vitamix vs. k-tec

[rawjojo]

Hi!
I have finally decided to spend the $$$ and invest in a "great" blender. I was decided on the vitamix until recently someblody suggested getting a k-tec instead. The prices are similar so I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about one or the other. Any experience with either or any pros or cons? You info will be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Sweet lips]

I have had my Vita-Mix for 16 years and never had to replace a part, it functions very well. Alissa sells them both I think, she may be able to give you a comparison.

[rawjojo]

Well, since I have heard more great things about the vita-mix then I think I am going to go ahead and make that my purchase. I love that it has lasted you 16 years! Wow!

[Rawkinlocs]

Here's a site that does a comparison of the two (and a couple others): http://discountjuicers.com/blendercompare.html

Well, actually it's comparing the KTech to the Vitamix 4500 model and not the newer one. I think if you're considering getting the newer one (the 5000 or whatever it is) then the Vitamix probably does out perform the Ktech, but if comparing the basic Vitamix blender (the 4500) then both would probably run neck and neck.

[rawjojo]

Which blender do you have rawkinlocs?

[Rawkinlocs]

I actually have the LeQuip. It's okay and does fine with grinding nuts and flax seeds...but sometimes it doesn't blend certain things well enough and then I have to use the food processor whereas, I'm assuming the Vitamix and/or Ktech will blend as well as a processor...I'm not sure.

I wanted a Vitamix, but that's just waaaay outta my budget at this moment. Maybe later on down the road, but for now, the LeQuip is doing fine at what I need it for (mainly smoothies, dressings, and grinding nuts/seeds)

[rawjojo]

Yeah, the vitamix certainly isn't in my budget either BUT I keep on buying a zillion cheap appliances to substitute for what I believe the vitamix can do so I finally feel like instead of spend 40 bucks here and there I might as well go ahead and splurge on what I really want because all of these little ones are just going to end up in a garage sale someday anyway. I have seen how well a vitamix blends whole foods and none of mine even compare to that so I figure that it would be nice to be able to do most things with one machine. We'll see..............

[corky]

HI there, i have also had a vita-mix for about 15 yrs and the only thing i did was get their new container because it was see thru and the other i use for composting to a liquid to put straight in the garden--well, haven't done it religiously but do plan on it. I use it everyday and it has not broken down once! It took me about a year to save for it at the time but it was well worth it! Check your local buy and sell papers or bargain finders--i recently saw one in there for $100!! It was sold already and the daughter had no idea how much it was worth--her mother went into a nursing home and everything was being sold! So you never know...

[marigold]

vita for me but i did read naomi shannon discussing the benefits of the other one recently..dont thing there is much in it thought...

[smasty]

I got the K-tec after reading the reviews, I'm really happy with it.

[Smileen]

I adore my K-Tec.

[Analeah]

I have been used to using a blender from a bosch food processor/blender combination and I always thought it worked okay but not great. I went home this week and my mom has a vita-mix which I used to make some thing I had made before in this other blender and I was really disappointed with the performance. It's like the engine kept dying or something. Really annoying because it would cut off and make me wait for around 30 minutes I think before it would start back up again. I have used a vita-mix before and have never had this problem though so I think maybe she has a defective one or the motor needs to be replaced or something. Does anyone know how the warranty works for the vita-mix blender? I haven't used any other high end blenders but personally I think the other cheap bosch blender I used worked better than the vita-mix (for some things) though I am sure the vita-mix is superior....I guess I would be more inclined to find out about other blenders.

[rawjojo]

Well, my k-tec just got delivered. However I am at work and don't have anything to blend so I can't wait to get home and try it out. The packageing wasn't all that great but it doesn't look like it's too banged up. The machine itself is very nice looking and, it fits under my cupboards! That's a huge bonus! I'll let you know tomorrow what I blend up!
jojo

[Analeah]

Yeah cool, definately les us know! :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

I've used both blenders extensively - I borrowed the Vitamix from 2 different people who weren't using theirs and used it for over a year, and then I bought the K-tec which we've used for a couple of years now. I have used them both at least on a daily basis for morning smoothies, sometimes more.

I have to say each one has its positives and negatives. Here is what I have found:

Vitamix pros - very sturdy (no vibrating or dancing like its competitor), the plunger is a plus, the dial has great control, control dial is a plus

Vitamix cons - base too narrow to remove thick things like nut butters, unit too tall to fit under cabinets when assembled, not enough power when making things like hummous (cuts off when something is too thick/solid).


