Vitamix or Blendtec??

[ruffsongraw]

hi,

i am trying to decide which kind to buy---with similar prices, which do you all think is better for typical raw-prep type use? is it really WORTH the money do you think?

THX!!
jen

[Veronica01]

Vitamix, i love it so much! It helps to have the tamper as well when making thick sauce or nut butters, don't think blend tech has that

[ruffsongraw]

THX!! but what do you do with the VM that you could not do with a regular blender? i l know its WAY faster but does it DO more things? : )
thank you!!

jen

[Veronica01]

What can I do with a vitamix? Pulverize nuts, greens, ice into a smooth consistancy, no chunks like other blenders. grind nuts dry into nut butters, regular blenders jam up. Make ice cream from frozen fruits like bananas and strawberries. I have wanted a vitamix for over 10 years and i finally got one this summer, i would never give it up, out of every raw recipe tool, this is the one i use the most. I always make dressings and fillings and sauces and smoothies all the time multiple times a day

[ruffsongraw]

ok...awesome. so for you it was worth the $ (and the wait!)? i am deciding IF i should bite the bullet & spend the money and if so, which one to get.
thanks so much!!!
jen

[nellie]

My vitamix was SOOO worth the money. In less than 3 years, I destroyed 3 regular blenders. After 2 years, the Vitamix is still going strong.

Vitamix will puliverize stuff if you want it to. I use it for a lot of things that you would use a food processor for as well but i also have a food processor.

[Veronica01]

Oh yes, also note that in the past 5 years of occaisionally making smoothies i have broken about 4 regular blenders $40-$80 because i like THICK smoothies. I don't even remember how much it was, I think my vitamix was $580-$630 or something. That's CDN so im sure it's cheaper US. I bought it from the dealer at a home and garden show. I have never even come close to breaking my vitamix and i use it all the time. It literally takes seconds to do things other blenders take 5-10 minutes to do, so it's worth the time saved as well. I haven't splurged on a food processor or dehydrator yet, but those are much less important.

[raweater]

I always do lots of research on different products before buying anything, and especially something expensive like a high speed blender. I think most people that get the Vitamix get it because it's the most popular one. When I was ready to buy a high speed blender after regular blenders kept breaking every 2-4 months I did my research to make sure I was making the best choice.

In general, I decided on the Blendtec because:
-It's more powerful
-It has 25 automated pre programmed cycles which blend and adjust the speed automatically and then stop when done, this allows me to go put the ingredients away instead of fiddling with buttons as it blends
-When you want more control, you also can choose from speeds 1-10 rather than use pre programmed cycles
-The Vitamix does not have a pulse button, I find this absurd on such an expensive blender. That means that making things like chunky salsa is likely impossible with a Vitamix, the Blendtec has a pulse button as well as several other pre programmed pulse functions for different speed pulses
-The Blendtec has better self-protection as it is computerized, it has sensors for detecting jammed blades, overload, and overheat. The vitamix which has no intelligence cannot detect these problems to prevent damage to itself.
-As mentioned, the vitamix has a tamper, too me this is not an advantage. What the Blendtec did instead is shape the blades like a propeller so everything is sucked down into them very powerfully, completely eliminating the need for a tamper (and extra parts to clean)
-The Blendtec is not as tall yet is the same capacity, this means you can store it under countertops where the Vitamix will not fit

By the way I got the Blendtec new for $325

For my full review of my Blendtec you can read it on Epinions:
http://www0.epinions.com/review/Blen...t_452726918788

About what high speed blenders can do that regular blenders can't:
-You can get ultra smooth results, regular blenders leave a grainy texture
-You can blend things that are far thicker without breaking them, such as nut butters and making instant ice cream
-It takes much less time to blend, it used to take 90 seconds for a smoothie in my Breville blender, it takes less than half that in the Blendtec and I get much smoother results
-You can use them as spice grinders, I no longer use my small coffee/spice grinder since I got my Blendtec

[Revvell]

I've had my VM for about 12, 13 years now. Use it daily. Is it worth the price? ABSOLUTELY!

I also have a BlendTec. I take it traveling, never use it at home. Reason? No matter what they say, it's not a 64 oz jur and if I lose it, I wont cry as much as I will if I'd have lost my VM. I love my VM.

Revvell

[nellie]

I did some research on Blendtec but I think the vitamix sold me. I got it for under $400 at Costco.

You can pulse with a Vitamix although I generally don't except on accident... Also, the Blendtec/Vitamix have same exact power (2hp/1500 watts).

I highly recommend Vitamix just because I have one and think it is awesome. I keep it on top of my countertop where it belongs because I use it so often.

[Veronica01]

i used my vitamix for my entire dinner tonight! I made rawvioli and used it to make a thick marinara sauce, and creamed nuts and parsley for a creamy cheeze filling, then for dessert i made strawberry parfaits, and made strawberry sauce and cashew cream sauce. It was a lot of cleaning but oh my god were they ever worth it. :)

[Taysia]

I love my Blend-tec!!!

I do a lot of research before I make big purchases. This time I went one step further and bought the Vita-mix at a Costco road show knowing that there was a strong possibility I would want to return it once I used it. My reasons for preferring the Blend-tec probably would not bother most people but here they are:

1) The Vita-mix sat so tall on my counter and could not fit under my cabinets, whereas my Blend-tec fits comfortably and out of my way.

2) The shape of the Vita-mix jar and the groove "designs" on the side made it difficult for me to use a rubber scraper to get "the last bit" out and prevent waste. The Blend-tec jar has clean lines, and allows me to scrape all the food out.

3) Food tended to hide under the blades, and with the jar tapering towards the bottom, it contributed to the problem.

4) It felt awkward using a tamper with the Vita-mix. The computerized cycles on the Blend-tec allows for a vortex to form in whatever I'm making and blend without having to use a tamper.

5) I had an easier time making a nut pate with the Blend-tec probably because of its 3 hp motor. I have found with further experimenting that a pate is easier to make with my Kitchenaid food processor. It works like a dream.

6) I visited a raw food place where I live where they graciously explained why they use the Blend-tec exclusively. It was the clincher!

So, I ordered my Blend-tec from amazon.com, where I read all the buyers' comments thoroughly. It had a very high approval rating. I got it for $399, no tax and free shipping.

I think it all boils down to personal styles and preferences. Whatever you decide, I hope that your first choice turns out to be the right decision for you. It's always quite a hassle to have to return things. It would be great if you know people who have the two machines and you can "play" with them before you decide.

[ruffsongraw]

Thank you ALL for this GREAT info and opinions! i will decide today and one will be on the way!
thx!!!!!

jen

[banana shake]

hi, Jen! I feel your indecision- I'm in the same spot- ready to buy, but not quite convinced one way or another. Please let us know which way you decide to go and give us a follow up on how happy you are with your choice. The VM is a lot of money, but it sounds like it's practically a lifetime appliance. Thanks again... Jen V.

[contessa20]

I was you a few months ago. I went back and forth, back and forth between the two. Today I finally ordered the BlendTec for many of the reasons that Taysia listed and I can't wait to get it. In the end I kept thinking, either one has GOT to be worlds better than what I'm using right now so I'm bound to be happy with either one, performance-wise. Beyond that it was purely about aesthetics, ease of use and ease of storage.