vita mix or blandtec?

[Road2Health]

Anyone have a preference? I am going to a home show next weekend and they will have both and hubby says we can get either one. HE wants me to have the best.

I have read the web sites for both. I think they both will do the same things - grain,whole foods, chop,dice etc.

Thought I would ask for advice from actuall users not just the websites.

Thanks

[Tirza]

Just do a search here using either name and you will come up with LOTS of discussion on this topic.

Both are great blenders. I would go for the one with the best warranty, including availability of service depots. Something could go wrong with either one and you want to be covered.

[Ama]

I have the blendtec total blend and while I can't compare it to the vitamix because I have never used one, I am very happy with my purchase. There was a problem with the container of the blender, I noticed it a month or two after I purchased it, I bought a demo model directly from the company and got a GREAT deal. It looked like some sort of oil was coming out of the bottom-underneath the container in the metal gear part. I called customer service and they were very helpful. They shipped me out a new container for free and expedited the shipping for me. To be honest with you though... my husband HATES it due to the sound. It is very very loud. He'd throw it out the window first chance he could get if it weren't for the fact that he'd be the next thing flying from the window LOL. Hopefully you can test them both out at the show and see if there is a difference. As far as I know, the blendtec total is a 3 hp blender and only the newest vitamix is that powerful, not sure it that really makes a difference or not... Also, I wouldn't say the blendtec chops or dices... it pulverizes. If you want to just chop or dice veggies this isn't the device to use, a food processor is the tool for that. A little pulse from the blendtec and it liquefies most things.

[Ama]

Also... be sure to check out http://www.willitblend.com/ for entertainment purposes!

[Mishka]

I love my Vita Mix! I feel like I can do anything btwn the vita mix and the food processor...so I'm content...sigh...;)

[Tirza]

Yes, those straight square Blendtec jars make it much easier to get every precious drop scraped out.

Also, I find that the #4 setting with its slower start, then advancing up to the highest speed is great for getting things going. (You don't have to hold on to the lid for dear life to prevent it all ending up on the ceiling) I have only had to stop and shove stuff down closer into the blades about 3 times in 4 years. That was usually a huge big wad of parsley plus another one of cilantro with the stems all wound around, trying to hang up there out of the way of the blades.

[Eilene]

I have had both & both are fabulous. I prefer the Blendtec asit is easier to clean & tee are programmed buttons where you just press & forget. I LOVE it!

[Carmella]

Perfect timing for this thread!

We, too, are just about ready to purchase a high speed blender. We were gonna go for the Vitamix 5000 as we've found a great deal ($349US for a refurbished one with free shipping). But now I'm having second thoughts with what you say about the Total Blender. Easy cleaning sure is an important factor for us.

Tirza, I just want to make sure, when you talk about playing with the speeds, are you talking about the vitamix?

One thing we've heard is that the Blendtec's blades are set 'higher' from the bottom than with the Vitamix, thereby making it more difficult to grind nuts and seeds (or whatever doesn't reach up to the blades' level). I'm hoping to make nut butters and that would be a key point in determining which blender we go for.

Could one of you who owns a Blendec give me your thoughts on this?

Thanks!

El

[vwinters]

I have a blendtec and I love it but I only use it to make green smoothies. As previously mentioned it’s a noisy mother.
VW
http://www.tagworldresources.com/Tagworld-Graphics/Animated-Emoticons/2897e5bf35cfe498e7e2bc83896389e2.gif (http://www.tagworldresources.com/TagWorld-Graphics/Tagworld-Animated-Emoticons/TagWorld-Image-1154.aspx)

http://www.ketoforum.de/diet-ticker/pic/weight_loss/11398/.png (http://www.diaet-ticker.de)

[Ama]

The blades are set rather high in the blendtec, I thought this was normal for a blender. I find it hard to make certain dressings because I am only making for one person and there isn't enough in the bottom of the canister to catch the blades (did that make sense). If I had to complain about one thing that would be it... I wish the blades were closer to the bottom, like the food processor... that would be great. As for the speeds, there are 6 buttons on the blendtec. 1-4 are different speeds. 1 is just a slow speed, then 2-4 start off slow and pick up speed as it goes, 4 being the most powerful. There is also a button S and if you hold it down it will go up to speed 9 which is ridiculous. I forget what P is... I never use it. Maybe program? I know you can program your own speeds but I'd never bother. I stick with buttons 2-4 usually.

When I got my blentec I got a demo unit and I think it was about $250. They sold it right on the site and I don't see them now but if you're interested, I'd contact the company and ask if they have any for sale. Always good to save a couple of bucks and even better to buy directly from the company, this way if anything goes wrong, you know they'll take care of you.

[Tirza]

Carmella,
I was talking about the variable speeds on the Blendtec.

I hear the blades are a little high, but it has never affected me. I grind my seeds in a little bullet blender, even for my crackers. It does such a great job. I don't think I would make a decision on a blender based on that. But I would think that making nut butter would be fine. I'm sure they have instructions and recipes for it.

