My brand new Blendtec SUCKS!! Help!

[Raene]

I bought a Blendtec after doing much much research and thinking it was better than a V-mix. I've watched all the youtube videos where they grind up rake handles, marbles, golf balls, etc.
Got mine in yesterday...it was 2 weeks of my salary! and I'm soooo upset!
Yesterday I wanted a raspberry banana spinach smoothie. It barely could blend the frozen berries.
Today my partner made hummus and it took a long time, then I tried to make some shrimp bisque for him (he's not raw, obviously, lol) and it wouldn't even blend up the carrot! It came out in chunks. Quite honestly I prefer my $40! Anyone have similar issues? I am contacting the company where I got it but at this point I don't know if I want a replacement or just a refund. Soo disappointed! Did I just get a broken one?

[Revvell]

How much fluid you adding?

[Raene]

The shrimp bisque was mostly liquid; it had 2 cups of vegetable stock and only 1/2 a carrot and a celery stick to blend up.
The raspberry smoothie for sure didn't have enough liquid, but still, from the videos, I thought it could blend it. I also tried almond butter, and strangely enough that was the most successful.

[Snoozy]

I blend everything including avo pits, carrots and frozen items. What setting did you use? I use the Whole Juice setting 90% of the time because I want my gs and sauces to be smooth.

I have noticed that it doesn't do a great job if you don't have much food in there (probably the same with any blender) so you need to have at least a cup of food in there.

It took me a couple days to get use to mine but now I LOVE it and would never give it up. My counter on the front is almost at 300 and I've only had it about 5 weeks! :D

[Raene]

I've always had at least half of the blender full of food. I followed the directions in the book that came with it for the shrimp bisque. I pulsed like it said and when that didn't work I tried the smoothie button and juice too.
The smoothie I tried to make on the smoothie setting.
The hummus my partner followed the recipe directions with, too. The almond butter I made just by following the peanut butter setting. It pretty much worked.

[Aleesha Sattva]

that sucks












(vita-mix rules) sorry couldn't resist.


i'm sure yours will work wonderfully. either getting a replacement or finding out what you are doing incorrectly. either way... you'll be smooooth as silk soon!

[Bingo24]

Sorry to say, it sounds like you got a lemon - a defect. I would call them and MAJORLY complain - that's a lot of money!! No one can afford 2 weeks salary for a defective item. They should send you the postage label to send it back -asap.

Trying their replacement is your choice - hopefully they offered a money back guarantee?

Good Luck - sorry for your frustrations!

[Sleek98]

I have a blendtec and it will most definately get carrots and celery smooth! Especially with liquid! I wonder if yours is bad.
I got mine 2 years ago and it doesn't have the settings you guys are talking about...it just has 1,2,3,4, stop, and pulse.

[queenfluff]

I noticed that the directions in the book aren't always the greatest ones to use. Like for nut butters, I don't like the cycles they want me to use. I use my intuition and do it on the cycles I want.

It sounds weird to me - the problems you are having. Mine is so powerful - I mostly use the 2 button which is perfectly for smoothies. I can put tons of ice in and a huge chunk of pineapple not even cut up and it blends the whole thing in seconds.

It does sound like you got a defective one - it happens. they will replace it for free though.

[Andre]

As long as I put a cup of water in the machine I can blend avocado pits, frozen strawberries, melon seeds... to almost nothing. Infact, I fill the machine to the very top every time (compacting and crushing ingredients in) and it takes it all in and blends it. I've never pulsed before. Never had to manually push food own. Never had any chunks, and carrots come out super smooth.

Now this is just me and my machine.

[janem]

I have both and the blend tec is WAAAAYYYY better than my brand new Vita mix! You made a good buy - honest!

[Hygeia]

It's not a good buy if it doesn't work properly. LOL I'd call and get a replacement.

[fjernsyn]

Yeah, I love my Blendtec - doesn't sound anything like yours. Since none of us who are used to our blenders are there with you, we can't really tell if it's working like it should. Seems like it would make the most sense to call them up while you're in your kitchen with your blender, so that they can go through some diagnostics with you.

[shashibala]

Even if you didn't get it from them, will Blendtec send you a new one?
They just might. They don't want hundreds of raw foodists thinking bad things about their blenders! good luck!

