Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small fee to keep this blog running.
BLENDTEC REVIEW!
Most of you have probably known me as an advocate for VitaMix, so why on earth would I be doing a Blendtec Review now? Let me share a story with you about how this Blendtec Review came about.
When I was on vacation in New York City last November 2012, my girlfirend and I were surfing TV channels and happened upon one that was talking about Vitamix and Blendtec. It explained how Vitamix had copied another company’s (Blendtec) mixing jar. That case was taken to court and the court agreed with Blendtec. Vitamix lost, and Blendtec from K-Tec, Inc. was awarded a multimillion dollar judgment. I almost had to pull my jaw up from the floor! My friend and I looked at each other, and I asked her, “how can I promote a company (Vitamix) that stole another company’s design”? If you want the details, you can read more about this federal court ruling here.
You have got to watch this funny video from Blendtec: “Does It Blend?”
My Blendtec Review:
I received a Blendtec Designer Series, and it came in one package with the Wildside Jar, Spatula, and 2 Cookbooks. The Twister Jar came separately. Both were packaged extremely well and nothing was dented or damaged.
I am comparing the Blendtec Designer 675 with the Vitamix 5000 Total Nutrition Center (TNC).
Cookbook: I was really excited about the cookbook that came with the Blendtec. It is spiral bound and hard sided and someone that is really into eating healthy has put down some fabulous recipes! The recipes are labeled as to whether they are Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan, RAW and low sodium recipes as well as regular recipes that require wheat, meat and dairy. There are even recipes for exfoliating and skin care, plus recipes for your pet as well! The recipes also have nutritional and calorie counts.
Making Your own Flour: In addition there are recipes for making your own flour. You do NOT need a separate container to make flour like you do for the Vitamix. That is a huge plus in my book. And there are recipes for making your own nut milks. Speaking of nut milks…I decided to see how Blendtec compared with the Vitamix in making Almond Milk since I use alot of home-made almond milk.
1st Comparison Making Nut Milk: I was thrilled because the lid of the Blendtec is much easier to use than the lid on the VitaMix. Previously, I had to ask my husband to take the lid off the VitaMix because my arthritic hands could not unlock it. I was shocked at how powerful the Blendtec machine is in comparison. See my post on How to Make Almond Milk using a Blendtec! The Blendtec has pre-programmed cycles, so I pressed the cycle for the milk. This machine is fast and powerful! I noticed the feel of the almond pulp was much finer with the Blendtec than with the Vitamix and the milk seemed to have more almond flavor with the Blendtec.
The Blendtec also has a sliding bar ( or a bar with buttons to tap as you go higher in speed ) so you can start very slow and increase just like the Vitamix if you do not want to use the pre-programmed cycles.
2nd Comparison Making Quick Bread: My next comparison was to blend a quick gluten-free bread. I couldn’t believe how quickly this machine whizzed this mix together. I pulsed the Blendtec a couple times, scraped down the sides once and hit pulse again and it was done! The bread turned out fabulously and my husband loved the texture and flavor. I have to mention, again, how easy the lid is to handle on these Blendtec containers. I also like the shorter, wider container size that has the same volume as the taller Vitamix container. The Blendtec WildSide container is easier for me to handle. The Blendtec also fits on the machine and under my cabinets where the other machine does not.
The Twister container Making Noodles: is used for tackling thicker dough and comes with a small recipe booklet. There are recipes items that require high speeds or have heavy doughs such as Dairy-Free Ice Creams, pasta dough, pizza dough, nut butters and many other recipes. To test the Twister Container I made the recipe for Whole Wheat Spinach Pasta but substituted gluten-free flour and I didn’t have spinach, so I substituted cilantro. It was a very thick dough but I used the special spatula, Spectacula, as it is called, which made it very easy to remove the ingredients and very easy to clean the container. This dough was very easy to make with the Blendtec, and the noodles held up very well despite using gluten-free flour!
My final thoughts on the Blendtec are that the Blendtec is a more powerful machine than the Vitamix, you do not need a plunger to use with the Blendtec. I like the fact that I do not have to open the top of the lid to push down food when you use a Blendtec. It is very easy to use and I like the fact that Blendtec provides a separate container, the Twister Jar, to handle thicker projects. I also love the Blendtec lids. I can easily use the Blendtec lids, removing them myself without any help. This fact makes it much easier for me to cook when I am at home alone. I also love the service that Blendtec has provided me in the short time I have known them.
