2008 - 2024 | 16 years GrueneSmoothies.com - the original
"Even though the E520 is the latest appliance from Vitamix, like all blenders in the Classic series it does not have any extra technical features such as Bluetooth or NFC container recognition. Instead, this powerful purist concentrates on its core discipline - blending. The analog motor control is perfectly complemented by three programs. Thanks to the tried-and-tested 2-liter Pro container, the Vitamix E520 creates smoothies with a wonderfully creamy consistency. With a 7 year warranty, a comparatively attractive price and the option to use all additional containers, the E520 is my new favorite blender. Accordingly, it is in our private kitchen (together with the 1.4 l Classic Container and the Personal Cup Adapter). As a result, the E520 is my absolute top recommendation."
Markus from GrueneSmoothies.com
New Favorite Blender!
If you're currently in search of a Vitamix, you can't overlook the Vitamix E520:
It looks great, blends the creamiest (green) smoothies and the finest purees, has 3 timed programs, and is extremely attractive in terms of price compared to all other Vitamix blenders with the same features.
It's no wonder that the Vitamix E520 has captured our smoothie-loving hearts at the highest speed.
Vitamix E520 Product Highlights
:- Perfect Green Smoothies: Creamiest green smoothie consistency compared to all other blender brands we have ever tested.
- Fits in any kitchen: Thanks to the compact, wider mixing container, the Vitamix E520 fits under any kitchen counter.
- Culinary precision: A fully variable speed control with 10 settings allows for a variety of mixing textures - from smooth smoothies and purées to hearty soups.
- Flexible operation: In addition to manual control, there are 3 timed programs available: for smoothies, soups, and frozen creations.
- Protected: 7-year Vitamix full warranty on all parts including container and tamper (for purely private use).
Overview
- Preparation options
- Handling & operation
- Container
- Cleaning
- Recommended accessories
- Technical specification
- Safety features
- Scope of delivery
- Manufacturer's warranty
- Vitamix E520 vs. Vitamix E310
- Vitamix E520 vs. Vitamix E320
- Vitamix E520 vs. Vitamix Pro 750
- Questions and answers
Preparation options with the Vitamix E520
- Creamy green smoothies
- Delicious fruit and vegetable smoothies
- Vegan plant and nut milks such as fresh almond milk
- Fresh homemade juices
- à la minute ice cream creations like fruit sorbets, frozen yogurt or healthy nicecream
- Fresh pestos, dips and sauces
- Heavenly creamy hummus made from chickpeas or beans
- Boiling hot soups such as cream of tomato soup
- Healthy and vital baby porridge
- Homemade nut butter
- Liquid dough preparations - e. G. for pancakes, muffins or crepes
- Chopped vegetables for salads, e. G. carrot salad
- Freshly ground coffee or freshly ground almond flour
- Crushed ice
Handling & operation of the Vitamix E520
The Vitamix E520 is easy and intuitive to operate. The E520 is started with the on/off switch on the right-hand side. With the dial in the middle, you can either select one of the 3 time programs for smoothies, soups or ice cream creations with a left turn or you can opt for manual mode. With a right turn, you can set 10 speed levels - depending on what you want to prepare. The left-hand switch contains the so-called pulse function, which activates the manually set speed level directly as long as the switch is held down. However, the same function is also possible with the on/off switch. All you need to do is switch it on and off once instead of holding the button down during the blending process.
Container
The Vitamix E520 is equipped with the 2-liter Pro container. Thanks to the wide container base, this container not only has a compact height but also has exceptionally long blade wings that ensure excellent blending results. Green smoothies are not only fiber-free but also have a wonderfully creamy and fluffy consistency.
Furthermore, thanks to the compact height of its mixing container, the Vitamix E520 fits under any kitchen counter and facilitates easier removal of thick and liquid preparations such as nice cream or hummus.
However, the wider and compact container shape requires larger minimum quantities: For preparations that can be poured out of the blender, such as smoothies, almond milk, or soups, approximately 500 ml are needed. For thicker preparations such as almond butter or nice creams (ice cream), about 800 ml are required. If that is too much, we recommend purchasing the 1.4 liter container, which allows for smaller preparation quantities starting from 250 ml.