[Raene]

Yeah, I posted elsewhere on the board about what happened today when I tried to get my money back. Long story short, Blendtec has been WONDERFUL to deal with; the company I bought it from has been HORRID. They hung up on me and haven't returned my calls. Blendtec has been awesome though and although they can't give me a refund bc I didn't buy from them directly, they are shipping me a new one and paying to have this defective one shipped back.
So that's good news. Earlier when going through all these hassles I just wanted to get rid of it and never see a Blendtec again, lol...especially when the woman tried to convince me that I couldn't put frozen berries in it; that I needed to set them out to thaw first! I thought that was ridiculous as my $40 blender does great with frozen berries. But as a refund isn't possible I'm just trying to be positive and think that the next one will work perfectly! :)

[shashibala]

Sounds good! I know many people swear by the blentec blenders. I hope you just got a dud and that the new one will be awsome!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Yeah, I posted elsewhere on the board about what happened today when I tried to get my money back. Long story short, Blendtec has been WONDERFUL to deal with; the company I bought it from has been HORRID. They hung up on me and haven't returned my calls. Blendtec has been awesome though and although they can't give me a refund bc I didn't buy from them directly, they are shipping me a new one and paying to have this defective one shipped back.
So that's good news. Earlier when going through all these hassles I just wanted to get rid of it and never see a Blendtec again, lol...especially when the woman tried to convince me that I couldn't put frozen berries in it; that I needed to set them out to thaw first! I thought that was ridiculous as my $40 blender does great with frozen berries. But as a refund isn't possible I'm just trying to be positive and think that the next one will work perfectly! :)

that IS great news!!! congrats!

[Snoozy]

Long story short, Blendtec has been WONDERFUL to deal with; the company I bought it from has been HORRID. They hung up on me and haven't returned my calls. Blendtec has been awesome though and although they can't give me a refund bc I didn't buy from them directly, they are shipping me a new one and paying to have this defective one shipped back.


I wonder if you getting a dud has anything to do with the company you bought it through? Sounds like they have horrible customer service. Maybe they knew it was defective and didn't care.

Well, happy to hear you are getting a new one. And also that the Blendtec company is so great to work with (just in case I ever have an issue).

Good Luck!!

[Catladyintown]

Hi Raene how is your new Blendtec working?

[rawviveyourself]

I'd love to hear more BlendTec experiences...I'm a huge Vita-Mix fan, but curious about the differences.

My husband just bought me a juicer for my birthday and it did come with a huge neon colored note that said if I had any issues, to call the manufacturer directly and NOT the store it was purchased from...I've also read a lot of appliance reviews on amazon and found that it is common for people to get a dud, but that the manufacturer often replaces it.

Also -- in this thread did I read correctly that people are talking about blending avo pits??? I've never heard of this --- tell me more!

[Raene]

Yes, people do blend their avocado seeds. There are mixed opinions about this. Some people say you shouldn't be eating things that can't be eaten in their natural state (you can't just bite into an avo pit, so why blend it and eat it) and some think it's full of energy. Google it for more info. I've personally never tried it, but I'm not against the idea.
As for my Blendtec, it's *okay* but honestly I think I'd go for a vitamix if I started over again. I feel like after using my blendtec 192 times (it has a counter on it) that it's already not working as well as it was when it was brand new. Also, there are a gazillion different settings for it and I've found none of them to work as well as the smoothie setting, so no matter what I'm doing I end up putting it on "smoothie". There's one exception--this thing grinds nuts into flour like nobody's business. It's sooo cool and insane to watch. I'm just disappointed by the large quantities of water that are needed in order to blend things and by the trouble it sometimes has with things like Alissa's nacho cheese recipe. But then again, I've never used a Vitamix, so maybe they're about the same, who knows. I guess I expected miracles from what I've seen on Youtube and have come to realize that my personal Blendtec just isn't the ones that they must use for the demos.

[raven]

I'm glad Blendtec was helpful. I think it's always good to buy directly from the manufacturer, who tend to be reliable. I've had good experiences with VitaMix. Sorry about your difficulties; I hope the replacement works well.

Suzy

[Rubyred]

Sorry to hear about all the hassle you had with your first Blendtec. I bought one last June and have used it almost every single day, and sometimes several times in one day. It still works as good as new. :D

I make green smoothies and use the #4 (or 3) setting and use it twice to get those greens into a smooth liquid. Grinds everything up perfectly. I make nut butters in there too and they are to die for. There is nothing like a fresh batch of nut butter. :p (It does take a bit of time though because butters will heat up from the grinding and you have to let them cool.)

Also, you shouldn't need large quanties for water for everything - maybe just a different setting, or blend in smaller increment times. There just has to be enough food or liquid to cover the blades, otherwise those blades are spinning too hard and fast and that can cause problems for the motor. (Read that here on Raw Food somewhere from a mechanic.)

