half ago and love it!

I've been using it more than once a day and it's been great. I admit that I haven't used the blender much and have yet to try the juicer because I do have a vitamix.

Lannette

[rawpriestess]

The Vita Mix, is a marvelous tool, and has this wonderful fail safe mechanism, if it does over heat, it simply turns itself off, then will not turn back on until it is safe.

I have had my Vita Mix for 10 years, and never once has it over heated. it has also never heated the food that I am preparing in it, unless I deliberately wanted it to by adding very hot water to the recipe and leaving it on for about 7 minutes, which is what the recipe book states.

I did see two different raw chefs, who had never experienced the Vita Mix before, both overheat theirs the first time they used them, what a disaster taht was for them.

One filled his to the brim with young coconut meat and no liquid, I tried to explain to him what would happen, but he said he Knew how to use kitchen equipment, so I just stood back and watched, then tried not to laugh.

The other was someone making date paste, and they filled it up with dates, (most of them were pitted, and some weren't) and a little liquid, basically the same thing happened, again, I was assistant cheffing with them, and I tried to tell them that the Vita Mix, is not a food processor, although it can do most of the things that a food processor can do, but they also said, they knew how to use kitchen tools.

I've only seen professional chefs do this to their equipment, I've never seen a regular person ever do over heat theres, until now. LOL

I'm sure your Vita Mix will be fine.