Vita-Mix 1300 TurboBlend 4500
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Our Price: $398.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Vita-Mix 1300 TurboBlend 4500
Customer Review: Don't Believe the Hype
Summary: 2 Stars
The Vita-Mix is a sort of industrial strength blender. Basically it is one device that does the work of six others - poorly - at the price of 10. Trust me when I say that for half the cost you can get a half-dozen appliances that will do the jobs twice as well. If you are thinking that the Vita-Mix will take up less counter space than those other devices, be aware that it is probably too tall to fit between your countertop and upper cabinets.
I have owned a Vita-Mix for 15 years now. I only occasionally use it - it's simply too cumbersome to use for most of the jobs it is advertised to do. I have had no trouble with it mechanically, but the rubber gasketry eroded fast and the charges for replacement parts is simply ludicrous - I wound up casting them myself. Beware if you are not up for this sort of thing.
As a blender it is really over-powered for making smoothies (it's only real justification for existence), although it can be fun (though obviously cumbersome and time-consuming) to make ice cream with it. It is simply absurd as a food processor. If your idea of making soups is throwing ingredients into a turbofan and heating the resultant homogenization through friction, enjoy. Don't expect any luck with alphabet soup, though.
If you are Tim the Toolman, you will enjoy this over-powered gadget, which can be used to whip wood. Otherwise, save yourself a lot of money and frustration.
NOTE: One of the other "reviewers" says that the Vita-Mix corporation will buy back your old blender for an upgrade. Be aware that we're talking about the equivalent of an auto salesman taking in your old car as a trade-in - it's only shaving a fraction off the price.
Customer Review: Overrated
Summary: 3 Stars
This blender simply doesn't live up to the hype. I purchased one after agonizing over the decision between the vitamix or the blendtec for nearly a year. I decided to go with the vitamix, largely because of their reputation as being "good enough" and having an outstanding warranty. Well, in retrospect, I wish I had gone with the blendtec. On the plus side, the vitamix isn't very loud - it's about as obnoxious as a vacuum cleaner, but it's not ear-damaging-horrible. On the minus side, it simply doesn't work as well as people make out. You still have strawberry seeds in smoothies, you still have issues with cavitation, you still have to cut apples into small chunks or they get stuck to the blade and don't blend, etc. The container is well made and sturdy, but is a pain to clean, and as many have noted, doesn't fit under the cabinet. Yes, yes, I thought this was a stupid complaint before I bought the thing too, but believe me, it does make a difference, even in a large kitchen. Simply put, other than having a plunger (which is messy to use, in case anyone cares) and a larger container, this performs on just about the same level as my old osterizer (ok, the osterizer left many more things to be desired, but was an eighth the price of the vitamix). Simply put, at this point, even though the blendtec is ear-splitting, and the container sucks, and their warranty isn't anywhere near as good as the vitamix one, I wish I had gone with it instead. FWIW, I have no affiliation with or interest in either company, and I'm not a fanboy of the blendtec videos (though my 5y/o loves them :)) - this is as unbiased a review as you're likely to find.Customer Review: The best blender there is!
Summary: 5 Stars
I own the VitaMix 5000, so my review really applies to that model. However, all VitaMixes share some of the same qualities.
First, though, what it isn't. The VitaMix company claims this is a juicer. It isn't. If you want to juice something, buy a proper juicer, such as the Champion juicer or Jack LaLanne's JFPJ-B Power Juicer Juicing Machine. But that is the only criticism I have of this machine--and it isn't the machine's fault that the VitaMix marketers don't know when to stop.
What the VitaMix does really well is blend. I've had many blenders in the past, and they all eventually wore out. In addition, none of them were up to some of the tougher blending jobs I wanted to do, such as making homemade mayonnaise or making smoothies from pure frozen fruit.
With the VitaMix, I have never had a problem with anything I wanted to blend. I've had my VitaMix for over 7 years, and it is still going strong. If something ever were to happen to it, I would replace it with another VitaMix.
I am sure I underuse my VitaMix. For example, I haven't tried making homemade sorbets or the like, because I have the best ice cream machine in the world (the MUSSO LUSSINO 4080). But for smoothies, it is without peer, and for making homemade mayonnaise, perfect. Whatever you use your blender for, this is the machine to use.
Customer Review: One of the most used appliances in my kitchen
Summary: 5 Stars
The Vitamix isn't perfect, but if mine broke tomorrow it would be replaced the next day. This blender will blend just about anything. I swear, I could probably throw in a 2 X 4 and it would pulverize it into sawdust! The thing sounds like an airplane taking off but it sure does the job. I've used it to make smoothies, soups, drinks, slushies, and baby food consistency meats for sick pets. I used to use a juicer but when I saw how much pulp and fiber was discarded, it just didn't seem right. With the Vita-Mix I retain all that fiber but it's so pulverized and well blended that you can't even tell it's there.
Can't get your kids or husband to eat enough salads? Throw all the greens into the Vita-Mix with some pineapple or part of a lemon, whatever other fruits you have on hand, half a banana to make the whole thing hang together and the secret ingredient: a hand full of blueberries. The color of the blueberries will cover up any hint of the greens and, voila, you have them drinking a smoothie with "hidden salad".
Creamed soups are a snap in this blender. Mixed drinks are a breeze since ice cubes aren't a problem. I find myself using it all the time.
The only drawbacks for me are the noise (I don't use it when anyone is sleeping) and it can be hard to get pureed foods that are thick out of the bottom of the jar. I have to use a small spatula for that. But the blender is a workhorse and I can't imagine using any other kind.
Customer Review: I LOVE my Vitamix!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I wanted a Vitamix for years before I got one, but could never make my self spend $400+ for a blender. I really wish I had gotten one sooner, I cannot say enough good things about it! I have the 5000 model and have NEVER had any problems with overheating or anything else for that matter. I make smoothies from whole fruits that are stuffed full of vitamins, antioxadants and fiber. They are so tasty that my daughter will do almost anything to get me to make her one (i.e. clean her room...it's worth it just for that!) I can make healthy frozen treats and ice creams. I hide veggies in sweet treats and the kids never know.
I feel so great after drinking my morning smoothie, it gives me tons of energy and is better than any "diet" for your health and waistline. I sold half of my kitchen small electrics in a garage sale after I bought this machine 6 months ago, I just don't need them.
I know I sound like a commercial, but I am serious.
I own a travel agency and travel to resorts all over and I noticed ALL of the really nice resorts use the Vitamix for their cocktails, not to mention most chain smoothy chains, and there is a reason. I am pretty sure if a cheaper machine would work just as well, they would use it to cut costs, but it just wouldn't. The vitamix gives a consistancy you can't get from a blender. I got mine at the Texas State Fair this last year and am SO glad I finally did. If you see one you should get it.... right then! =)