Vita Mix Blender

[michaelman2]

Hi all...Does anyone have any advice on purchasing a vintage VitaMix? I have gone through several vintage and modern blenders. Have always heard that the VitaMix is a superior unit but never have used one. I understand that there are things to watch for when buying one..?

 

[gansky1]

Just wait until Jon (jetcone) sees this thread!

I have a 3600 Vita-Mix and love it. Best blender ever, I use it every day! I put a new blade assembly on mine after having it for a few months, makes a world of difference in performance and speed. I like the stainless steel container with the spigot, IMO, much more durable and versatile than the new plastic versions.

Greg

 

[retromom]

Vitamix Value

Michael:

I have a vintage 500 and a 2200 Sidewinder (no spigot) with stainless steel containers. They both make terrific milkshakes quickly. I just have a couple of minor complaints: Sometimes I'm left with a few ice chunks after making smoothies/slushes. While the blade assemblies appear to be in good condition, maybe it's time for a "cool change". The second minor complaint is with the 2200. When I turn it to "reverse" it emits a bit of a burning rubber smell. These may just be problems with my particular blenders.

Vitamix blenders are great, but for my money I love Oster commercial blenders. Replacing the blade assemblies on these with the "ice" blade assembly make these real crushers on smoothies!

Good luck on finding the blender of your dreams! Even if you don't find one in time to make those summer boat drinks, rememember you can puree soups in these as well!

Venus

 

[gansky1]

Oh, you need a spigot!! With the spigot, you can dispense the milkshake while the motor is still running, ensuring all ice is smashed to tiny bits. The motor smell is normal, it's a very strong motor and reversing the polarity causes a little 'flash' if you look closely under the base when you switch it. Now, if your kitchen fills with blue smoke, that's a different story!

 

[michaelman2]

Hey Gansky, Retromom....just found out my bid was the winner on a 4000. Thank you both for the advice!

 

[retromom]

I want one of those little umbrellas too!

Hey Michael:

You owe Greg and I a couple of Pina Coladas - courtesy of the new 4000, of course. ;-)

enjoy -
V.

 

[tolivac]

I have two Vita-Mix 3600's-both came from yard sales-like them as well-If you have "chunks" of ice or fruit in the drink-you haven't "Forward-Reversed" the action enough.The machines are innefficient when used in one direction-but when you reverse it while mixing-the action is much better.I find while making fruit drinks and shakes you have to reverse the action several times to get the proper mixing-blending effect.As far as the new Vita-Mixes are concerned-have several-They are the only newer product I would endorse-their performance is better than the older machines and becuase there is no spigot-easier to clean and no chunks of food to hide in the spigot.Thats why you need to reverse the action on the older units-this pulls peices of food caught in the spigot back into the vortex.Than the food is thouroghly processed.Also on newer machines-they do meet commercial safety and sanitation standards-the spigots were eleminated.Beleive me-try a new 5000 and you will be amazed-the higher powered motoer makes a diffrence-and the redesignerd blades and container eliminate the reverse action.And the Lexan containers are TOUGH-I have one going on 10 years old still going strong.This is one of the only "plastic" products I could recommend.The other newer Vita-Mixes I have in my collection are new-the models with the electronic cycle timers and speeds-pretty neat and fun to use-You see them at some StarBucks Coffee shop to mix cold coffee drinks.they also have a model called "Maximum Performance" 15A motor and a wide bottom container with a huge "Gull wing" blade-Its an amazing machine.Was expensive-but worth it-use it everyday-that is why I bought some of their commercial ones-and I still do take out my 3600,4500 for spins though.I don't know how much longer Vita-Mix will make parts for the older models.Hope they still do-they are good fun machines.Something about that "forward-Reverse" lever switch!

 

[michaelman2]

Retromom and Gansky Umbrellas

V...Have the cream of coconut and rum just waiting for you guys to arrive..thanks again for the info! Oh yeah..the umbrellas are here too!