Blenders are versatile tools in the kitchen. They can be used to create a wide variety of food from smoothies to soups. While there are lots of options on the market, finding a good one can be a challenge. The cheap ones can be good for easy tasks such as mixing soft items together like liquids and powders. They tend to show their weakness when faced with tougher things like ice and nuts. Even fruits don’t always end up as smooth as they should be. Vitamix blenders, however, have always been seen as a cut above the rest.
Vitamix Professional Series 500 vs 6300
Two of the products in their legacy lineup are the Pro Series 500 and the 6300. These are both from the highly respected C-Series which is considered as being solidly in the mid-tier of their catalog. They are more advanced than the entry-level S-Series and a step behind the G-Series. They are also both in possession of the presets feature with 3 to be exact. These models have been out for a while so it can be hard to find brand new pieces. Sometimes they are available as refurbished sets which are just as good as new with excellent warranty and lower price.
Design and Dimensions
These two models look very much alike. One might think that they are exactly the same thing at first glance but there are subtle differences upon closer inspection. The dimensions are definitely identical with 20.5 inches in height, 8.75 inches in width, and 7.25 inches in depth. Their bases have the same retro styling with two switches on the left and right and a dial in the middle. Both are black but the Pro 500 has a more subdued matte finish while the 6300 is more glossy and thus prone to scratch marks. The cooling vents in the 500 are also more pronounced at the sides.
Capacity
When it comes to carrying capacity, these models are also on equal footing. They use 64-ounce containers which is roughly 1.8 liters. This is large enough to process a large batch of smoothies, purees, dressings, sauces, soups, baby food, and so on. Owners can prepare for the week in advance and simply place the rest in the refrigerator. Grab and go as necessary. This should also be enough to serve the entire family in a single batch which reduces prep time and effort.
Horsepower
The motors on the Professional Series 500 and the Vitamix 6300 both peak at 2hp. This is much higher than what generic blenders can generate. The cheap ones only reach up to 350 watts or an equivalent of 0.47 hp — none even a quarter of the power of these two models. These Vitamix blenders can be used even in professional environments as they are able to produce excellent results. Even notoriously tough food will come out fine and smooth.
Blades
Their blades are made of laser-cut stainless steel hammermill as well as cutting blades that are 3 inches in diameter to promote consistency of output. These will not get dull easily so owners can use them every day for years without a drop in performance. Stainless steel will not corrode despite repeated exposure to liquids, as you would expect from an appliance that deals directly with food. Laser cutting precision means that the blades are extra sharp with no weak points.
Pre-programmed Settings
The thing that sets these models apart from many of Vitamix’s other products is that they are equipped with pre-programmed settings. This means that certain tasks can be automated so users don’t have to monitor the process throughout. They can set it and forget it while the blenders take care of everything. They can use the precious minutes to do other food prep tasks around the kitchen for a more efficient work flow. The settings don’t deprive users of control. They can always go back to manual settings if they wish to fine-tune their mixes.
Nut Butter
One thing that is listed differently in their feature sets is that the 6300 is optimized for the creation of nut butter. If you would like to make your own spreads, then this is the way to go. Just buy raw peanuts or almond from the store and process them in the blender. This way you can control everything that goes into your spread. No excess sugar if you don’t want it. It may be possible to do the same on the Pro 500 but the results may vary.
Conclusion
A comparison of the Vitamix Professional Series 500 vs 6300 shows that they are very much alike which is to be expected given their positioning in the Vitamix line. Both come from the C-series, have similar styling, and provide admirable performance.