VitaMix "XP" and "Advance" containers

[neurosport]

Hi :)

for the past 3 days i have been reading blogs, forums and watching youtube videos comparing Blendtec and Vitamix. the consensus seems to be that Blendtec is better while it lasts - which it doesn't.

and the reason it's better is because it doesn't have that annoying tunnel of a container and because it has a beefy motor.

so i go to vitamix site and see that they also have have blenders with bigger motors and containers that similarly shaped to the 4" blade Blendtec container. for example this one:

http://www.vitamix.com/foodservice/products/bs_mp_on.asp

its just like a blendtec in about every way except it's a vitamix so you don't have to buy a new carafe every year.

the problem i ran into is that ther is no information about these products on the net ! i ended up spending some time on the phone with both vitamix as well as jlhufford store asking questions and only got halfway towards getting answers.

from my research it should actually be possible to fit the "advance" container:

http://www.jlhufford.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=vita%2Dmix%2Dadvanc e%2Dcontainer

onto a 5200 as long as you also got the rubber centering pad for the advance carafe. that way you wouldn't need the plunger.

so why isn't anybody doing this ?

i am personally thinking about getting a Vita Prep 3 and the Advance Container for it - am i insane ?

[neurosport]

ps: also are vitamix blades sharper than blendtec's ?

its confusing to me because blendtec says in their manual don't touch the blades as they're sharp. but they also say that dull blades work as well as sharp ones. so i can't understand what they're really saying - are their blades sharp or dull ?

[steveoregon]

For many people, like myself, it boils down to how the two blenders operate.

I first bought a BlendTec, and sent it back after a week. I much prefer the manual controls of the Vita-Mix. That variable dial in the middle of my 5200 is all I use when I start it up.

Also, the Blendtec causes everything to slosh up and down like a washing machine. This is somehow due to the design of the blades. This makes a real mess inside the top of the container, and causes stuff to fly out the top if you don't have the lid on really tight.

And don't let an extra half horse power here or there convince you one blender is better then the other. Any thing over about 2 HP is overkill. I mean, lawn mowers have 3.5 HP engines. Does anyone really need that much power in a blender?

I do, however, wish my Vita-Mix container was shorter and wider.

.

[Revvell]

I do, however, wish my Vita-Mix container was shorter and wider.

.

They have 32 oz. I love mine! Good for making dressings, pates, one-person "puddings" and stuffs.

[steveoregon]

They have 32 oz.

yea, and I have one as well. But those are too small for the large smoothies I make.

On a side note, my fridge died last month. My new one has one of those cool shelves, where half of it slides back. Just perfect for two Vita-Mix containers.

http://photos.imageevent.com/gophotos/forumposts/fridge_1.jpg

.

[neurosport]

Right.

But does anybody have any experience with XP or Advance containers ?

Also i know 2 places that sell vitamix with 30 day money back. What about Blendtec ? Can i get it somewhere on similar terms so i could order both and return one i like less ?

[steveoregon]

BTW Revvell, you implied in a previous thread that you could take apart your Vita-Mix container to clean it.

Didn't know that was possible. You've removed the blade assembly for cleaning?

.

[neurosport]

BTW Revvell, you implied in a previous thread that you could take apart your Vita-Mix container to clean it.

Didn't know that was possible. You've removed the blade assembly for cleaning?

.

of course its possible. they even sell a special wrench to do it. and they have instructions on their site on how to.

[steveoregon]

they even sell a special wrench to do it. and they have instructions on their site on how to.

I did forget about that. I should get that wrench. I'm thinking that would make if safer to wash my container in the dishwasher (blade assembly removed). Vitamix recommends only hand washing, but I suspect that's because the dishwasher will shorten the life of the blade assembly/seals.

.

[Revvell]

yea, and I have one as well. But those are too small for the large smoothies I make.
.

O.k., so you want a shorter, wider 64 ouncer then. Let 'em know!

[Revvell]

BTW Revvell, you implied in a previous thread that you could take apart your Vita-Mix container to clean it.

Didn't know that was possible. You've removed the blade assembly for cleaning?

.

No. I've never found it to be necessary and yes, they do have a wrench. When I purchased my new one, I received the smaller container without the blade assembly and the wrench to go with it. Doubt I'll EVER switch them. Only when my small one breaks or gets too ugly, then I'll switch the blade assembly into the new container.

[neurosport]

i don't think they intended for the assembly to be removed for cleaning. i think its removable just in case u want to replace it.

i would maybe remove it if i wanted to sharpen the blades.

[rawviveyourself]

vitamix sent me the little wrench for free when i got a replacement blade.

[piccolittle]

Don't mean to hijack, but in the interest of not starting a new thread...

