Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
marketing ploy?

"Kalmia" > wrote in message
...
> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> marketing ploy?


Seems like a marketing ploy to me. Anyone up for a pina colada? <G>

Jill

On Aug 29, 9:47*am, Kalmia > wrote:
> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> marketing ploy?

same thing, as far as I know...

Kalmia wrote:
> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> marketing ploy?

Nope, they are entirely different; you need to buy both. Maybe 2 of
each. (at least that's what the small appliance store guy said)
Trust me. ;-)

-Bob

On Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:47:26 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
> wrote:

> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> marketing ploy?

I think you need a Vitamix.

--
I take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila

On Aug 29, 11:26*am, sf > wrote:
> On Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:47:26 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
>
> > wrote:
> > Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> > marketing ploy?
>
> I think you need a Vitamix. *
>
> --
> I take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila

Only if you can "Set It and Forget It"!!

On Aug 29, 11:44*am, Sqwertz > wrote:
> On Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:47:26 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia wrote:
> > Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> > marketing ploy?
>
> I don't patronize places that do a large smoothie business because of
> all the noise they make. *I don't think I've ever had a smoothie, but
> If I planned on making them often, the noise it produces would be a
> significant factor in my buying decision.
>
> -sw

the blender only runs for mabe 15 seconds. But then, it appears you
can only tolerate something for maybe 5 seconds.

"Kalmia" > wrote in message
...
> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> marketing ploy?

No, you need one. Just like you need a bagel slicer, a meatloaf pan, a
hamburger cooker with bun steamer and an in the egg scrambler.

Paul

Kalmia wrote:
>
> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> marketing ploy?

Vitamix has not been selling enough so they changed the description on
their label. The difference from a regular blender? Price, strudiness,
longevity, sound volume. With a regular blender you don't need a sound
shield. With a smoothie maker, you do need a sound shield.

On 8/29/2011 10:47 AM, Kalmia wrote:
> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> marketing ploy?


Don't the smoothie makers have a spout near the bottom? (How do you
clean that part? Ick.) Just another gimmick and something to store
after you use it enthusiastically twice and decide smoothies aren't all
that wonderful and fattening besides.

gloria p

"Kalmia" > wrote in message
...
> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> marketing ploy?

Jamba Juice appears to use blenders.

On 2011-08-29, Kalmia > wrote:
> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> marketing ploy?

Despite what all the ppl here have been replying, there definetly IS a
difference. Sure, they look the same and do essentially the same
chore, blend to a puree, but the similarity stops there.

Smoothie machines typically sport 3-4 HP motors and larger vessels.
Cheapo home blenders barely weigh in with a half a horsepower motor.
You can pick up a cheapie for $30-60. A good 3 HP smoothie machine
will run you $400 and up. A business will use commercial grade
machines. Better construction, better bearings, seals, swithes,
higher price, etc, for continuous repetitious use. BTW, Jamba Juice
and Baskin-Robbins use commercial Vitamixes. The cheapest model
Vitamix makes is a non-commercial grade home machine at $380.

Can you make a small basic smoothie with a cheapo machine. Probably.
But, there will probably be ice chunks, the motor will bog on fibrous
fruits like mango, etc, and I wouldn't take any bets on the cheapo
machine's lifespan. In short, no. Definitely not the same machines.
Not by a long shot.

nb

"notbob" > wrote in message
...
> On 2011-08-29, Kalmia > wrote:
>> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
>> marketing ploy?
>
> Despite what all the ppl here have been replying, there definetly IS a
> difference. Sure, they look the same and do essentially the same
> chore, blend to a puree, but the similarity stops there.
>
> Smoothie machines typically sport 3-4 HP motors and larger vessels.
> Cheapo home blenders barely weigh in with a half a horsepower motor.
> You can pick up a cheapie for $30-60. A good 3 HP smoothie machine
> will run you $400 and up. A business will use commercial grade
> machines. Better construction, better bearings, seals, swithes,
> higher price, etc, for continuous repetitious use. BTW, Jamba Juice
> and Baskin-Robbins use commercial Vitamixes. The cheapest model
> Vitamix makes is a non-commercial grade home machine at $380.
>
> Can you make a small basic smoothie with a cheapo machine. Probably.
> But, there will probably be ice chunks, the motor will bog on fibrous
> fruits like mango, etc, and I wouldn't take any bets on the cheapo
> machine's lifespan. In short, no. Definitely not the same machines.
> Not by a long shot.

I make smoothies in the Magic Bullet. No ice. I use frozen berries.

