VitaMix vs BlendTec
So I came in from running and started to make a blenderful of GS. Sometimes if my BlendTec is full of something else, or my kids put the container somewhere that I can’t find, I use the VitaMix instead of the BlendTec.
This photo shows another reason why I promote BlendTec over VitaMix. This is the third time this has happened to me in the past few years with my VitaMix: while blending, for no good reason, the entire base and blade assembly comes apart from the container. I had to pull the container off the base and quickly dump it into my other container (losing some all over the counter in the process). I had to stick my hand into the container of green goo and fish out the blade assembly.
So I told my son to grab the camera so you could at least be entertained by it. Don’t get me wrong–VM is a good machine, makes awesome smoothies, and they honor their warranty well (I’ve burned up a couple of their machines). But you can read my 6 reasons (besides this design flaw) why I choose to promote BlendTec, by clicking here.
Posted in: Green Smoothies, Tools & Products
When we saw the VM the rep put in fruits with the skins demonstrating the benefits of nutrients in the skin of the fruits and vegetables. We noticed that the BT suggests that the fruit and veggies be cut up peeled t Does that mean that it doesn’t have as much blade power to pulverize the skins?
hi robyn, just found your site and blog while searching for information on blendtec and vitamix as I am in the market for them. I first want to say this is a great site full of great information (pros and cons) and while I was actually leaning towards the vitamix, I just found the blendetc website with videos of making things in it and I’m really impressed. I do most of my dry stuff in my cuisinart (just got it!) and only need the blender for the wet stuff like ice cream, soup and smoothies, so the blendtec makes sense for me. I also like the fact that it automatically turns off when it is done blending! OMG…I don’t have to stand over it like a mother hen! Thanks again for the great info (and for everyone with all the great comments)! Lisa
Looking to invest in a 3 hp blender and have it narrowed down to
BendTec HP3A or VitaPrep3.
Appreciate the feedback in this forum.
I haven’t read an answer to the question about BlendTec being extremely loud.
Does anyone that has worked w/ both BT & VitaPrep3 have input about
which is louder?
Thanks, this will really help w/ my decision.
All I can say is get the Vita-Prep 3 (3HP) Why?
Okay this is from the Vita-mix website:
Q: What processes require 3 HP?
A: No particular process requires 3 HP. Vita-Mix has determined that there is a benefit to a 3 HP motor in commercial applications that produce hundreds of blends of thick purees and thick drinks in a single day. Vita-Mix 3HP Commercial machines are designed to be used under a significantly higher daily cycle count and heavier loads than our household machines which do not require 3 HP.
Q: Does a 3 HP motor guarantee better performance?
A: 3 HP offers better performance in commercial applications requiring continuous heavy load capability. This type of performance is not needed or beneficial for household machine performance.
Well I was going to get the 5200, but I have now changed my mine.
If we take their 100 cycles a day that would be 100 x 5 days (maybe you are closed two days)= 500 cycles a week x 52 weeks = 26,000 cycles a year x 3 years = 78,000 cycles that Vita-mix would project the Prep 3 to work without a problem. Hmmm? Let see Prep 3 with 78,000 cycles or the 5200 with its 7665 cycles. Hmmm? Well I think we have the clear winner. Okay, Okay lets say the Prep 3 only made it 1/3 of its projected cycles. That would still be 26,000!! Wow! They even say, “hundreds of cycles a day” and where I come from, that is at least two hundred. I don’t think, I need to beat a dead horse. Bonus, you get extra HORSEPOWER! Well there it is. I just took some black and white, a little basic math and guess what? That equals PREP 3 for Me, Hee, Hee!
I hope my sort a fuzzy logic helps others.
P.S. shhhhh! Don’t tell everyone. Laughing
any update on the noise issue? Can I blend a whole apple, core and all in the Blendtec, what about grinding coffee beans in the total blender? Thanks, Mel
Bought a Blend Tech 2 years ago and the bearings in the blade wore out quickly. Talked to a corprate guy for Jamba Juice they said that is why they only use Vita-Mix, longer lifetime, better customer service by far, and it just circulates so much better than a BT. Got a Vita-Mix now and we use it every single day. If you want to make ice coffee or shakes a BT is great and easy, but if you want to make soups, nut butters, and use whole foods like apples, the Vita-Mix is hands down so much better. Talked to a guy with Little Giant ladder named Lyndon who used to be Blend Techs Show manager and he had so many negative things to say about Blend Tech. No wonder Vita-Mix gets all the best ratings in Consumer Reports, Cooks Illustrated, Maxim, etc. I hardly ever see Belnd Tech used commercialy. They just don’t hold up. I watch a Costco demo and the guy kept having to shake the container and run extra cycles, to bad he didn’t have a tamper stick ha ha
The Vitamix is so powerful the base is not supposed to come off and needs a special wrench to remove it. It is probably as simple as tightening it properly. Also loading it right makes a huge difference. Most house brands are designed for the base to come off for cleaning but not the VM.