The lid of the mixing container is equipped with the typical Vitamix lid plug. This can be opened during blending to either move the ingredients towards the blades with the tamper or to add additional ingredients.
Cleaning the Vitamix E520
Cleaning the Vitamix E520 container
Cleaning the mixing container is easiest if you rinse it thoroughly with water immediately after preparing liquid meals such as green smoothies or almond milk. Then, you can optionally dry it with a kitchen towel. Done.
For thicker preparations, simply fill the container halfway with lukewarm water, add 1 to 2 drops of dish soap, and blend on maximum speed for about 30 seconds. Then, pour out the mixture and rinse with clear water. If there are still food residues, especially under the blades, we recommend using our handy cleaning brush to clean it. Rinse again with water and optionally dry with a kitchen towel.
Our cleaning recommendation: Regardless of the manufacturer's instructions, we advise against cleaning the container, container lid, and plug in the dishwasher. Our experience shows that you can increase the lifespan of the container through manual cleaning.
Cleaning the Vitamix E520 motor base
Food residues or dirt on the motor base can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth. The rubber mat on the motor base can be removed for cleaning.
Recommended accessories for the Vitamix E520
Vitamix Aer Disc Container Classic
The Vitamix Aer Disc Container Classic is a real upgrade for your kitchen, TV gourmet creations are no longer unreachable. Perfected for emulsifying, foaming, stirring and whipping, it can be used to make hollandaise sauce, fine emulsions and gourmet foams or simply cream.
Vitamix 1.4 Liter Container Classic for smaller preparation quantities from 250 ml
If you also want to prepare small quantities (smoothies & pestos from 250 ml, (n)ice cream & nut puree from 500 ml - 800 ml), you should consider the Vitamix 1.4 Liter Container Classic. With the purchase of the 1.4 Liter Container Classic you are "fully equipped".
Vitamix Dry Grains Container Classic for coffee or cereals
If you regularly grind coffee or cereals, the Vitamix Dry Grains Container Classic (dry container) is recommended. For occasional grinding, the normal "wet" containers are also suitable. The containers may become blind/cloudy over time, making it difficult to see the containers content. This may not matter when grinding, but when blending pesto, which needs to have a very specific consistency, it is important to see when this consistency is reached in order to stop the blender at the right time.
Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter: Turn your Vitamix into a personal blender!
The Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter turns your Vitamix blender into a real personal blender. With the Mix & Go container, you can prepare shakes, smoothies or baby food up to 600 ml and use the double-walled container as a drinking cup or transport container for on the go. Another advantage: The Mix & Go container can of course also be used to prepare small amounts of salsas, pestos or dips and even for grinding coffee or grains.
Cleaning brush
We recommend our practical cleaning brush for cleaning the blender jug - especially after preparing thicker consistencies such as hummus.
Kitchen Clever spatula
If you like making thick products such as ice cream, the spatula will come in handy.
It is used to move the mixture from the bottom and sides of the container. Especially with sticky, viscous preparations (nut butters, pestos, dips and sauces), it sticks right there. Unlike a spoon, which scratches the container in the long term, the spatula helps to empty the container without damaging it.
Technical specification for the Vitamix E520
- Power: 2.2 hp output; 220 - 240 volts / 50 Hz - 60 Hz; 1000 - 1200 watts
- Dimensions (width x height x depth): 19.5 x 44 x 24 cm
- Weight: approx. 4.6 kg
- Material container and container incl. lid insert: 100 % Tritan plastic (BPA-free); food can be heated up to 100°
- Volume of the container: 2 liters
- Controls: Rotary knob with 10 variable speed settings to the right and with 3 time programs for smoothies, soups and ice cream to the left; on/off switch on the right, pulse button on the left
- Blade type and material: 4 blades made of laser-cut stainless steel; HCS (Japan)
Safety features of the Vitamix E520
- Overheating protection/overload protection: If the motor gets too hot due to overloading, it automatically switches off to cool down. This means you cannot overload the blender.
