Introduction
The Barnard family has been running the American privately held Vita-Mix Corporation, doing business as Vitamix, since 1921. Blenders are made by Vitamix for both consumers and the restaurant and hospitality sector. Since 1948, Vitamix has had a presence in Olmsted Township, Ohio. It has more than 700 employees, the majority of whom work in its corporate and production locations in Northeast Ohio. More than 130 countries across the world sell Vitamix products.
With this excellent brand of a blender, both full-size and personal-size versions are available, along with a large choice of add-ons and attachments. Powerful motors, precisely crafted blades, and a variety of speed settings are a few traits that are shared throughout the whole product range. They also have a line of home and professional blenders in the S-Series and G-Series. A few of their best-selling models are:
- Vitamix 5200
- Vitamix A3500
- Vitamix E310
History Timeline
1921 – William Grover “Papa” Barnard, the company’s founder, began his career in the sales of kitchen equipment in 1921. During the Great Depression, he traversed the nation practicing his craft and selling kitchen equipment at fairs and exhibits. The Barnard family privately owns and runs Vitamix. Barnard first saw the significance and influence that whole-food nutrition has on one’s health and well-being after assisting a friend through his sickness. The company’s name was then changed by Barnard to The Natural Food Institute.
1937 – After observing a blender at a trade exhibition in 1937, Barnard developed his own variants, building a more robust and dependable line of blenders. “Vita-Mix” placed emphasis on the word “vita,” which means “life.”
1949 – Bill Barnard, William’s son, persuaded his father to broadcast his blender demonstrations on television in 1949. Television gave the business the chance to spread its message about whole-food nutrition and the effectiveness of mixing fresh ingredients to thousands of people at once. The company’s TV marketing campaign started with the purchase of airtime for a product demonstration on WEWS-TV, a television station in Cleveland, Ohio.
1964 – Bill Barnard took over the family firm in 1964 and renamed it Vita-Mix Corporation from The Natural Food. Bill wanted to make it easier than ever to eat and drink deliciously nutritious food. The Vitamix soon distinguished itself from competing blenders on the market thanks to its strength, adaptability, and creativity.
1966 – Grover, the son of Bill and Ruth, joins the business. He ends the health food division and focuses completely on Vita-Mix machines and innovation. The business becomes Vita-Mix Corporation in 1966. In 1985, Grover goes on to win the presidency.
1969 – The Vitamix 3600, the original Vitamix appliance, was introduced in 1969. It was the first blender capable of doing a number of culinary activities, such as kneading dough, creating hot soup, ice cream, and other frozen dishes, as well as grinding grains.
1981 – In 1981, Grover’s brother John Barnard, Bill and Ruth’s son, re-joins the business as chief engineer. To fulfill Canadian regulations, he redesigns the Vita-Mix 3600, paving the way for upcoming sales outside. Before taking office as president in 1999, John would go on to have a significant impact on product development as well as production and sales.
1985 – Grover, the son of Bill and Ruth, joins the business. He ends the health food division and focuses completely on Vita-Mix machines and innovation. The business becomes Vita-Mix Corporation in 1966. In 1985, Grover goes on to win the presidency. Additionally, The high-performance commercial blender known as the Mix’n Machine was developed by John Barnard and his brother in 1985.
1988 – The Flurry (later called the Mix’n Machine), which was the first commercial Vitamix model, offered quick beverage mixing for eateries. The Vita-Mix 4000, a commercially rated version of the 3600, was released in 1988.
1999 – In 1981, Grover’s brother John Barnard, Bill and Ruth’s son, re-joins the business as chief engineer. To fulfill Canadian regulations, he redesigns the Vita-Mix 3600, paving the way for upcoming sales outside. Before taking office as president in 1999, John would go on to have a significant impact on product development as well as production and sales.
2000 – Retail expansion.
2006 – Blendtec filed a lawsuit against Vitamix Corporation in February 2006, alleging that Vitamix had violated its patents by using Blendtec’s “Wild Side” jar design in its own MP and XP containers. The biggest patent-related fine in Utah history, $24 million in total penalties were granted to Blendtec after the court found Vitamix guilty of infringing its patents.
2009 – The Vitamix brand is now present in more than 80 nations and is regarded by many as one of the greatest blenders ever made. Customers and blender professionals have repeatedly given Vitamix goods favorable evaluations. The business is solely a family operation, despite its global scope, and it appears that this will continue. Since 2009, Jodi Berg, a fourth-generation family member, has led the business as president.
2010 – This model is an upgraded version of the well-known front-of-house restaurant blender that was first introduced in 2010. It has six optimized programs, 34 settings, 93 changeable speeds, and an automated shut-off.
2013 – By 2013, Vitamix will have produced 1 million machines in a single year, doubling its manufacturing capacity and expanding in a new Strongsville, Ohio, USA factory.