Julie Bove wrote:
> "notbob" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 2011-08-29, Kalmia > wrote:
>>> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
>>> marketing ploy?
>> Despite what all the ppl here have been replying, there definetly IS a
>> difference. Sure, they look the same and do essentially the same
>> chore, blend to a puree, but the similarity stops there.
>>
>> Smoothie machines typically sport 3-4 HP motors and larger vessels.
>> Cheapo home blenders barely weigh in with a half a horsepower motor.
>> You can pick up a cheapie for $30-60. A good 3 HP smoothie machine
>> will run you $400 and up. A business will use commercial grade
>> machines. Better construction, better bearings, seals, swithes,
>> higher price, etc, for continuous repetitious use. BTW, Jamba Juice
>> and Baskin-Robbins use commercial Vitamixes. The cheapest model
>> Vitamix makes is a non-commercial grade home machine at $380.
>>
>> Can you make a small basic smoothie with a cheapo machine. Probably.
>> But, there will probably be ice chunks, the motor will bog on fibrous
>> fruits like mango, etc, and I wouldn't take any bets on the cheapo
>> machine's lifespan. In short, no. Definitely not the same machines.
>> Not by a long shot.
>
> I make smoothies in the Magic Bullet. No ice. I use frozen berries.
>
>


I have both a Kitchenaid blender and an old Vitamix. I usually use
the Kitchenaid because it handles ice better -- but only if I add the
ice first and pulverize it before adding any liquid. I usually end up
with chucks of frozen fruit if I use unsweetened frozen strawberries
or peaches or anything else hard and icy like that, or if I leave the
frozen papaya or mango chunks too big. I haven't played with the
Vitamix much yet now that I made a tamper stick for it. That may make
a big difference.

The Kitchenaid would be a much better blender if they didn't put that
stupid "soft start" electronic motor control on it. I want to start
the blender under full power, and this thing slowly accelerates even
when you use "Pulse" mode on high speed. I guess they don't want to
bruise the food you're trying to blend by smacking it too hard with
the blades.

I just realized I forget to get a couple of tangerines yesterday. I
wanted to try Vitamixing them peels and all to see what I get
(tangerine peels are not nearly as bitter as orange peels)

The Vitamix is good for making "almond milk". I soak about 3/4 cup of
raw almonds overnight and drain them. Dump them in the Vitamix (or
other heavy duty blender) with a little water and grind them up. Add
about 2 or 3 cups of water and a few ice cubes and liquefy for a full
minute. (the ice is to keep it from getting warm) Strain into a
quart Tupperware container, dump the solids back in the blender with a
cup of water and blend them again. Strain that into the first
runnings, and there will be very little solids left, which you can
throw away without feeling bad. I use a medium wire mesh kitchen
strainer and I stir so it doesn't clog up, so the resulting "milk" is
a little gritty. I'm OK with that. You could strain it again with a
fine mesh bag and get all the grit out.

If you substitute cashews for the almonds it's supposed to be a lot
smoother. If you use soybeans, you need to use hot water instead of
cold, and I think the soymilk may still needs to be cooked to
deactivate enzymes or lectins or something.

-Bob

On Aug 30, 7:26*am, zxcvbob > wrote:

I found with my Vita-Mix that I don't need to use the tamper. When I
first got the Vita-Mix and started making green smoothies I needed the
tamper. Then I figured out how to layer what goes in the Vita-Mix so
that
I don't need it. Here's what I do:

Bottom(first) layer: a pear cut into eighths.
Second Layer: couple big fistfulls of fresh spinach mashed down
Third Layer: 5 or 6 large leaves of curly kale torn into pieces and
mashed down
Fourth layer: a large apple cut into eights.

The blender jar should be full now...really full, packed full.

Pour in water ...about a quart, till it comes within about 1 1/2 to 2
inches of the top of the jar.

Put on the lid and start the blender on low for about 5 or 6 seconds
while it starts grinding the bottom layer
then flip to high and it does it's thing and completely liquifies the
smoothie. Let it blend for about a minute
to make sure it is completely done.

I don't add ice. I pour the smoothie into three rubbermaid bottles
to store in the fridge for three
servings.

On Mon, 29 Aug 2011 11:51:31 -0700, Paul M. Cook wrote:

> "Kalmia" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
>> marketing ploy?
>
> No, you need one. Just like you need a bagel slicer, a meatloaf pan, a
> hamburger cooker with bun steamer and an in the egg scrambler.
>
> Paul

the in-egg scrambler makes a decent home lobotomizer.

your pal,
blake

On 2011-08-30, ImStillMags > wrote:

> Bottom(first) layer: a pear cut into eighths.
> Second Layer: couple big fistfulls of fresh spinach mashed down
> Third Layer: 5 or 6 large leaves of curly kale torn into pieces and
> mashed down
> Fourth layer: a large apple cut into eights.

(shudder)

Merely reading that recipe makes me wanna blow chunks, but that's jes
me. If you can get it down, more power to you. I will agree that a
green smoothie is better for you than that whole discard-the-fiber
juicer nonsense, which has yet to entirely fade away. Ingesting the
pulp along with the juice can only be better for you in the long run.
Carry on.

