What kind of blender should I get?

[spiralgirl]

Hi,

Okay I have a cheap blender now that is okay but I want something better now that I've been raw almost 4 months. Yesterday I got our our cheap Moulinex juicer and it took ages to get a cup of juice but it was so good and I was hooked. It was my first juice on raw.

So I'm thinking of the KTec Champ HP3 (http://www.totalblender.com/blendershop/catalog/The-K-TEC-Champ-HP3-by-Blendtec-p-16133.html) blender and saw it on a couple of raw food websites as a good choice. This it the official site.
(http://www.blendtec.com/default.aspx)
I know that Vitamix is also great. Will either of these act as a juicer as well? I know I will probably still want a food processor (I have an older Braun Multipractic 100 that is doing the job for the time being) and I've heard Cuisenart is the best brand for that.

I'm just trying to avoid getting a new juicer and blender so want a blender that does all of that. There is a Green Star Juicer near where I live but then that's a juicer right?

Any suggestions would be great. :)

[Douglas]

Well you shure are looking at a good blender. Sounds like your ready for a nice machine like that too. You will be real happy when you get that one too. Enjoy Doug in Calif.........:eek: :cool: :)

[exurb]

Consumer Reports recently did a study of blenders, and VitaMix beat the Blendtec. (VitaMix came out #1 on that trial, though they noted the price as costly). I don't remember exactly all the areas of difference, but I do remember noise as one of them, where the blendtec was worse than the vitamix.

I'm very happy with my VitaMix, and their customer service and guarantee.

[spiralgirl]

Douglas,

You are looking amazing. :) Keep up the great work. I've seen that Raw video before too, it's great and it's hard to believe what that guy looked like in the beginning and how he looks now. His face is radiant.

[RollinRaw]

I waited a long time to get my Vitamix .... I won't go into years ..... but I have it and I love it!! You can do so much with it, its worth every penny (dollar) you spend on it!:D

[youraw]

On E-bay there is an older Vita-Mix sitting at $31. I wonder if it is any good?

[Blazin'Jane]

When I ws researching blenders, I saw a piece by Nomi Shannon, the Raw Gourmet. She recommended the KTec over the Vitamix for several reasons, which I have now forgotten. But I bought one and have been very pleased with it.

[Lady Green Jeans]

Both are top of the line blenders. Used the KTec at a coffee shop and was very pleased with the performance. Tracks the number of uses and is pretty much programmed--in that you key in the function number and it automatically goes through the variable speeds and time needed to get that particular job done. Awsome.

It was available for me to take for home use, but I chose to purchase the VitaMix. It does what I want--I choose the time to run the particular blend and adjust the speed as needed. Honestly, would be very hard pressed to have to part with mine. Did buy the dry unit in the offchance that I would grow into using it. Been about 2 yrs. and haven't utilized the part very much. Mine gets a daily workout--morning smoothies and whatever else I do for my food prep. Usually once or twice a day.

Would say it is personal preference--both are fine units and will do a GREAT job for you. Good luck in your decision & happy rawfoodin.

Kathy

[exurb]

She recommended the KTec over the Vitamix for several reasons, which I have now forgotten.

One of the reasons peopple sometimes recommend the BlendTec/KTec, is that it is shorter in height, so it will usually fit between upper and lower cupboards on your counter. Some people on here have had problems with their blender jar on the K-Tec and separation at the base of it/problems with the seal.

I prefer the VitaMix, the height is not a problem as I just keep the jar beside it. Their customer service is excellent, and I liked that they were rated #1 of all blenders by Consumer Reports testing.

Does anyone know if the KTec is also made in USA like the VitaMix?

[KristensRaw]

I have both of them and I always naturally go to my Ktec first when I use one. The Ktec is much easier to clean out and scrape your food out of it. It's high-powered, has a digital display, and again...much easier to clean out. The vitamix (yes, I love this, too, but I just seem to go for my Ktec first) has 4 blades in it and the container has grooves and curves. It's hard to get all of the food out that you make (when it's something like cheese or mousse, etc). The Ktec has four straight sides and 2 powerful blades so cleaning is easy, as well as usage.

Neither do juice extractions though, that you need a juicer for. But, you will be able to make smoothies, soups, dressings, grind dry seeds, cheese, mousse, ice cream, etc.

[HydroRaw]

Check out the article:

http://www.newstarget.com/021247.html

Enjoy reading!

[Amethyst]

I have the Blend-Tec and ADORE it. The primary reason for purchasing it was because of the counter-cabinet height issue. But really, Vitamix or Blend-Tec, you simply aren't going to go wrong no matter which one you choose.

[veeg]

I recently purchased a Vitamix -- just received it Monday. I am already a devotee. I had mulled over the purchase for a long time (it ain't cheap!).

I read a lot of postings here that spoke of the Vitamix with an almost religious ferver...and found myself thinking "but it's just a blender". A friend of mine told that I wouldn't "get it" 'til I tried for myself and she was pretty sure I'd fall in love with it. She was right. I've barely scratched the surface, and I already love it.

I've really only used it for green smoothies so far because I have had a very busy week. But just the idea that I can throw whole fruits (apples, pears, etc) and get a delicious smoothie that has the best consistency of anything I've ever made at home is of great value to me (no lumps!).

I'm going to be at home tomorrow and the weekend and I can wait to make raw cashew butter and mock tuna.

I also have to say that I've been almost 100% raw for about 120 days and was starting to falter a bit, but the Vitamix has re-invigorated me. Maybe I'm just a gadget geek, but this machine makes my life soooo easy, and it's fun to make what I call "potluck smoothies" -- with whatever fruit and greens I have around the house.

