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vitamix vs. blendtec

post #1 of 41
3/31/09 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
I have not done much research but today I was at Costco and they are selling the Blendtec for $380 with a seven year warranty in addition to the amazing Costco return anything, anytime policy. I am really considering getting it, but the tradeshow is only there until Sunday so I need to do it before they leave to get the price and extended warranty.

Right now we have a oster blender that is used everyday at least once and needs a new pitcher, it's is plastic and cracked so it leaks. I also have a food processor that I rarely use as it is pretty big and kind of a pain to clean. My hand blender, for pureeing soups and sauces, just broke and I am finding that I used it a lot and am having a hard time using the blender in its place because I have to let the food cool before blending is only to have to return it to the stove to heat it again, literlly takes all day to make soups and sacues.

Which is better?
Are they really worth the price?
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post #2 of 41
3/31/09 at 9:40pm
I can't comment on which is better, but I can tell you that the Blend Tec blender ROCKS!!! I have one, and I love it. I use it all the time. I bought it last year sometime. I can't remember when exactly - I want to say it's been nearly a year. I have not for one second ever regretted it. It's AWESOME!!! Honestly, from the people that I've talked to who have either Blend Tecs or Vitamixes, I really don't think the difference is enough to sneeze at. They are both high quality, awesome machines that are totally worth the money.
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post #3 of 41
4/1/09 at 9:37am
I have a newer model Vitamix that I paid $399 free shipping and tax free that I can't say enough about. I use it ALL the time for smoothies, ice cream and let me tell you it makes the BEST hummus!! It sounds like you'll be good to get either machine! Congrats and happy shopping!!
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post #4 of 41
4/1/09 at 1:34pm
i have the blendtec and I LOVE it - however - it does not replace my food processor (UGH). I LOVE it for smoothies, sauces, grinding grain, making nut "flours"... but anything thick like hummus or ice cream doesn't work for me... I'm not sure if a vitamix would be better for something like that, or if it would do the same thing, but... just to put that out there. I would totally buy my blendtec again though (I already had the food processor which works great for the thicker stuff, so it didnt cost me anything not being able to do hummus/etc.)

Oh, and I totally do hot stuff all the time. You take the lil insert thing in the top out and I tent a towel over it so the steam can escape but catch the splatter... (i probably fill mine too full half the time...)
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post #5 of 41
4/1/09 at 3:45pm
Every time I see a vitamix demo I'm tempted to buy one but so far have not been able to get past the cost . . . everyone I know who has one just raves though . . .

Anyway -- I'm subbing to hear more . . .
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post #6 of 41
4/1/09 at 7:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by happy1nluv View Post
but anything thick like hummus or ice cream doesn't work for me... I'm not sure if a vitamix would be better for something like that, or if it would do the same thing, but... just to put that out there.
Interesting. I have no problem with "ice cream" or anything like hummus. I make both in mine with no problems. The most I have to do is stop it and stir it up a little before I get it going again. I also use it for nut "cheeses," etc.
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post #7 of 41
4/1/09 at 9:58pm
I have a vitamix and love it. I use it to make bean dip (basicly just pinto beans & some spices ground up). I burnt up a high-end kitchenaid in less than a year making bean dip, and decided at that point that a vitamix would probably be worth it - my mom still has hers and its going strong after 20+ years now. She just made hummus in hers a couple days ago and it turned out great.
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post #8 of 41
4/2/09 at 7:47am
subbing also......

I'm still using a 20 yr old food processor, and a 30 yr old Oster blender!! (with a glass pitcher)

Code:
anomaly13  Are they really worth the price?
I'm wondering if anyone has bought a rebuilt vita mix?
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post #9 of 41
4/3/09 at 11:55am
My Vitamix was a re-built. They give you a brand new pitcher and the base looked BRAND-new!! I saved $50 by getting a rebuilt and you'd never know it. I say got for it!! :
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post #10 of 41
4/3/09 at 1:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by happy1nluv View Post
i have the blendtec and I LOVE it - however - it does not replace my food processor (UGH). I LOVE it for smoothies, sauces, grinding grain, making nut "flours"... but anything thick like hummus or ice cream doesn't work for me... I'm not sure if a vitamix would be better for something like that, or if it would do the same thing, but... just to put that out there. I would totally buy my blendtec again though (I already had the food processor which works great for the thicker stuff, so it didnt cost me anything not being able to do hummus/etc.)

