Vitamix/Blendtec vs regular blenders

[surfsup]

Cooks Illustrated has a recent review on blenders and vitamix and blendtec were not even part of the line up.

The winner was a kitchenaid 5-speed blender for $160 and the #2 was a kalorik BL blender.

The kitchenaid chopped 15 ice cubes no problem, made great hummus and also put out smoothies with no pulp (the smoothie was made with mango which is fibrous) and was tested through a seive.

What is the advantage of a $400 blender over this kitchen aid?

This forum could use a "blenders and blended foods" area....btw.

[snoops]

I know KitchenAid has great products and have not tried the blender. I bought my Dad a Breville for $189 to replace his old Oster. I thought given the price compared to the $50 range ones it might be similar to my Vitamix. Not even close. So I would be interested to hear if anyone has tried the KitchenAid and if it is really as good as they say.

[jacsam]

I thought my blender did a fine job and then I got a vitamix and let me tell you there is a WORLD of difference....I love that machine.

[Seedy]

I have an ancient Osterizer that does everything I need in a blender (which is making smoothies and soups). The secret is to use plenty of water. When it dies (or I kill it trying to make ice cream) I'll spring for a Vitamix. I had a stainless steel Vitamix 3600 20 years ago (its still in the closet somewhere), but it was a pain to clean (this model had a dispensing spout that was constantly clogged with food) and weighed a ton. The new ones look nice, but my expendable cash is non-existent right now.
Seedy

[GlimR]

They didn't even review either high speed blender because they are beyond the realm of most regular, even heavy-duty regular blenders.

As for the old stainless vitamix...I had one for many, many years and loved it!!
To clean, put warm water with a squeeze of dish soap into the container, half full and blend for a few seconds, in each direction if you can reverse the blades and then open the spigot..everything washes thru, the soapy water cleans it perfectly..they are workhorses!!

[DebB]

I have a Kitchen Aid blender. It worked very well, but it can't hold a candle to my BlendTec... I don't know if I have the model the OP was referring to, but I bought it new about 5 years ago for about $120. *Ü*

[cara4art]

Let me tell ya - a regular blender CAN'T do green smoothies that have the STALKS of kale and chard along with all the rest. I know, because I tried this in my old Osterizer when I came home from Hawaii(where the house had a Blend-tec) - it definitely came out "not so smooth(understatement of the year)and I had to run it for what seemed like forever! With my Blend-tec, just a little over 20 seconds, and I've got divine creaminess...I am loving my Blend-tec!

[Veronica01]

In the past 7 years i've destroyed at least 5 blenders just making thick smoothies. Forget even trying to make banana icecream or warm soup in a blender if you don't have a Vitamix.

I don't even own a food processer but i use my vitamix at least 3 times a day every day and I will use it instead of a food processor sometimes, on a low speed with the tamper and it does everything i need it to do. I even used it to make my bread recipes before going into the dehydrator. A regular blender just doesn't have the horse power to blend things so thick.

And I agree there's no way you'd want to drink green smoothies daily with kale, chard or collard from a regular blender. It's a world of difference between a vitamix and a regular "high end" blender.

Plus more horepower also means less time blending and is a huge time saver for smoothies. I dont have the patience to use frozen fruit in a regular blender because it always jams up or has to have too much liquid.

PS. I like thick soups and smoothies, i can't stand watery consistency. So it's amazing. The best $600 i ever spent for my health, seriously.

[surfsup]

Well, I decided to get one of them. I've been researching the Blendtec and the Vitamix for over a month now and thinking about stuff. I found many very good reviews on both the Blendtec and Vitamix and my opinion on which to buy continued to swing from Blendtec to Vitamix to Blendtec...argh...shopping for something over $50 is a pain because you don't want to walk away feeling like you spent the money on something you don't want.

I saw many posts here by members claiming theirs is great and I think both will do a fine job.

Blendtec: I like,
-the size and weight (might be a detriment though)
-the single pitcher
-the easily cleaned button surface
-the price ($50 less than vitamix)
-the autoprograms
-sans tamper
-square pitcher easier to clean

Vitamix: I like,
-the warranty
-the control (autoprograms with a manual know would be ideal)
-the noise (5200 is supposedly noticeably quieter)
-tamper if I need it (though I can cut food first, nabd)
-history of the company (been around a while, from OH, etc)

Concerns:
Blendtec sometimes threw food or the container would come loose - lighter machine. Blendtec "gearing" was less robust and the link to the motor was therefore less durable. Very noise according to everyone that has it except two people (who don't have the vitamix). Rubber seal on the blendtec not as well designed. 1-3 yr warranty only. Blendtec? Ktec? Totalblender? HPA? HPA3? which is it? I was also ultimately confused as to what product I would get. It was very confusing to figure out what I was looking and and which machine had the more updated pushbutton interface so I was a little leary about this machine as a purchase.