I must have been extra good this year because I managed to find both a Blendtec and a Vitamix for the exact same price on craigslist (with a bit of difference in shipping costs)! Now I've been reading reviews etc and I'm having trouble deciding. I have to admit those "Will it blend?" videos are awfully persuasive!

The Blendtec is a 3HP commercial model, used for about a year. Apparently could use a new jug, but it's super powerful and apparently in quite good condition.

The Vitamix is a 5000 model (anyone have one of those?) apparently in near-perfect condition with all parts/pieces plus the original recipe book.

One thing I'm concerned about is ease of cleaning. Yeah, I'm lazy, but if the smoothies are tough to clean up after I tend to resist making them. Also I want to make sure that the blender I do get will be powerful enough to do pretty much anything and will last a while. There are plenty of different opinions on here, but would say a commercial-grade Blendtec beat out a 1HP Vitamix?

[Revvell]

The Vitamix is a 5000 model (anyone have one of those?)

I just sold mine. One thing I will say ~ the VM is an investment. It's like a good car. Holds it's value. Oh! I purchased another VM AND, this question has been hashed and rehashed over and over here. People who have both, tend to like their VM. Those who have just one like whatever they have.




One thing I'm concerned about is ease of cleaning. Yeah, I'm lazy, but if the smoothies are tough to clean up after I tend to resist making them.

They both clean the same way and they're both easy to clean. Put water and a drop of dishwashing liquid in and blitz! Rinse and done.

[neurosport]

People who have both, tend to like their VM.

only after their Blendtec carafe stats to leak or make horrible noises, which is within 1 - 2 years.

[neurosport]

I have to admit those "Will it blend?" videos are awfully persuasive!

really ? then you don't understand blenders. ability to blend an iPhone has nothing to do with ability to blend a smoothie. You're buying a Blender, not an Axe.

I am currently shopping for a blender and i did very extensive research and still not done yet but so far i would say that a blender is:

40% motor ( blendtec wins )
30% container and blade design ( even / draw )
20% build quality & warranty ( vitamix wins )
10% ergonomics, soundproofing, programming etc ( vitamix wins )

those videos only just prove that it has a powerful motor - which nobody disputes anyway. its a plain fact that Blendtec motor is about 50% bigger ( i have seen the pictures ) and about 50% more powerful ( 3hp vs 2hp ).



The Blendtec is a 3HP commercial model

which model ? blendtec has many. if it is the EZ blender then its just the same as regular minus the warranty and with a different ( more useless for home ) touchpad.

The Vitamix is a 5000 model (anyone have one of those?) apparently in near-perfect condition with all parts/pieces plus the original recipe book.


There are plenty of different opinions on here, but would say a commercial-grade Blendtec beat out a 1HP Vitamix?

Vitamix are 2hp and 3hp not 1. Unless this is some kind of obsolete model that does have 1 hp then the choice is clear.

also there is no commercial vs consumer for either vitamix or blendtec. they both sell the same blenders for home and commercial use. the difference is only in warranty. commerical warranty is shorter but home warranty is voided in commercial use.

Vitamix uses 8 year warranty for home model and 3 year for commercial. Blendtec uses 3 years for home model and 1 year for commercial. In addition to that each warranty has its quirks. For example Vitamix commercial warranty only covers labor for 1 year and Blendtec Home model only covers Carafe for 1 year.

They're probably selling that Blendtec because its out of warranty. They've already tasted Blendtec durability and customer service when their carafe went so now they are pre-emptively selling the remainder of their problem to you.

Here is the reality. $400 blendtec is comparable in performance to $900 vitamix blending station advance. yet the blending station advance is used in about 50% of all smoothie shops anyway. why ? Because of the 3yr vs 1yr warranty.

Since starting this thread i personally drove up to the two closest smoothie places to me ( Smoothie King and Jamba Juice ) and they were both using exclusively Vitamix Blending Station. I then called 3 more smoothie chain shops and asked what blenders they used. 2 of them used Blendtec and 1 used Vitamix. So out of 5 that was 3 for vitamix and 2 for Blendtec - pretty close. But they Blendtec models they used were not EZ blender. They were the $800 models which come with 3 year warranty and sound cover just like Vitamix blending station.

The value for new product is about the same between Blendtec and Vitamix. Blendtec has more performance and Vitamix more longevity.

[Revvell]

only after their Blendtec carafe stats to leak or make horrible noises, which is within 1 - 2 years.

Not really. As I say ~ I've got both and my Blendtec hasn't leaked ~ probably because I LOVE my VM and use it more.

[levamssg]

The Vitamix is a 5000 model (anyone have one of those?) apparently in near-perfect condition with all parts/pieces plus the original recipe book.

Neurosport ... I have a VM 5000. Love it, use it every day, usually more than once a day.