Vitamix Vs. Blendtec Vs. Juicing?

[KristineM]

Hi, I'm very new to eating raw but am very excited to get started!

I initially thought I'd just juice, but now I'm looking at a Vitamix/Blendtec instead of a juicer. I'd love to have all of you pro's thoughts on: If I have to choose one of the three, what is best for eating raw and consuming juice in a similar way to simply juicing.

Thanks so much!

[LaniB]

I have both a Vita-Mix and a juicer. No food processor at the moment.

I use my Vita-Mix every day, at least once a day, often several times a day.

People's opinions vary widely on Vita-Mix vs. Blendtec, but I doubt you can go wrong with either. I think either would be a great investment for you.

[DebB]

Picking just one - I'd recommend going with the high speed blender! You can 'juice' in the blender. Simply blend and then strain through a bag (nut milk or paint strainer). You can then add a juicer later ~

The blender is my most used appliance, followed by my juicer and food processor.

If you choose the VitaMix - I found the cheapest price is at a Costco roadshow. Just under $400 (397? - somewhere around there), which is $50 cheaper than directly from VM. I spoke with a cust. serv. rep at VM and he said they cannot beat the road show prices. *Ü*

[MyRedPanda]

I got my vitamix from Costco also for $373 but I had to buy a costco membership. Bed, bath and beyond sells the vitamix and blendtec, and if you sign up for online email allerts about twice a year you will get a 20% off coupon which you can use on the Blendtec (not the vitamix though) so normally it is $399 so you would get it for 20% off that. But with the in store coupons - at least where I live - they don't sell the Blendtec in store - and you can't use the in store coupon online. So if you want to wait for an online coupon for the Blendtec that would be the way to go - otherwise I think Costco is the best price on the Vitamix.

[michigan roman]

the vast majority say blender all the way

juicing with it like debs saying

plus clean ups WAY easier than a juicer

plus you can make nut / seed mylk smoothies with fruit in blender that are great

vitamix vs blendtec you'll see varying favorites , but theres lots of people that have sworn by vitamix for decades . and theres more vitamix backers . that could be because vitamix has been around so long i dont know . but theyve surely a great rep . but ive also seen 100's of people love blendtec

if i were buying ide have to see a blendtec first hand as ive never done . ive seen vitamix at bedbathbeyond and to me they arent made that rugged , so i still want to see blendtec

but bottom line is ide have to buy local vs on line as i want to be able to return a $400 item to store myself as opposed to dealing with an out of state company and shipping

but as it stands i wont spend 400 on a blender and get by with cheap blender as long as i dont try stuffing it with tons of stuff and burn up motor in process . meanwhile ive been seeing coompanies come out with high powered and cheaper alternatives to vitamix-blendtec so still window shopping

[Eva]

I'd take a VitaMix over a juicer ANY DAY! They are AMAZING.

[greenrunner]

Not a lot to compare it to, but I have had a Vitamix for around 8 years. Works like it did on Day 1, 0 issues. Highly recommended.

[GreenSmoothieDude]

I have a Vitamix, and I couldn't ask for a better blender as I use it at least twice a day. Blends up smoothies in seconds. The Vitamix also comes with a 5 year warranty. Not sure about the warranty ona Blendtec, but I don't think it is for as long. Good luck in choosing!

[LaniB]

IThe Vitamix also comes with a 5 year warranty.

My Vita-Mix actually has a 7 year warranty. Not sure if that is because I bought direct from them or not, but it's certainly good for peace of mind knowing I won't need to buy a blender now for another 6 years or so (since I've had mine over a year already, which is longer than most other blenders I've bought)

[DawnD]

I choose Vitamix. I love mine and have had it for 2 years. I have put it thru the ringer a couple times and it has never failed. I use it 3-5 times a day. I drink green smoothies and prefer them over juicing for now. I don't strain my smoothies before drinking.

I use the Vitamix for chopping veges-just set the speed at about 5 and drop a couple veges in at a time. They shred and get pushed to the side. Love it. Clean-up is so simple. Just rinse most of the time and store upside down.

[Steven]

Ive used both a Vitamix and a Blendtec, and I mich prefer the BT! The automatic/pre-programmed controls where you can press say the "smoothie" button then walk away to do something else and it will go through the cycle and stop once its done is a huge bonus in my opinion. Also I dont like the fact that the Vitamix can heat up foods while blending, where as the Blendtec wont. Last thing that made me decide on getting a Blendtec was that I found it to be a tad quieter than the Vitamix. :)

[greenrunner]

Not a lot to compare it to, but I have had a Vitamix for around 8 years. Works like it did on Day 1, 0 issues. Highly recommended.

Wouldn't you know it, died on me tonight making banana soft serve.

[LaniB]

Wouldn't you know it, died on me tonight making banana soft serve.

Is it really dead or did it just shut off? If so, that is completely normal if it is trying to blend something too thick/not enough water. It happens to me sometimes when doing banana ice cream. It should work again normally next time you plug it in (I think there is a sticker on the bottom of the base that explains this and says to wait 30 minutes to use again ... or something like that).

Mine does this a lot too because I tend to use to push it to it's limits & use it as a food processor (because I don't have a food processor). But I still my Vita-Mix. :)

[SusanElaine]

I new to this and trying to learn. I was thinking about purchasing a Vitamix for my smoothies but I'm reading about the juicer and to strain if you use the Vitamix. Why strain? I thought all of the fruit and veg were healthy? Confused?

[DebB]

I new to this and trying to learn. I was thinking about purchasing a Vitamix for my smoothies but I'm reading about the juicer and to strain if you use the Vitamix. Why strain? I thought all of the fruit and veg were healthy? Confused?

Hi SusanElaine ~ When we talk about "juicing" with the Vitamix (or any blender) it's to get only the juice. YOu would blend your fruit and/or veggies in the blender and then pour the entire contents into a strainer bag - that way the pulp is left behind and you get only the juice.

Now - if you wanted a "smoothie" - then you would blend your veggies and/or fruit and drink the pulp/fiber and all. Hope that helps. If not, post again - we're happy to clarify! *Ü*