2021 – Vitamix, which is still a family-owned business, will be Centennial in 2021. Jodi Berg, Ph.D., President and CEO of Vitamix has strengthened the company’s continuous dedication to health and whole foods by drawing on the company’s history to chart a route for its future. These are not catchphrases for the organization; they have been who they are from the beginning. The current Whole Begins Here campaign, for instance, examines how this fixation with enhancing lives via food and wellness extends far beyond the simple sharing of recipes. It draws attention to the innumerable testimonies from hordes of devoted Vitamix users who give firsthand accounts of how these devices have improved lives throughout the globe, one person and kitchen at a time.
2022 – Vitamix Corporation
Top Pick
Get some suggestions out of the way before going into the specifics of the Vitamix lineup.
The most recent blenders in the Ascent Series may be a good option. They have an advanced design with a strong motor that you will want to display on your tabletop.
They also include several intelligent enhancements, including Wi-Fi and container detection. The A3500 is advised if you want the most recent technology and are ready to pay for it. Although it may not have the quietest motor, it is believed that its cutting-edge features and exceptional performance make it the best choice for the majority of customers
The A2300 is the runner-up choice if you are ready to forgo a gorgeous touchscreen in favor of a lesser price. It still has a strong motor and wireless connectivity, but it has a conventional dial control and a little smaller form.
Again, unless you are confident beyond a shadow of a doubt that you would find presets beneficial, it is advised to choose a variable-speed model. Otherwise, you will just be wasting money on things you probably will not use.
Finally, one of the brand’s Legacy Series models that have stood the test of time and are still in demand today is the Professional Series 750 Blender. It has a sturdy construction and strong motor that will last you for many years. Although it does not have high-tech capabilities like touchscreen functionality or wireless connectivity, it works effectively and is easy to use.
Models
The different models of the Vitamix product line are the following:
- Vitamix One
- Vitamix VM0197 Explorian Blender
- Vitamix Professional Series 7500 Blender
- Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender
- Vitamix TurboBlend Three Speed
- Vitamix Ascent 2300
- Vitamix Ascent 2500
- Vitamix Ascent 3300
- Vitamix Ascent 3500
An all-metal drive system connects the engine to the blades in every Vitamix blender. According to Vitamix, this boosts the blender’s overall durability and decreases the number of failure spots. Every Vitamix blender includes stainless steel blades, and most models have a five- or 10-year guarantee.
The Ascent Series all have 2.2-hp motors, the Explorian motor is rated at 2 horsepower, and the Legacy Series motors are all 2.2 horsepower.
The long-running classic range of blenders from Vitamix is called the Legacy Series. These blenders are higher than the others and have 3- to 4-inch stainless steel blades. All other blenders in the Legacy Series feature a 2.2-hp motor, except for the 2-hp TurboBlend.
What to consider when buying a Vitamix
Functionality
You do not need to be concerned about getting a subpar blender when it comes to Vitamix. All the models that the company sells are built with high-end technology, including stainless steel blades and a motor that runs cool.
What varies is how you manage that power, or more specifically, what sort of control panel you like. A dial with pre-set knobs for items like frozen desserts, hot soups, and smoothies is a feature of some models, such as the Professional Series 750. Others, like the Vitamix One, are considerably more straightforward and include a dial that increases power as it is turned, putting you in control.
The Ascent Series models, which are more up-to-date and luxurious, go beyond the fundamentals by including many buttons, touchscreen controls, and other features to enhance your blending experience.
Special features
As with any appliance, the higher your price range, the more specialized functions are offered.
It begins with the entry-level Vitamix One model, which works fine for basic blending jobs but lacks any unique extras. The user decides how much power is required for anything from mayonnaise to a kale smoothie using the control panel’s single dial.
The E310 provides extra control by including a pulse knob function in addition to the conventional dial, which is excellent for removing chunks from thick sauces or soups.
Users should choose a blender from the Ascent series if they want one with a lot of features. These models include cutting-edge technology that goes above and beyond good performance to satisfy customers who desire a smarter, hands-off experience. These versions come with a variety of features, such as wireless operation, a motor base that automatically determines the container size and modifies its function appropriately, digital timer displays, and more.
Design
You might wish to leave one of these appliances out after spending a significant amount of money on it. As a result, you should look for a model that fulfills both your practical and aesthetic objectives.
For some people, it may be worthwhile to spend a little extra on the A3300 or A3500 to take advantage of the base’s elegant brushed stainless-steel finish to coordinate with the rest of their kitchen equipment. Others might be more drawn to the Vitamix One’s distinctively thin form.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Vitamix is a reputable and well-known name in the high-performance blender industry. Customers may discover a blender that best suits their demands and budget by selecting from a broad variety of models, each with its own special features and capabilities. For anybody searching for a high-quality, long-lasting blender, Vitamix is a fantastic choice.