You will have to make your decision between Blendtec and Vitamix but I am in Love with my Blendtec and advocate for them now! In fact if you want to purchase one, please use my link HERE. It will help me finance giveaways for this blog and won’t cost you a penny more.
This is something that I have been wanting for a long time. Thank you for the review.
This looks fantastic! It does everything 🙂
Well, I’m late to the party but I really want a Blendtec now… I used to watch the youtube videos “will it blend?” just because I found them to be really funny. Now I actually need one of those.
It is an amazing machine Nikoletta D. You would not be disappointed if you get one.
I didn’t know about the court case. That’s good to know! I’d love to win the BlendTec!
I have 9 grand-children. They ALL LOVE my blendtec.
They all ask for their frozen green smoothie “ice cream” every day.
Mine is begining to wear out. It makes strange noises,
so I could really use a new one. Thank you so much for this
give-away.
Peggy
OH this is late in reply but I would love you to share your green smoothie ice cream recipe Peggy Frankewich!
Thank you for the opportunity to win this!! =D
I wanted a Vitamix for a long time, but after doing a lot of research, with honest reviees like yours, I have completely changed my mind. I hope I win the Blendtec! Smoothies galore!
I am Vegan only l year and love to share and learn from everyone about this new life on facebook with my page as Vegan Newbie. I presently use a vitamix and would enjoy trying the blend tec, it sounds like a great blender. I use my vitamix daily, from sauces, to smoothies, soups, dips, crushing ice, salsa’s… the list goes on and on. I hope I get a Blend Tec! 🙂
Just last night I was debating between a Vita-Mix and Blendtec and although Blendtec was coming out on top, this seals the deal!! Thanks 🙂
Wow….I had no idea. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway!! 🙂
Awesome giveaway, thanks!
Thank you for the informative review.
Thank you SOOOO MUCH for this giveaway!!!! I want SO SO SOOOO MUCH to own a Blendtec! I have spent hundreds of hours researching and debating Blendtec or Vitamix. Honestly they are both way way out of my budget. I am starting my own holistic health coaching practice. Between getting certified by the
The International Health Coach Association LLC and the International Association for Health Coaches (two separate organizations), all the start up costs (spanning over several months), monthly living expenses, to name a few of my expenses… I can only dream of owning this wonderful machine, Unless I am blessed enough to be the winner this time.
Oh mu goodness, I can’t even tell you how grateful I would be!!!
Owning a Blendtec would be a blessing in my lifer because I have struggled with things (I won’t get into on here) that having a Blendtec would really help with. I would Definitely be able to eat the healthy foods I teach about. I would be able to host parties and share with ppl I know about the Blendtec. It would really just be an AMAZING GIFT and BLESSING!!!
Thanks for the cool giveaway
I would love one of these blenders. I can’t afford one right now but one day I definetly plan to buy one. I think it one of the best appliances to have in a home. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Grrat review. Thank you
I would LOVE to wn this. I had a juicer and did not like cleaning it. I an thinking of all the healthy things I coyld make with this!
Fabulous giveaway, thank you! Good luck to all!
I LOVE Blendtec! Hope to win! Thanks for offering this giveaway.
I´m crying right now. I live in Brasil and it´s such a shame the contest is only for US!! But I follow you on Twitter and be ready whenever a world-wide contest comes along!! Thankz!!
Oh I’m so sorry Patricia…I have some great cash giveaways now and will have some coming up so watch for those…via paypal.
Wishing to win;) good luck everyone:)
I love, love, love, my Blendtec. I owned the Vitamix and after about 6 months switched to the Blendtec. (thank you awesome Costco return policy) Why? Sooo much easier and faster to use. No more foamy green smoothies that take 4-5 minutes to make because I am trying to run it on low to get rid of the foam. 90 seconds to perfection. Would love to win so I can share the love with my son and daughter-in-law. They are about to have a baby 🙂 and baby food would be a breeze….
Yes..Vitamix does tend to foamy smoothies…..
Awesome review…makes me want to run out and buy a blend-tec. But I will try and win one first.
Love this giveaway! I have been wanting a blendtec for over a year! Pretty please pick me!
The review was very helpful. I’ve been trying to make up my mind. Thank you.
And thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for the giveaway! I’ve wanted a Blendtec for a LONG time! I’ve been doing daily green smoothies for a year now and have burned out 3 (crappy) blenders. I need a Blendtec!
Cool, I have always wanted one!
I have killed so many crappy blenders-been hoping to eventually get a BLENDTEC for some time now.
Awesome Giveaway! Thanks for the review.
thanks for the federal ruling link
Your welcome sandra
thanks for the review and giveaway