K-tec pros - fits under cabinets nicely, excellent warantee and customer service (8 year warantee I think), 3 horsepower motor, shape of container makes it easy to remove stuff from the bottom, clean control panel

K-tec cons - needs a plunger to get stuff moving at the bottom, tends to 'cavitate' (air hole on the bottom) when something is too thick, I've had to have the container replaced twice now (the gears tend to grind at the base causing black fluid to leak on the outside), I have to wear earplugs as the unit is so loud, unit tends to 'dance' and vibrate on the counter when the stuff I'm blending is too hard (like frozen fruit).

I have to say that because the Vitamix's container is shaped the way it is, and because the K-tec tends to cavitate, it is not even worth using to make nut butters or hummous. I just use my Kitchen Aid food processor for that purpose.

[Wrecked Spark]

Wowsers! Thanks for the info! I have a commercial-grade Oysterizer (gosh... spelling?!) that I love; very heavy-duty but not at all bulky and I've never had any of the problems like the ones you mentioned above. Now I know I can come to this board and get amazing information!!!

Thanks everyone!

Cheers,
Wrecked Spark

[solchile76]

I tried to make the alfredo sauce for the fettucini alfredo in my vita-mix and it did not work. I need to borrow my mom's food processor until I can purchase my own.

[VeganWannaBe]

My mother has a Vitamix and it rocks! I'm thinking of borrowing it for a few years until I can save enough money to buy my own ... do you think she'd miss it? ergh.

[smasty]

Excellent post Sharon!! I think you're right on. So...this makes it a difficult decision. For me...what it came down to was one thing...having it fit underneath my cabinets.

[Rawkinlocs]

Just slightly off-topic here, but 'Sharon in CO', you said you make almond butter in your processor? Do you have to add any oil or anything to it?

[Sharon in Colorado]

I have to admit that lately I buy the 'raw' stuff from Maranatha, but when I used to do almond butter I'd soak the almonds first (or they won't stick together), rinse & drain and then process. I also used to buy peanuts -roasted & salted- from Trader Joe's and make peanut butter for my kids. I'm trying to convert them to almond butter though, what with the problems with peanut butter.

[Rawkinlocs]

I have to admit that lately I buy the 'raw' stuff from Maranatha, but when I used to do almond butter I'd soak the almonds first (or they won't stick together), rinse & drain and then process. I also used to buy peanuts -roasted & salted- from Trader Joe's and make peanut butter for my kids. I'm trying to convert them to almond butter though, what with the problems with peanut butter.

I like to buy it too (I get Trader Joe brand cause Marantha at my store is double the price :eek: , but I'd like to be able to make my own when I run out and I thought I'd only be able to do so with a homogenizing juicer such as the Champion.

Thanks for the info!! :D

[Analeah]

A coffee grinder works great too. When you grind it up it just becomes powder like but when you ad a little water or coconut oil or orange juice etc then it gets the same consistency as store bought stuff.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I like to buy it too (I get Trader Joe brand cause Marantha at my store is double the price :eek: , but I'd like to be able to make my own when I run out and I thought I'd only be able to do so with a homogenizing juicer such as the Champion.

Thanks for the info!! :D

You're welcome. I had problems making almond butter in the Champion because it was so hard to clean out. When you use the food processor, all you need to do is swipe a couple of times with a spatula and it's clean. The Champion posed the same kind of problems as the blender, just tedious and time consuming to clean out.

I agree about the prices. Organic is usually double the price of conventional almond butter. Someone bought me a jar of organic raw almond butter for my birthday and it tastes better, too. I didn't think there'd be much of a difference. I usually try to get the non-organic almond butter either through a co-op or when it's on sale.

[ChubbDaddy]

(Blendtec and K-Tec are the same company)

Someone posted that the 5000 series Vitamix probably out-performs K-Tec. It doesn't. It still has the same motor and HP, and still lacks the 2 blade design. It also still lacks pre-programmed cycles, steel couplings, clutchless motor drive. You also still have top pay more to be able to do dry goods, and doesn't offer the lifetime coupling and blade warranty that the K-Tec machine has.

K-Tec/Blendtec
1500 Watts
13 Amps
3 Peak HP

Vitamix
1380 Watts
11.5 Amps
2 Peak HP

I have used both, and you can't go wrong with either company. But, IMHO Vitamix has made the second-best machine you can buy ever since K-Tec started making the Champ.

