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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 42 found the following review helpful:
 The most important applicance in my kitchen! Love it! Aug 09, 2009
By Bob H
The Vita-Prep is really a chef's dream come true. This thing is a workhorse. We've had it for 2 years now, and it still works just like the day we bought it. We love it. Smoothies are a breeze, and it will chop up stuff so efficiently that you could make juice out of just about anything. Whole Carrots = Carrot juice. Cabbage = Cabbage juice. Old laptop? No problem, laptop juice. This thing grinds up anything - Nuts into dust, ice into gelato. If money is an issue, the regular vita-mix is almost as good and the difference is not that significant. I decided to spend the extra money over the regular Vita-Mix because I figured that I'd have it for a long timeand I didn't want to look back on the purchase and wish and wonder about the nicer model. And, while 30-50% more money than the regular Vita-Mix, I wouldn't say it is really 50% better, but noticeably better for sure. I'm happy that I spent the extra money, but probably would have also been happy with the regular vita-mix. One difference noted by another reviewer's comment is that the regular Vita-Mix has a 7 year warranty, but the Vita-Prep only has a 3 year warranty. The Vita-Prep is actually built a little tougher, but I suppose they reduce the warranty since it is intended for continuous commercial use. If money isn't an issue, or if you're somebody who just really appreciates the best, go ahead and buy this and you'll enjoy it for many many years. Whatever you do, make sure that the vita-mix model you buy has a variable speed control - don't buy their cheap one.
UPDATE 04/24/2012
I have now had this unit for almost 5 YEARS. We use this almost EVERY DAY to make smoothies and green drinks, and it is still going strong. We haven't experienced any problem at all with this unit. Surprisingly, we are also still using the original blender cup and blades. I had expected to replace that by now. Its not quite as sharp as it was when new, but not enough difference to warrant replacing yet.
19 of 19 found the following review helpful:
Exceeded high expectations Sep 14, 2009
By Larry Siegel
Vita-mix blender was reported to be the best for Vegans, Raw Food and challenging food stuffs. After using the Vita-Prep 3 for over a year, its still going strong with daily use atomizing ice cubes to wheat grass. The extra cost for the commercial grade 3 HP motor has paid its way by muscling through thick fruit smoothies without smoking the motor. A useful improvement was a newly designed lid that locks to the container with easy to use 'ears'. Our version will occasionally pop off during use if the lid is not pushed down hard.
24 of 26 found the following review helpful:
If you never had the higher horse power you may not need this Jun 02, 2010
By JunLee
But I got my first Vita Mix in the late 1970's -- the 3600 (which they claim wasn't made till early `80's but I know where I lived when I had it -- and I'm 98% certain it was 1979). It was a 3+ HP and it did smoke when I abused it (by kneading bread dough at the high setting -- didn't read the directions). I used it off and on for years, sometimes stored it in garages or basements for a few years and forgot about it. It was exposed to bugs, animals and the elements for long periods, but when I decided to use it, it always worked. This past year I used it a lot for green drinks, smoothies, and sorbets. I like sorbets a lot and the frozen fruit is hard on the machines if they don't have enough horse power.
The green drinks and sorbets became part of my daily diet (I liked the Raw Family's "Green for Life" program) so I needed another Vita-Mix at my boyfriend's house. I bought the 5200 thinking it would be like my 3600. The 5200 is fine if it is your first Vita-Mix and you haven't experienced the 3600's higher HP, or if you don't really need the HP. I liked the metal container of the 3600 better -- I could toss it in the dishwasher anytime. It was easier to get a vortex going in the 3600 than in the 5200; I attributed that to the smaller size of the 3600 container. The 5200 worked OK, just seemed less effective, slower -- something a little dissatisfying when I filled it with frozen fruit and a bit of yogurt, or kefir, and/or fruit juice. Then one day, the 5200 went DEAD in the middle of a sorbet preparation. I was NOT happy: the 3600 has gone for 30+ years, and the 5200 died in less than a year, and was never quite doing it for me. I wanted my sorbet!
Fortunately I figured out that maybe it was like a hair dryer and had overheated from trying to grind too much frozen fruit, and I guess I didn't read the directions again, so maybe I overfilled the container. I waited 10 minutes or so, and it started up, and I've been nicer to it, babying it along, not overfilling, putting liquid in first, etc. So I guess the 2 horse power Vita-Mix works fine if you don't mistreat it. But I want to do what I do without being so careful, so I looked to see if Vita-Mix made a 3 HP and found this, and wanted it, but the money!
My 3600 lost a part -- maybe a washer and a nut -- 2 weeks ago and was leaking and the blades wouldn't turn and just fell out when I examined it. I don't know if I can get a replacement part because I don't know what I need. The power base is still working fine. I ordered the Prep 3 and it came today. I made sorbet. I can tell the difference. It may be subtle, but I'm happy paying the extra money for that difference. I'm back in business -- I can eat good food again. If you have a 5200 and like it, I don't think you would be happy to be talked into spending the extra money for this one, but if you are like me and are used to the extra power, you might want it. If you really like extra power, check out the Vita-Mix XL -- it has 4+ horse power. If only I could afford that!
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Vita-Prep 3 broken 15 months later Nov 29, 2011
By Eduardo Paiva
My Vita-Prep 3 broken after 15 months doing the same heavy Acai smothies I make daily. I guess I used the machine a lot and pushed it, but I'm not doing anything different. I guess it does wear out so be aware. To repair it will be almost $200 with shipping + labor and parts they say are normal wear and tear (e.g... the rubber base also became loose). Anyway, I loved it until this week. I thought I had bought a tank. Not the case.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Best blender next to the Vita Mix XL Oct 28, 2010
By KING
Hands down this blender does it ALL. I have been using the Vitaprep 3 non stop, every day for the last three weeks. I have made everything from smoothies, bisques, soups and even ice cream in this baby. I bought the grain blade and I now make my own flower for bread and my own hot cereal mix. This thing is freaking AWeSOME. Its a LOT cheaper at jlhufford.com
Pros: It will handle just any job you throw at it.
Cons: Just because you can doesn't mean you should. I have made scrambled eggs and peanut butter in this thing. The food came out great but the egg and peanut butter is VERY hard to clean off the blades - Although its not recommended - I recommend taking apart the blade and base during every cleaning and get a good hard tooth brush to clean the blades.
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