michaelemery

Very bad service, with many hidden and unexpected fees compared to all other cards. My card is constantly being blocked when I make overseas transactions, even though they are to…

the same vendor, and I have told them to stop blocking this particular vendor. The Customer Service AND Fraud department are a joke; their hours are terrible, long holding times, you can never reach them to unblock your card, or the phone system does not recognise your number even though they just called you on it. If they call you back, you get put on hold, and the call disconnects after a few minutes. The website is very flaky and often does not work correctly. Finding the basic info you need can be very confusing. Honestly, stay away. All the extra fees and bad service more than cover the slightly long interest-free period, so there is no benefit.

Better results than expected but with minor flaw for AUS/NZ users – I purchased this model because it won America's Test Kitchen's best Air Fryer award. I was dubious about Air Fryers in general but found that it produced much better results than…

I expected for specific items I cook regularly. Convenience foods like Hash Bites (bite-sized hash browns) and wedges came out particularly well, although thinner items like French Fries were satisfactory at best. Chicken pieces and chicken nibbles were perfect, speedy (24 mins from fridge to table), and super convenient. However, whole chickens are probably better in the oven. Even if it doesn't cook the entire meal, it will handle the otherwise messy side dishes with ease. This particular model wins my top spot based on its cooking performance, good looks, incredibly efficient use of space, and ease of cleaning. As a bonus, it is also one of the more reasonably priced offerings on the market. The Instant Vortex Plus does have one slight downside that stems from its North American origins. The software is designed around Fahrenheit round numbers (e.g. 250, 260, 270), but instead of having sensible Celsius increments like 180, 190, 200, 210 etc., you have increments like 188, 191, 193, 196. That's just lazy design. It doesn't affect cooking in any way, but it is very annoying. It is surprising to see this model arrive in the AUS/NZ market so quickly, especially given how far behind we are with the Instant Plot pressure cookers, but makes a nice change to have the latest. Don't expect Air Fryers to be good at all the things their marketing promises, but for the things they do well, the Instant Vortex Plus is currently your best bet.

They don't make 'em like they used to – The vitamix a3500i ascent series replaces my vitamix professional 500 series (similar to vitamix 5200). Although the a3500i looks great and is well featured, it did not take long…

before I came to regret replacing my old blender.

When safety means something else

Ascent series blenders sold outside North America inherit a "Safety feature" that negatively impacts their utility and versatility. Containers are region locked by way of a "Safety" mechanism that prevents the blender from operating if the canister lid is removed. North American models do not include this feature, therefore they can not be used in any other region. In order to accommodate the additional "Safety" sensors, the containers have extra plastic protrusions (internally) that do not affect blender performance, but do make them a little harder to clean.

Many of the new accessories such as the thin profile container, dry material container, and aerator, are only available in North America and can not be imported due to the region lock. According to vitamix, there is currently no scheduled release date for compatible versions in other regions. Much of the benefit of the ascent series, over older models, is lost because of this.

The lock is an inconvenience for those tasks where it might be useful to blend without a lid, or those customers who want to import compatible containers to make the most of their blender. There is no legal requirement for this "Feature" to be implemented in new zealand or australia, so if it were truly in the interests of consumer safety, why is it not implemented in north america, home of vitamix?

Older is better

Vitamix containers from previous models will not work with the ascent series. Owners of older vitamix blenders such as the 5200 and professional 500 series, will know that their thin profile containers create a vortex when mixing liquids. This provides superior blending properties, by preventing the formation of excess froth and bubbles that you get with the newer wide containers. Because thin profile containers are only available in the North America, older vitamix blenders remain a better choice for soups and other liquids.

Its not easy being small

The small blending bowl and blending cup are available globally, but recipes are limited. Do not assume that recipes can be adapted to smaller containers, most can not. Small containers either do not have enough free space for certain ingredients to blend properly, or the recipes require the use of a tamper which is not possible with these containers. Most recipes in the vitamix perfect blend app will throw an error if you attempt to use the small containers.

Does not work as advertised

Although I was perfectly happy with my old vitamix, I was drawn to the promise of smart "Self-detect" containers; "Your machine will sense which container you’re using, and automatically adjust blend settings accordingly" — says the vitamix website. This is a false claim, at least in respect to the blending bowl and blending cup.

When using blending bowls and blending cups, ascent series blenders can not detect the bowls themselves, they only detect the blending base (used for both containers). Whenever it detects the blending base, it assumes that you are using the blending cup, even if you are actually using the blending bowl, therefore programs tend to run too long when using the blending bowls.

