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: Pretty good
Summary: 4 Stars
My wife uses this a lot more than I do. We have fruit/veggie juices most mornings. For the most part, you don't have to worry about peeling or seeding - this thing just chomps up whatever you dump in and about a minute later you have juice. I use it to make ice cream - a handful of frozen strawberries and a cup of half&half and forty-five seconds later you have a pitcher of ice cream. I also used it to puree cooked onions for a vindaloo sauce - thirty seconds in this revealed a far better product (smooth with no chunks) than I'd ever gotten with my other food processor.
There are some drawbacks. It's expensive for one. It isn't always easy to get stuff like ice cream completely out (the stuff hides below the blades). It is noisy, but since time of use is usually short, it's bearable. It sucks 11.5 amps! - That's about as much as my 10" mitre saw does.
Unlike some others, I've found cleaning it to be easy. Dump some hot water in, add a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid and turn it on. Do it again with clear water and it's finished.
My wife swears by it, and I find it pretty handy.
Customer Review: I enjoy it every day
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought mine in the mid-nineties, impressed by the reviews in Nutrition Action magazine, and have never regretted it. In fact, I have a backup one which I inherited from my mother. This way, if I ever have to send one in to be serviced, I can still use the other one. Vitamix Corporation claims (and I believe) that its being able to grind foods so fine that even strawberry seeds are pulverized releases extra nutritive value. And the fine grind makes for fabulous smoothies, custards and puree soups. I recommend purchasing both the dry and wet tops w/blades if you ever have need to grind dry foods.
Often, when a part needs to be replaced, one can simply describe the problem to the customer service department. The customer service rep invariably diagnoses the problem and sends along the needed part.
One caveat - this machine is extremely noisy! I always keep 2 pairs of industrial headphones near the unit, one pair for myself and one for anyone else who may be in the room. So if you buy a Vita Mix, buy headphones, too. And then prepare to enjoy your blender for life...
Customer Review: Turbo 4500
Summary: 5 Stars
The TurboBlend 4500 is a 2-speed (high and low) machine. The Vitamix 5000 is a (high and variable) speed machine. The variable speed dial on the Vitamix 5200 enables the user to adjust to a slower blending speed than the TurboBlend 4500. Both machines have a 2+ peak hp motor.
The TurboBlend 4500 is sold through Retail Dealers and the Vitamix 5200 is sold directly through Vitamix.The two Vitamix models 5000 and Super 5000 have a center variable speed dial, which I feel is not worth the price.
The variable speed is seldom used! Even in their own manual,
Vita-Mix gives this recipe for smoothies:
"Select variable speed #1. Turn on machine and quickly increase speed to #10; then to High. Run for 1 minute until smooth."
Well, that's the same as flipping the 4500 switch from low to high. When you flip the 5000 to high, the variable switch is no longer active.
Why pay $75 more to turn a dial? I'm happy to flip a switch up.
Customer Review: great blender!
Summary: 5 Stars
This was my first expensive blender and I love it. Couldn't decide on the K-Tec or this one. After much research I chose the Vita Mix. I'm making green smoothies and nut milks. I like this one because it has a tamper and it seems to not bring as much oxygen to oxidize the green drinks. Also I like the new Vita Mix because it has a new container that has no BPA in the plastic. K - Tec is working on getting theirs changed also. The power of the Vita Mix is less but let me tell you it is powerful to break up anything I put in it. I like that I can contol everything unlike the K-Tec which is mostly programable. Some people like the K-Tec because of this. Not me I'm a control freak. The only thing I wish I had spent the extra money on the variable speed. This one only has only two speeds. Both have the same amout of power. I was trying to save some money. Vita Mix has very solid product and they have been around a long time. Another reason I went with Vita Mix.Customer Review: LOVE IT. $$$$ but worth every penny!!!!!! I own 5000 model
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes it is pricy but the best gadget I've bought in a long time. I have to say it is more like a "life tool". I LOVE IT. What others are saying is true and not hype. It cleans itself! I tried it next to my cuisinart blender and then gave away my blender. I had stuff all stuck in the hole in the bottom of cuisinart. This VM makes everything easy! I started with just fruit 4 weeks ago and now am into vegi soups with raw vegi, etc. Did I say I love it! I know this sounds like hype but if you are into eating anything raw or into vegi drinks - you have to have this. Forget a new cell phone or computer. Did I mention the SOUPS and smoothies! Dips take a minute! Margaritta anyone! A breeze. I'll stop here and will be back. I bought mine for same price at a Costco demo. The demo sold me. If there is an extra warranty card included, fill it out. I've heard they are great with repairs if you need one. People have this tool over 10 yrs!