Vitamix E520 Scope of delivery:
- Vitamix E520 motor block
- Vitamix 2-liter container made from BPA-free plastic (Tritan™)
- Vitamix tamper (medium)
- Lid incl. lid insert
- Operating instructions in German
- Recipe book
Manufacturer's warranty for the Vitamix E520
For purely private use:
- Motor block: 7 years
- Container: 7 years
- Stopper: 7 years
For commercial use:
- Engine block: 6 months
- Container: 6 months
- Tampers: 6 months
Vitamix E520 vs. Vitamix E310
Both blenders - Vitamix E520 and Vitamix E310 - belong to the Vitamix Explorian Series. That means they have the same motor base and are equally powerful. The main differences between the two blenders lie in the container, operation, and warranty.
Perfect smoothie maker container vs. all-round container for small to medium quantities
The Vitamix E520 is equipped with the Vitamix 2-liter Pro container - the best container we know of when it comes to fiber-free and creamy-smooth green smoothies, fruit or vegetable smoothies. The reason for this is the particularly long blade wings. These, in turn, require a wider container base, which is why the minimum preparation quantity for smoothies and liquids is higher than with other containers - about 500 ml, and for thicker consistencies like nice cream or hummus, it's about 800 ml. If you also want to prepare small quantities from 250 ml, you need an additional container like the Vitamix 1.4-liter Classic container.
And it is precisely with this smaller, tapered 1.4-liter container that the Vitamix E310 is equipped. With this container, green smoothies are slightly less creamy-smooth, but you can use the same container to make small to medium quantities ranging from about 250 ml to 1.4 liters.
Vitamix E520: More convenience and longer warranty
In terms of operation, the Vitamix E520 differs from the Vitamix E310 by the additional feature of 3 time programs for smoothies, soups, and frozen creations. The Vitamix E310 does not have these time programs - it can only be controlled manually.
In addition, the Vitamix E520 has a 7-year warranty, while the Vitamix E310 only has a 5-year warranty.
If you value a versatile blender without additional containers and can make small compromises in terms of smoothie consistency, then the Vitamix E310 could be a sensible alternative. The shorter warranty and the absence of time programs are reflected in a lower price:
Vitamix E520 vs. Vitamix E320
Vitamix E520 and Vitamix E320 not only look almost identical, they also have more similarities than differences. They both have the perfect smoothie maker container, which ensures creamy-smooth (green) smoothies and is suitable for medium to larger quantities. They also have the same motor power, compact dimensions, and offer a 7-year warranty on all parts.
Vitamix E520 more convenient with 3 additional time programs
The only difference between Vitamix E520 and Vitamix E320 lies in the operation. While the Vitamix E520 has not only a manual mode but also 3 convenient time programs for smoothies, soups, and frozen creations, the E320 can only be controlled manually through 10 speed levels. If you can do without the time programs, take a look at the Vitamix E320:
Vitamix E520 vs. Vitamix Pro 750
When developing the Vitamix E520, Vitamix must have had the Vitamix Pro 750 in mind, as the E520 feels a bit like the little brother of the Pro 750. Both blenders are equipped with the best container for making (green) smoothies and have manual controls as well as time programs. The Vitamix E520 has 3 programs - for smoothies, soups, and frozen creations; the Vitamix Pro 750 adds two more automatic options with a 60-second puree program and a cleaning program. Both blenders are also equipped with a 7-year warranty on all parts.
Differences in motor power, noise level, and appearance
The Vitamix E520 is slightly less powerful than the Vitamix Pro 750, meaning it doesn't spin quite as fast. However, we couldn't perceive a difference in taste due to this performance gap. Both blenders produce creamy and smooth green smoothies, vegetable smoothies, or fruit smoothies, as well as other popular blender recipes like hummus or baba ganoush. This is simply due to the Vitamix 2-liter container that both devices are equipped with.
Furthermore, the two blenders differ in terms of appearance and noise level. The Vitamix Pro 750 impresses with an award-winning design featuring a high-quality housing and a no-touch coating (no fingerprints) and can be called the "quietest Vitamix". In contrast, the Vitamix E520 forgoes the luxurious look, is slightly louder during operation, and instead offers a very attractive price with almost the same features.