This issue becomes more apparent when using the perfect blend app. When changing between the blending bowl and blending cup, you must manually specify which of the two cups you are using when prompted by the app. Selecting between the two different container types will result in different blend times. Noting the difference in times, I was able to determine that the blending cup is the default setting when using any of the 5 pre-programmed blending modes. Without the app, there is no way to force the blender to correctly differentiate between a bowl and a cup.

Give me my switches back

I really miss the physical controls of older models. The a3500i has a single rotary dial with a very smooth action, however the hard plastic feels a little cheaper than the beefier controls of older models. The dial has no "Off" position, something I still cannot get used to when performing manual blends. On older models, you could turn the dial to "Off" to stop a blend cycle. This won't work on the a3500i because the dial just keeps spinning, so you have to use the touchscreen to turn it off.

There are 2 touch sensitive switches on either side of the rotary dial that sometimes need multiple touches to work, or I toggle them accidentally when my fingers are poised for pulsing. I do not like these controls at all. The physical controls of mechanical switches are far superior, and I miss them.

Ease of cleaning is a supposed advantage of the touchscreen interface, yet the opposite is true. Cleanliness was never an issue with my old blender, however the smooth touch surface of the a3500i requires constant wiping to remove wet or greasy fingerprints.

When technology attacks

The ascent series is bluetooth capable, allowing it to connect to the vitamix perfect blend app. This offers few advantages and many headaches. The app has terrible recipes, including one for pina colada that requires instant pina colada mix as opposed to real ingredients. The auto blend feature rarely works as expected, especially when trying to use smaller containers. To be fair, this is an app problem, not a blender problem, but the effect is the same.

One very annoying feature of the a3500i is the low-power "Sleep" mode that starts a screen saver before disconnecting the blender from the app. When this happens, the app will prompt you to wake the blender by twiddling the rotary dial. The a3500i needs the screen saver for its graphical display, unlike lower models that just display numbers. Call me highly-strung, but that little spinning ball bouncing around on the display after a few moments of inactivity just grates on my nerves. I also resent having to keep waking up my blender every time it falls asleep. The enhanced display of the a3500i adds no real information value, it is a curse, not a feature.

Bluetooth also allows you to connect to a set of bluetooth scales made especially for vitamix ascent series blenders. This feature requires the same app, and is of extremely dubious value. Prepare yourself for serious disappointment if you splash out for the bluetooth scales.

All new ascent models now feature an automatic stopwatch timer, which is the only useful feature missing on older models. The a3500i additionally allows you to set a countdown timer, however this is an extra step that does not feel worth the effort for shorter blends.

Big and black, I want you back

The big black rubberised container lids of previous generations were one of the great iconic features that set vitamix apart. They required very little messing around with alignment, felt indestructible, and had a simple no fuss interior that made cleaning a breeze. In all of these respects, the opposite is now true of the new hard plastic see-through lids. These lids feel like a downgrade that removes one more differentiator between vitamix and cheaper brands.

Power and noise

Technology aside, the vitamix a3500i has a great deal of grunt. I never felt that I needed more power than my older vitamix provided, but it's nice to know it's there. The new model also does seem just a little bit quieter, despite the extra power.

I love you on the outside

Buckets of power aside, good looks are about the only other "Real" feature the a3500i has going for it. The "Brushed stainless" side cladding is a step above the utilitarian plastic panels of the a2300i and a2500i. Do note however, the shiny "Stainless steel" decal at the front (below the touchscreen) feels a lot like cheap plastic, and like the touchscreen, it also loves fingerprints.

Fit and finish

Ascent blenders feature a thick rubberised pad that covers the entire top surface, but mine did not fit properly on arrival. Rubber bends the way it wants to, not necessarily the way it should, so uneven gaps became apparent along the front of my chassis where the rubber is forced to curve upward. Vitamix volunteered to replace the whole pad, and throw in some free goodies for the hassle. The issue didn't bother me enough to take them up on their kind offer, and I expect it will disappear over time as the rubber "Settles in". In any case, it sure is good to know that great customer service is the one constant you can expect with every vitamix.

Conclusion

I want to love this blender, and I might have had it not been for my older model vitamix that was better in so many ways. The region lock has also left me feeling a little bitter, stuck with a very expensive blender that can only do half the tricks that vitamix promised.