Or, just FP them first, then transfer to the blender if you have any trouble. I can't see it though. In fact, I would be tempted to do that anyway since I don't like to put too much wear and tear on my blender.

After seeing that crazy video of that guy blending everything from toy truck to tennis balls in the Blendtec, I guess you wouldn't worry too much about over-using it though. I didn't like that video, by the way, even though I like the blender.

There is always the Champion juicer for nut butters too. I haven't used it for that though and it seems to me that it would be pretty gritty. Anyone else has input here? But you know, I made coconut butter with my food processor by just running dry flaked coconut all by itself until it turned into butter. Not like you buy, but a very nice "dough" which I used as a crust, a base for squares and as a layer in a pie.

[Carmella]

Thanks Tirza for the info.

I've started to look into the Total Blender as well and compare with the Vitamix. Going through old threads, I saw that Shivananda, (who seemed pretty objective on the matter) was recommending it too.

The one thing that I've noticed (and that I find rather strange!) is that they now offer a 3 year warranty instead of the 8 year one everybody was mentioning before. Hum... Why would they do that if they have faith in their own product?

Anyway, I'm gonna continue to do my homework and see what I can come up with...

[WannaBraw]

I have the vitamix and I absolutely love it. I find it easy to clean. I read the directions (which is something I rarely do) and they say to wash with soap and water half full, by blending. Then pour out and fill with water and and blend with plain water.

I have watched videos of Chefs using the bledtec and they always have to scrape the sides in the middle of use, or they will tap the sides of it. I never have to do that with my Vitamix because I have a tamper.

Blendtecs dont have tampers and from what I have seen and read the tops don't seal so you have to hold it. This will not work for me because sometimes I have to step away. Just from watching chefs on Gliving and at coffe shops I am glad that I have my Vitamix. Worth every penny!

[michigan roman]

carm i'll dig up the site with brand new vitamix 5000's at right around what your looking at for a refurbished .

[jaurequi]

Overall, my vote is for the Vitamix.
Also, I've read a lot of complaints about BlendTec Customer service, especially regarding the containers.
Mine (BlendTec container) is already leaking, and I've only been using it a few months, and not even every day.
It's easier to clean, and that's about the only place it surpasses the Vitamix in quality.

Best,

[michigan roman]

http://www.everythingkitchens.com/vitamix.html

at this site theres many vitamix with the variable speed control and same power as the 500 , along with the 5000 . but ive seen the 5000 new cheaper i just have to find . on another note at thee above site i was liking the waring brand powrerful blenders . but ive never heard of anyone using one . but theyre powerful units and if well warranteed may be something to concider .

[jaurequi]

There is also the new Jack LaLanne HealthMaster 100 (http://www.healthmaster100.com/), which is supposed to be comparable to the VitaMix. It's very inexpensive.

Best,

[michigan roman]

http://www.costplusjuicers.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=12&products_id=507

above is one of the warings , i'll be right back with a link to a site that has deals where if you buy 2 items like a blender plus a juicer , or blender plus a dehydrator you save like 100 . maybe you could find someone that wants to buy the other item and you can both save 50 .

[michigan roman]

http://www.2-life.com/site/index.html

above is the site with combination specials , down in left bottom corner where says combo specials

[michigan roman]

http://www.2-life.com/site/ktform.htm

thee above could be a good price on a blendtec , you give them your email and they mail you a discount . it says its below 360 but not how much below

ps - i just checked link and it didnt transfer properly so once at the page you have to click on specials at top of page to get to the 360 price and email for cheaper price area

[laurabfig]

i love the vitamix. it is one of my applicances that i really don't know how i ever lived without. totally worth every penny you pay for it.

i always tell people to check out craigslist.com in their area too. you can find used ones for cheap sometimes.

[KindnessToAllCreatures]

Check out www.vitalityplus1.com

Both the Vitamix 4500 as well as the BlendTec are sold for 329.00

I previoiusly had an older model Vitamix, currently have a BlendTec. Both are good machines- I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Good luck with whatever choice you make!

[fuzzywater]

You may also want to investigate the Kitchen Aid Pro Line series blender... That's what I have and it works fabulously. My friend has a VitaMix and we had blender wars after I got mine.... they seem to be quite comparable, although I think the jar design on the VitaMix makes for less scraping. *shrugs* Money vs. a little extra time? I think I came out well on this one.

[Bridle7]

My Blentec is wonderful. I bought it with 3 carafes and had them shipped to Canada (very reasonable for all -- no need to buy refurbished). The supplier was on e-bay and super honest (accidently put in for 2 and they told me - so only one machine was bought) -- this supplier is in CA and their email is: captogo@excite.com

Ooops - am I allowed to post a supplier's email? If not, my apologies

[Carmella]

Thanks everyone! *putting on my Sherlock cap to investigate the matter further*