Blenders

[disney_mommy]

Okay, now that I'm a hard-core vegan, I think it's time to throw away my cheap blender that smells like burning rubber every time I use it and buy a real blender. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Mr Flibble]

I'm led to believe that Blendtec blenders are rather good.

I'm personally a kitchenaid blender convert. Not cheap, but worth the money.

[Fuhzy]

Vitamix and Blendtec are the two most popular 'nearly professional' blenders, but they both run over $200...

[gutts]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I'm in the market for a blender. Anyone have recommendations? I'm looking specifically at the Vita-Mix or a Blendtec, although I can't get the Vita-Mix 5200 here in the UK (they still sell the 5000 here). Is it worth waiting for the 5200 to be released over here?

Cheers

[gutts]

Ordered the Blendtec Total Blender from UK Juicers after a little research. Great service on the phone, will report back when I have the delivery.

I liked the look of the Vita-Mix, due to its simplicity (manual controls, tamper) but my partner is sub 5ft tall and probably wouldn't be able to reach the top of the Vita-Mix let alone use the tamper effectively. :P The Blendtec seems to provide similar results but is smaller and has digital controls which should provide reproducible results without effort.

If anyone knows where to get hold of the 4" blade 96oz carafe in the UK, please let me know. UK Juicers said they have some on order but aren't expected for a week or so.

Cheers

[gutts]

The package has touched down. Great service from UK Juicers, the next day delivery arrived in good time and the package itself is in great shape. I'll update some more when I get home with it.

Anyone have ideas for a first smoothie?

gutts

[Mr Flibble]

iPhone? http://www.blendtec.com/willitblend/...e&video=iphone

[gutts]

iPhone? http://www.blendtec.com/willitblend/...e&video=iphone

Nice, but I can't imagine it's particularly tasteh.

Interestingly, the blades aren't sharp. My guess would be that if they were, at the rotational speeds it can achieve the edges might chip. Looking at a slow motion video on youtube they appear to rip the food apart, rather than cut it.

gutts

[gutts]

Just made my first smoothie. A random concoction of pineapple, apple, strawberry, banana and orange topped with ice and a little water. Used the Smoothie XL program, which seems to initially start with a pulse at medium to shred what's near the blades, then goes to a lower rpm to start sucking the solids above into the newly created soup at the bottom until it can move them all around in a vortex then suddenly it ramps back up for about 10secs to emulsify the liquid. The result tastes pretty good and the consistency is awesome.

Looks like my liquid lunches are going to take on a whole new meaning.

gutts

[Kitteh]

I'm personally a kitchenaid blender convert. Not cheap, but worth the money.

Same, I got one late last year and it's brilliant.

[Ms_Derious]

Oh, you two are baaaaaaad. I've wanted to get one for ages and been putting it off because of the cost. Next time I see one discounted for any reason, I'm getting it. I'll blame you

[gutts]

Been drinking smoothies every day. Even done breakfast ones with oats. om nom nom... Go get one!

[veganlinda]

Am pondering getting a blender and wondering if the kitchenaid one is good for blending stuff like leafy greens, carrots and almonds. i.e. can it puree them? My current option of a handheld doesn't touch almonds and leafy greens just end up as a watery mush ... the last cheap blender I bought only lasted a week so want to get a pretty good blender but don't want to break the bank either.

[Mr Flibble]

It's fantastic for spinach and fruits (fresh or frozen). It will blend carrots (provided there's some liquid in there with them), but won't completely obliterate them (it will extract juice and leave a small amount of pith). Not sure about almonds but it crushes ice, so it shouldn't hurt it I wouldn't have thought.