If you are an existing vitamix customer, I sincerely recommend holding on to your older model — it's just better! If you are in the market for a new vitamix smart blender, I recommend skipping the a3500i in favour of the lower models. The a2300i and a2500i don't just offer better value, their physical controls will provide a much better experience as well. These models include only the useful tech features, along with the same robust mechanical performance of the a3500i.

If you cannot decide between the a2300i and a2500i, I recommend the a2500i for anyone who makes a lot of smoothies (the most useful of the 3 program modes). This mode will save enough time on a regular basis to justify the extra cost. The fact that both models always assume you are using the blending cup (when the blending base is attached) should also work in your favour. Remember that both the a2300i and a3500i have the full range of programs available to them with the app (if you can be bothered with apps).

I do not recommend the a3500i, but I do recommend the a2300i, a2500i, or classic series.

Best All-Round Dehumidifier for Colder Environments – The DēLonghi DDS30 Combi dehumidifier has a modern and comparatively stylish appearance compared to its competitors. DēLonghi bills the DDS30 Combi as a compact design, although…

it would be more accurately described as short and stocky (fatter by depth). The Combi draws air from the front rather than the back, so partially mitigates the extra depth by allowing you to place it closer to the wall.

We use the Combi to combat the dampness of our cold and wet New Zealand winters. This particular unit resides in our study, which is about the size of a small bedroom. It is our second dehumidifier in addition to an old Mitsubishi MJ-E20PX that continues to provide faithful service after 13 years!

CLOSEST COMPETITOR

The recent model Mitsubishi MJ-E22VX is a close alternative to the Combi, however I did not like the 90’s aesthetic that Mitsubishi have clung to for so long. The old style LCD and membrane buttons of the Mitsubishi do not look and feel as good as the white on blue LED display and solid push buttons of the DēLonghi Combi. The Mitsubishi does however compare more favourably on warranty, quietness, brand reputation, and a more informative display. Both are similarly priced, high-end models for their respective brands.

THE GOOD

The Combi has all the usual features that you would expect in a high-end consumer dehumidifier; a fully automatic mode, the ability to set preferred humidity levels and fan speed, a user-serviceable filter for “cleaning” the air, on/off timers, and a large 4.5L water container. The Combi does not have as many “special modes” as some other brands, however these are usually marketing gimmicks that are better achieved with less confusion through manual settings. DēLonghi have taken the better approach by keeping things simple, without compromising functionality.

THE VERY GOOD

It was the “Extra Power” mode that ultimately sold me on the Combi. This unique feature operates the same way as normal mode (in manual or auto), the only difference being that an integrated heating element automatically activates (only as required) when this mode is selected. Colder temperatures require a dehumidifier to expend larger amounts of energy, often with no real effect. Raising the temperature allows more moisture to evaporate into the air, so the Combi can use less energy to process more humidity.

In “Extra Power” mode, the Combi could easily replace a heater for a small to medium room, in mild conditions where the outside temp is above freezing. In this mode, the Combi may heat a room to a *maximum* of 23 deg C, or 28 deg C if the laundry boost is also selected. The actual temperature varies, but in my experience it maintains a comfortable range of 19—22 deg C. The target temperature can not be manually set by the user as it is automatically adjusted to achieve maximum power efficiency. Larger rooms and/or very cold temperatures may require additional heating to maintain comfort, but the Combi can operate effectively by itself.

The heating unit is a low power ceramic type that generates only mildly warm air, so it will take some time to heat the room. The low power design means the air never gets too stale or have that burnt smell of a traditional fan heater. Unattended operation feels safe.

The term “Extra Power” is a very poor naming choice. It suggests extra noisy fans or excessive energy use, but that is simply not the case. As far as I can tell, having an integrated heater is unique to the DēLonghi Combi. I really like it.

THE NOT SO GOOD

Although DēLonghi have regularly demonstrated a knack for good looks, they are not so adept at providing a good user interface. This is best illustrated by a few examples;

In manual mode, the unit displays the target humidity level, not the current humidity. Unlike the Mitsubishi, you have to press a button that only briefly displays the current humidity.

In automatic mode, the Combi calculates what it considers to be the optimal temperature and humidity for your environment. Although these computer-made decisions are quite unpredictable, the Combi manages to maintain a consistently comfortable environment (albeit with minor temperature fluctuations). When a machine is making all those decisions for you, it would be nice to know what it was aiming for (it won’t tell you), and what the current conditions are without having to press buttons.

