Which blender?

[TwoWheelGreg]

Can anyone offer advise as to which blender to get out of these three?

Vita-Mix 5000 - $399
Vita Mix Super 5000 (comes w/ wet and dry blades) - $479
Blendtec Total Blender - $399

Any quality differences between Vita Mix and Blendtec?
Would the dry blade come in handy?

Thanks!
Greg

[Lay-Lay]

I have the vita mix super and lovvvvvvvvvveeeeeeee it!

[meinleben]

the vitamix 4500 is perfect for home use....i love it...i believe the 5000 is used more for commercial use....coffee bean....jamba juice....where they are blending all day....

[Sheryl]

I'd go the $399 Vitamix 5000. That's what I have and have never needed a wet and dry blade (and I do buckwheat flour, flax meal too). Sometimes it would be convenient to have two jugs though on busy kitchen days!

Cheers,
Sheryl

[TwoWheelGreg]

I'd go the $399 Vitamix 5000. That's what I have and have never needed a wet and dry blade (and I do buckwheat flour, flax meal too). Sometimes it would be convenient to have two jugs though on busy kitchen days!

Cheers,
Sheryl

So you just use the standard blade (I guess the wet blade) to do the dry things to? Do you know what the difference is between the blades?

Greg

[Lay-Lay]

I love my dry blade. It is great!

[TwoWheelGreg]

Thanks for all the feedback. I decided to go with the Vitamix 5000 (w/out the dry blade).

Greg

[Sharon in Colorado]

Jackie is right - there are pluses and drawbacks with both. I've used both for long periods of time.

I currently use the K-tec. On the upside, K-tec has an 8 year waranty and I've had the entire motor replaced when I burned it out a couple years ago. I've also had the blender jars replaced numerous times free of charge.

What I mostly liked better about the Vitamix is the tamper. K-tec doesn't have one.

And Jackie is right, K-tec is very loud. I wear soundproof headphones because my ears started to ring and I'm sure it was from the daily blending.

Whichever blender you choose, I highly recommend using ear protection.

[ellenalesa]

Pardon me for butting in, but I have not seen a need to spend $$$$$ on a blender. I have one I got from Walmart or Kmart, for about $30 or so. It has a glass jar (I don't like plastic) and it's great for smoothies.

What is it about Vitamix and the others that makes them worth the $$? (This is meant respectfully, I really would like to know).

Ellen

[Sharon in Colorado]

If it works for you, go for it.

The high speed blenders are great for frozen fruits, ice, denser foods plus the Vitamix can work up enough friction to warm a soup.

I've been through tons of lower quality blenders and they don't do much more than liquid and soft fruits. They can't handle nut butters, hummus or banana ice cream like the higher speed blenders.

[mbf]

I too have been through a few cheap$ blenders. If you are blending greens or frozen food you really have to try a VitaMix. I used to have to let my frozen fruit thaw for 30 minutes in my not so cheap$ kitchenaid blender! And my green smoothies were not very smooth, I would have to chew bits of kale as I drank!

Ellen, If you are not blending that stuff then perhaps you don't need it, I almost live on smoothies and I personally don't know how I survived without it ....to each his own.

Mara

[FloridaPatty]

Ground wheat in about 10 seconds. I love the Vitamix.

[jacsam]

I have the 4500 and it does everything I could want. The dry container was mentioned....what do you use it for? I had an opportunity to get one but didn't think I'd use it. Maybe someone can help me to think differently.

[Revvell]

I see no reason to get the dry blade. You can grind seeds/nuts in a personal blender or a coffee grinder for much less.

As far as going under the counter, take the container off and place it beside the base.

Get the 5000 model w/out the dry blade. There is little to no reason to grind gains that I know of.

IF you want to circulate some extra money, get the shorter container as well. When I'm making a recipe I'll often use both and not have to wash out one and re-use it. I LOVE having the shorter container as well.

Revvell