Vitamix the blades sometimes come loose sometimes (aizah!). I have a torque wrench and I'm a strong guy so not a big deal. If I have to take it apart I can rebuilt it properly to specifications. Not as much power or AMPs. Heavier (may be a good thing for stability etc). Taller and more bulky. expensive additions (pitchers, brush, etc). Can't walk away from the machine.

After all was said and done, I felt both could do a good job so I wanted the less noisy one overall and I figured although I would have to watch it, where am I going to go for 30 seconds to a minute? I would prob be in the kitchen so manual controls for me as a consumer not tending to 3 customers at once. So after reading and reading (although there were some conflicting opinions) it was clear the newer vitamix 5200 was the less noisy.

I called Vitamix.com and got a rebuilt black one with free shipping so it was the same price essentially. So there you have it. I am now a juicer/blender dude. One of the crazies on the internet about to start screaming from the tops of mountains about how great seaweed makes me feel.

Here's a couple reviews: (I googled "blendtec vs vitamix" and got lots of stuff)

http://allthatveganjazz.blogspot.com/2009/04/vitamix-vs-blendtec.html

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

[snoops]

Congratulations on your purchase. You WILL love it.

[buffalogal]

Thanks, Surfsup, for your input as well as the two reviews you directed us to. I've been vaccillating between the two. Now I know which one I'm getting. I'm just trying to decide if I should wait until the Vita Mix show comes to our county fair next month, so I can get all the extras; or just bite the bullet and order it now.:D

[Ilse W.]

Congrats on your blender purchase. I went from a Kitchen Aid, which worked very well and now does a great job for my son, to a vitamix (5000 reconditioned for $299 from the factory). There is no comparison. I would NEVER willingly give up my vitamix for one of its lesser cousins.

[ginadj]

going back to the original idea of the opening post - I have always thought that big magazines don't review or mention products out of the goodness of their heart?? there must be some advertising and featuring involved within the companies. Therefore the whole field is never really addressed, kwim?

[surfsup]

ginadj, I agree. Magazines usually one review with a bias. I prefer individual blogs. I was more posting the question why a lesser blender was needed.

The reasoning to me, as I understand it, is the Blendtec and Vitamix have more brute force to liquify the fibrous pieces and do it in a shorter timeframe, and can also prepare cooked soups, etc.

I have read some "claims" that the brute force also breaks down the cellular structure of the ingredients making them easier for the body to absorb (nutrients). Not sure if this is true.

[surfsup]

Vitamix 5200 arrived. Its like they knew my concern: they included a paper that explained "yours is the most up-to-date model we sell."

I ran the cleaning process for 45 seconds, boy it is loud and this is the quiet one? Lol. My girlfriend and I started laughing immediately. This this is going to absolutely liquify whatever we put in there. Once it turns on you are instantly reassured this is more powerful than any blender you,ve used before.

Unfortunately, we have a house guest, plus...my gf's off for the summer and sleeps in (teachers! Sigh...) so no 5:30am smoothie for me yet. Hope to try it tomorrow night when I return from my business trip.

[klomasius]

I have a sunbeam Cafe Series (latest model). Cost me $270 AU and blends like a vitamix (I've used these before, but not a blendtec).

It can blend stalks of greens to a smooth consistency, make banana ice cream, smooth and creamy cheese sauces and dips and is built for industrial use.

The only draw back is that it's noisy, but so is the vitamix.

I understand the difference between a vitamix and a regular blender (my old blender was wonderful but could not compare with the vitamix), but so far I see not difference between my new industrial blender and a vitamix blender. I've only had it for about two months though, so we'll see.

[DebB]

my vote is for the blendtec if not for the simple reason that it's an easier cleanup

Me too ~ I do love BlendTec's clean up! *Ü*

[surfsup]

Okay on day two I've made two smoothies so far (one this AM and one just now).

Smoothie #1:
1 grapefruit
1 banana
2 kiwis (skin on)
assorted watermelon pieces
assorted melon pieces (about 1/8 a melon)
couple handfuls of ice

Came out good. I think because the vitamix was more than half full, it was actually a bit quieter today (or maybe I'm just used to it). Tasted good and made 3 glasses filled to the top.

Smoothie2:
1 banana
some pieces of watermelon
about 1/4 cup of orange juice
4 icecubes

Came out great. was a little louder than this morning because of the smaller amount of food in the container, I believe.

