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Sunday, December 28, 2014

VitaMix- More than just a regular blender



One of the things that has been on the top of my must have list for my kitchen is a Vitamix. I kept telling my husband that one of these days, so i’m sure you can imagine how excited I was when Vitamix reached out and asked if I would review one of their blenders.




The unit it received is a reconditioned Vitamix 5200. Long ago I didn’t really know what the term reconditioned meant when it came to products. I thought that they were lesser quality. Over the years I have purchased many items both electronic and nonelectronic that were reconditioned and found they are amazing. What reconditioned means is that it was taken back and then put through many tests (17 when it comes to Vitamix) before it can be sold to a new customer. Those units go through more tests than regular ones since each and every reconditioned unit is inspected inside and out. The best part not only is that you can get a product you know will work perfect, you can also get it at a discounted price (win for everyone).


Here is the example of the checklist that every Vitamix has to go through before it is deemed perfect for us the customers:


New Components

  • Every Certified Reconditioned Machine comes with a brand new cookbook package, container shell, two-part lid, and tamper
  • Any component above that does not pass inspection is replaced with a brand new part. If a part cannot be replaced, the entire unit is recycled.


Blender Base


  • Blender base exterior is free of significant scratches and chips on all four sides
  • Four rubber feet are present and in-tact
  • Six-foot power cord is inspected and secured properly with clips
  • Switches are clean and operational
  • Faceplate label is present and free of scratches
  • Rubber centering pad is in-tact and free of significant scratches or wear



Motor and Control Panel

  • Variable Speed Dial is functional and responsive (when applicable)
  • High/Low speeds are functional (when applicable)
  • Pulse is functional (when applicable)
  • Pre-Programmed settings are functional (when applicable)
  • On/Off is functional
  • Start/Stop is functional (when applicable)

Blade

  • Blade is less than one year old, free of rust, dull edges, and any signs of damage, or is replaced with a new part
  • Blade assembly rotates easily with slight, even resistance
  • Blade is sanitized in high-temperature dishwasher and placed in new container shell
  • New container shows proper coupling and blade balance when placed on blender base


Besides getting an amazing blender, They also give you a cookbook that is full of recipes that you can use. The book also includes techniques like chopping, making flour, grating hard cheeses. With your Vitamix you can make cocktails, coffee drinks, soups, dressings like a vinaigrette, and of course dips/spreads. I was honestly shocked at how much I can make with this one machine.


I am a latina woman at heart (and blood), and it shows when it comes to my favorite “splurge” drink. I LOVE Horchata. Some call it rice milk or rice water. There are so many ways of making it, but I have included my favorite way. Please note that my way takes time as you have to let part of the mix sit for at least 3 hours but if you have time overnight would be best. Also it calls for blanched almonds, so if you don’t have time to do that yourself, you can always just buy them blanched at the store (usually in the organic section).


Making my Horchata in my Vitamix was so easy and saved me time. I didn’t have to strain the liquid out and discard part of the mix. The Vitamix allowed me to use everything, thus giving me more flavor.


If you are looking for a new blender that does more than just chop up a little ice, you should definitely check out a Vitamix or even one of their reconditioned blenders. To me both are worth every penny. To find a local store, check out their store finder or you can buy online from their website.



Horchata


1 cup long grain white rice
3/4 cup blanched almonds
1  cinnamon stick
4 cups water
1 cup water or milk
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Ice for serving
Ground cinnamon for garnish

Directions

  1. Soak the rice, almonds and cinnamon.  Place the rice and almonds into a bowl. Break up the cinnamon stick into several pieces and add to the rice and almonds. Cover with 4 cups of hot (but not boiling) water.  Cover the bowl and refrigerate at least 3 hours but preferably overnight.
  2. Blend   Using your Vitamix, blend the mixture until it is as smooth as possible.  This can take as long as 2 to 3 minutes. You don’t have to remove the cinnamon stick. note** if you don't have a vitamix (yet) you may need to strain the mixture because it may not get it all mixed together.
  3. Add condensed milk and vanilla.  Stir in the remaining cup of water (or milk to make it creamier), sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.  
  4. Serve.  Add ice to the pitcher, stir again, and serve in glasses, garnished with a sprinkle of the ground cinnamon.  


