Are you happy with your Blendtec?

[samba]

I've been looking at Blendtecs for a while now and keep balking at the price.  Now there's a Groupon for the Classic 475 that seems reasonable.  Does anyone have this particular model?

 

I saw recently that Blendtec recommends only filling the jar halfway.  Does this limit how you use it?  What is it's actual usable capacity?

 

My blender/smoothie maker is junk. I have a good food processor that I use regularly for salsa and hummus (plus the slicing and shredding discs).  How do you use your Blendtec?

 

Thanks!

[Amira]

I've had a Blendtec for years, including back when it was K-Tec.  I've always been happy with whatever one I have, although I've never used that particular model.  And no, you cannot fill the jar more than halfway or you'll have a mess when you blend (unless you're blending at a low speed). That has never made any difference in how I much I use it. Halfway in my jar is about 4+ cups.

 

I use it in different ways depending on where I live.  I've used it for salsa, peanut butter, tahini, hummus, smoothies, fermented soybean paste, grinding chickpeas into flour, grinding flaxseed, making soup, using it to cut in butter when making pastry, blending batters, and lots more.  

[Jenn in CA]

Yes I only fill mind halfway but that's still 4 cups which is plenty. Mine came with two jars so to double something I have used them both.

 

It did not eliminate the need for a food processor for me. Hummus works in the blendtec, salsa works OK, but chopping doesn't work. It goes too quickly to "pureed".

 

I thought I'd use it for a lot more things but pretty much it's just a very expensive smoothie maker at my house. Although it does a good job with smoothies and I like the one-piece jar.

[zoobie]

I've had one for 8+ years (same one), and yes, we are happy with it. I agree that it doesn't replace the food processor. I do use it for a few food-processor-y things. It cuts butter into flour well for biscuits or pie crust if I'm being too lazy to do it by hand. My kids like the "ice cream" made with frozen fruit and not much else. I got a replacement blender jar (the Wildside one) on a deal a couple of years ago when our original one cracked (dropped on floor, ugh). It seems to work better than the other shape, but I haven't done comparisons.

[mohsmom23]

I don't have the model you are asking about, but I've had my Blendtec for about 4 years now.  We use it for making smoothies, hummus, homemade spaghetti sauce, and frothed milk. I like it, but I feel like I would have been just as happy with the much cheaper Ninja.  

 

I guess I never read that I was only supposed to fill the jar half full because I frequently fill it near the top when making smoothies and it does just fine.  A lot of that is spinach so maybe that doesn't count as if I were to fill it to the top with frozen fruits? 

[Mama Geek]

I don't have the exact same model and mine is on its last leg after 10 years of lots of smoothies, frozen drinks, and making rice flour.  A friend of mine has a ninja and really likes it.  I am thinking about getting one of those for a while because it is so much less expensive.

[prairiewindmomma]

I've had mine since 2010.  I'm not in love with it. When it dies, I'm going to go with a ninja.

 

It freezes up unless a lot of liquid is involved.  It makes great smoothies, but that's about it.