Honestly, I’m going to say a lot of cool stuff about the other products below, but a Vitamix remains my tried-and-true, most-expensive (and worth it) kitchen purchase to date. Besides being a breeze to clean, and something that doesn’t take up *too* much countertop space, the intuitive design of the blender, coupled with its ability to make hot soup, makes it a standout product. Yes, its motor can work hot enough to turn a bunch of ingredients into hot soup. Or, on the converse, if you’re trying to avoid that one certain machine that keeps catching on fire, Vitamix can also handle making cold, creamy snacks without combusting.