Vitamix vs. Ninja Blender
September 16, 2013 3:22 PM Subscribe
Through a strange set of circumstances, we recently came into two high-end blenders, and I'm having a hard time figuring out which one to keep. We were first given a Ninja BL660 and I've already used it a bunch. It's approximately 1000x better than our old blender. It turns out, I LOVE the single-serving glasses for quick smoothies and protein shakes because it saves washing the huge jar out. Then we were given an insane Vitamix Pro 750 which looks like it'll do anything except my meal planning. We really only need one blender: we already have a food processor, and a stick blender. What is the advantage of the Vitamix over the Ninja?
Bonus: any great smoothie or juice recipes?
We've never had a juicer, though I'm a bit curious about the whole put-kale-or-carrot-in-smoothie thing. The Vitamix isn't really a juicer though, right? Does the Vitamix just pulverize everything much better than the Ninja? If we already have a stick blender, how would a Vitamix actually make soups any better?
I've always wanted a Vitamix, but thought it would never be in the cards. If we don't keep the Vitamix, I can return it and get store credit at Williams-Sonoma. I'd certainly be able to buy some nice pans or other kitchen goods for that amount of money. But we'd never spend that kind of money on a blender, so if this is my shot at keeping a kick-ass blender, then can you tell me how it's better than the Ninja?
We've never had a juicer, though I'm a bit curious about the whole put-kale-or-carrot-in-smoothie thing. The Vitamix isn't really a juicer though, right? Does the Vitamix just pulverize everything much better than the Ninja? If we already have a stick blender, how would a Vitamix actually make soups any better?
I've always wanted a Vitamix, but thought it would never be in the cards. If we don't keep the Vitamix, I can return it and get store credit at Williams-Sonoma. I'd certainly be able to buy some nice pans or other kitchen goods for that amount of money. But we'd never spend that kind of money on a blender, so if this is my shot at keeping a kick-ass blender, then can you tell me how it's better than the Ninja?
Best answer: I've never used a Ninja, but I think I can say that my Vitamix is peerless. Just about anything I put in (as long as there's enough liquid for the blades to do their job) turns to liquid. Totally smooth sauces; kale smoothies with zero distinguishable plant matter; frozen strawberries, milk, and sugar turn into something with the consistency of soft serve and zero seeds. Juicers wring liquid from stuff and spit out solids; with the vitamix, there are no solids left.
I wonder if the 750 is a bit of overkill if you're happy with the Ninja, though. Variable speed is necessary, but beyond that... If it were me, I'd trade down a couple levels (I have the pro 300) and spend the difference on an All-Clad or two.
posted by supercres at 3:30 PM on September 16, 2013
I wonder if the 750 is a bit of overkill if you're happy with the Ninja, though. Variable speed is necessary, but beyond that... If it were me, I'd trade down a couple levels (I have the pro 300) and spend the difference on an All-Clad or two.
posted by supercres at 3:30 PM on September 16, 2013
Best answer: Also, double-check that your 750's carafe wasn't recalled if you're going to keep it.
posted by supercres at 3:33 PM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by supercres at 3:33 PM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The recall isn't that big of a thing - register and they send you a box to ship your carafe back and they fix it and send it back to you.
I have the 750 and I love it! (I hope you read that in a high-pitched sing song-y voice) There is nothing you cannot do in a Vita-Mix. Margaritas and the smoothest of smoothies are pretty popular around here. Splurge for the grains carafe and make flours and peanut butter. And almond butter. Cashew butter. Macadamia nut centers for handmade chocolates. I could go on....
But seriously, I've never owned a blender that could pulverize strawberry seeds to nothingness before. It's fantastic.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 4:04 PM on September 16, 2013
I have the 750 and I love it! (I hope you read that in a high-pitched sing song-y voice) There is nothing you cannot do in a Vita-Mix. Margaritas and the smoothest of smoothies are pretty popular around here. Splurge for the grains carafe and make flours and peanut butter. And almond butter. Cashew butter. Macadamia nut centers for handmade chocolates. I could go on....