Enjoy!


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Disclosure: The above item was received in order to facilitate review. I have not been compensated for this post. Top Notch Material blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. We will only recommend products or services that we feel are of benefit to our readers. If you have any questions, please contact me at katrina dot gehman {at} gmail com. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

68 comments:

  1. I have heard many good things about this. I would love to try one out for myself one of these days.

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  2. My sister had a Vitamix and she loves it. I have been thinking about getting one.

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  3. I got to use a vitamix at my friends house a month ago. How much nicer it is than my blender. I have wanted one since.

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  4. I have heard so many great things about Vitamix blenders! It's definitely on my wish list!

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  5. I've heard excellent reviews from everyone I know who has a Vitamix. It has been on my wish list for a while now!

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  6. I've heard great things about Vitamix blenders. I have a blender I use for smoothies and I get tired of cleaning it. I asked for an immersion blender for Christmas!

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  7. I have a Vitamix and use it daily. I can't always eat a solid lunch so it really helps me explore extra nutrients and protein thanks to convenient operation and easy cleanup!

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  8. I have heard so much about a Vitamin blender but have yet to get one. I would love to give it a try in my house though!

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  9. I have never actually had Horchata at a restaurant, let alone made it at home. Thanks for sharing your recipe, it sounds delicious!

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  10. I've heard some really great things about the Vitamix. I'll have to check it out. My blender is just about kaput.

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  11. Vitamix is a great company. You could blend rocks with those blades. Although it wouldn't taste very good...

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  12. What a neat blender! So many cool features!

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  13. you are very very lucky - who wouldn't want to review that!! I ended up buying a kitchen aide which I love, but a little jealous here!

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    1. Yep. Vitamix is awesome. Those things are epic.

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  14. Awesome! I really needed one of these when I was doing a blended diet with my son. The price just wasn't affordable for me though.

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  15. I have the BlendTec which is very similar to the Vitamix. I always make fresh raw vegetable and fruit smoothies in it for our family.

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  16. My husband wants one of these... to make Salsa. I need to pull the money trigger and get one.

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  17. I like that they offer this option. Makes it nice for everyone to be able to get a quality machine.

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  18. I love your Chevron top! That is just my style. I hate going to the store for clothing shopping.

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  19. I have had my eye on the Vitamix for quite a while!! I love to make smoothies especially in the summer. The recipe book sounds like its full of great recipes.

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  20. I need a good blender. I'm always burning out the motors making smoothies with frozen fruit.

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  21. I had no idea that reconditioned meant that, how awesome! Sounds like a great blender :D

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  22. I make smoothies several times a week! The Vitamix is one kitchen appliance that I have been wanting for a long time. Glad to hear you love yours!!

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  23. This is awesome. I will have to try that drink.

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  24. I have heard so much about Vitamix recently. Definitely something to think about with the new year approaching.

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  25. What a great sounding blender - I love that it seems able to do so much! x

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  26. Katrina, my mom and sister in law have a Vitamix and they both love it. I'd really like to get one this year too. Thank you for this review!

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  27. We have a Vitamix. One of the best, most powerful machines I use.

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  28. I need to get one of these. My current blender has seen better days & I've heard great things about Vitamix.

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  29. I would love to get a Vitamix blender. I love how versatile it is.

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  30. Oooh that horchata looks good! I've heard good things about Vitamix but I think my Blendtec has stolen my heart for life :)

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  31. A friend of mine has this exact one and loves it. I need to invest in one I just haven't yet!

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  32. I have heard these are the top of the line for blenders. I would totally buy reconditioned or refurbished products! They are much cheaper!

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  33. My son just told me his hand blender stopped working. He'd be pretty excited to receive one of these.

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  34. Thank you for your review. My Husband and I were just talking about the vitamix an hour ago.

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  35. Thanks for the great review! We LOVE our Vitamix. It really is the best blender out there!

