cin Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Is there a big difference, besides price? Can I do wet and dry with the blendtec? Do I need a separate thing for it? Are the smoothies smooth with both? Pros and Cons? Likes and Dislikes? All info/feedback/opinions welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted September 22, 2012 Author Share Posted September 22, 2012 :bigear: Went to hit the 'like' button but there isn't one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Love my Blendtec. I can grind small amounts of grains with it, make awesome smoothies, and make icecream. I really think the Blendtec and Vitamix are relatively equal in capability....kind of like the Toyota/Honda or Nikon/Canon debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted September 22, 2012 Author Share Posted September 22, 2012 Love my Blendtec. I can grind small amounts of grains with it, make awesome smoothies, and make icecream. I really think the Blendtec and Vitamix are relatively equal in capability....kind of like the Toyota/Honda or Nikon/Canon debate. That's what I'm thinking. the appealing thing to me is that I can do grains in the Blendtec without a second container. Maybe I could in the Vitamix, but they are saying no, and that extra container adds quite a bit to the cost. I can do it ALL with the Blendtec, with no extra container. (Maybe buy the bigger one IF I use it as planned!) More input appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kesmom Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I went with the Blendtec because it is smaller and I have a fairly small kitchen. I found "Vitamix vs Blendtec" videos on Youtube to be helpful when I was shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icedlatte Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Here's another Vitamix group you might want to search through. I believe the owner of the group owns both blenders and you might be able to find his comparisons of them in the archives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mryann Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I went with the vitamix. I agree they are pretty similar. I bought a refurbished vitamix for 320. The woman I spoke to said they refurbished were generally the machines used in photo shoots and the container is always brand new. I love mine and use it every day for smoothies. It heats to make soup. The recipe book is excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amey311 Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Costco has both: http://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?storeId=10301&catalogId=10701&langId=-1&keyword=blender in case you want to see what they offer and how it compares. I'm a fan of Costco's return policies :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amey311 Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Also, you can kill some time with the kids watching the "Will It Blend?" videos from BlendTec: http://www.willitblend.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I have made rice and tapioca flours in my Blendtec. It is hard on the container and you do have to be careful not to over heat it. I have seen my aunt make soup in a Vitamix. I haven't figured out how to do that in a Blendtec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 I have a friend who works at Blend-tec, so I get all the dirt on Vitamix (a multimillion $ lawsuit or two against Vitamix that Blendtec won about patent infringement/copying) so I went with Blendtec. They are very similar (too similar, according to the judge :tongue_smilie:). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xixstar Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 You'll probably be happy with either. We went with a Vitamix. I've done a few small batches of grain in my regular container because I don't need it enough to have a second carafe. I love mine, about to go make a smoothie (super smooth). I realized that I really liked the tamper part and when I first got it, I used it all the time. Now I'm just lazy and wait for the machine to get around to everything (which is only a couple more seconds, actually) and have gotten to the point where I prefer wetter smoothies versus needing a fat straw or sometimes a spoon to get it down. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomandlorih Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 My parents bought me a Blendtec and I LOVE it. I've never used a Vitamix so I can't compare the two. Good luck with your decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airforcefamily Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 We have a vitamix and it's worked great for the past three years. My FIL decided to go with a blendtec and the motor went out after a couple months of average use. They company wanted some crazy amount for shipping and to look at it. It was their decision as to if it was a warranty repair or not. He wasn't comfortable prepaying for work when they could very easily claim it was not covered by the warranty. Now he has a vitamix and uses it all the time. I've used both and while the blendtec does seem more powerful when you're using it I don't think it really makes a difference unless you're using it in a commercial kitchen or something like that where getting it done five sends earlier makes a difference. I really, really like the smoosher stick thing the vitamix comes with. With the blendtec I couldn't do a small amount of anything because of the wide base of the container and very thick things were impossible without stopping it a dozen times. The blendtec was also uncomfortably loud. We like blender ice cream and it's quick and easy with the vitamix, it was too much of a pain with the blendtec. We have the dry container and it's not all it's cracked up to be. I've done grain grinding with it and it takes forever, the grain doesn't come out all that smooth, and you can only have it on for a minute before you have to stop to let both the motor and the grain cool down before the motor gets damaged and the grain gets scorched. It would take an hour - at least - to grind enough wheat to make a loaf of bread. It is nice for grinding pepper from peppercorns and other spices so