I’ve by no means actually been a blender particular person. Why would I be, when I’ve a meals processor and an immersion blender that may ably deal with my fundamental puree and emulsification wants? However the extra I thought of it, the extra I spotted that possibly I’ve by no means been a blender particular person as a result of I by no means had blender.
As a longtime recipe developer and tester who works from my dwelling kitchen, I’ve to say there’s nothing like professional-strength instruments. They are surely more durable, higher, sooner, and stronger. The draw back to utilizing professional kitchen instruments, although, is that they’re often loads greater too. They’re usually supposed to handle increased volumes than most dwelling cooks will ever see, and settling for a extra compact equipment often means a sacrifice in energy. Undoubtedly not the case right here—this pet packs a whopping 2.2 horsepower.
In testing the brand new Vitamix Ascent X2, I primarily needed to search out out if the much-lauded Vitamix is definitely worth the hype (and hefty price ticket). If I’m going to speculate $550 in a brand new equipment, I additionally need to make sure that it’s value the actual property on my counter. My Breville Air Fryer Professional (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is giant, however I exploit it each day, so it’s definitely worth the lack of counter area. The Vitamix doesn’t take up an enormous footprint, however it’s substantial—it weighs greater than 13 kilos, and its 17 inches in top makes for a reasonably commanding presence within the kitchen. Happily, it’s a lovely machine, particularly in midnight blue.
Hey, Good Lookin’
As talked about, she’s a handsome equipment, with a matte end on the physique and a shiny entrance panel with a programmable timer. There’s a little bit platform for the tamper stand, but it surely’s form of flimsy. (The cup that holds the tamper is straightforward to take away for cleansing, however that makes it a bit wobbly.) A retractable twine can be a pleasant contact, however there’s a little area beneath the unit the place you’ll be able to wrap the twine when it’s not in use.
{Photograph}: Heather Arndt Anderson
Turning it on (there’s an on/off swap on the underside along with energy and pulse switches on the entrance), I first seen how easily the knob turned whereas nonetheless being haptic sufficient to really feel prefer it’s “real.” (I don’t want all the things to be analog, but it surely bugs me when shows and controls are completely digital, and folk with impaired imaginative and prescient could agree.) The knob and switches are tactile and easy; the only knob has timed settings for cleansing, smoothies, soups, and frozen desserts on the left, and a easy variable velocity management on the suitable. The digital time show is within the middle. Smooth and easy.
