VITA-MIX Blender/processor

[amirm]

What was the line from Gene Hackman in Crimson Tide? "It is a matter of voltage" [talking about what it takes to make a horse move.]

In this case, it is simply a matter of high power motor and transmission, no other magic really, that makes this thing perform. Since these two things cost money, other companies skimp and performance drops.

BTW, this thing will do odd things. For example, if you put a lot of ice in there, it can mix it so fast that it freezes at the bottom! So you need a spoon to stir things a couple of times.

 

[Ron Party]

BTW, this thing will do odd things. For example, if you put a lot of ice in there, it can mix it so fast that it freezes at the bottom! So you need a spoon to stir things a couple of times.

My Cuisinart blender does this.

 

[Steve Williams]

What was the line from Gene Hackman in Crimson Tide? "It is a matter of voltage" [talking about what it takes to make a horse move.]

In this case, it is simply a matter of high power motor and transmission, no other magic really, that makes this thing perform. Since these two things cost money, other companies skimp and performance drops.

BTW, this thing will do odd things. For example, if you put a lot of ice in there, it can mix it so fast that it freezes at the bottom! So you need a spoon to stir things a couple of times.

I agree. This is nothing more than a pro unit with brass cajones. It will do anything. It comes with lots of great recipes. Also, for elderly people who cant swallow their solid pills just throw the meds into the spinning vita mix. Easy for them to swallow.

 

[audioguy]

I'm a Blendtec man. Bought it in a Costco after watching them make hot tortilla soup (speed of the blades heated the liquid !!!), ice cream and all kinds of tasty and healthy smoothies. 7 year warranty. Same device that Starbucks was using. Love it. It blends and liquefies Avocado seeds, cell phones and audio subjectivists !!

 

[Steve Williams]

I'm a Blendtec man. Bought it in a Costco after watching them make hot tortilla soup (speed of the blades heated the liquid !!!), ice cream and all kinds of tasty and healthy smoothies. 7 year warranty. Same device that Starbucks was using. Love it. It blends and liquefies Avocado seeds, cell phones and audio subjectivists !!

I'll bet Blendtec is a subsidiary of Vita-Mix as that is the mixer used at Starbucks

 

[amirm]

Looks like they are competitors Steve. A quick search shows this feedback and this quote: http://goneraw.com/forum/blendtec-vs-vitamix

Amir

Hello all. I have finally used both the BlendTec and VitaMix… and want to give my two cents.

I heard so many good things about BlendTec, and I was in search for a high-speed blender… so I got a BlendTec. Wow, 3 HP! versus 2HP for the VitaMix. I wanted to try. I would agree with many that said the BlendTec is easy to clean – both the container and the base. And, yes it’s powerful enough that you may not need a tamper; but, don’t stuff the container too much or the food will not fall easily and get blended. (I’ve done that… and wanted a tamper) Otherwise, it’s fine; just when you think it won’t blend it all… it does! The VitaMix is a bit trickier to clean out, but the container is bigger to fit that extra liquid and I really like my tamper! This way, I can move the blended food around so I know I have reached the right consistency – like for creamy dressings or no-bake creme pies. The BlendTec allows you to start the blending and you can walk away to do something else and it will stop on its own. Wonderful!!! ...except, you may have to clean up the few drops that came flying out from that tiny hole on the top of the lid. What I like about VitaMix the most (which BlendTec doesn’t have) is that it has that opening on the top to throw in a few more ingredients. You have to open the lid on the BlendTec; I thought maybe you can remove that middle thing on the lid, but I didn’t try too hard. Oh yes, and the other thing I like most about the VitaMix is that it has a longer warranty. The most thing I like about BlendTec (which VitaMix doesn’t have) is that it fits on my countertop under my cabinets.

I dealt with BlendTec customer service because the base was not level and they immediately sent me a replacement. It seems they really can’t fit all that stuff in the base… but, the replacement is stable, you can tell it’s “crammed” in there.

I don’t plan to return the BlendTec for 2 reasons: 1) It is $50 less than the VitaMix and 2) I already have a VitaMix (my in-laws are using it right now).

Both are great blenders. My husband thinks that the BlendTec is not as powerful as the VitaMix… judging only by the amount of sound they make… and a few chunks of food we find more often in our BlendTec blended mixture. Maybe I will blend it longer… but, what’s the point of preset settings if they can’t do the job right the first time. Also, VitaMix has more than twice the warranty that BlendTec has.

I know, it sounds like I prefer VitaMix… but I think I will use the BlendTec more often only because it fits on my counter better in my tiny kitchen. The true test will be when I make my orange creme pie. The chef (of this recipe) said you could only make it in a VitaMix (I think she meant high-speed blender)... so if the BlendTec can do it, I’ll be happier.

 

[audioguy]

When I purchased the Blendtec at Costco, they extended the warranty to seven years from the normal 3 or 4. The regular Vitamix wouldn't fit under our counter and the Blendtec also has larger optional container. I purchased the Blendtec, not because it was better than the Vitamix but because I'm a sucker for a great demo and the first guy that demoed it was an ace!! (that was also the reason I purchased my pair of Wilson speakers a long time ago)

 

[LL21]

go for it. have enjoyed ours for 6 years...after burning out 5 handhelds and not finding much use for 2 ordinary blenders we borrowed and found could not handle ice, etc.

They are really great...enjoy.