fantastic
Bought it because blending is better than juicing and I saw them in operation in the USA about 10 years ago - AND it does so much more than blend. Favourites are hot soups in 7 - 9 minutes, scrambled eggs, perfect mayonnaise, perfect basic sauces (and therefore any other sauce made from a basic) perfect gravy, brilliant frozen yoghourts, ice creams etc.
Bought mine in 2000 - and they were hard to find in the UK then, although there has always been the commerical line - look for the drinks only types in juice bars, restaurants, bars etc but they don't have the 'stepped' dial which allows you to go from 1 - 10 and therefore chop vegetables, cheese etc. They now sell a similar model (500 series) on TV but I think the Vita Mix is 2 hp against the 500 model 1 hp.
It is virtually indestructable, the jugs are massive (2 litre) and made from the same material that the concorde (supersonic aircraft)nose cone was made of, so they bounce. It will run for hours (2 hp motor) and if you do have something really sticky that slows the blades mixing, it just cuts out.
Blades are not sharp so do not need replacing - the motor does the work, which is how it makes soup. If you leave liquid (ie vegetable soup or chocolate drink etc) running for more than about 6 minutes, the friction heats the contents.
It really is amazing. Every home should have one for babies (puree foods) todlers and small children (disguise vegetables with fruits in smoothies and ice-creams/yoghourts) singles, marieds, elderly - quick and nutritious.
If fruit starts to go 'off' cut out bad bit, freeze the rest and use for smoothie/ice-cream whenever you want - you don't waste anything.
It also turns nutmegs into nutmeg powder, takes coffee beans to whatever consistency you like, 'minces' meat - whack in some meat, onions, parsley and an egg and a few minutes later you have the basis for beefburgers.
Web site is great. They have been making Vita Mixes since the 50's and dedicated users share recipes all the time - you need to get used to converting american measurements but that is not a problem - any anyhow, you just start playing around with ingredients to see what happens. Oh yes - is smashes ice too so is probably one of the best margharita makers in the world.
If I could give it beyond excellent, I would - can't think of anything bad to say about it - except I guess that you have to use it to justify the price but don't compare it with other blenders - if you compare it with anything, do so with a highly sophisticated food processor without the hassle!
There are no attachments - everything happens in the jug and to wash up you just tip out the contents, put in a couple of inches of warm water and a squeeze of washing up liquid, turn on full for less than 30 secs and it is sparkling clear.
Also mechanics - the 'gear' for want of a better word - the bit the jug sits on and is rotated by is metal as is the bit it comes into contact with so like a gear, it meshes - no nasty plastic to wear out (and mine came with a replacement bit which 9 years on, using at least once a day and mostly much more than that, I have never needed to do.
I bought a second jug-waste of money! I like the new 1 litre jug they have now but at £99.00 it is expensive
Don't bother with the recipe book, go on line.
Unless you are a raw foods, grains pulses person, don't bother with the dry blade jug - the wet blade jug still smashes grains, it just does not make as good flour.Read full review