Oh, and I totally do hot stuff all the time. You take the lil insert thing in the top out and I tent a towel over it so the steam can escape but catch the splatter... (i probably fill mine too full half the time...)
About this purees: I don't know about the blendtec but the Vitamix has a stomper thing like a long stick that plugs the hole and lets you push around the food in the bottom without hitting the blade. I prefer to make hummus in my vitamix because my kids won't touch it if it isn't absolutely smooth and silky.

I don't really think there is much of a difference as far as quality/ability between the two. I don't think I even knew about the blendtec when i go the Vitamix or I probably would have been agonizing over which one!
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post #11 of 41
4/3/09 at 2:02pm
Blendtec's better...that's why Starbucks and the other coffee shops upgraded a few years ago from vitamix to blendtec!

I love my blendtec, but I have heard that the blades need to be replaced fairly regularly when you use it daily, lol. Those of us who are green smoothie obsessed use them 3-4 times a day, so yeah, the blades seem to dull quicker than they do on a vitamix.
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post #12 of 41
4/3/09 at 2:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by happy1nluv View Post
. but anything thick like hummus or ice cream doesn't work for me...
My hubby makes fabulous hummus in our blendtec...weird that yours won't work well.

My biggest complaint is like pp mentioned, the hole in the top does splash foods out occasionally. Grr.
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post #13 of 41
4/3/09 at 2:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raene View Post
Blendtec's better...that's why Starbucks and the other coffee shops upgraded a few years ago from vitamix to blendtec!

I love my blendtec, but I have heard that the blades need to be replaced fairly regularly when you use it daily, lol. Those of us who are green smoothie obsessed use them 3-4 times a day, so yeah, the blades seem to dull quicker than they do on a vitamix.
"better" is a relative term
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post #14 of 41
4/3/09 at 3:05pm
I have always thought the Vitamix was THE blender. I hope we'll have one by summer, but they're so expensive! I make so many smoothies though, and I killed two cheapie Osters last year doing the smoothie thing.

I-Love-Alaska, where did you get yours for $399?! Must investigate...
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post #15 of 41
4/3/09 at 3:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by To-Fu View Post
I have always thought the Vitamix was THE blender. I hope we'll have one by summer, but they're so expensive! I make so many smoothies though, and I killed two cheapie Osters last year doing the smoothie thing.

I-Love-Alaska, where did you get yours for $399?! Must investigate...
I actually tried to find a refurb but they were always out while I was looking!
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post #16 of 41
4/3/09 at 4:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 425lisamarie View Post
I actually tried to find a refurb but they were always out while I was looking!
Wow, look at these prices! This might be less out of our reach than I thought...
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post #17 of 41
4/3/09 at 4:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by To-Fu View Post
Wow, look at these prices! This might be less out of our reach than I thought...
: I wish I found those before I got mine! IT's *so* expensive. But really I think my health went up a thousand notches since buying it. My kids too.

One thing too: I think they have a new design to their tamper thing, but if you call them and tell them yours broke they ship you one for free!
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post #18 of 41
4/3/09 at 8:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raene View Post
Blendtec's better...that's why Starbucks and the other coffee shops upgraded a few years ago from vitamix to blendtec!

I love my blendtec, but I have heard that the blades need to be replaced fairly regularly when you use it daily, lol. Those of us who are green smoothie obsessed use them 3-4 times a day, so yeah, the blades seem to dull quicker than they do on a vitamix.
I guess everyone has their own opinion, but I know that my Vitamix has been used a lot and it's a FULL warranty for 7 years so I believe I made a wise purchase.

Quote:
Originally Posted by To-Fu View Post
I-Love-Alaska, where did you get yours for $399?! Must investigate...
It's actually $379 now. I thought I paid $399 last year. Here's a link to Vitamix.com >> https://secure.vitamix.com/acb/store...-P862C108.aspx
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post #19 of 41
4/4/09 at 1:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by To-Fu View Post
Wow, look at these prices! This might be less out of our reach than I thought...
If you're a Costco member, they occasionally have the Vitamix and Blendtec (at different times, of course) there at VERY discounted rates.
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post #20 of 41
4/4/09 at 1:14am
I just wanted to add, that I have both the containers for the vitamix, and tbh I have *NO* idea what the difference is. SO I don't think you need to get two. If I was buying a new/nother vitamix tommorrow I'd just get the base package!!
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