I'll make Alissa's nacho cheese mix this week and see if I can offer any helpful suggestions. I've made just about everything in this blender and found out there is a learning curve to making raw foods. :rolleyes:

[Gittel]

I also am not so crazy about my Blendtec. I think that I'm adding enough water, yet the greens don't mix in. Perhaps this is because I put them in last. I end up blending several times and pushing the greens down with a spatula. Should I put the greens in first? I've been thinking about returning it to Costco and buying a Vitamix since the Vitamix has a tamper. What do you think?

Please let us know how your Blendtec is, Raene.

Gittel

[Aleesha Sattva]

greens go in first... then the rest of your ingredients... and supplements last (like oils and chia seeds etc)

[Gittel]

Does it matter when the liquid goes in?

[Revvell]

In the VM the liquids go in first as I remember. I've got a BT as well. Don't use it.

[raw_danceruk]

I have been lusting after the BT for a while... ay £599 nearly $1200 think I will be taking a rain check..after reading this!!

[Gittel]

What about ice? When does that go in? Is it the same for the BT as the VM? Until now I've never put ice in my smoothies. Does everybody use ice? I'm going to try my BT again and see if I have better results.

Gittel

[Care4raw]

This is such an interesting thread..I mean i do wonder if there can be inconsisitancies on the manufacturing level? if there is a difference between the quality of each of these blenders?Maybe a parts thing, a slack quality control, a change in manufacturing?Or if it just a matter of perception?

I was really disappointed in my vitamix a few years back. I was surprised I actually needed liquids for some things and just didn't think it was as amazing as it was touted. I had regret about spending so much money on a kitchen appliance,etc However now I love it. Its on at least twice a day. After awhile sharing kitchen space with this workhorse, well..I've grown to love her.Better than bitterly watching her whirl around, with no appreciation for all the hard work she does for me..:D :rolleyes: :D

[KindnessToAllCreatures]

I too have owned both a VM (older model) and a BlendTec. I love them both.

I'm currently using the BT, and have never had any problems with it. I use it primarily for grinding flax seeds for crackers, as well as for smoothies (GS and plain fruit smoothies).

Regardless of which I'm blending, I don't even bother with the pre-programmed buttons. I press the 'S' button and hold it down until it reaches '10' (the maximum speed), and release. The BT stops on its own after 50 seconds. I always make sure there's something frozen in it (either ice or frozen fruit) so the drink stays cold.

I'm wondering if you're blending the ingredients long enough? Also, when using purely frozen ingredients, they will rise above the blade. BT talks about this (they refer to it as a vortex); adding some water is supposed to help. (I just let the ingredients thaw a bit before blending, such as when blending frozen strawberries.)

I've never tried to blend frozen bananas by themselves. When making banana 'ice cream', I've put them through the homogonizer on my juicer.

When making a green smoothie, I've never had any problems with everything blending in well, regardless of the order I put the ingredients in. I do add water (you're supposed to), along with some ice if none of the ingredients are frozen. I blend it the same as everything else I make.

I'm so sorry you're frustrated. I'm hoping your relationship with your BT becomes more amicable or that you are able to switch blenders and are happy with the switch.

[Revvell]

Does everybody use ice?

Gittel

I never use ice in my smoothies. I see no reason for it.

[Rubyred]

I also am not so crazy about my Blendtec. I think that I'm adding enough water, yet the greens don't mix in. Perhaps this is because I put them in last. I end up blending several times and pushing the greens down with a spatula. Should I put the greens in first? I've been thinking about returning it to Costco and buying a Vitamix since the Vitamix has a tamper. What do you think?

Please let us know how your Blendtec is, Raene.

Gittel

Curious, your greens not mixing in properly. I have no trouble with this, although I do do blend it twice on a setting that runs for about 45 seconds at one of the fastest speeds. Its never mattered how I put the ingredients in. Although, the ice or frozen fruit can rise to the top in a big frozen lump of you don't mix it a bit manually. I have used my BT 1654 times since June - and no problems.


I usually add ice (in place the of some liquid) or frozen fruit to my smoothies because I like them cold, and the intense spinning of the blades will heat the liquid too much for my liking.

If your smoothies are not smooth it could be because they are not getting blended enough. Mine come out as pure liquid and not grainy or chunky. Again, I do add ice or frozen fruit to keep everything cold and total blend time is about 1 1/2 minutes. Its about two 40 second spins at the highest speed.

