Blendtec - Quick Question

[yellowlilax]

Gosh, comparing this with the Vitamix to buy is tough! Everyone has differing opinions, but honestly from all the searching I think people prefer the Blendtec. My question is this: since it doesnt have the plunger thing (sorry I dont know the right term for it haha), how do you get fruit or vegetables that are on top down to the blades? Do you have to open the thing and stir it? Or does it simply never have this problem?

[snoops]

I think if you polled this forum the vitamix would win - at least from my readings of past discussions about the two - no offense raweater!! I think the blendtec if fine too. I love my vitamix though. I don't use the accelerator( I think is the technical term for it) very much. Most stuff just mixes fine. Just the corn chips with the heavier corn and sunflower seeds need a push.

[DebB]

Hi yellowlilax ~ I haven't had a problem with it. It's designed so that it pulls everything down and a tamper isn't needed... I do put my liquid or liquid-y food in first so that it's got something down there to get it all going. Perhaps I just haven't made anything though that required a tamper - everything I've used it for so far (except below) I haven't needed one.

The only time I use a stick is when I juice wheatgrass. I ordered one from eBay for just a few dollars. I checked eBay and I no longer see it for sale, but did find it here (http://www.usfreeads.com/1154406-cls.html) for $15 -- I think I paid around $4 for mine. Believe me - this gizmo is nothing fancy -- it's simply 2 pieces of wood dowel, that's it.

I think it's on BlendTec's site where they show a video and explain that with BT's design - a tamper isn't needed. *Ü*

[cara4art]

All I can say is, that I LOVE my Blend-tec! About the plunger issue, it's not needed really. If one DOES get to a point where something MIGHT have to get scraped down(not often), just stop the cycle, and scrape down with a rubber spatula. But I've had to do this so little it's really not even an issue!
One thing that influenced my decision about which high-speed blender is the fact that I have, shall we say, limited counter "real estate" along with those overhead standard kitchen cabinets, so I needed something that would fit in the space between the bottom of these, and the counter top, which the Vitamix doesn't. I've seen plenty of Vitamix demos, and yes, it is an amazing machine, but so is the Blend-tec. I really fell in love with it while in Hawaii, and got one soon after we returned. DH, bless his heart, gave the great big green light to do so too. This was big, as he is not easily impressed with gadgets, but researches ANY kind of equipment(he does digital photography)thoroughly and looks for the best deal too.

[Revvell]

I think if you polled this forum the vitamix would win - at least from my readings of past discussions about the two -

I agree. I want MORE room, not less! If I'm making a smoothie, I want to make 64 ounces so I can have 3, large servings a day! :) I can understand people being happy with the BT. If I didn't know better, I would be too but, since I have both... I LOVE my VM!

[raweater]

The blendtec's blades are shaped like a propeller so it sucks everything down into them eliminating the need for a tamper. About the VM being bigger, there are 96 oz containers for the blendtec too so that argument isn't really valid, plus you get much more function and features plus a lifetime warranty on the part that's most likely to fail (the blades/bearings).

[Revvell]

.. there are 96 oz containers for the blendtec too so that argument isn't really valid....

Uh huh ~ but not standard and w/ a 3-year warranty.

We can argue this all day. I love my VM; you love your BT; I love having 64 ounces as a standard container. I've had mine for 14 years w/out a moment's trouble. *shrugs*

[snoops]

I think its safe to say which ever one you get, you will be happy:D

[xPIXIEx]

I think its safe to say which ever one you get, you will be happy:D

This is exactly what I'm thinking. Right now, I'm using the Bullet! For everything! :eek: I blew up my mom's blender and my food processor died as well. When I finally get one of these blenders, it's not going to matter which one because it's going to be a HUGE step up.

[yellowlilax]

This is exactly what I'm thinking. Right now, I'm using the Bullet! For everything! :eek: I blew up my mom's blender and my food processor died as well. When I finally get one of these blenders, it's not going to matter which one because it's going to be a HUGE step up.

That's what I use now too :) I love the thing. When it comes to things like carrots though, I hate the gritty texture and small pieces. I am hoping that a VM or BT would get rid of that.

Any input on that? Can you tell there are carrots in your smoothie when you use either of those?

[DebB]

Any input on that? Can you tell there are carrots in your smoothie when you use either of those?

I've never put a carrot in my smoothie, so I don't know how the BT does with that.

I do juice carrots in my BT - I just did it yesterday (with other items too) and then strained it through a nut milk bag. *Ü*

[xPIXIEx]

That's what I use now too :) I love the thing. When it comes to things like carrots though, I hate the gritty texture and small pieces. I am hoping that a VM or BT would get rid of that.


I love it too. It has been well worth the money. Sometimes, I use it several times a day. I'm so surprised it has lasted as long as it has. But even though, I'm so ready for something better. =)