nb

On Aug 30, 12:36*am, notbob > wrote:
> On 2011-08-29, Kalmia > wrote:
>
> > Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> > marketing ploy?
>
> Despite what all the ppl here have been replying, there definetly IS a
> difference. *Sure, they look the same and do essentially the same
> chore, blend to a puree, but the similarity stops there.
>
> Smoothie machines typically sport 3-4 HP motors and larger vessels.
> Cheapo home blenders barely weigh in with a half a horsepower motor.
> You can pick up a cheapie for $30-60. *A good 3 HP smoothie machine
> will run you $400 and up. *A business will use commercial grade
> machines. *Better construction, better bearings, seals, swithes,
> higher price, etc, for continuous repetitious use. *BTW, Jamba Juice
> and Baskin-Robbins use commercial Vitamixes. *The cheapest model
> Vitamix makes is a non-commercial grade home machine at $380.
>
> Can you make a small basic smoothie with a cheapo machine. *Probably.
> But, there will probably be ice chunks, the motor will bog on fibrous
> fruits like mango, etc, and I wouldn't take any bets on the cheapo
> machine's lifespan. *In short, no. *Definitely not the same machines.
> Not by a long shot.
>
> nb

The cheapest place to buy them as far as I know is on QVC's web
site.
They have the Vita mix and a few other brands with the same watts
as the Vita mix which is 1100 watts. I have both a Vita mix and the
Ninja 1100.

Lucille

On Aug 30, 8:00*am, notbob > wrote:
> On 2011-08-30, ImStillMags > wrote:
>
> > Bottom(first) layer: *a pear cut into eighths.
> > Second Layer: *couple big fistfulls of fresh spinach mashed down
> > Third Layer: 5 or 6 large leaves of curly kale torn into pieces and
> > mashed down
> > Fourth layer: *a large apple cut into *eights.
>
> (shudder)
>
> Merely reading that recipe makes me wanna blow chunks, but that's jes
> me. *If you can get it down, more power to you. *I will agree that a
> green smoothie is better for you than that whole discard-the-fiber
> juicer nonsense, which has yet to entirely fade away. *Ingesting the
> pulp along with the juice can only be better for you in the long run.
> Carry on. *
>
> nb

Actually, it is quite delicious, but if you have a pre-conceived
notion of what it will taste like you probably wouldn't like it if you
actually tasted it. There are hundreds of variations, this is just
one.

On Sat, 3 Sep 2011 12:04:23 -0700 (PDT), Lucille
> wrote:

> I have both a Vita mix and the Ninja 1100.

If you could only buy one, which would you pick?


--
I take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila

On Aug 30, 12:36*am, notbob > wrote:
> On 2011-08-29, Kalmia > wrote:
>
> > Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> > marketing ploy?
>
> Despite what all the ppl here have been replying, there definetly IS a
> difference. *Sure, they look the same and do essentially the same
> chore, blend to a puree, but the similarity stops there.
>
> Smoothie machines typically sport 3-4 HP motors and larger vessels.
> Cheapo home blenders barely weigh in with a half a horsepower motor.
> You can pick up a cheapie for $30-60. *A good 3 HP smoothie machine
> will run you $400 and up. *A business will use commercial grade
> machines. *Better construction, better bearings, seals, swithes,
> higher price, etc, for continuous repetitious use. *BTW, Jamba Juice
> and Baskin-Robbins use commercial Vitamixes. *The cheapest model
> Vitamix makes is a non-commercial grade home machine at $380.
>
> Can you make a small basic smoothie with a cheapo machine. *Probably.
> But, there will probably be ice chunks, the motor will bog on fibrous
> fruits like mango, etc, and I wouldn't take any bets on the cheapo
> machine's lifespan. *In short, no. *Definitely not the same machines.
> Not by a long shot.
>
> nb

Thanks for the germane answer.

On Aug 29, 2:51*pm, "Paul M. Cook" > wrote:
> "Kalmia" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> > marketing ploy?
>
> No, you need one. *Just like you need a bagel slicer, a meatloaf pan, a
> hamburger cooker with bun steamer and an in the egg scrambler.
>
> Pauls

And dontcha fergit the toast tongs and rack puller. The spoon rest is
the one that gets me. One more thing PLUS the stove or counter to
wash. And how about that brownie lifter thingie?

On Aug 29, 3:03*pm, Doug Freyburger > wrote:
> Kalmia wrote:
>
> > Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> > marketing ploy?
>
> Vitamix has not been selling enough so they changed the description on
> their label. *The difference from a regular blender? *Price, strudiness,
> longevity, sound volume. *With a regular blender you don't need a sound
> shield. *With a smoothie maker, you do need a sound shield.

Ha. I STILL have to give out a noise warning when I use my small
processor or the blender.

On Sep 3, 3:15*pm, sf > wrote:
> On Sat, 3 Sep 2011 12:04:23 -0700 (PDT), Lucille
>
> > wrote:
> > *I have both a Vita mix and the Ninja 1100.
>
> If you could only buy one, which would you pick?
>
> --
> I take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila

If you can afford the Vita-mix, that's the top of the line.

Lucille

On Aug 29, 1:43*pm, "jmcquown" > wrote:
> "Kalmia" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> > Anyone own one? Is there really a difference, or is this just a
> > marketing ploy?
>
> Seems like a marketing ploy to me. *Anyone up for a pina colada? <G>
>
> Jill

But you don't know anything about it. It's just your opinion. it's
always about you, isn't it?
Whatsamatta, Jillsy... bf couldn't get away from his wife for the
weekend?