Vita-Mix review 10 reasons I like my Vita-Mix 3600 and 2 I don't

Here are my 10 reasons I like my Vitamix 3600 blender food processor, and two reasons I don't.
My Vitamix 33600 is over 30 years old and I bought it for a little over $100 on ebay.
My ten reasons I like the Vitamix 3600
blender are:
1. It makes a good prepper self sufficiency tool for low cost nutritious and absolutely delicious cream soups
and it can grind grains
2 low cost compared to new
3 $100 rebate when trade in
4 reliability
5 stainless parts
6 many parts still available vitamix and eBay
7 heat and cook in container
8 spout lets me test and taste as food is cooking and blending
9 smoother than other blenders that I have tried
10 looks very cool
bonus like -good cook books and online recipes available
2 reasons I don't like:
very noisy
and I think raw eggs custard made me ill
I add new videos weekly and have almost 300 DIY, low cost, money saving, outdoor, self sufficiency,cooking and and other types of videos on my channel. Check out my food Playlist for some great recipes and cooking tips.

[@jeanmariemissale5663]

I got a spiral book that is great

[@courierdog1941]

We have been using our 3600 since 1969, which makes it older than our oldest child. This speaks well on the durability

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

They are pretty amazing aren't they?

[@courierdog1941]

I have never oiled this blender since I purchased it in 1969.

[@courierdog1941]

Well today I oiled the Container bearing and the motor top and bottom bearing. note this is the first time since purchase in 1969. The noise was reduced by about 50%. Since I only run diesel trucks the only oil available is 15-40 diesel oil. Makes a huge difference in the operation.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Thanks for sharing

[@courierdog1941]

By far the best method to oil the Vitamix 3600 machine is to remove the top and bottom covers so you can look directly at the bearing shafts. while is only requires a couple of drops of oil, it is important to ensure that the oil reaches e bearing shaft by hand spinning and moving the motor. this is perhaps a once a year requirement. Although in my case it went 55 years before receiving any oil, but in that time I did not use on a daily basis like now. These are a beautiful old school type of build and designed ground up to last a life time of daily use.

[@courierdog1941]

I took pictures of my vintage Vintage 2200 Blender so it is older than the 3600 and has been working since 1969 since we bought it at the CNE (Canadian Nation Exhibition) in Toronto

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Thanks Dave

[@EyezSpeakTruth]

I have that same Vita Mix and it makes the best smoothies and homemade ice cream . 😊

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Angela, thanks a lot for watching the video taking the time to leave a nice comment. I appreciate it. I love the Vita mix 3600..

[@channelldaniels594]

This gave me confidence to go forwad .this was given to me. I hv the very same one you hv.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I think you're going to like it. You can get some recipe books Fort used on eBay for not too much money and several people on KZbin have made videos for it besides me. Check out my bread recipe I made with it. It is in my recipe playlist.

[@RichardSnook]

I love my 3600

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

me too. the plastic parts are falling apart though but so am I, 😎👌

[@aiducha]

Thanks so much for the explanation!!!

[@nikkiimac]

My mom just found one of these for me at a yard sale for $3! Not a thing wrong with it, like new!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

That is so cool, thanks Nikki!

[@NinjaRider88]

nikkiimac I would like to buy

[@NinjaRider88]

nikkiimac I would like to buy and I will pay for shipping.

[@timparr246]

Yeah, me too...I'll give ya $10 plus shipping. Huge profit for ya.

[@JonJonesLPM]

I've had a Vitamix for a few years now, and before we had it very long, it was obvious that although we may eventually switch out pretty much every appliance in the kitchen for something else at some point in the future, the Vitamix is something I will never, ever get rid of.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

***** Thanks Jon, I am finding more uses for mine everyday.

[@southernrail4254]

very very good review, thank you! had no idea about flour, powdered milk, oil and vegetable for cream soup... game changer!!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

+lee journell Thanks lee, I have been experimenting with chick peas in my vita mix and am very happy, the blender totally breaks the peas down so there is no fragments of chick pea at all, I have been making soup, puddings, sauce,pie filling and milk with chick peas. that makes even a bigger game changer for me, I love my vita mix:)

[@szatkown]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife are your chickpeas canned or dry?

