Vitamix - Ascent X4 Blender - Graphite

I have been using the Vitamix Ascent X4 Blender for a period of time, and I can confirm that it truly lives up to its highly-regarded reputation. It is a fantastic new kitchen gadget. I have been truly satisfied with its performance, design, and versatility. The Vitamix Ascent X4 features a stylish, modern design that enhances any kitchen counter. The premium appearance of the Black Stainless Steel finish and the sturdy construction both evoke confidence. The strong foundation guarantees it remains stable while in use, which is a big advantage. The user-friendly controls and touchscreen make it easy to switch settings, and the included timer enables accurate blending without the need for constant monitoring. The +15 second button is a handy function for any recipe that require a little extra blending time. In terms of performance, this blender is very powerful Equipped with a 2.2 HP motor, it can manage almost any task. Its five preset options (Smoothies, Frozen Desserts, Soups, Frozen Cocktails, and Dips & Spreads) provide reliable outcomes on each use. The Vitamix Ascent X4 effortlessly handles blending fruits and veggies for smoothies, nuts for nut butter, or ice for frozen drinks. Despite being tough ingredients, such as kale, they are blended smoothly without any chunks left behind, I’ve used other blenders before, and none have achieved the same smoothness and consistency as this one. The 48-ounce BPA-free container is the perfect size for my typical needs, easily handling 1-4 servings. The soft-grip handle makes it comfortable to use, and the included tamper is invaluable for thicker blends, with a handy storage spot on the motor base. One of my favorite features is the variable speed control. It allows me to adjust the speed as needed, which gives me more control over the texture of whatever I’m making. When I want a chunky salsa, I use a lower speed, and for creamy soups, I ramp it up to high. The pulse function is also handy for quick bursts of power. When it comes to noise level, this blender is similar to most others in that it is not very quiet. Nevertheless, considering the motor's strength, the noise is anticipated and not excessively bothersome. But at its maximum level, the blender is loud. I also adore the self detect technology, which is another amazing feature. The blender changes its settings depending on the size of the container, which is convenient when using the smaller containers I bought individually. It saves time for me when I'm in a hurry and don't want to manually change the settings. It is extremely simple to clean the Vitamix Ascent X4. The amazing self-cleaning feature requires only dish soap and warm water to clean itself in under a minute. The container can be safely washed in the dishwasher, but I hardly ever have to use it because the self-cleaning feature works so well. The fixed blades eliminate the need for disassembly when cleaning, which is a bonus. The level of craftsmanship is top notch, and Vitamix is recognized for its long lasting nature, may be that’s why Vitamix confidently supports its product with a 10-year warranty. After going through numerous reviews from experienced users who have owned their blenders for many years, I believe this is a durable investment. When it comes to the cost, it's definitely a significant expense and I did have some doubts initially whether spending that much on a blender is wise decision or no Nevertheless, after using it, I can confirm that it's worth each penny. If you often mix smoothies, soups, or other meals, this blender's performance, durability, and versatility make it a great investment for any kitchen. The Vitamix Ascent X4 Blender in sleek Black Stainless Steel is outstanding. It is very easy to use and designed for durability. Whether you're blending a basic smoothie or trying out intricate recipes, this blender is ready for the job. Its top-notch choice due to its elegant design, intelligent features, and handy self-cleaning capability. Despite the high cost, the product's effectiveness and durability justify the expense. If you are truly committed to blending, this is the perfect blender for you.

This blender lives up to the hype. Extremely fast and efficient at emulsifying just about anything. Programs are convenient and built quality is top notch.