[HydroRaw]

If so, you need to be upfront about K-Tec having problems with its own carafes lately. They simply become inoperable more frequently than ever. So now the carafes, as I understand, are no longer included in the 8-year warranty. For those who bought K-tec blenders as of January 2006 are being notified that that carafes are fully covered for only ONE year. It is something to consider as carafes are not cheap these days. Carafes for VitaMix are still covered for the full duration of five or seven years, depending the model. How about it, Marcos?

[rawjojo]

Just noticed this thread......to update, I did decide on the k-tec and I love it. All of mine is covered under the warranty so I guess i am lucky! I'm sure teh vitamix is lovely but I dig my k-tec plus the bonus is I don't have to pay sales tax since vitamix is an ohio company!

[rawpriestess]

Just to let you know, I have a Vita Mix, have had it for about 10 years.

The container after 10 years of every day, constant use, developed two small stress cracks at the bottom, didn't leak or anything, I just noticec them one day while I was cleaning it.

so, I called Vita Mix, it cost me $23 to replace it.

I had it a couple of days later. now it looks all brand new again.

I think 10 years, and only $23 is a great deal for such a fantastic product, that has been working every day.

[coreyj002]

I just ordered my K-Tec total blender! I'm pretty excited about it.


Corey J

[Kerilyn]

I've done a lot of research on both the products. I've called both companies and spoke with the sales reps day in and out. (I go around with a biochemist and do health and wellness seminars so I have to be informed)

The end result- I chose VitaMix. Mainly because or 2 main reasons. VitaMix has an amazing customer service- there hours are stretched far and wide beyond blend tech and with using the blenders everyday to make the green smoothies, I'm going to need someone there to fix a part ASAP if it breaks down! :p With that, the warranty- as HydroRaw said- VitaMix has a FULL 7 year warranty. That means...that while you are using the product..and it wears down for any reason 3 yrs down the road, breaks..etc they will replace it under the warranty. Blend Tech on the other hand has a 3 year warrant and it's a MANUFACTURE warranty- which means that if THEY put it together wrong and because of that it doesn't perform- then it's covered under the warranty.

Number 2- Vitamix is mechanically run while the BlendTech is Electrical. Because of this I went on ebay and purchased the BlendTech that night (mistake) I'm a girl..I thought, it looks so cute and up to date with technology, it has a touch pad screen and that looks better than a dial and switch...haha
Well, my boyfriend who is a mechanic and is very good with all that "guy stuff" told me that electrical things often brake down and have problems much faster than mechanical things. (Ask any guy, they should know that) -not trying to by sexist here!!

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t have a problem at all with the BlendTech for the 2-3 weeks that I used it. It was very cute and I loved the fancy programs! But I wanted to have a product that would last for years and years with no problems and so I went with the “Cadillac” of Blenders – the Vitamix. Ask anyone who has one- they’ve had it for YEARS without a problem- that’s what I wanted! They have been around for 80 yrs and know their stuff. If you have any questions- call and talk to one of their sales reps- they are great! (1-800-VITAMIX) They will tell you all about their study they have going on.. They have been testing the two blenders side by side for a long time and have taken apart both products many times to get down to the VERY technical thing – ex: BlendTech only has 1 ball baring which allows for “wiggle room” when the blender is running, while Vitamix has 2 ball barings = no “wiggle room” the more wiggle the more ware.. haha yeah I know a lot about the products.. 

Anyway, if you are looking to purchase either one- GREAT! Anything that helps you become more raw is an amazing step and I’m sure you will love your blender as much as I love mine. And by the way- if you are going to purchase a VitaMix use this code to get you FREE SHIPPING ($25.00 value) Code: 06-002055

Oh one more thing..about the whole size issue- all you have to do is place the base and container side by side instead of stacked on top of each other- takes care of that issue! Hehe (get rid of your microwave and you’ll have plenty of room- there’s no use for that anyway!)

[stiletto]

I was going through this a few months back and ended up with the K-tec for two reasons. Fitting under the cabinet and I got it for $335.00 brand new. I thought that was a great price with free shipping. That kind of made my decision for me. I'm happy with it, but haven't tried any raw soups. Do they get warm due to the speed of the motor or do you have to add hot water to make them warm. Just wondering?

Stiletto

[James]

I was going through this a few months back and ended up with the K-tec for two reasons. Fitting under the cabinet and I got it for $335.00 brand new. I thought that was a great price with free shipping. That kind of made my decision for me. I'm happy with it, but haven't tried any raw soups. Do they get warm due to the speed of the motor or do you have to add hot water to make them warm. Just wondering?

Stiletto


They get warm from the friction of the blades. Usually a couple of 50 second cycles will do it.

James