[@tobloyd1260]

Use a meat thermometer to know if your custard was hot enough

[@sin46ned]

I have that same Vita mixer. I grind wheat berries and add yeast and so forth and make a loaf of bread. What's great is the ground flour is already warm and helps the yeast action. I got mine when they first came out. I got the Pro version.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Hi Sandra, I actually made bread with mine for the first time last night. I usually use my bread machine. I made a small loaf, 2 cups of berries and baked it in the toaster oven. It is a bit chewy for sandwich bread but makes the best toast and grilled cheese I ever had. I will be making this a lot more. You are right about the warm flour. I followed the Vitamix recipe and did not soak the yeast in warm water, just added it to the flour. I will be adding a video on it in a day or two. How many times do you knead it in the Vitamix once it forms a ball? Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@bayou_redneck]

What a beauty! ... I currently own two Vitamix products ... an S-55 and the Professional Series 200 ... But I'm definitely in the market for a Vintage 3600 ... Love the video and information.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

thanks Rodney!

[@catherinecordero8732]

I have one if you want to email me.

[@turbobox7234]

I have two of these and they are going strong! I bought them primarily for kitchen decor, but they are fun to use on occasion. My normal machine is a more modern 7500 model. Vitamix machines are the best regardless of age.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I love how easy it is to make bread with them using wheat berries. One thing I have never tried is the ice cream with the spout, I need to try that or why have a spout,LOL I agree with you about the durability, I think mine is going to outlast me.Thanks for watching.

[@turbobox7234]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife I have the video demo VHS tape that shows soft serve ice cream from the spout: it looks like the dispensed ice cream from commercial shops! I've made bread many many times before, but I haven't done so with wheat berries. They are hard to find here in bulk and if you do, they are outrageous prices (Trader Joes comes to mind). I have the FULL cookbook for the stainless models with tons of recipes!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

@@turbobox7234 Thanks so much for replying. I bought my wheat berries initially from amazon but have recently been using the berries i get from the Mormon church online. They let anyone buy in bulk and the shipping is only $3 regardless of the order but you have to buy in cases. What is the name of your vitamix cookbook? I have 3. The oldest is just 40 pages from 1951, titled 500 Recipes for vitaMix and other liquefying machines. The cost was 50 cents. I have been planning on doing a review of the 3 vitamix recipe books.

[@turbobox7234]

Robb's Homemade Life thanks for the wheat berry tips, I’ll check it out. The book I have is called “The Versatile Vitamix: foods for every occasion”. You can find it on eBay for about $10 or less.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

@@turbobox7234 Thanks a lot. I will see if I can snag one on ebay.

[@turbobox7234]

For custards with eggs, start with hot liquids (water or milk), run the machine for 6 minutes, THEN add the eggs while the machine is running. This will ensure that the temperature is adequate to kill any bacteria in the eggs, also it's a good idea to use pasteurized eggs to reduce the chances of bacteria in such recipes.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Turbobox, thanks so much for watching and also for taking the time to leave helpful comments. This is what makes KZbin a great place.

[@turbobox7234]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife The Vitamix is a life-changing tool, in my view Robb. However, not many people know how to use these machines very much because the information is pretty scarce and I only know how to use these old ones because of the recipe book I have and it's LOADED with information on using a classic Vitamix! Look around YT and there isn't much at all about these and NOBODY knows what REVERSE is used for. Unlike the new ones, the reversibles are not as intuitive. People just think 'hey it has reverse, that's cool' but ask them to make something with it and it's crickets. These machines can do everything the new ones can but without the books, they are impossible to figure out LOL. It's a shame because these can be had for such low prices on eBay and almost anyone can afford one! I'll be making some things with my machine and putting up on YT myself, I've already started but under a different channel name. I enjoy your unique recipes and I hope to see more in the future!

[@HeidiJohnsonSpring]

You can use ultra pasteurized eggs. That should help with the custard issue.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Thanks Heidi!