_____ *Pros: -Sleek and modern design. -The powerful motor churns out smooth and fine smoothies. -The vibrations are well-controlled and stable in operation. -Can create hot soup from cold ingredients. -10-year warranty. -It can self-clean. _____ *Neutral: -The base is heavy. -The motor at level 10 is very loud. _____ *Cons: -The measurement markings are too small and difficult to make out. *** My Take *** The Vitamix Ascent X4 is a powerful and versatile blender well-suited for creating all sorts of delicacies with an easy-to-use and intuitive layout. At blender level 10, it can get pretty loud, but the result is always satisfactory. And despite the high output, it’s stable and vibration-free. My number one usage scenario with the Ascent X4 is making my protein shake for workouts where I add some milk, whey protein powder, creatine monohydrate powder, some ice, a banana, and about two tablespoons of peanut butter. Compared to my 7-yo Blendtec blender, the Ascent X4 does a much better job creating a finer and smoother-textured smoothie without any of the grit and graininess that is sometimes present on the older blender. I also like that the blender can be used to make warm or hot soup in under 10 minutes. The idea of making soup with a blender is novel to me, but it’s a great option to have. If there is one thing I really dislike about the X4, it’s the container. More specifically, I’m talking about the volume markers. The numbers and letters are so small and very difficult to make out, especially when there are items already inside the container. Vitamix should’ve made the markers way more prominent, and because of this issue, I think it’s worth subtracting one whole star for it. For example, after I finish making my smoothie, I’m ready to make the next cup for my wife who’s going to go on a run with me and later do some resistance training together. The sides of the container has protein shake leftover glazed all over, and when I’m trying to add one cup of milk, I can’t pour because I cannot see the 1 cup marker. So I have to disconnect the container from the base, rinse it out with water and dry out the insides before I can finally see the volume markers again to begin adding ingredients. I didn’t have to do this with any of my previous blenders so this aspect of the Ascent X4 has been exasperating and highly annoying. With that said, I still rate the Ascent X4 with an overall score of 4 Stars because of its high performance, versatility, flexibility, ease-of-use (the touch control panel and dial), and the 10-year warranty. The self-clean function is a cool perk as well. At seven Benjamins, though, I’m not sure I would recommend this readily to friends and family. I think there are better value blenders out there that are quieter and with a better-marked container.

I’ve had a blender I’ve been using since I got married, just shy of 15 years ago. It wasn’t cheap but it wasn’t incredibly expensive, and I’ve been satisfied with it all this time. It only has an on and pulse setting and sounds like you’re running a construction site in the neighborhood when it’s in use. Its results were fine. Nothing amazing, nothing bad enough I thought anything of it. That all changed when I got the Vitamix Ascent X4 Blender. Sure, they’re both blenders, but that’s like comparing your Toyota Corolla to an F1 racecar – they’re league apart. The first thing you notice about the Vitamix Ascent X4, besides it’s hefty 14.25 weight is that, in my opinion, it’s smaller than I anticipated. Yes, it’s larger than my older cheap blender, but for all the bells and whistles Vitamix claims it can do it does not take up that much counterspace. The base is boxy and you definitely need two hands to lift and move it, but it’s not cumbersome by any means, with two inset side area helping act as handles as you may move it closer or further from your wall. There is a tamper with stand that can be attached to either the left or right of the machine – it’s a small piece of plastic that holds a tiny cup that fits the tamper. It’s not necessary to keep attached for anything to function, but it’s certainly helpful when you remove a dripping tamper from the top of the blender jar. Setup cannot be breezier. Plug in the cord, fill the 48-ounce container with warm water and drop of dishwashing liquid, attach the lid, flip the power button, press the button for the automatic self-cleaning program, hit the start button and you’re golden. After less than a full minute you rinse out the soapy water and you’re good to go. This is the same method you use for cleaning post every blend. I find it weird to be totally enamored with self-cleaning feature, but if you’ve ever been absolutely terrified of cutting yourself while cleaning a blender you will feel the same way. I cannot tell you the difference that this self-cleaning program has had on my wife and I in terms of wanting to use the machine daily. It’s so stupid easy and effective. The 48-ounce container is