I keep the container around for that. You can grind grain without a problem in the regular container but it can dull the blades so it's not recommended. The blades are very expensive to replace, we've never had to. For occasional small batch (a cup or less) grinding the regular container should work fine. You can make hot soup in it but I've only done it once because it's loud and it takes a solid 5-7 minutes to get hot enough. It doesn't have a heater or anything, it's just the friction of the ingredients generating heat when the blender is on at high speed. I purchased mine at a demonstration but I've seen good deals on a package on either qvc or hsn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyshanti Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 All reviews I have found that have used both say they are pretty much the same in the end result. After looking through all the reviews I ended up just going by looks and the size and chose blendtec. Also, both are made in the the U.S. w/ Blendtec at 75% American parts and Vitamix at 70%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 I was going to get a Vitamix because my sister is so happy with hers. Our Costco only had the Blendtec, so I watched a number of comparison videos. People seemed just as happy with either one. Costco sells the Blendtec with the Wildside jar. I've been very happy with it. I use it at least once a day, sometimes several times a day. It is a breeze to clean up. I love that it fits under my counter with the jar in place. My only complaint is that when I take the lid off, it drips liquid onto the counter. I'm not sure why it was designed like that. I haven't needed to grind grains because I have a grain mill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 I agree that you'd be happy with either. I ended up with the Blendtec, because I liked how it fit on my counter under my cupboards. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teeniebeenie6 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 (edited) I have a Blendtec but have read the Vitamix is a smidge better. Here is a great comparison of the two by one of my favorite food bloggers: http://ohsheglows.com/2011/08/12/blendtec-giveaway/ ETA: Starbucks recently changed from Blendtec blenders to Vitamix ones. http://blog.basequipment.com/2012/07/16/what-kind-of-blender-does-starbucks-use/ Edited September 23, 2012 by teeniebeenie6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airforcefamily Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 I agree that you'd be happy with either. I ended up with the Blendtec, because I liked how it fit on my counter under my cupboards. Love it! Vitamix now has the option of a lower jar to fit under cupboards. I think it also depends on your cupboards. I've seen a blend tec not fit and a full size container vitamix fit fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 It is funny that this thread started. My birthday is coming up and I just told dh yesterday that all I really want is a Blentek or Vitamix. I have wanted one for years and years. The want isn't going away, lol. Now, it is going to take a few years of birthdays to get one. We can't just buy one, but someday, someday, it will be mine. It took a few years, but eventually I got my zoji bread machine. I hope it takes less time to get the blender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhornby56 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 I've had a blendtec for a little over 4 years. I wish I had gone with a Vitamix. A couple of weeks after we bought our blendtec we were making an avocado smoothie and something happened with the bearing in the jar part. The machine started shaking and jumping and it stopped blending. When I googled the problem it seemed to be rather common. I was only about 15 minutes away from their headquarters and brought the jar in and was able to exchange it. However, I think the warranty is only a year or two for the top part, and two or three for the motor. I can't remember off the top of my head. When I purchased my Blendtec, the Vitamix had a seven year warranty for both parts. I haven't had to replace the jar again, but there are a couple cracks in the bottom of my jar and my machine does get jumpy at times. I also think the stirrer thing would come in handy. I use mine frequently for smoothies and about three times a week to grind wheat for bread. I go through two cycles to grind the wheat so it is not so coarse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenC3 Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I have Vitamex and I love it, BUT if I were choosng today I'd go Blendtec b/c of the new container size. It has a wider base and really gets things blended fast without heating the contents up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totmama Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Our blendtec makes smoothies and milkshakes fine. I don't know what OP means about using multiple containers. You just dump it all in, liquid on bottom, and go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 My Blendtec has a seven year warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morningxmorning Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 My husband and I innocently walked into a Costco one day and walked out with a Blendtec. It's been three years and I don't have any complaints. I've seen people demo-ing the Vitamix and it seems pretty darn similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Buckin' Longhorn Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 My Blendtec has a seven year warranty. :iagree: We've got the Wildside jar. I love it. No problems whatsoever with daily use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 I haven't gotten mine yet, but I've pretty much settled on the Blendtec. Hoping to get it for Christmas. ;) A PP wondered what I meant by multiple containers. the Vitamix has a dry blade and a wet blade. Of course, to get the dry blade/container, it costs an extra $100 or so. I don't know if you actually need the dry blade to do grains, but with the blendtec, it appears you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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