[@szatkown]

I did not read all the comments so maybe it’s been mentioned but I would try using a flaxseed egg versus a regular egg if you’re getting sick. 1 tablespoon of flaxseed and 3 tablespoons of water; let that soak in your fridge for 15 minutes and you have one large egg. Multiply the ingredients for the amount of eggs your recipe calls for. I hope that works for you. Thanks for the video! I am going to try making custard in my retro vita-mix 4000 now.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

hey Montague, it has been a long time but I have made a pudding in the 3600 with eggs, it was pretty good, thanks a lot for your tip and the comment.😎👌

[@szatkown]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife That is good to hear! Can you post your custard recipe? I can give you some recipes I have from an old vita mix book I bought recently. They even have recipes on how to grind grains which is good for grinding that flaxseed! ;)

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

The custard recipe was in the old VitaMix 3600 Whole Food cookbook. page 29. I have used my 3600 to grind grain and make bread from it right away, I posted a video. I also reviewed a few of the 3600 cook books.

[@WedgeBob]

Nice that this one still uses the metal jar/container vs. the plexiglass/BSP-free plastic like the New World Order Vitamixes like the 5200 and 7500.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I just like the way it looks, very retro.

[@courierdog1941]

Today I found a non working 5200 on eBay. I hope I can fix it as a spare for my 3600 and it uses the newer drive socket as opposed to the drive spline like the 3600. hear is hoping I can fix the machine.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

You made me want to go put some oil on my blender thanks again for watching and leaving a nice comment

[@HeidiJohnsonSpring]

You can used egg powder instead. : )

[@AtHomeWithJenn]

A grain grinder too? I'll keep an eye out for one!

[@jeanmariemissale5663]

What kind of oil for creamed soup . Put the recipe !

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Hello, thanks for watching and commenting. Here's my recipe for the soup from a long time ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnbChaqibJeqZqc

[@sin46ned]

I clean mine with hot water with a drop of liquid soap.Always gets clean then I run it with the spout turned toward the sink to clean the valve.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

same here. I also take the spout apart and use a little brush that fits inside.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

@Angela Moralesc The little spout or dispenser is not used often. It takes extra time to clean it well. It is actually fun to open and taste small amounts while blending to see how added ingredients are changing the flavor. I actually bought ice cream cones this weekend to use with home made ice cream because I have never done that with the Vitamix and the dispenser is supposed to work very well with ice cream.

[@iesia]

We bought one a few years ago and it's the best Ebay buy we've ever made. I know folks that have had to replace new ones more than once. This thing is a game changer and we love it.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

lesia, I am with you. I called Vita Mix and my model has to be over 30 years old and it looks like it will outlast me. it is built like a tank. I am starting to record all the different things a lot of people think these are only good for smoothies, you can do so much with them besides drinks. I also like the retro look mine has.

[@christyrobinson9424]

Iesia Kelly Do you make green smoothies with yours? Do you think this Vitamix does a comparable job to the new machines? I have been eyeing one on eBay.

[@iesia]

I make all types. Everything blends very smooth and quickly. I've not had experience with the newer ones but know several families on their second top container in less than 5 years. They seem to crack easily which is not a problem with this one.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Thanks Lesia, I did have my spout lever break the other day but think I can still get parts for it or just drill a small hole and add a pull ring. I love my old vita mix. I am like you, I know other people that have bought expensive new brands and have had to replace them in the last year or two.

[@sin46ned]

Makes great Margaritas!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

makes great chocolate oatmeal shakes too.

[@szatkown]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife I need your cookbook, LOL!

[@berighteous]

The 3600'are built like tanks. I got a 38 year old vitamix on ebay and used it for 9 years without any issues at all (except it ate my wooden tamper when I forgot to put the lid on before using it) and I sold it on ebay for the same price I paid for it.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

+berighteous LOL, I have ruined two normal blenders sticking stuff down in them with a butter knife or plastic spatula. What I do now is use carrots or celery

[@berighteous]

I didn't find anything that would even slow down my vitamix 3600. It ate through that wooden tamper like a wood chipper.

