Power Blender

Something that's been on my wish list for decades is a Vitamix Blender. They are very expensive, however, and all things considered, never seem to make it to the top of my financial priority list. Last week, I was researching ketchup recipes and ran across a video that caught my attention because the gal cooked all her ingredients together and then blended it—including the tomato peels and seeds!—with her Vitamix. The result was a beautifully thick ketchup with less cooking time. Considering all the hours and days I've spent cranking my Roma Juicer to make tomato sauce, I had to give Vitamix another peek. 

Well, they're still expensive, but when I found a refurbished one for around $300 on Amazon, I was tempted. So, I put it on my mental back burner while I went to work on pears. By the time I took my next break, I decided to do a search on Vitamix type blenders. I spent hours reading and analyzing reviews and comparisons. Here's what I ended up with.

Cleanblend Commercial Blender

Side by side with my old Oster blender.

At a glance, it looks exactly like the a Vitamix, except for the labeling. 

To compare, both are big and heavy, both have variable speeds (unless you get a Vitamix with preset speeds), both have a pulse function, both have 64-ounce BPA-free Tritan containers, both have stainless steel blades, both come with a tamper, both are self-cleaning, and both preform the same functions: blend, chop, grind, emulsify, and will make nut butters, ice cream, and hot soup. To contrast, the Cleanblend boasts 1800 watts of power (3 horsepower), while the Vitamix lists 1440 watts (2 horsepower). 

Also, the blending blades are different. 

Vitamix blades

Cleanblend blades (top view)

(side view)

Another difference is the warranty. Vitamix now offers a free 7-year warranty (formerly it was 10 years), while Cleanblend offers a 5-year free warranty. Both companies offer an extension to 10 years for $75. So, even adding the 10-year warranty to the Cleanblend, it still comes in cheaper than a Vitamix.

Prices? I got my Cleanblend (currently on sale at Amazon) with free shipping for about $200 including tax. Vitamix blenders start at $350 and range up to $800, depending on the model and accessories. Taxes, if applicable, will be on top of that. Vitamix does have more models and accessories to offer. But I think the clincher, for me, was the smoothie tests done at eater.com. They compared smoothies made with seven high performance blenders, and the Cleanblend really did the best job. You can see the photos at this link.

I've just started using it and will show you how well it works in upcoming blog posts. One thing I really like is that the blade unit is incorporated into the blender jar. That's key to its convenient self-cleaning, but also, means there's no gasket to deal with. That was something I don't like about the Oster; the gasket gets grungy quickly and periodically needs replacing. These power blenders are much nicer in that regard. 

I have to add that I was somewhat hesitant about buying another electric gadget. The world's energy future looks very insecure, with rising costs and discussions about energy rationing. That paints a very bleak picture, where the promised dark winter seems inevitable. Perhaps that's another good reason for the buying the less expensive Cleanblend rather than the Vitamix. On a prepper note, I do have a hand-crank blender, which you can see in this blog post. It has nowhere near the power of my old Oster, let along my new Cleanblend. But considering the way things are, I'm glad I've got it. There's a sense of comfort in being prepared. As with all of the tools and equipment we use, Dan and I have sought manual or off-grid alternatives and learned how to use them. 

Until then, I'm going to take full advantage of my new Cleanblend! I'm excited about the possibility of not only ketchup and tomato sauce, but powdering dried eggs, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Remember my hopniss flour? I was hoping for something like cornstarch or arrowroot powder, but the best my Oster could do was gritty, which wasn't good for gravy. I'd also like to try making mayonnaise. And who knows what else! More soon.

Power Blender © September 2022

by Leigh at http://www.5acresandadream.com

Tractor Wagon

We get a lot of use from our wheelbarrows and garden cart. But Dan wanted something that could carry larger, heavier loads than what we can manage with those, especially since most of this year's firewood is down the hill in the woods. We looked at both new and used pull carts for lawn tractors, but in the end, he decided to build a wagon from an old riding lawn mower.

Dan tore an old broken riding mower down to just the frame. 

The two by fours were scraps. Their function is to raise the bed
of the wagon above the back tires. The angle iron came from the 
crate our chipper was shipped in. Dan cut and welded it to fit.

The sides are pressure-treated decking boards.

Steering closeup. Dan had to do a bit of welding to get the steering stable.

Ditto with the tractor side.

Then a bit of paint,

and she was ready to go.

The only advantage a commercial cart has over Dan's is that they can dump their loads, while this one can't. But that's a small trade-off for making something mostly out of materials we already had. Dan bought only the decking boards, so the entire wagon cost under $20 to make.

The wagon holds 5 wheelbarrow loads of wood chips.

Being able to transport larger, heavier loads is the kind of useful convenience that enables us to work smarter not harder. We need to get the job done without wearing ourselves out! And that helps us keep things manageable as we get older.

Our workhorse wagon is champion at hauling firewood.

The right equipment is so important around a homestead, although I have to say it usually takes us awhile to figure it out. That probably sounds strange, but with a limited budget we often do things by hand because at the time there isn't another choice. As we analyze what we do and how we do it, we discuss options and look for sensible technology; usually the simpler the better. It takes some time to make decisions, but I think we've been able to make the best choices for us that way.

Tractor Wagon © July 2019 by Leigh
at http://www.5acresandadream.com