But seriously, I've never owned a blender that could pulverize strawberry seeds to nothingness before. It's fantastic.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 4:04 PM on September 16, 2013
Don't wash the huge jar on the Vitamx. Put water and a few drops of soap in the dirty container. Run the blender for a 10-15 seconds, dump the soapy water, rinse and set in the dish drainer. Done.
Believe it or not, you can do this with pretty much any blender. I do with my ancient avocado green Waring. It takes a little longer than the vitamix, but it still can be done.
We were given a vitamix but I hated the amount of space it took up and how horrifically loud it was, so it's on permanent loan to my sister. I realize I am the only person in the universe that doesn't like them, though.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:26 PM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Believe it or not, you can do this with pretty much any blender. I do with my ancient avocado green Waring. It takes a little longer than the vitamix, but it still can be done.
We were given a vitamix but I hated the amount of space it took up and how horrifically loud it was, so it's on permanent loan to my sister. I realize I am the only person in the universe that doesn't like them, though.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:26 PM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I also randomly came across one of these blenders.(left in an extended family owned rental). I really really wish i still had it.
I've never owned or used a ninja, but my office has a blendtec for everyone to use and i've used several other "high end" blenders over the years. Blendtecs are heavy/big/over complicated, and the rest didn't compare.
I love how incredibly simple the vitamix controls are, and how solidly built it feels(and is, it seems. Mine was beat to shit when i got it and still worked like a champ). I honestly don't trust anything with a "single serving glass" or that seems to consumer-y after having several blenders burn out of on me. If i ever see another vitamix at a thrift store or somewhere for cheap i'd buy it in a split second.
Not saying the ninja is bad, but a vitamix is a known quantity to me. And the experience i had was akin to the toyota hilux on top gear. Anything you throw in it comes out awesome, and nothing can kill it. I nearly melted the "home" blendtec trying to blend a block of frozen coconut water into a smoothie.(like, got disturbingly warm to the point the whole area around it smelled like hot electronics/motor) At the time i was thinking "man, that old vitamix would have completely smashed this shit by now and it would be 100% slurpee consistency". Not to mention that i've never seen another blender that, as people said, annihilated berry seeds.
I'd sell the ninja, but that's just me. Maybe it's way better than i'm imagining.
posted by emptythought at 5:39 PM on September 16, 2013
I've never owned or used a ninja, but my office has a blendtec for everyone to use and i've used several other "high end" blenders over the years. Blendtecs are heavy/big/over complicated, and the rest didn't compare.
I love how incredibly simple the vitamix controls are, and how solidly built it feels(and is, it seems. Mine was beat to shit when i got it and still worked like a champ). I honestly don't trust anything with a "single serving glass" or that seems to consumer-y after having several blenders burn out of on me. If i ever see another vitamix at a thrift store or somewhere for cheap i'd buy it in a split second.
Not saying the ninja is bad, but a vitamix is a known quantity to me. And the experience i had was akin to the toyota hilux on top gear. Anything you throw in it comes out awesome, and nothing can kill it. I nearly melted the "home" blendtec trying to blend a block of frozen coconut water into a smoothie.(like, got disturbingly warm to the point the whole area around it smelled like hot electronics/motor) At the time i was thinking "man, that old vitamix would have completely smashed this shit by now and it would be 100% slurpee consistency". Not to mention that i've never seen another blender that, as people said, annihilated berry seeds.
I'd sell the ninja, but that's just me. Maybe it's way better than i'm imagining.
posted by emptythought at 5:39 PM on September 16, 2013
Best answer: I don't own one but know someone who just dropped a lot of money on a Vitamix 500 series blender. Her response is that it makes her smoothies smoother than anything else she has ever used. Also that it's LOUD. Like jet engine loud.
