vitamix vs. k-tec

[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 , 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!!

[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 , 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!!

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! 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!!

DonÂ’t get me wrong, I didnÂ’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- theyÂ’ve had it for YEARS without a problem- thatÂ’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 IÂ’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 youÂ’ll have plenty of room- thereÂ’s no use for that anyway!)