I’ll be surprise if this one gets posted! 😉
THANK YOU – I respect, applaud Robyn for inspiring so many of our human family to better nutrition and health.
My main CONCERN it that no one seemed to asking what to me seems to address the cause and probably the obvious questions and solutions to loose blade issue:
1) does Robyn provide proof that she owns the recommended tightening tool? – No!
2) Does Robyn provide proof that she tightens the Vitamix blade to the recommended torque? – No!
Robyn says, “I’ve burned up a couple of their machines.” (referring to the VM) yet no facts are given for how many years she has used both the Blendtec and Vitamix. So ,say she has used the VM for 5 years and the BT for 2 years, than it is an obvious unequal contest and comparison.
FYI: I sell both machines and they both have their major and minor advantages and disadvantages. I replied because I simply detest misrepresentation of either and want the record set straight on what is suppose to be the main reason for Robyn posting this blog.
Roland Brown…
Question about your Vitamix 36006
Can you make nut cheeses, thick sauces, ice creams, peanut butter and other thick foods other than drinks in the Vita Mix 36006? Or does it only do drinks? I thought it was just for drinks, and if that is it’s only use then it wouldn’t be able to do as much as the Blendtec or other Vitamix blenders with tampers right???
Would love to know if it can do those things before buying one. Thanks 🙂
You are all going to laugh but I still have and use a vitamix from at least 20 or more years ago. It still has the little spout on it!! And, it blends fine!
Hi guys! I just wanted to say that my parents bought a VM back in 1992, and they are extrememely happy with theirs. It still works great!
I have had the misfortune of losing a batch due to the base falling off of the VM, and it was MESSY indeed! And yes it is difficult to clean the base. And yes, we have had spinach and other leafy greens get stuck in the base and cause the machine to smoke.
But all in all . . . its a fine piece of machinery.
So now that I am moved out and setting my place up, I am looking, at blenders and am seriously considering the BT.
If I buy a BT, I think I will miss the ability to just throw whole fruit in there . . . because its nice being lazy. But truly, I was always annoyed at having to tamp my food down there, which led to me adding more water to let everything blend without tamping . . . yet another lazy trait.
But . . . what if I just cut the food once or twice, will it blend without interruption?
Thank you for all your posts.
I put whole food into my BT **all the time.**
But yes, cut it once or twice and you can still be lazy and use the BT.
🙂
VM is a good machine too.
Hi from another Robin. LOL. Well let me share my latest escapade.
I have been eying the Blendtec since I first saw it at Costco. This was about a year ago. I had a Vitamix but returned it because it had an electrical smell to it. I saw the “will it blend” videos and were amazed. Well last Monday I bought the Blendtec on their website for 3 payments which helped my budget.
I have to say that I’m thoroughly happy with it. I even made oat milk by blending oats into flour and then adding water and sweetener. I’ve since made amazing smoothies and yes added whole pieces of fruit.
It grinds grain very well.
Hi folks, I posted a story from my iphone but for some reason it didnt show up. I just wanted to say that I bought a Blendtec and was happy to find this website. I have put whole food into my Blendtec but I have noticed that you must not crowd it or it will have a hard time.
I was glad to find the Blendtec on the website after wanting one for awhile. I first saw it at Costco. I did have a Vitamix but had to return it.
oops…….just saw my comment above…….me bad.
Vitamix vs Blendtec
Pure physics!! you need a tamper to do WHOLE FOODS. If you see a blend tec demonstration they do not ever fill it to the top of container.VM demo stuffs it full . If BT did you would still need something. to push a whole apple to the blade. Blendtec cannot blend 64 oz. thats why the container is not as big. BT has a push button timer keypad. If you dont fill it to the exact quantity as the demonstrators do the machiine will shut off before its done blending. VM easier to use. Shut it of when you are done instead of hittingpulse over and over. BT is very noise!!
VM warranty is FULL 7 YEARS PERIOD!!!! No gimicks scams anything. shipping labor and parts EVERYTHING!!
BT is 3 years and only one container. Then they say life time on blade and cuppling… duh its just a peice of metal. seems like a sales gimming.
Look what the professionals on TV food network channel use and the major consumer magazines recommend. Let them do the work. Vitamix si always #1. Dont listen to a lady who is criticizing a machine and doesnt know how to use it. The blade isnt ever suppose to come off. I would think someone representing such helath claims and statements of consumer confidence would learn how to use the machine sh is talking about.. obviously not.
Go with Vitamix. The original since 1937.. not a gimmick or copy!!