I can't tell from you post if you've played with the Vitamix yet, so be sure to play with both of them before you decide which to keep.
posted by 517 at 7:02 PM on September 16, 2013
I can't tell from you post if you've played with the Vitamix yet, so be sure to play with both of them before you decide which to keep.
posted by 517 at 7:02 PM on September 16, 2013
Best answer: Before I got my Vitamix, I laughed at people online who said they used theirs multiple times a day. Now I am part of that club. It's astonishing how much I use that appliance. It's the only appliance that has a spot on my counter; all the others stay in another room, but the Vitamix is practically part of the family.
Favorite recipe:
Several frozen bananas (peeled and cut before freezing)
A slurp of yogurt (or a slurp of cream, or milk, or similar)
A shot of Bailey's (or some vanilla, or some other liqueur)
Some chocolate (Girardelli chocolate chips, or some sweetened cocoa, something like that)
Blend. Eat. Swoon.
posted by Capri at 9:02 PM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Favorite recipe:
Several frozen bananas (peeled and cut before freezing)
A slurp of yogurt (or a slurp of cream, or milk, or similar)
A shot of Bailey's (or some vanilla, or some other liqueur)
Some chocolate (Girardelli chocolate chips, or some sweetened cocoa, something like that)
Blend. Eat. Swoon.
posted by Capri at 9:02 PM on September 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Are you trying to get your answer without actually using the Vitamix, in case you want to return it? If not, this sounds like a situation for a science experiment, complete with lab coat and clipboard.
Measure out 2 copies of the exact same ingredients and blend them. If you can't tell the difference, then keep the Ninja. Clean the Vitamix really well and pack it back in its box.
posted by CathyG at 7:43 AM on September 17, 2013
Measure out 2 copies of the exact same ingredients and blend them. If you can't tell the difference, then keep the Ninja. Clean the Vitamix really well and pack it back in its box.
posted by CathyG at 7:43 AM on September 17, 2013
Best answer: We tried a Ninja first and returned it. It was pretty crappy and in no way really compares the the Vitamix.
posted by reddot at 5:42 PM on September 18, 2013
posted by reddot at 5:42 PM on September 18, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. Our Ninja model has a 1000 watt motor, which is way more than most Ninja blenders and actually the vast majority of blenders out there, so it's actually quite functional.
It didn't really occur to me to open the Vitamix and try it out, to see if I want to return it or not. I'll double-check that W-S will let me return if it's been used, and go from there.
As for the washing technique - it's a good one, but there's something so ridiculously easy about mixing in the same container from which you drink. It has inspired me to make so many more protein smoothies in the afternoon, therefore dramatically improving my aggro-hunger situation. Maybe it's my ADD that there is one less thing to deal with/clean. Maybe our old blender was just so annoying that I didn't want to deal with it in the first place.
Thanks for all of the responses that mentioned being skeptical that A Blender Could Be So Awesome but that it's won you over. Very helpful.
I like the idea of getting a less expensive Vitamix as a win-win. Let me look at the options and I'll update when we make up our minds.
posted by barnone at 11:18 AM on September 19, 2013
It didn't really occur to me to open the Vitamix and try it out, to see if I want to return it or not. I'll double-check that W-S will let me return if it's been used, and go from there.
As for the washing technique - it's a good one, but there's something so ridiculously easy about mixing in the same container from which you drink. It has inspired me to make so many more protein smoothies in the afternoon, therefore dramatically improving my aggro-hunger situation. Maybe it's my ADD that there is one less thing to deal with/clean. Maybe our old blender was just so annoying that I didn't want to deal with it in the first place.
Thanks for all of the responses that mentioned being skeptical that A Blender Could Be So Awesome but that it's won you over. Very helpful.
I like the idea of getting a less expensive Vitamix as a win-win. Let me look at the options and I'll update when we make up our minds.
posted by barnone at 11:18 AM on September 19, 2013
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posted by metahawk at 3:29 PM on September 16, 2013 [3 favorites]