I need a blender. Help. Vitamix? Ninja?

[HoneyBBQ]

Without going into too much detail, I'm going to be needing a powerful blender. Looking for something on sale over Black Friday/Cyber Monday (online preferred).

I need it to be able to make a lot of smoothies and blended drinks for someone who may not be able to chew or swallow very well for months at a time. I'd like one that can do veggies as well as fruit smoothies, one to incorporate protein powder, etc. Assuming the person needs most of their nutritional needs met through a blended drink...

I am overwhelmed by the choices on Amazon. Can anyone break it down quick and dirty for me? I see Vitamix for 300-700$, Ninjas, others, etc. Obviously cheaper is better but I can't be having it break or the blades crapping out.

Also if anyone has any recommendations for recipes and cookbooks for this sort of thing, that would be appreciated, too. 

[dee27]

Ninja is not very powerful especially for raw veggies in my opinion. I do not own a Vitamix but have seen demos and it seems to have a lot of power. If I had the money, I would buy a Vitamix.

[milee]

Ninja is fine for just pureeing fruits, veggies and adding in protein powder.  If you want something that can reliably pulverize ice and tougher stuff, go for the Vitamix.  The Vitamix is loud, but incredibly durable and strong.  It's usually America's Test Kitchen's pick and it's what you'll see at the majority of the restaurants and smoothie stands, if that tells you anything.

If you're a Costco member, they often have them on a roadshow/rotating deal.

[saveinla]

I would get the Vitamix at Costco, so that if anything happens, it will be easier to return. You can order on Costco.com, if going to the store is an issue. Good luck and hope all is well at home.

[HoneyBBQ]

Nov 21, 2016 12:00:04 GMT -5 saveinla said:

I would get the Vitamix at Costco, so that if anything happens, it will be easier to return. You can order on Costco.com, if going to the store is an issue. Good luck and hope all is well at home.

Good idea. Which one would be the best? If anyone has these or knows? I hadn't thought of costco, great suggestion.


1.  Vitamix S30 Personal Blender

★★★★★

★★★★★ 4.4 out of 5 stars. Read reviews.

4.4

(53)

Member Only Item

Online Price299.99$

Less50.00 $ -

Your Price249.99
Features:

40 oz Container

20 oz Container

Recipe Book

Lazer-cut Stainless Steel Hammermill & Cutting Blades


Vitamix 5300 High Performance Blender

★★★★★

★★★★★ 3.8 out of 5 stars. Read reviews.

3.8

(39)

Member Only Item

Online Price399.99$

Less50.00 $ -

Your Price349.99$

Features:

Low Profile 64 oz Jar

Variable Speed Control

Pulse Functionality

Includes Recipe Book, 2.2 HP Peak Motor

7 Year Warranty

All Metal Drive System



Vitamix 7500 Blender Super Package with 2- 20oz To-Go Cups

★★★★★

★★★★★ 4.7 out of 5 stars. Read reviews.

4.7

(231)

Item #920795

Member Only Item

Online Price599.99$

Less60.00 $ -

Your Price539.99$

Features:

7500 Machine

64oz Low Profile Container

32oz Dry Grains Container

2- 20oz To-Go Cups

Two Cookbooks and Startup DVD

[HoneyBBQ]

Ugh, there is a 5200 model also.


Vitamix 5200 Blender Super Package

★★★★★

★★★★★ 4.8 out of 5 stars. Read reviews.

4.8

(234)

Online Price499.99$

Less50.00 $ -

Your Price449.99$

$50 OFF

$50 manufacturer’s discount is valid 11/19/16 through 11/27/16. While supplies last.

Shipping & Handling Included*



Features:

64-oz. Wet Blade Container

32-oz. Dry Grains Container

Getting Started Guide

Cooking Class on DVD

Whole Food Recipe Cookbook

Whole Grains Cookbook

[lurkyloo]

I got my BFF a Vitamix for her wedding in 2012--blanking on the model number, but I believe it was $700-750 at the time and it was a recently released model at the time.  She loves it and reports that it's very quiet, which was the primary reason she wanted this specific model.  If you want a Vitamix, check and see if you know anyone at Williams-Sonoma who is willing to lend their 40% discount  There may also be a friends and family deal over BF, haven't checked.