EDIT, forgot to mention the clean up is easy I just fill it up with a little water and run it on low for 10 seconds and rinse it out.

[greentooth]

Really now. Vitamix/Blendtec are a different appliance than "regular blenders".

Regular blenders are only for the occasional mixed drink or sauce. You can't use one every day for green smoothies, nut butters, nut milks, puddings, frozen purees, soups etc... I burned up my Osterizer trying.

It was hard to decide between a Vitamix and Blendtec. This review helped me a lot: Vita-Mix -versus- Blendtec Review (http://gotgreensrevolution.com/Vitamix-versus-blendtec-review.html)

I went with the Blendtec for power and size as well as easier to clean.

Enjoy!

[klomasius]

Greentooth,

there are blenders in between regular blenders and the vitamix or blendtec.

I use mine every day (sometimes twice a day) for smoothies, greens smoothies (with stalks), ice cream (with rock hard frozen fruits), soups (with hard foods like carrots), nut cheeses, nut butters, nut creams, etc. and my blender does the trick every time

It's cheaper than the vitamix and blendtec, but it's an industrial blender, so is built to take everyday use and tough to blend foods.

[greentooth]

klomasius - it's great to know there are some in between that can get the job done unfortunately, I had no luck finding one :( . What is $270 AU in US dollars?

Let us know how it keeps up long term.

[Eilene]

I love my BlendTec!

[coco]

thanks for the link to that review greentooth. overall the vita-mix looks better to me. 4 blades instead of 2, draws less amps while doing the same job, even makes a smoother green blend, 7 year warranty instead of 3, better speed control and less noise. I'll pick up a refurbished model. it's still a lot of money but my blender is really pissing me off. can't even blend bananas with that thing and it cost nearly 80$ full price. stupid lame-o blender *grumble grumble*

[buffalogal]

I have had a Jack Lalanne Healthmaster for a few years now and, so far, it's held up well for me. But I have been hearing so many bad things about it that I fully expect it to conk out on me one of these days. That's why, after MUCH research, I have made up my mind (finally!) to get a Vita Mix. There is really only one place around here that ever has the Vita Mix demonstration, and that is our County Fair, which, of course, happens only once a year and it starts next week. There are no Costcos for over 100 miles:(. That's why next week, on opening day at the Fair, I plan to be there to watch the demonstration and hopefully, finally buy my Vita Mix!!! I have been watching the demonstration at the fair for years and always wished I could buy one. Well - I finally made up my mind to do it and this is the year!!! Now my only problem is which color!!!:D Tee Hee!! I am anxious to do a side-by-side test of the Vita Mix and the Healthmaster - that should be interesting. I've decided to take the Healthmaster to my daughter's so I can use it for smoothies when I'm there.

[klomasius]

klomasius - it's great to know there are some in between that can get the job done unfortunately, I had no luck finding one :( . What is $270 AU in US dollars?

Let us know how it keeps up long term.

It's about $200 US, which, if it lasts half as long as the vitamix or blendtec, will be worth it! :D

I've had it for about 4 months, goes like a charm!

[PammieTaj]

I have a Breville Ikon and I love it. My previous blender was an Oster and it finally gave up the ghost after about twenty years of service. The Oster never had to blend like the Ikon does, though. I will also say I haven't ever tried making nut butters in it either. Maybe that's next.

I've wanted a Vitamix most of my adult life, but just never had that much money to spend on a blender. Now that the kids are grown and gone, maybe? I had a gift certificate for the Ikon.

By the way it can take a full pitcher of ice and render it to slush in nothing flat (ok, about 15 seconds).

[coco]

I have had a Jack Lalanne Healthmaster for a few years now and, so far, it's held up well for me. But I have been hearing so many bad things about it that I fully expect it to conk out on me one of these days. That's why, after MUCH research, I have made up my mind (finally!) to get a Vita Mix. There is really only one place around here that ever has the Vita Mix demonstration, and that is our County Fair, which, of course, happens only once a year and it starts next week. There are no Costcos for over 100 miles:(. That's why next week, on opening day at the Fair, I plan to be there to watch the demonstration and hopefully, finally buy my Vita Mix!!! I have been watching the demonstration at the fair for years and always wished I could buy one. Well - I finally made up my mind to do it and this is the year!!! Now my only problem is which color!!!:D Tee Hee!! I am anxious to do a side-by-side test of the Vita Mix and the Healthmaster - that should be interesting. I've decided to take the Healthmaster to my daughter's so I can use it for smoothies when I'm there.

did you know that they often sell off the demo models at shows for a discounted price? they've only been used in that show so they're practically new! talk to the people working the booth and see what they have to say. you could get a GREAT deal.