Blender Basics

People often ask me, "Is it really worth getting one of those high speed blenders?" Naturally, my first impulse is to say with great enthusiasm, "You betcha!" That said, brand new, these blenders, cost close to $400!!! That's not spare change for most folks.

Now I typically respond with more questions, such as, "what are you thinking of using it for?" "what's your budget?" etc. I like to encourage folks to start where you are and see what's possible with the funds, time, and energy available. Then, grow into the next step. Also, if you can visit a restaurant or store that prepares what you're thinking of preparing, it can be a helpful gauge for the investment.

With determination and patience, it sometimes is possible to find these high-speed blenders on sale or "used." Craiglist and Ebay come to mind for this as well as so-called "Raw food" or "Live food" online communities. The most common brands (to my knowledge) sold are Vitamix and Blendtec. There are many sites online, which can be helpful for assessing their capabilities.

Here are two approaches to this:

http://www.incrediblesmoothies.com/blender-guide/best-blender-vitamix-vs-blendtec/

http://www.totalblender.com/vitamix-blendtec-blender-comparison-reviews.html

One cautionary note: these machines can get kinda loud. If you find someone who sells a sound-reducing enclosure for the "household" models, would you consider posting a comment or emailing me?

As for myself, for several years, I experimented delightedly with a conventional "low speed" blender. When I read "Green for Life" and discovered the many benefits of green smoothies, I did a lot of research both in the kitchen, online, and visiting restaurants and shops that make these and seeing what they use. I also visited "live food" stores, which sell equipment for preparing the food. When I visited "High Vibe" in Manhattan's East Village, proprietor and general nice guy Bob Dagger offered an education on these blenders. He sold Blendtec and after checking it out, I decided to buy it. I had saved up for the occasion and it had taken a while.

As a result, I lost no time in the kitchen trying it out. I've been having a grand time using it nearly daily ever since. At the same time, many friends use Vitamix and are delighted with these machines.

So as the saying goes, "all depends. . ."

I encourage you to explore, experiment, and enjoy, as you consider whether and when to blend the ingredients of your life. After all, you never know how it's gonna turns out.

Have fun!