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  36. i have gasteroparises and I litterly blend so much of my food cause other wise it sits in my gut as my stomach is broken and don't work properly and I have been eyeing the Vitamix blender for ever. ok not that long but I really love it. I make protine shakes and smoothies and green juicing every morning and lunch and even use it to make soups in. I don't have vitamix blender I do want one though. It was on my Christmas list but Santa didn't bring me it. :(

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  37. My husband wanted something like this. Looks great, thanks for the review. I will have to show him.

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  38. I will need a new blender soon with as much as I use mine haha. I will keep this one in mind. It looks like a good one!

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  39. Yeah - I love my Vitamix - it is the best money spent! If I had to have one kitchen gadget must it would be my Vitamix!

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  40. I have heard great things about Vitamix! I have a ninja that I love but I could get on board with this blender :-)

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  41. One of my friends swears by her Vitamix. We've not tried to use one yet but I've heard nothing but good things :)

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  42. Vitamix looks amazing, I have been needing a new blender for a while so this is something I'll have to pick up!

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  43. I could really use a Vitamix. I think I could make some amazing drinks with this among other things. I will have to try your recipe out. It sounds very interesting.

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  44. I could seriously put a Vitamix to work! I love smoothies and this looks like a great tool for the kitchen.

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  45. I have the same model and I do love it. Never need another blender.

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  46. Looks like a great appliance! I've never heard of Horchata, but it sure looks good!

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  47. I've heard awesome things about the Vitamix! My sister has one and makes both smoothies and soups. You can even make salsa!

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  48. This sounds like a delicious and healthy drink. The Vitamix did a wonderful job of blending the ingredients together.

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  49. The blender gets used a lot at my house. Having a good one is important.

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  50. I already heard about Vitamix Blendors, but I never tried it before. After reading your review I think I should give a try on this. I really love the Horchata recipe as well. Thanks for sharing.

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  51. I have always wanted a Vitamix they are suppose to be so powerful. You can make so many powerful drinks!

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  52. I am glad that you found and got this blander.
    It really looks like a good one

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  53. Wow, that recipe at the end sounds so good! I have looked into buying a VitaMix for my husband, but I'm not sure if he would really use it enough to justify the price. I'll have to check out reconditioned!

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  54. These sounds like a really great blender. I'd love one for making smoothies in the morning.

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  55. I genuinely want to buy a vitamix for the New year! Thanks for the review and recipe!

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  56. I saw a Vitamix in action at a conference last year and I so want one...!

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  57. I have heard amazing things about the Vitamix and it was one of my top blenders! However, my hubby surprised me on Christmas with my very own Ninja! So excited!

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  58. I've heard amazing reviews like this one about the Vitamix. I saw a demo a few weeks ago at Sams Club. It's an amazing machine. I currently own a Ninja

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  59. I would LOVE one of these! I have a bullet and it takes a lot of shaking it around to get all the ice and frozen fruit blended up. Thanks for sharing!

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  60. Looks like a great blender. I like to put sweetened condensed milk in my hot cocoa.

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  61. that is so awesome!! :) we have a vitamix and we absolutely love it. you just reminded me i need to make our green smoothie for the day.

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  62. It's great that a cookbook is provided. This is to guide the user on what can be blended so as to encourage more usage of the blender. Does Horchata taste like barley?

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  63. I've been wanting the Vitamix for sooo long! I love how you can make so many different meals with it!

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  64. This Vitamix blender sounds amazing. I have never thought to make my own flour before. The reconditioned products as just as good as brand new in my opinion. I love that you get them at discount prices. Thanks for sharing. This recipe sounds amazing.

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  65. This sounds like a great blender, I have not heard of the vitamix before but thanks for the introduction and that recipe looks absolutely yummy

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  66. I keep hearing great things about vitamix but I didn't know how it looks like or what it does. Thanks for the great review. Seems like a very helpful machine to have.

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  67. I have always wanted a Vitamix. I am super excited for you getting one. I hope you get to play with it LOTS.

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