I never really did Has been a blender person. Why would I, when I have a food processor and an immersion blender that can handle my basic pureeing and emulsification needs competently? But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that maybe I’ve never been a blender person because I’ve never owned a good blender.
As a longtime recipe developer and tester who works from my home kitchen, I have to say there’s nothing quite like professional-strength tools. They are actually tougher, better, faster and stronger. The downside of using pro kitchen tools, however, is that they are also usually quite bulky. They’re usually intended to handle more volume than most home kitchens, and settling for a more compact appliance usually means a sacrifice in power. That’s certainly not the case here – this puppy packs a whopping 2.2 horsepower.
In testing the new Vitamix Ascent X2, I primarily wanted to find out if the much-lauded Vitamix was worth the hype (and hefty price tag). If I’m going to invest $550 in a new appliance, I also want to make sure it’s worth the real estate on my counter. My Breville Air Fryer Pro (8/10, Wired recommends) Big, but I use it every day, so it’s worth the loss of counter space. The Vitamix doesn’t take up a huge footprint, but it’s substantial—it weighs just over 13 pounds, and its 17-inch height makes for a pretty commanding presence in the kitchen. Fortunately, it’s an attractive machine, especially in midnight blue.
hey, good lookin’
As mentioned, it’s a good-looking device, with a matte finish on the body and a glossy front panel with a programmable timer. There’s a bit of a platform for the tamper stand, but it’s kind of flimsy. (The tamper cup is easy to remove for cleaning, but it makes it a little wobbly.) A retractable cord would be a nice touch, but there’s little room under the unit where you can wrap the cord. When it is not in use
Photo: Heather Arndt Anderson
Turning it on (there’s an on/off switch on the bottom in addition to the power and pulse switches on the front), I noticed for the first time how smoothly the knob turned while still being haptic enough to feel “real.” . (I don’t need everything to be analog, but when displays and controls are completely digital, it bothers me, and people with impaired vision might agree.) Knobs and switches are tactile and straightforward; The single knob has timed settings for cleaning, smoothies, soups, and frozen desserts on the left, and a smooth variable speed control on the right. The digital time display is in the center. Sleek and simple.