plenty big for a small family. The machine itself is compatible with all of Victamix’s “SELF-DETECT” containers and attachments. I’m certainly intrigued by their food processor attachment, but that’s a future purchase. It has clear markings down the sides as you measure some ingredients. The lid is simple – just pop it on the top, it holds by two snap clips. On the lid itself is a vented lid plug – vented, I assume to prevent problems with liquid explosions, something I’ve experienced on cheaper blenders. The lid plug itself also doubles as a 2-ounce measuring cup and when removed provides access to the tamper. It’s worth mentioning that the instructions are clear there’s a load icon to how you fill the container: liquids at the bottom, followed by dry goods, leafy greens, fruits & veggies, and topping with ice and frozen ingredients. This load order is beneficial for an even blend. That tamper itself is fine and completely effective. That said, I feel like the tamper is the weakest part of the equipment provided. It’s plastic and feels very light and hollow inside. Now, it does work just fine – no complaints about how it operates, that is exactly how you expect it to be. But it’s a surprisingly cheep feeling and looking tool for a product that otherwise screams elegance and class. I have no evidence apart from a gut feeling, but I think this may be the first part to get damaged. Turning back to the blender itself, the screen and controls are simple and functional. There’s a selection wheel in the center, to the left of which is a pulse button and the right of which is a start/stop button. Turning on the machine itself, you can manually run it using these three options, going from power level 1 to 10 with half increments. The instructions here make it clear that you should always start at a low speed and turn the dial to increase to a high speed while in operations. Above the dial is a menu button, which brings up the programs, the aforementioned self-cleaning button, and a +15 second button. Above that is the tiny display for showing the programs and power level. The built-in programs are really where the Vitamix Ascent X4 shines. Press the menu button and use the dial to scroll through the options: smoothie, frozen dessert, hot soup, frozen cocktail, and dips & spreads. I wouldn’t say it’s exactly set it and forget it as firstly you wouldn’t want to leave this unattended and several programs will show a tamper icon when selecting, flashing during the program at the time you should be using it to ensure an even blend. If that sounds, for lack of a better phrase, stupid easy to use that’s because it is. I didn’t have proper ingredients the day this showed up at my house, but I had juice, a banana, and a Honeycrisp apple. I put in a cup of juice, followed by the banana peeled and halved, and then I cut the apple into a few chunks, removing the core but leaving the skin on. On my old blender this would get blended, but if I didn’t cut the apple small enough it’d be a chunky non-homogenized mess after a few minutes of blending, stopping, spatula-ing, and blending again. On the Vitamix Ascent X4? Hit the smoothie button, used the tamper when indicated and in under one minute had a smoothie that I wouldn’t call the greatest in the world, but so incredibly impressive for the literally 3 ingredients I put in there I yelled for my wife from across the house to try it. It was agreed – that was shockingly well blended and tasty for a truly bare minimum of ingredients. In the days since that sense of “stupid easy” has been applied to all the modes. I’m always wary of automatic programs in lieu of manual adjustments, but I’ve honestly no issues with how everything has come out. In the interest of fairness, this has been with blender ready recipes I’ve found online (and some from the recipe booklet included!). My wife started experimenting with her own blending of frozen coffee making and while none of the concoctions were ever bad, she was after a particular consistency that took some trial and error. It's impossible to talk about Vitamix without the price tag that typically accompanies the name. Yes, it’s costly. However, this is, in my opinion, as “prosumer” as it gets. This is one model below their top of the line for home consumers. Anything fancier and you’re looking at their machines for professional kitchens. As to whether the value is there, that’s a bit on you to decide. At the start of this review, I mentioned that it’s the racing performance vehicles of blenders. If you value that, you’ll be fine with the cost. As for me, this blender has been in use minimum twice a day for the past week. Is it improving my life? I’ve made a smoothie every day, so that’s got to be nutrients I wouldn’t have otherwise been consuming on the regular. It’s simple to use. It’s simple to clean. It’s loud like any blender but it doesn’t deafen the neighborhood. I’ve already loved showing it off to others. It’s not my blender. It’s my Vitamix.

