I have had my Vita-mix 5000 for 10 years, and it still works as perfectly as the day I bought it. To date, nothing has been replaced; although, I have been eyeing the new BPA-free container, with the high-profile lid. It can be a bit of a struggle (to say the least) wrestling the old lid off. I also purchased the dry container during an in-store demonstration at Costco. I have only used it once, to make almond flour. However, if you are making flour or a nut butter (almond, cashew, sesame, peanut etc.), you actually do not need the dry container. You can prepare it in the wet container, with no problem. This Vita-Mix has 10 variable speeds which allow it to go both slower and faster than other juicers and blenders on the market. So, it can easily be used to prepare sauces that you would normally make in your food processor, and at high speeds, it is great for making soup. Versatility It does a little bit of everything: sauces, soup, ice cream, drinks, flour, nut butter...you name it! Ease of Cleaning Cleanup is a breeze: Either fill the container with water and a few drops of soap and run the Vita-mix for a few seconds, or wash it by hand. Just don't put it in the dishwasher. Design This model has the older, low-profile lid, which is a struggle to remove at times.

iWonder

USA

Love, love, love my Vitamix. I sometimes wonder how I lived without it. It will chew through just about anything. It has both fixed and variable speeds, it is easy to clean, and very durable. This is the type of blender bars have to make smooth as silk frozen drinks. It is large, which is good news capacity-wise, but bad news if you have low cabinets--it is very tall. If you are a big frozen drink lover, a raw foodie, or a smoothie fan, this is a fantastic, powerful blender. Blending Power You can blend just about anything in this blender. I have put raw veggies, nuts, you name it in here. Versatility It is not as versatile as a food processor blender hybrid, but it does the job for blending. Ease of Cleaning I just put water and a drop of dish soap in, blend on low for a few seconds, and then rinse with my faucet sprayer. Ease of Use Very easy to use. Design Keep in mind that this is a very tall machine. Durability It seems like this will outlive me.

MargaretHendrey

USA

I saw the vitamix many, many years ago at a trade show. I was in love at first sight. I wanted one so bad I could taste it. I even dragged my mother to demos. I didnt get one right away because it is pricey. It was almost permanently on the "wish" list. My Stepfather gave me this vitamix super 5000 last winter and it is everything i hoped for and then some. It can make everything from veggie soup to powdered sugar. It can process grains into flour without stressing out. The cons are that you really do need the book that comes with it. I had to wait for the book. The book gives good guidleing on what the vitamix is capable of. It can be a bit noisy too. I havent figured out how to get the blades out of the pitcher so I can clean them. I havent done enough to fret about that just yet. I read that the blades are capable enough to knead dough. I want to try that The only other con fi you can call it that is that it is larger than a standard blender. Finding a place to store it can be a challenge if you are limited in counter / cabinet space.

AndieD

Addison, IL

i love to make my own fruit shakes since i love to go to the gym and stay on a good diet and with this blender its like magic i can put all differnt kinds of fruit in it and its so fast that its done in sceonds! it can also be used for mixed drinks as well cant get nebetter its durable will last me a long time and its not too big!

nikkib420

Sparrows Point, MD

This blender is the most used item in my entire kitchen (besides the microwave perhaps?). I use it twice a day, at least. Every morning I make a smoothie, and then for dinner, or as an afternoon snack. Smoothies are my favorite food, which became an expensive habit (not to mention bad for the environment- think of all those plastic cups and straws) when I bought them at smoothie places. So I started making my own. Not only are they cheaper and more convenient, but they are also healthier. I know exactly what I put into them, so I can calculate the calorie intake. I use fat free yogurt, which is much better than the ice cream that a lot of shops are using these days. Furthermore, it is a very convenient way to get rid of old fruit. I'll toss in old bananas, soft strawberries, etc. This way I save even more money by avoiding wasting fruit! Anything can go into the blender and come out as a delicious, delicious smoothie.

laoelsy7

Baltimore, MD

We bought our blender a while back, and have been very pleased wth it, hence the 5 star-rating.  I love this blender because it as so many uses.  We initially bought this to use to make smoothies and shakes etc.  It crushes ices and blends fruits (and even a few hidden veggies!!!!!!)  like no other blender I've ever tried before!  We have also cooked in our vitamix.  The booklet that comes with it has a few recipes.  I know that we tried a few soups, but honestly we don't always use the vitamix for this....seems like it's easier to make more the stovetop way w/ pots and pans ;)  The main reason I love the vitamix is because it saved me alot of money once our babies were on solid foods.  It was sooo easy when it came time to prepare dinner, I would just cook extra of our veggies, and leave some non/minimally seasoned, throw them into the blender, then use what I needed that night and pour the rest into icetrays...nextime that i needed babyfood, I'd just thaw it, and voila! easy, affordable, available baby food!!

crewof4

Goldsboro, NC

The Vitamix blender is a must have in any cooks kitchen.  It does so much more than just blend.  I've made soup in the blender, boiling soup!  The blades create so much friction that the soup actually boils!  I use mine almost every day.

bassoerin

Cleveland, OH

I purchased my Vita-Mix 5000 so long ago I cannot remember.  I saw the demonstration at the State Fair in Oregon and then contacted Vita-Mix and purchased a refurbished model for a lot less money, but I've never had one problem with it.  My biggest uses are to blend my hot chocolate drinks for as I use the mexican chocolate in the circle blocks and the Vitamix makes a frothy totally mixed drink.  Next is milkshakes.  Since we have so many berries in Oregon we are constantly having milkshakes.  yet, I also grind wheat berries for my wheat flour for baking, make hot broccoli cheese soup with 5 ingredients that comes out piping hot by running machine 2 to 4 minutes!  Then the cold stuff, like orange sorbet and strawberry yogurt freeze are more favorites using the speed to make the item frozen!  I also can make delicious babyfood for my grandchildren.  No home should be without a vitamix!  If you are a costco member find out when they will be demonstrating them and go see for yourself!  Have a sample and you'll be hooked!

SpinMama

Boring, OR