[@aiducha]

I so much agree with you! I have a 3600, and also a most modern 5000. I have a soft spot for my beautiful 3600. The new models may be fancier, but not necessary better. They reached pick quality with the 3600 in my opinion. I did not know that the spout can be removed. Can you give me any advice on how to? Thanks for sharing, and regards from Winnipeg, Canada,

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Hello Aida, there is a thin metal nut on the inside that can be removed and will allow the spout to be separated from the container. I had to use a pair of very ling needle nose pliers to hold the nut in place while I turned the spout.

[@steverahe]

Hi, I have a 3600 Plus from my parents. When I make smoothies (frozen berries and chunked fruit, splash of OJ, bananas, apple and ICE) the smoothie turns out on the thin side but there are still ice chunks of ice. After pouring out the liquid I look at the bottom of the steel container and solid fruit and ice are smushed beneath the blade assembly - especially in the corners. Keeping the motor running doesn't dislodge them. Anyone have suggestions for blending a thick smoothie without ice chunks? I know that I could use the pusher to dig out the frozen solids, but I think there's something else I'm doing wrong.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I would use more liquid or have the berries less cold.

[@catlady8324]

Does it work? We never even saw it turn on!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I have a few videos of me using it, check out my wholewheat bread video.

[@HeidiJohnsonSpring]

Can you please measure the "stopper" circumference, so I can go to the hardware store and buy one : ) thx

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

heidi, the hole on the top of the vitamix is 2 inches in diameter. My plug is 1 7/8 inch diameter on the bottom and over 2 inches on top.

[@tylerlondon5052]

Did you make that lid yourself? I made a lid for a thermos out of a rubber stopper and drawer handle that looks very similar to that.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Tyler London LOL, hey Tyler, no that is the stopper that came with my vita mix, but you are right, it does look homemade.

[@RichardSnook]

I mix raw pasture raised eggs in my smoothies with no issue

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Good to know Richard. I ha da bit of a problem but mine were store bought.

[@nancybee6453]

Good review! I've always wanted one of these. I think I would be afraid of getting a "lemon" if I bought it on Ebay. Is there a guarantee? It looks fantastic for smoothies and soups. Even $100 is a reach for me, but it looks great.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Hi Nancy, I needed a new blender and decided to get a 3600 as I always wanted one. There is no guarantee buying used on ebay but if you buy from a good seller that will take returns is worth a gamble. I think most people use the blenders for smoothies, but I have been having fun experimenting with the desserts and soups and sandwich spreads. One of my favorites is a chick pea spread made with carrot, chick peas,onion, parsley, celery,mayonnaise and hardboiled eggs and a little lemon. I need to do a video on it, LOL, it is killer.

[@amyb6747]

+Robb's Homemade Life Thanks for the video Robb:) I watched a home show demo in 1972 when I was 12 with my mother for a Vitamix 3600. She was so impressed that she bought. She didn't do much with it, but after I inherited it in 2007 I started to experiment with breadmaking. I feel that it does a better job than even the Kitchenaid.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Thanks Amy, yeah, I think the reason I like mine so much is because it is so durable. Some appliances never make it to 4 years old much less 40 years old like my vitamix. I did have the lever on the spout break off last month and will have to make a fix for it. I have some grain I bought specifically grind in the vitamix but have not got around to it, your comment should motivate me to do it soon, thanks for watching and commenting.

[@johnheiden4700]

have you posted any of your soup recipes? Thanks

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

+john heiden Hi John, look in my food playlist, I have a couple you might like.

[@ShanonSaunders]

Does it purée things to an even consistency? I’m thinking about getting one for my vegan sauces which always end up grainy…

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Shanon, I have seen it have trouble with some frozen fruit but it will liquify better than any other blender I have.

[@wildwood143]

Does this model crush seeds and make purées without any seeds or grit?

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

no, it will turn dry wheat into flour but if tiny seeds are in liquid it will not crush all of them.

[@SteveDave29]

But free range Eggs

[@SteveDave29]

**buy

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I knew what you meant, I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking to change my words to text and it's always adding words I didn't say.

[@gaylandlp]

I need the rubber drive connector. Any idea where i might find one? Thanks

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

try ebay or the vitamix company

[@Scarekrow24]

where do you get powdered milk inexpensive? cost way more (2-3 times more not what i would call inexpensive anyway) than regular milk in my area.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I buy non fat powdered milk from winn Dixie for about 8 bucks, it makes 8 quarts. Not cheap, but almost the same price as regular milk and there is no waste and it stores for years and tastes good with oatmeal and fruit and is great to cook sauces with.