You do not need to add liquid to everything. I've made nut butters using only nuts - nothing else, and have made many others recipes that don't include any water or liquid. That 1654 blend times wasn't just from making smoothies. :p

Their is a learning curve to preparing raw foods and using some of this fancy equipment, in how long to blend which and what ingredient etc. I am very, very happy with my blender even though it might frustrate me at times.

[Gittel]

Do you ever feel the need to scrape down the sides or push down the ingredients after a cycle on the BT? I'm definitely doing something wrong. I scrape and spin 4-5 times.

[Raene]

I definitely have to scrape/push down on foods like raw vegan cheese dips, other dips, nut butters, etc. But never for smoothies.
Oh and definitely no ice...cold stuff is a shock to the system.

[raweater]

I haven't read all replies but I noticed many blenders will leave lumps no matter how long you let them run UNLESS you pulse it a few times. My expensive Breville blender has a smoothie cycle where it automatically pulses and blends for me and always makes lump free smoothies, but it's blade failed so I was on my $20 emergency blender for a few weeks, and at first I just let it run and it would always leave lumps. I then started blending about 10 seconds, then pulse maybe 10 times (waiting for the blades to stop fully each time) and blend again for maybe 30 seconds and it was fine.

I think the reason is without pulsing the lumps will just turn around in circles never touching the blades, when you pulse, the lumps fall into the blades as they stop and then pulsing will break those lumps.

Hope this helps.

[dustandbreath]

probably a dead thread, but I was reading to gain insight on blentec/vitamix. About to make the plunge AFTER "laughing" at my wife who suggested we buy one. Okay, I have finally caught the dream! Probably go with the Blendtec, but doing research is maddening, when it comes to the many names and models you read about, etc (and blentec company only has one non-commercial model listed, go figure).

[ocean spray]

I could not live without my Vitamix being RAW!

[Raene]

I love my blendtec now, but it did take some getting used to. Makes the best cheesecakes, hummus dips, etc. Lovely. Definitely the best investment I've ever made.

[Anastazia]

In the VM the liquids go in first as I remember. I've got a BT as well. Don't use it.


....Hey, Revvell, wanna barter for it? (I'm broke, but I could quilt you a beautiful quilt!)
~Anastazia~

[vivian957]

I love my blendtec now, but it did take some getting used to. Makes the best cheesecakes, hummus dips, etc. Lovely. Definitely the best investment I've ever made.


Thank you for helping me make a decision. I'm going to purchase one at Costco today.I've been thinking about blendtec or Vita Mix also Bledtec is cheaper and now sounds like it's better. FYI Costco has the best return policy.

[Revvell]

Thank you for the offer. I do use it when traveling but not at home. At home it's VM all the way! (A new quilt is mighty tempting though) :)


....Hey, Revvell, wanna barter for it? (I'm broke, but I could quilt you a beautiful quilt!)
~Anastazia~

[raweater]

I have been lusting after the BT for a while... ay £599 nearly $1200 think I will be taking a rain check..after reading this!!

I just noticed this, where did you see a Blendtec at $1200? It's $325 where I bought it. $1200 would be a major major rip off.

[T-Bird]

http://www.blendtec.com/Connoisseur.aspx

Maybe looking at this one?

[T-Bird]

But then again, I've never used a Vitamix, so maybe they're about the same, who knows. I guess I expected miracles from what I've seen on Youtube and have come to realize that my personal Blendtec just isn't the ones that they must use for the demos.

This is so true - I just got a vitamix, and I loaded it up, just like recommended, with squishy stuff on the bottom, but I was too ambitious and had to pull alot out, get some blended, and add back in.

[DebB]

I love my blendtec now, but it did take some getting used to. Makes the best cheesecakes, hummus dips, etc. Lovely. Definitely the best investment I've ever made.

HI Raene ~ You may have figured it out already about blending your greens for a green smoothie... I make one every day in my BT and they're wonderful.

I start by putting in 8-12oz water and then add my hearty greens (kale, chard, etc.) and give it a quick blend - just enough to blend it into the water. Then I add my other greens like mixed spring greens and spinach. Again - I give it a quick blend, 3 seconds perhaps.

Now I add in my fruit and top it with frozen blueberries or frozen berry blend (I like my smoothies very cold). I let all this blend for a full cycle using the far right button.

Oh yeah baby!! *Ü*

[kat4]

I just noticed this, where did you see a Blendtec at $1200? It's $325 where I bought it. $1200 would be a major major rip off.

I think she was converting the £ into $.
Unfortunately, a lot of appliances are more expensive in the UK, almost seems like they just swap the currency signs (e.g., $400 to £400).
I paid £399 for my Vita-Mix which is $653 at the current exchange rate.