Vita Mix 4500 vs 5000?

[prana]

The main difference between these two blenders is that the 5000 has a variable speed control along with a high speed where the 4500 has simply a low and high speed.

Has anyone had any experience with either of these products? Is one more preferable than the other?

The 5000 is only sold by vitamix.com where as the 4500 is sold by retailers.

Thanks for your help.

[levamssg]

I use my vitamix almost daily, and have the variable speed. I do use the variable speed option a LOT, so don't know if I would be happy with just a hi or lo setting. If the cost isn't that much different, I'd get the one with the variable speed.

Once you have a vitamix, you'll wonder how you lived without it!! :)

[Punky]

I have a variable speed Vita-mix as well and love it.
I have the Professional Series which is exactly the same as the 5000
series except for some design aesthetics and it uses the same
bowl for both wet and dry instead of 2 seperate bowls.
I absolutely love it. Got it 2 months ago. I do use the variable speed on it.
I suppose if it was just high/low I would get use to it that way too
and still use it just as much...it's just a nice option.
Figure out your budget and go from their. If you can afford the variable
speed I would go for it...it has a longer warrenty too.
But the 4500 is still an awesome machine that you'll get a lot of use out of
though...

[Mystical]

I got the 4500 about a year ago, and we use it twice a day, at least! I never missed the variable speed at all. Great machine.

[JinxieKat]

The one question I have about the two is, well really about the 5000. Do you need the dry blade container to do nut butters? If all the dry blade container does is grind grain and nead dough, well I don't need it. They aren't very specific on what the dry container does on the website, was hopeing someone had used it so I could see what it really does different.

Thanks!

Jinx

[livingatthetop]

When I start to work this is going to be my first purchase. A vita mix I have an orstasizer and it sucks it went dead on me while i was grinding up some butternut squash for a pumpkinpie. I day dream about a vita mix . lucky yall

[eachpeachpearplum]

I have the 5000 and LOVE IT use it twice or more a day! I cannot imagine not having the variable control; BUT thats because I have it. If I had not expirenced the variable control I believe I would be VERY happy with the 4500.

You know it's just when you upgrade with most things you wonder how you ever did without it - but the upgrade was not really nessasary! I mean what did we do before email......?

Look at your budget and let that decide!

It's a great machine, you will not regret which ever choice you make!

EPPP

PS: VM do traveling shows at Costco among others and list these show dates on their website. The shows offer the VM at a discounted rate. I bought mine, a 5000 for $369 at a Costco in Nov last year

[SamuelWilson]

I have the Vita-Mix Super 5000 in all black.

JinxieKat, you use the wet container to make the nut butters in combination with the tamper (the push rod that slides down through the cap to push contents into the blades).

The variable speed dial is a very important feature to have. It allows you to walk up the speed, which I like. Walk up the speed means I can start at super low speed and gradually increase the speed while the blender is operating, instead of going from zero to light speed in a nanosecond.

The dry container will be handy if you ever plan on grinding any grains.

[Punky]

The one question I have about the two is, well really about the 5000. Do you need the dry blade container to do nut butters? If all the dry blade container does is grind grain and nead dough, well I don't need it. They aren't very specific on what the dry container does on the website, was hopeing someone had used it so I could see what it really does different.

Thanks!

Jinx

the dry container would be good to grind flax seed in
among other things; if you have a coffee grinder you can use
that for your flax seeds though.

[JinxieKat]

I got mine today, and wow it is worth every penny. It does amazing things and doesn't bog down like my old blender did The size difference is amazing too, I was going to post a picture, but I cannot get it small enough. I hate windows *lol* I'm so used to doing such things on my mac which makes it easy. Gotta get a picture program for this puter now.

Jinx