Emilie McVey wrote:The older (stainless steel) Vitamix was (is?) awesome. Mine lasted 13 years of daily use, making bread, grinding flour, cooking soups, and making ultra smooth purees and smoothies. It's self-cleaning blender for ice cream, too. Mine would have lasted longer, but someone unthinkingly put a dinner knife in the dirty container to soak. When I I turned it on, there was an awful noise, and the machine met its end.
Yes, they are expensive, but if you can find one with a stainless steel container they are so worth it. Super long warranty (seven years!), too.