The Vitamix Ascent X4 Blender is part of the new line of Vitamix blenders. What’s in the box: Vitamix Ascent X4 Blender motor base 48 oz plastic carafe/pitcher/container with blades built-in Lid Lid plug Tamper Tamper base and holder Printed Recipe Book, Start Here Guide and Features/Safety Warnings pamphlet 10 year warranty (One page in plain English!) Four important notes: 1. I highly recommend reading the features/warnings booklet (the regular paper one, it’s only a few pages long). They are straight forward and important for getting the most out of your Vitamix blender. 2. The On/Off toggle switch is on the underside of the hand grip indentation on the base about mid-way on the right hand side. Mine came with the switch on. (Thankfully, because I didn’t look for the switch before I used it….) But if your blender doesn’t light up when you plug it in, don’t panic until you’ve checked the On/Off switch. 3. The packaging was mostly eco-friendly. No Styrofoam! Instead, the blender was packaged with well-engineered cardboard cushions. The individual parts were wrapped in plastic. Most of which were labeled as recyclable. 4. Also note the label states this Vitamix blender was “engineered and assembled in the USA”. I was eager to try this out as soon as it arrived. Following the instructions in the “Start Here” guide, I ran the clean program, rinsed the container and made a smoothie. I was impressed! My go-to smoothie is dairy kefir, a banana and frozen berry mix. The Vitamix made quick work of it. I put the ingredients in (in the order the instructions state), selected and ran the smoothie program and it was done amazingly fast. My old blender took a lot longer and left a LOT of little berry seeds. The Vitamix was quick, reasonably quiet and even chopped up most of the little seeds. At first, I was disappointed that container was only 48 oz rather than 72 oz like my old blender. (Larger containers are available for purchase if you need one.) But 48 oz so far has handled everything I’ve needed. Unfortunately, it is still a little too tall to fit under my cabinets. (see pic) Initially, I was going to make a joke about the fact that the blender WILL operate without the lid on the container. But Karma will get me if I do. So be aware that it will run with the lid off and take necessary precautions to prevent injuries and giant messes. The instructions say the container and lid are dishwasher safe. But I’m going to use the self-clean feature, supplementing with hand washing this pricey appliance. The self-clean program is easy to use. The instructions say to fill the container Half Full with warm water, add a small amount of liquid dish detergent. Then (with the lid on!) touch the little suds icon and the start/stop icon. Some of the cool features are accessed from the touchscreen. There are touch icons for pulse, start/stop, self-clean, add time, and a menu icon that brings up the pre-programmed blending programs. Use the dial to scroll through the programs (the X4 has 5 programs). When the icon for the program you want is in the center, touch the start/stop icon to run. Of course, you can also run the blender manually using the dial to select the speed, the pulse icon and the start/stop icon. This is the first blender I ever had that used a tamper. At first, I was a little put off by the idea of the tamper. But it’s really not bad. It is a hollow plastic tamper that you use when the little tamper icon with the down arrow shows. You use the tamper through the lid plug hole in the lid to break up any air bubbles that are preventing the contents from contacting the blades. It’s easy to wash and can be stored in the included holder. Besides smoothies, the Vitamix Ascent X4 has programs for frozen desserts, soups (Yep, this thing will make hot soup!!), frozen cocktails, and dips & spreads. I also tried out the other preprogrammed functions. The recipe in the enclosed booklet for “Sweet and Spicy Beet Spread” used the “Dips & Spreads” program. The instructions were easy to follow. I was particularly fond of the “Tropical Yogurt Freeze”, which uses the “Frozen Dessert” program. The only soup recipe in the enclosed book that did not require some amount of pre-cooking was one for “Vegan Pea & Kale Soup”. It worked. I followed the instructions and the Vitamix produced hot soup! (When using recipes from the enclosed book, make sure and add the ingredients in the order they are given. If using a recipe found elsewhere make sure and add the ingredients in this order: liquids, dry ingredients, leafy greens, fruits & vegetables, then ice & frozen ingredients. This helps the blender work efficiently and helps to prevent cavitation, air pockets around the blades). In summary, I really like this blender. While it is admittedly pricey, you generally get what you pay for. The Vitamix Ascent X4, is easy to use, versatile, built to last and comes with a 10 year warranty. If you are in the market for a really nice blender, check this one out.