It WILL Blend!

Using Super-Blenders for Food Preparation

Blendtec® vs. Vitamix®

"Basic" Super-Blenders
(Several other models of each are available. See the sidebar.)

Feature

Blendtec® TB-621-20

Vitamix® 5200

Comments

Power

13 amp, 1,560 Watts, 3 peak horsepower direct-drive motor

11.5 amp, 1,380 Watts, 2 peak horsepower

Vitamix® motor is imported from Sweden

Controls

• "Smart-Touch Technology™" touchpad controls

• Six pre-programmed blend cycles

Variable speed control button

• Blue LCD display shows count cycle, time remaining

• Solid state electronics

Manual controls include on/off switch, high/low speed switch and variable speed control

Blendtec® can be set to process correctly with the push of a single button, then left to complete the cycles and shut itself down.

The Vitamix is infinitely adjustable. Although it may not be as convenient, it allows better control over the resultant process.

Jar Shape

Square, four-sided (Optional 5-sided 3 quart jar)

Square base, tapers to round top

Both create effective vortex to force ingredients to flow, produce consistent processing. Both are unbelievably durable, BPA-free plastic.

Jar Size

2 quart standard,
3 quart available

2 quart

The extra power of the Blendtec® allows for a larger jar, if used carefully.

Blade

Unique bent-tip, wing-shape, blunt

Star shape, two cutting edges, two blunt edges

Blendtec® design allows larger chunks of food to drop lower into jar for faster processing. Vitamix® sharp blades speed up processing of dried fruits and nuts.

Blade speed

Variable to 280 mph at tip

11 to 240 mph at tip

Blendtec® seems to process more quickly. Both are so effective and fast that it really doesn't matter ...

Colors

Black, White, Coffee, Red

Black, White, Red

Weight

12.00 lbs

13 lbs.

Width
Height
Depth

7.50 inches
15.50 inches
8.00 inches

7.25 inches
20.5 inches
8.75 inches

Blendtec® fits easily under most wall cabinets while assembled--the Vitamix® motor base must be stored under cabinets separate from the canister.

Cost / Payment Plan

"Actual" price approx. $399.95
Three-payment plan available

"Actual" price approx. $449.00
Three-payment plan available

Vitamix® offers free shipping, a $25 to $35 value, bringing the total cost to nearly the same amount.

Warranty

3 years

7 years of "Normal Household Use"

Blendtec® technology came from years of making professional blending machines. Both have proven to be amazingly durable.

Versatility

Makes ice cream, hot soup, smoothies, sauces, crushes ice, grinds grains into flours, grinds coffee beans, peppercorns, etc. (Replaces up to 9 other appliances.)

No significant difference in food processing capabilities was noted between these two great machines. There is, however, no comparison between these super-blenders and "normal" blenders.

CONCLUSIONS:
Both the Blendtec® and the Vitamix® are awesome, wonderful machines. No household or recreational vehicle should ever be without at least one, and two is better! In our household we have a Blendtec®, a Vitamix® and an Oster®. The Blendtec® gets used the most due to to the added convenience of the Smart-Touch controls and the ease of cleaning spills off the front. Also it seems to process slightly faster than the Vitamix®. The Oster® only gets used when we are teaching someone with very limited financial resources how careful they must be when using a "normal" blender to make delicious green smoothies. (We have actually destroyed two previous Oster® blenders while doing so, even though were were being as careful as possible, and the Oster®s were advertised as being ice-crushing capable.)

Bruce's pick: The Blendtec "I prefer to just push a button and walk away. The Blendtec lets me do that. The results are usually close enough for my purposes. If not, I just start it up again on variable speed."	Ann's Pick: The Vitamix "I like to have complete control over the foods I prepare. The two speed ranges and the variable speed dial allow me to make everything exactly the way I choose for it to be."
Our Perfect Solution: WE GOT ONE OF EACH!