Vitamix vs Blentec vs Whatever!

[queenamideana]

So I have been contemplating getting a nice, high powered blender to replace my nutribullet AND my food processor.  I need to make things like smoothies, nut butters (for the kids) pate, cauliflower "rice", blended soups, and possibly things like sweet potato and/or plantain flours.  

There definitely seems to be a lot of debate between the two most popular; vitamix and blendec.  Some of the things I see in the reviews are: vitamix's carafe is poorly designed and leaves product in the bottom and on the sides due to the uneven surface.  Blentec has a better designed carafe, but needs a tamper, and the hole in the top is not big enough to add things while blending and that things tend to leak out of said hole.  Both seem to warrant getting an extra carafe for dry blending, so I am really curious if that is true.  The thing that confuses me most about vitamix, is the fact that there are so many different models.  The people on either side seem to swear by them.  It is truly a blender war!

I am curious of what your experience may be, especially if you have had or have both!  Also, were you able to replace not only your blender, but your food processor as well.  I really want to make an informed decision, especially considering the cost of investment.

Happy Memorial Day everyone! 

[jillh]

My Inlaws moved in with their vitamix last year and I've found that it is great at making things smooth which helps with nut milks and blending paleo batter. I also love my professional series ninja though that has small smoothy blenders a food processor and a blender attachment. I found it works really well. I use it for smoothies and cauli-rice it is really loud but the vitamix isn't exactly quiet!

[localkaty]

I have a BlendTec with the Wildside canister, and it blends my whole green smoothie in one go with no tamping or scrape down needed. It's replaced my food processor, but I'll admit I didn't use it that often to begin with.

[queenamideana]

Do either of you make nut butters? I figure you're both AIP so I'm guessing not unless you're making stuff for non AIP people. Making nut butter in my food processor is so much of a pain, I end up buying it premade

[localkaty]

I'm not AIP, but I don't eat nut butters very often so I haven't really played with it yet. Coconut butter whips up well, as do nut milks.

I should probably make better use of my fancy kitchen tools.

[queenamideana]

Well I decided on the Blentec with the wildside jar and I got the twister jar for the nut butters. I should receive it on Wednesday!

[jeanne]

I have both a Ninja blender and a Cuisinart food processor. There are just too many things I rely on the food processor for that the blender just can't do and vice versa.