[@Scarekrow24]

Robb's Homemade Life that's not bad at all, i will check winn dixie. my price was based on Walmart.

[@HeavenlyInspirations]

I have both the 3600+ and the 4000. Each time I make smoothies with bananas in it, I get clumps of banana. If you run the machine too long, in order to get a smoother blend, it starts to heat up the contents. Even when you put a ton of ice in it. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get a smooth blend with no clumps?

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

you could try reversing the motor.

[@sueellenmcgoey6095]

Pulse the reverse

[@susandoan9848]

Would you please tell me the differences between the 3600 vs the 4000 ?

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I don't know for sure, they look very similar. The 4000 container sits higher above the motor and often has a label indicating it is a commercial blender. I wish someone would make a video going over the differences between the models.

[@buckredbuck]

sounds like your vitamix is earning its keep!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

***** yeah, the sandwich toaster is on food stamps.

[@thepoormansprepper]

I've eaten raw eggs often. Never gotten sick from it. In fact every time I make a cake I lick the bowl, (and make sure I leave a lot to lick), and I'm eating raw eggs then too. I like three raw eggs in a glass of orange juice in the mornings when I'm in a hurry. Been doing this most of my life and I'm in my fifties now.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Hey prepper, I am not knocking raw eggs, in fact Rocky is one of my favorite movies, LOL, but I can't think of what else might have had me feeling bad, and to muddy the water some more, I did not feel bad from each batch of custard. but to be on the safe side, I am going to be heating the eggs I use to a higher temperature in the future. Thanks for watching. Rocky eating raw eggs kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJnOlX9-iLCib9U

[@ajpoltz]

How many speeds does it have? mine has 3 and does not change pitch when turned to 7. Normal or not ?

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Mine has 3 speeds. I don't know why it has extra numbers on the dial.

[@nancybee6453]

Oh, you could improvise a bain-marie for your custard and cook your it that way - no need to make a pie if you don't want to...just a suggestion.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Nancy, that is a good idea, I think eggs have to heat to 160 Fahrenheit to be safe. I don't think the custard in the vita mix was getting that high, or maybe some splashed on the wall up high and was never heated high and contaminated the mixture as I poured it out. I had a lot of fun with the custard. It is very low cost and I substituted oats as a thickener in a couple of recipes and it was great.

[@johnnymac1975]

Help!! I have a Vitamix Super 3600 and the drive socket (female threaded part that is housed inside the rubber has stripped (the 6 Point, not the 12) I've found replacements on ebay but none that fit my machine! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

+johnnymac1975 I would call vitamix or if no parts are available , your only option would be to buy a used motor and swap out the part.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

+johnnymac1975 I would call vitamix or if no parts are available , your only option would be to buy a used motor and swap out the part.

[@johnnymac1975]

+Robb's Homemade Life I called them and they said they can't help and I have to find one online but I'm not having luck.

[@veganwally]

How do you keep the inside of your pitcher so clean?

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

You know I never thought about it I just wash it rinse it out and dry it after use

[@darkNiGHTS0]

I watched a good condition one on eBay and it ended up going for $190 shipped :(.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

darkNiGHTS0 Check the finished auctions to see what they are currently going for and to get an average price. Mine was a little over $100

[@darkNiGHTS0]

Robb's Homemade Life Thanks for the response and nice video. Yeah, I see some going for lower but it looks like I'm going to need a little patience to get one for the right price!

[@kellyfoster7054]

Thanks to some ol dead relatives I now own one of these nice machines life is good

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

this is still one of my favorite kitchen appliances, I will be adding more Vitamix 3600 videos this year.

[@kellyfoster7054]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife do I need that wooden stick and cap it Don't have either

[@Stephanie-hv1vn]

Is it louder than blenders from more recently?

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I never measured it. but it is loud.

[@truths7510]

Hey did this come with the spout cover

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I did not know there was a spout cover, mine just has a spout.