The display goes blank when the Combi is in stand-by mode. Displaying the current humidity to indicate when a room is becoming too damp during stand-by would have been a better idea.

DēLonghi insist on making their appliances emit very loud beeps every time you press a button. It is an unnecessary and very irritating “feature” that can not be turned off. Our DēLonghi oil heater does the same. Operating the controls of a DēLonghi appliance is sure to wake anyone sleeping nearby. They are loud enough to be heard throughout the house.

The timer is a delay type, meaning you can not program a specific start or finish time, you can only set a delay before starting and stopping. It’s still useful, but I prefer to set actual start and finish times. You can not use your own timers to get around this problem, as powering off the machine will reset it to stand-by mode. To be fair, I have not found any other brand that does this any better.

The two-year warranty is acceptable, but pales in comparison to Mitsubishi service and reputation. It feels like I am taking more of a risk.

WHAT’S MISSING?

The Combi directs all airflow upwards and has no rotating louvres to adjust airflow direction. Although it would be nice to have the option, especially for drying laundry, I rarely used this feature on my old Mitsubishi. I have always found that pushing the air straight upward provides the best circulation. Rotating louvres often make an irritating noise when swinging, and they are just one more moving part that could break. I do not miss them.

NOISE

All dehumidifiers are noisy. The Combi is no worse than most, but definitely quieter than some others. As with all dehumidifiers (including Mitsubishi), operating this machine in your bedroom will likely prevent sleep. I definitely notice the noise in the small confines of our study, however, you adapt quickly.

PERFORMANCE

The water reservoir level increases at a rate indicative of fairly solid performance. Overall, the DēLonghi DDS30 Combi is an excellent performer in terms of removing humidity, maintaining comfort, and reducing energy costs.

PRICE (NZ Only)

The recommended retail of $749 NZD is significantly higher than the average street price of around $649 NZD. Some retailers will negotiate down to around $499—$529 NZD which, after accounting for currency and tax differences, is comparable to Australia. Briscoe's have sold this model for as low as $485 NZD.

SUMMARY

If the annoying button beeps and lack of useful information on the display are not an issue, then this machine should be very high on your list. If noise or reliability are your absolute highest priorities, then consider a Mitsubishi.

If you need dehumidification in a cold environment, the integrated heating system of the DēLonghi DDS30 Combi may be more than enough reason to choose this model over the others.

The Combi is the kind of machine that you can set in the corner, hit auto, and forget about it. In winter, the automatic heater is just fantastic!

I have not owned the Combi long enough to speak about reliability. Mitsubishi probably has that edge, with DēLonghi being hopefully “good enough”.

I highly recommend the DēLonghi DDS30 Combi.

Excellent quality and performance but very loud – The quality of the Vita-Mix is exactly what I expected. It looks and feels like a commercial grade appliance because that is essentially what it is. I have owned my Vita-Mix for…

about 8 months and have not experienced a single problem during that time. The only inconvenience I ever experience is the noise; being a commercial grade appliance the engine is solid and powerful so you have to expect volume to match!

Insofar as food preparation goes, everything comes out perfectly as long as you are making reasonable volume — this is true of any blender except the handhelds. I learned this lesson a few times when trying to make small amounts of basil pesto.

The Vita-Mix comes with an incredibly handy plunger tool that looks like a very short Police baton. The tool is designed to insert through a small opening at the top of the blender and push ingredients down to the blades while the engine is running. It is designed in such a way that it is impossible to hit the blades. The Vita-Mix usually works so well that the tool isn't required most of the time — but it comes into its own when making smaller amounts or using difficult or sticky ingredients.

The presets are handy with the smoothie setting being used for most things including soup. The Vita-Mix has a dedicated soup setting which runs for 7 minutes or thereabouts. The dedicated soup setting is designed to heat the soup from cold raw ingredients using friction, however this results in soup that is lukewarm at best so I rarely use it. The frozen deserts setting is very popular during summer.

Included in the package is a substantial recipe book. Most of the recipes are designed to be healthy which is reflected in the rather bland taste that results, although the butters and sorbets were quite nice. Thankfully the Vita-Mix works its wonders equally well on your own recipes, with improved results over most other blenders I have used — creamier butters, smoother smoothies, perfect sorbets, and more consistent textures.

This is a premium appliance. I would not go back to using consumer grade blenders now that I have used the Vita-Mix. Solid build and engine quality. Better blending results than other blenders. Very loud.