Vita-Mix 1300 TurboBlend 4500 Review

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(More customer reviews)I have owned the Vita-Mix Super 5000 since 1997, and I love it. I can grind flour, make juice, soup, ice cream (the fruit smoothies I make with this are to die for)--in short, every kind of food processing you can imagine. This baby is built to last and has a 7-year warranty.
In 2004, a couple weeks after the 7 years were up, I was very upset when it broke down. I thought, "Isn't that just the way these things tend to go with warranties?" I searched for Vita-Mix on the web (the URL is their name, and there is a link on this page, to them, too). I clicked on the button for service, got their 800 number, and called them at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time, and they were there. The service rep was friendly and knowledgeable. She asked me to describe in detail the symptoms of my ailing Vita-Mix. She then said, when I asked about it, that even though I was past the window period to do so, the company would still allow me to buy a three-year extended warranty for $120. I jumped at that, and found out that I could use it to cover the parts (and shipping) to fix the problem. She said I needed an "assembly piece" that sold for $75 without a warranty, a "drive socket" worth $12.00 and the shipping of $9.95 would be no charge to me. She said she was including a small wrench and instructions and I can fix it myself. So right off the bat I used most of the $120 to fix my first problem.
I've never seen anything like this kind of service. When our tabletop water distiller broke, we had to send it in for warrantied repair, which cost $50 shipping (we paid), and weeks to get back. I think shipping the Vita-Mix to the company might have cost nearly that much, so I was delighted to have this option of getting the parts in 10 days to fix it myself and have my beloved Vita-Mix back working within a week and a half.
If you are ever in the market for a food processor that is professional quality that works great with amazing customer service, this is it. The price is very competitive for what you get, and the product itself is fabulous. (Only one tiny little caveat--which is true for =any= blender--wear earplugs when you do the very high speeds or you could hurt your ears.)
Update March 23, 2009: I've owned the Vita-Mix 12 years now, and I still love it! See my comment to this review with today's date which contains information on my experiences with the sales personnel of the Vita-Mix company today.


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Vita-Mix TurboBlend 4500 is a heavy-duty, commercial-quality blender that delivers optimum performance and power.Superior engineering strengthens each part, ensuring a product that will last.

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KitchenAid RVSA Slicer/Shredder Attachment for Stand Mixers Review

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(More customer reviews)Nota Bene:
I have tried to contact Kitchen-Aid for over a month, wrote 4 EM via the KitchenAid customer support Website, and beside their promise to answer within 3 business day, I have yet to hear from them.
I'm truly disappointed with their customer support and the RSVA.
Kitchen-Hell: "for the way it's made"Well,
What a deception!
Probably the worst shredder I ever used.
I purchase this product in the idea that KitchenAid was a good brand (by experience), but I must admit that I have the feeling that I paid $50 for a very, very poor shredder, which should be sold $15 maximum. A $7 Walmart hand shredder makes a better job.
I have the feeling that KitchenAid just ripped me off.
I'm a mechanical engineer and I love to cook, and I'm normally the type to buy one excellent knife instead of 2 poor ones, but this time, I was fooled.
So , let's review the product:
First of all, the cones are not stainless steel, but regular steel, badly chromed.
It means that, one day or another, they will rust.
How can you tell? Use a magnet, if it is not sticking, it's a 18/10 stainless steel. (18% Chrome + 10% Nickel, a TRUE Stainless Steel)
Try with your kitchenaid mixing bowl, and you'll see.
It also means that if you ever try to sharpen the slicing blades, you'll take off the chrome and it WILL rust very quickly.
I'm sorry, but a brand like Kitchenaid should AT LEAST, provides Stainless Steel cones. Especially at 50 bucks a piece. (and I suppose that's why it is stated HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY), not allowed to use regular steel in a restaurant)
The blades are either dull, unevenly sharpened, or not at all(sides). It mashes or puree very well, but the cuts are uneven and messy. I just wanted a slicer, not a musher.
The sharpening on (my) slicing cones is visibly uneven. one side slices, the other not.
The gap between the cones and the body is too big, food goes in, get pushed in by the dull cones to end up in a mess.
The cones rotate unevenly, off balance, which adds to the previous mess.
The length of the blades is smaller than the size of the spout. (the cutting length should be a least the size of the spout, not smaller )
In short: everything that goes is those corners is miserably mashed So, as a result, in my opinion: buy something else.
Add $20 and buy yourself something decent. Plus, the attachment is so bulky that a food processor will not take much space.
My grade on a 10 scale: 3
Probably the worst shredder I ever used.
And if you ever decide to buy one , please contact me , for $25, you'll have an almost brand new one.



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This attachment performs the cutting and shredding duties your food processor might: select the proper cone, slip it into the plastic housing, and attach all to your stand mixer's hub with a metal shaft. You can shred potatoes, onions, nuts, and chocolate, or slice vegetables for cooking or munching. While it adds versatility to your mixer, the unit is cumbersome to disassemble--more so than KitchenAid's other nifty attachments--and its several parts make it difficult to store. Still, it's easier on your arms than manual slicing and shredding, especially for large quantities, and all parts are dishwasher-safe. --Betsy Danheim

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Factory-Reconditioned Waring JEX328FR Health Juice Extractor Review

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(More customer reviews)I've wanted a juicer for a long time, but could never really justify the expense, knowing that I'd very likely quickly tire of the maintenance involved. When I saw this juicer for under $25, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
When I opened the box, I was immediately impressed with the unit's solid construction. You can see right away that this isn't a plastic piece of junk that's going to break righ away.
With the unit's first use, I juiced: cabbage, kale, spinach, carrots, onions and peppers. The unit - while not as powerful as more expensive models, I'm sure - juiced up everything with no hesitation. I would describe the pulp to be damp, but not what I'd call really wet.
I dreaded the juicer clean-up process that I'd heard so much about. Disassembly of the unit is a breeze. There are basically three main parts to remove and it takes all of thirty-seconds. No problem.
If there's one thing I could change, it would be a better designed pulp-catcher that would allow a bag to be used. This is only a minor gripe and has in no way made me regret the purchase.
If you are a casual juicer, looking to get your feet wet without spending a ton of money, this would be a perfect choice. I'm still amazed that I got this for under $25 and I'd recommend it without hesitation.

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WARING PRO JUICE EXTRACTORS ( Refurb)

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