I can't offer a comparison to the BlendTec, but i can echo those who've said you won't be disappointed with the Vitamix.

[spiralgirl]

Thanks everyone for your great responses. Sounds like I'll be in good hands no matter which one I choose. Great to know everyone is so happy with theirs. :) Also good to know if won't replace a juicer.

[CaliRaw]

I just received my Vita-mix yesterday and made mock tuna (rawvolution). NOW I know what everyone is talking about when they say it pulverizes/liquifies things. It turned the pine nuts mixture to liquid. Amazing! I liked the dressing so much that I'm going to use it as a salad dressing. The mock tuna turned out great! It tastes like it did at the restaurant. I couldn't be happier about my purchase. :) I forgot to get the special spatulas, like someone recommended, though. :(

[queenfluff]

Another vote for the BlendTec!

I agree that it is easier to clean. You don't need that stick thingy. And in my opinion, it is "cuter" than the Vitamix. (if you care about stuff like that).
Plus, I like all the high-tech settings and such.


I call mine "Darth Blendie" - ha ha! Because I have the black one and first thing I thought of when it arrived that it reminded me of Darth Varder.

And it is a "wicked" good blender! :)

[spiralgirl]

queenfluff,

Do you find the blender jar wears out after a couple of years? Read that somewhere else that someone had one and after a year and a half they have to deep buying new blender jars for it. This was for the one that was the KTec HP3 before the newer Total Blender came out.

[KindnessToAllCreatures]

I've had my k-tec since March, 2006.

I use it at least once a day, and have had absolutely no problems with the container. I do rinse and dry it out right away after each use, though, which may be part of the reason it's held up so well.

[Lavendula]

I am looking too. I just don't have room to have either one sitting in my counter workspace, I have a small apliance garage in the corner, and would have to put it away by scooting it into the garage. I would have to pull it out into the space in front of where the cabinets meet in the corner, my old osterizer even needs this kind of access, but it is easy to put away. What is the height with the picture on the base? I generally have to add most of my stuff before I put it on the base, it just seems too high to reach over. No, I'm not short, 5'5". It is alot money, but I dream of one day owning one , just haven't seen a VM in person, though I've wanted one for over 20 years.

[RawHog]

Does anyone have a used blender they would be willing to sell? We would love to have one.

Thanks!

[KindnessToAllCreatures]

You may be hard-pressed to find someone on this forum willing to sell their old vitamix. Have you tried e-bay?

[Bridle7]

Vote for K-tec (bought one for myself 18 months ago and another for family in LA). They are used every day, several times, easy to clean, grinds, purees etc. (including nuts and seeds). Have used a Vita mix good product. Preference is with pre done cycles

[faith4u]

I have had a Vitamix for 7 years and love it!

BUT after reading about the KTEC I would probably pick it over the Vitamix if I ever need to replace mine.

For one reason, you don't have to us a tamper to push things into the middle. They made it to where it pulls things in. I hate having to grab the tamper (which is usually put away) and push things down over and over.

I also think the lid on the Vitamix is a pain to get on and off. I know how to do it but my kids really struggle with it. The Ktec is much easier.

I saw a video on You Tube that showed them blending up 30 marbles in a Ktec into a powder. Pretty impressive!

[Rwin777]

I have a Blentec which is pretty much like the Vita-Mix. I got it on www.qvc.com and used their phone number to call them. I got on their 5 month plan to make monthly payments. the price is 375.00 so with tax and shipping the monthly amount turned out to be around 82.00. I cannot affort to outright buy these but i was sold when i saw the demonstration of a blentec by Cosco which you can find on youtube.com. Vita-mix has a 5 yr warrenty, and Blentec has a 7 yr warrenty. Both are good, i just think the Blentec is better. I owned an older Vita-mix years ago but i dont think i was really ready to do the raw veggie thing then. it ended up in my basement, it got wet and the base rusted. Watching the demo's I noticed that they dont have to push the leafy veggies down when using the blentec, but they do that with a vita-mix. I think its the difference in the type of blade used, and it just sucks the leafy veggies right down in with the other stuff. Most people love their Vita-mix too. They are both good ones!

[delmar]

I would like to get an old yard sale blender and give it the Tim Allen "more power" treatment.

[walnutty]

Get a Blendtec!

If you don't believe me watch the Monarch's you tube videos comparing the two. I have a Vitamix and it has spent more time in the Vitamix shop then it has on my counter!

[michigan roman]

delmar im thinking something ran off an air compressor . pulling out original electric motor of blender and setting it up to be air driven .
then the compressor is already there for other jobs so zero cost for it , its just customizing blender base . it'd rock to run air line from your garage to outlet in kitchen wall that you plug blender hose into

ps - when kid back in 60s/70s my best friends parents were from your region , montpellier ohio . we'd go there constantly on weekends to fish with his grandpa

[Douglas]

ON Ebay almost all the time you can get an old Vita mixer 3600 for 50.00 or under and it will do fine for you. I had one of them for 20 years and then gave that to my son and Now I have a 1363 professional one. Yes they are worth every penny. Doug in Calif...

[MysticTree]

Douglas, any chance you could reduce your font size on posts please?
Thanks

[delmar]

delmar im thinking something ran off an air compressor . pulling out original electric motor of blender and setting it up to be air driven .
then the compressor is already there for other jobs so zero cost for it , its just customizing blender base . it'd rock to run air line from your garage to outlet in kitchen wall that you plug blender hose into

ps - when kid back in 60s/70s my best friends parents were from your region , montpellier ohio . we'd go there constantly on weekends to fish with his grandpaI was thinking of using a circular saw to power it!