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Hi, I'm very new to eating raw but am very excited to get started!
I initially thought I'd just juice, but now I'm looking at a Vitamix/Blendtec instead of a juicer. I'd love to have all of you pro's thoughts on: If I have to choose one of the three, what is best for eating raw and consuming juice in a similar way to simply juicing.
Thanks so much!
I have both a Vita-Mix and a juicer. No food processor at the moment.
I use my Vita-Mix every day, at least once a day, often several times a day.
People's opinions vary widely on Vita-Mix vs. Blendtec, but I doubt you can go wrong with either. I think either would be a great investment for you.
Picking just one - I'd recommend going with the high speed blender! You can 'juice' in the blender. Simply blend and then strain through a bag (nut milk or paint strainer). You can then add a juicer later ~
The blender is my most used appliance, followed by my juicer and food processor.
If you choose the VitaMix - I found the cheapest price is at a Costco roadshow. Just under $400 (397? - somewhere around there), which is $50 cheaper than directly from VM. I spoke with a cust. serv. rep at VM and he said they cannot beat the road show prices. *Ü*
I got my vitamix from Costco also for $373 but I had to buy a costco membership. Bed, bath and beyond sells the vitamix and blendtec, and if you sign up for online email allerts about twice a year you will get a 20% off coupon which you can use on the Blendtec (not the vitamix though) so normally it is $399 so you would get it for 20% off that. But with the in store coupons - at least where I live - they don't sell the Blendtec in store - and you can't use the in store coupon online. So if you want to wait for an online coupon for the Blendtec that would be the way to go - otherwise I think Costco is the best price on the Vitamix.
the vast majority say blender all the way
juicing with it like debs saying
plus clean ups WAY easier than a juicer
plus you can make nut / seed mylk smoothies with fruit in blender that are great
vitamix vs blendtec you'll see varying favorites , but theres lots of people that have sworn by vitamix for decades . and theres more vitamix backers . that could be because vitamix has been around so long i dont know . but theyve surely a great rep . but ive also seen 100's of people love blendtec
if i were buying ide have to see a blendtec first hand as ive never done . ive seen vitamix at bedbathbeyond and to me they arent made that rugged , so i still want to see blendtec
but bottom line is ide have to buy local vs on line as i want to be able to return a $400 item to store myself as opposed to dealing with an out of state company and shipping
but as it stands i wont spend 400 on a blender and get by with cheap blender as long as i dont try stuffing it with tons of stuff and burn up motor in process . meanwhile ive been seeing coompanies come out with high powered and cheaper alternatives to vitamix-blendtec so still window shopping
I'd take a VitaMix over a juicer ANY DAY! They are AMAZING.
Not a lot to compare it to, but I have had a Vitamix for around 8 years. Works like it did on Day 1, 0 issues. Highly recommended.
I have a Vitamix, and I couldn't ask for a better blender as I use it at least twice a day. Blends up smoothies in seconds. The Vitamix also comes with a 5 year warranty. Not sure about the warranty ona Blendtec, but I don't think it is for as long. Good luck in choosing!
My Vita-Mix actually has a 7 year warranty. Not sure if that is because I bought direct from them or not, but it's certainly good for peace of mind knowing I won't need to buy a blender now for another 6 years or so (since I've had mine over a year already, which is longer than most other blenders I've bought)Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenSmoothieDude
I choose Vitamix. I love mine and have had it for 2 years. I have put it thru the ringer a couple times and it has never failed. I use it 3-5 times a day. I drink green smoothies and prefer them over juicing for now. I don't strain my smoothies before drinking.
I use the Vitamix for chopping veges-just set the speed at about 5 and drop a couple veges in at a time. They shred and get pushed to the side. Love it. Clean-up is so simple. Just rinse most of the time and store upside down.
Ive used both a Vitamix and a Blendtec, and I mich prefer the BT! The automatic/pre-programmed controls where you can press say the "smoothie" button then walk away to do something else and it will go through the cycle and stop once its done is a huge bonus in my opinion. Also I dont like the fact that the Vitamix can heat up foods while blending, where as the Blendtec wont. Last thing that made me decide on getting a Blendtec was that I found it to be a tad quieter than the Vitamix. :)
Wouldn't you know it, died on me tonight making banana soft serve.Quote:
Originally Posted by greenrunner
Is it really dead or did it just shut off? If so, that is completely normal if it is trying to blend something too thick/not enough water. It happens to me sometimes when doing banana ice cream. It should work again normally next time you plug it in (I think there is a sticker on the bottom of the base that explains this and says to wait 30 minutes to use again ... or something like that).Quote:
Originally Posted by greenrunner
Mine does this a lot too because I tend to use to push it to it's limits & use it as a food processor (because I don't have a food processor). But I still :heart: my Vita-Mix. :)
I new to this and trying to learn. I was thinking about purchasing a Vitamix for my smoothies but I'm reading about the juicer and to strain if you use the Vitamix. Why strain? I thought all of the fruit and veg were healthy? Confused?
Hi SusanElaine ~ When we talk about "juicing" with the Vitamix (or any blender) it's to get only the juice. YOu would blend your fruit and/or veggies in the blender and then pour the entire contents into a strainer bag - that way the pulp is left behind and you get only the juice.Quote:
Originally Posted by SusanElaine
Now - if you wanted a "smoothie" - then you would blend your veggies and/or fruit and drink the pulp/fiber and all. Hope that helps. If not, post again - we're happy to clarify! *Ü*