Should I get a Blendtec or Vitamix blender?

[BoomerD]

uh... i fyou can afford a blendtec why would you consider anything else?

Because Vitamix is as good or perhaps better?

(fanbois argue the points all the time)

 

[torpid]

I'm confused; the tamper seems to be a FEATURE and not a detriment of Vitamix. Without it, you probably have to blend for a longer period of time since you aren't forcing contact with the blade with a tamper.

 

[Miramonti]

uh... i fyou can afford a blendtec why would you consider anything else?

Because vitamix is in starbucks, baskin robbins, most smoothie shops...and so on? Blendtec is more popular for homes because costco sells it, not because it is better. Both are outstanding.

 

[Saint Nick]

I have an Oster. It rocks

 

[alfa147x]

BUT STARBUCKS SUCKS!


nefnefenfn

 

[Imported]

These aren't 'run of the mill' blenders I take it by the names?

I got a KitchenAid for Christmas and was finally able to make frozen drinks like slushies with it, but now I am concerned that it wasn't the right choice after seeing this thread.

KitchenAid 5speed? I have the same one and its never let me down. Its also highly rated behind the Vitamix and Blendtec. Of course, I'd love a Vitamix or Blendtec but I'm not spending the extra $250 for one.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Smoothies, shakes, sauces, eggs (makes nice fluffy omelets!), dips, puddings, ice (makes excellent shaved ice), hummus, tahini, gravies, ice cream (I did Tang ice cream once...it was epic), etc. I mostly use mine for fruit smoothies & sweet potato smoothies (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!).

Also, it absolutely demolishes everything you put in it - I add baby spinach to my fruit smoothie after work every day and it blends it so well you can't even tell it's in there. For stuff like guacamole, you can use the Pulse feature so that it doesn't make it super smooth - it just chunks it up. Although you have to be careful with that - I once added chopped ham to my eggs to blend (for laziness...thought it'd make a good mixed omelet) and I left it blending so long that it liquified my ham :biggrin:

mmmmm liquid ham. Gives "rum ham" whole new meaning now. :twisted:

 

[Miramonti]

When I was kid, I put an oyster blender blade directly on the motor and turned in on high, then watched the blade helicopter into my sternum. I won't be trying that with the vitamix.

 

[ManBearPig]

When I was kid, I put an oyster blender blade directly on the motor and turned in on high, then watched the blade helicopter into my sternum. I won't be trying that with the vitamix.

Haha, that's insane man!

 

[Kaido]

When I was kid, I put an oyster blender blade directly on the motor and turned in on high, then watched the blade helicopter into my sternum. I won't be trying that with the vitamix.

I lol'd. Thanks for that :biggrin:

 

[Kaido]

That's insane. I understand there are lots of vitamins in the seeds too, atleast according to Alton Brown, who just lost a gazillion pounds on a predominantly raw diet.

You should see when I make salsa or pasta sauce. I chop up veggies just enough to fit in the blender, then they liquify....carrots in half, onions in 1/4 wedges, etc. I have fun chopping, then I have fun blending :awe:

 

[Kaido]

Whoa...Blendtec has a Twister Jar!

http://www.blendtec.com/products/view/6

$129 tho, ouch! Lets you make thicker stuff like nut butters, hummus, baby food, etc. I love me some almond butter! :awe: Might have to snag this for my bday...

 

[alfa147x]

When using a blender to make salsa how do make sure it's even? Is this something a $500 blender does better than a $50 model?

Also with the blades spinning so fast and creating so much heat how do you make sure it doesn't cook what you're trying to blend?

 

[BoomerD]

When using a blender to make salsa how do make sure it's even? Is this something a $500 blender does better than a $50 model?

Also with the blades spinning so fast and creating so much heat how do you make sure it doesn't cook what you're trying to blend?

The longer you blend...the hotter things get. Don't want to cook foods, don't blend for a long time. (shorter time, multiple times if necessary)

 

[Poulsonator]

That's insane. I understand there are lots of vitamins in the seeds too, atleast according to Alton Brown, who just lost a gazillion pounds on a predominantly raw diet.

Tangent: I switched to a predominately raw diet in September and am down over 30 pounds.

Sorry I don't have any advice for which blender to use, but I rarely have a need for one. I do juice daily, but I invested in juicer for that.

 

[dreamgirl]

Ultimately they both are fantastic. One isn't better than the other. You need to decide which one you like based on looks, what you want to make, and how you like to use a blender.

Check our this Blendtec vs Vitamix review and comparison. It is excellent and not one sided. Very helpful if you are trying to decide between the two. I went with the Vitamix because I like simple switches and more control. I also like having the tamper.

 

[craniac]

my sister has a vitamix. she's had it for a few years and loves it. that was until we got a blendtec. she wishes that she had a blendtec instead. why?

here are the main reasons why she would rather have a blendtec.
.....

4. she commented on the shape of the blendtec jar, she says that its her opinion that the blendtec jar is shaped better then the vitamix making it so you don't have to open up the jar and move things around or use the plunger.

Vitamix eventually copied the Blendtec container design, and then stole their contracts with Jamba Juice and Starbucks. After five years of litigation, Vitamix lost in court to the tune of 24 million dollars.

Medley of news stories about the lawsuit

Disclaimer: I just bought a Blendtec. It is pretty awesome, but there are some tricks to using it, including the manner in which you load the ingredients. I am eating a ton of vegetables because of this thing.

 

[lozina]

I've had the same vitamix for about 10 years now and have always loved it. Never tried a Blendtec so I cannot comment on it.

If there is one thing I can gripe about with the vitamix is that lately I have been making my own smoothies where i basically just take frozen fruit and a little bit of almond milk or something and blend it to an ice cream consistency. But I find with the vitamix I need to use the plunger tool alot because the mixture sort of clumps up into a mass clinging to the walls above the blades which spin around doing nothing. I have to constantly push that mass down into the blades. I thought it was just because it is partially frozen stuff I wonder if the Blendtex would do a better job?

 

[shortylickens]

This is very suspicious......

 

[Tommy2000GT]

What is wrong with a $30 Oster belender?

 

[TXHokie]

KitchenAid 5speed? I have the same one and its never let me down. Its also highly rated behind the Vitamix and Blendtec. Of course, I'd love a Vitamix or Blendtec but I'm not spending the extra $250 for one.

My KitchenAid unit has failed me twice, once when the blender coupler got stripped and cost $20 to replace. The second time which is a bit more permanent is the glass jar cracked. The jar cost $80 to replace...really? I bought the whole blender for $80! I have a free motor now if someone wants it. My next unit will be a Blendtec based on what I've read. We make smoothies all the time and I'd love to just put the whole apple or fruits in without chopping it up. Tho I hear some funny stories about how people gained weight with these things since they ended up drinking too much of the smoothies which increased their natural sugar intake...hmmm.

 

[Miramonti]

What is wrong with a $30 Oster belender?

The answer to this is found in what is right with a vitamix or blendtec blender.

 

[Patt]

Wife just bought a Vitamix ... very cool, but I'm glad it was with her cash not mine

 

[ultimatebob]

BUT STARBUCKS SUCKS!


nefnefenfn

Amusingly, Starbucks uses Blendtec blenders. Your nef comment is dangerously close to useful.

 

[xeemzor]

*sigh* I wish you people woudn't quote spammers - it doubles our work to remove the spam.

Not sure if spam? Seems strange that you register to make a post about blenders on a tech forum.