I have a Thermomix myself, which is awesome and will pulverize, chop or mill anything you like (also has kneading, weighing and cooking functions) but that's more like $1500.  For that price I can't really justify it as much more than a fun kitchen toy, but so far it's prevented me from buying a Kitchenaid mixer or a Vitamix.  It is not, however, quiet.

[janee]

I bought a Blendtec blender (actually DH bought it for me as a gift). I love it.

My friend who is an avid cook had a Vitamix but when she bought a condo in Florida as a second home she bought a Blendtec. The guy in Bed, Bath, Beyond recommended it and said everyone has been very pleased with it. My friend said after using both, she prefers the Blendtec.

I doubt you can go wrong with a Vitamix or Blendtec.  I'm sure you will love either one, they are really great.

[janee]

I just went and checked (working from home today) and I have the Blendtec totalblender.  on the bottom it says ES-3.  DH bought it refurbished (it came with a warranty) and we love it.

Good luck with whatever you decide.  i'm sure you'll be happy with either. 

[Bonny]

I should sell you my Vitamix. It was my mom's and I never use it.

If money isn't an issue I'd go with the one that is rated the quietest. Mine is quite loud.

[msventoux]

I've had a Vitamix 1363 CIA Professional Series model for a couple of years now.  I love it.  Granted, after the newness wore off I'm not using it a ton.  But I still go through stretches where I use it almost every day for a few weeks, then set it aside for a few more weeks.  I mostly use it for smoothies. 

It's taken everything like a champ, whether it's fruits and veggies (apples, kale, spinach, carrots, celery, etc.) or whole ice cubes.  It's not quiet, but I don't have to worry about annoying anyone else and I'm not using it for really long stretches of time.  It's also too tall to be completely set up under my (low) upper cabinets, so I do have to keep the container stored next to the base and pull everything out toward the edge of the counter when I want to use it.  

I don't have any specific recipes or cookbook recommendations, I kind of just throw in whatever sounds good.  But if I recall correctly if you Google Vitamix recipes and/or smoothies a ton of recipes come up from various blogs. 

[siralynn]

We bought a Blendtec from Costco.com. We've been very happy with it.

Check out their "will it blend?" series of videos for some good laughs.

[Pants]

Honey - whatever it is that has caused whoever to require a liquid diet - i'm really sorry. Don't forget that ensure/pediasure etc. are specifically designed for situations like this and are fortified with the vitamins and minerals humans require to function.

[CCL]

I love my Ninja. Got it at Sam's Club a few years back and haven't found anything it can't handle. It came with lots of extras, like food processor attachments, etc.

[whoisjohngalt]

We got Vitamix when my oldest started "solids" and it meshed everything and anything.  You can also make ice cream, soups, hot chocolate in it too.  At least that's what lady in Costco did - we never actually tried it.  It was $500 one

But all that aside - for me the most important part is the easiness of cleaning and this one is super super easy to clean.

After a certain incident I am not allowed to use ours anymore, but my husband uses it frequently for all kinds of things for the kids.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

I've had a vitamix for many years. Well worth the investment.

[Annie7]

I just got the 5200 model from Costco. Got it delivered yesterday.

I preferred this over the 7500. The 5200 is a taller jar while the 7500 is a shorter but wider jar. For making very small amounts of puree the reviews said 5200 was better since less food is needed for the blades to work. So, even though the 5200 does not fit under my cabinets, I preferred that.

Bed Bath and Beyond has them on sale too and I guess you can use the 20% coupon. However, the Costco bundle was better since it came with both the wet and dry grind jars. Adding them all up, both places were similar. I chose Costco for their good return policy too.

Goodluck.