Blendtec Blenders Category:
by mandy on April 15, 2011
Another product from Blendtec, this Blendtec WildSide HP3A is a much bigger blender (3-quart) compared to its sister the TB621. If your family is looking forward to a raw diet or increased consumption of vegetables and fruits, this blender is a good option to consider.
Blendtec WildSide HP3A
Known for its smoothie-making function, the Blendtec Wildside is often placed side by side with the Vitamix 5200. The Wildside is liked for its lower height, especially by those who have little space under the cabinets.
It also has preprogrammed options instead of controls and switches on the Vitamix, but this will depend on personal preference on automation or full control. Granted, automation meant less versatility because you might not find a perfect program that fits your favorite style of blending for certain foods, if you have one. But for most people, user-friendliness with home appliances meant hit-and-run.
The Blendtec WildSide HP3A is pretty powerful. It can crush frozen fruits and create a smooth, yummy smoothie but make sure you put in the correct ratio of frozen stuff and water and close the lid tightly. This heavy duty blender can handle several blends a day, every day if you like it, so you can have fresh and healthy green smoothies every time!
A few users mentioned that this blender is ‘terribly loud’, ‘tolerably loud’, or ‘has a noticeable sound’, but all of them are happy with the blending and did not mind the noise. I have yet to find a really silent blender, really.
Cleaning up this blender is a very easy, no-hassle job for anyone. The purchase includes a handy recipe book for more blending ideas, and a limited 3-year warranty. The warranty on Vitamix 5200 is 7 years, but then it costs twice as much.
So to buy or not to buy? I’d say, smoothie fans out there, unless you have some hard cash to splurge on a Vitamix, get this Blendtec WildSide HP3A blender. Chances are that you’ll be happy with it.
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by mandy on January 15, 2010
• Commercial-quality 1,500-watt countertop blender with 3 HP direct-drive motor
• Preprogrammed blending cycles; digital touchpad controls; auto shutoff
• 2-prong stainless-steel blade spins at up to 29,000 rpm; ice-crushing guarantee
• 32-ounce square blending jar; secure-fitting lid; user guide and recipes included
• Measures 12 by 10 by 20 inches; 3-year motor-base warranty; 1-year jar warranty; lifetime coupling-and-blade warranty
Blendtec Home TB621BHM blender
You need the high power blender for this sort of thing, other blenders can’t handle it. Thank goodness the Blendtec was mentioned in reviews for GFL, or I would have never even known about it. I ordered it with fingers crossed. It was a lot of money to plunk down for a blender and I was a little scared I wouldn’t be able to drink the green stuff.
Not only did the blender perform like a dream, it makes a killer green smoothie–no taste of kale! The cost of the blender is worth it for this reason alone. Now I can get my daily intake of greens without having to endure it. It’s actually delicious and gives you a buzz of energy way better than coffee.
I’m telling you all this because I think that Blendtec has missed a major market demographic. The recipie book that comes with the blender can be discarded for this demographic. A lot of people need these blenders for a vegan or raw food and greens lifestyle and I think most of them end up with a Vita-mix because of the way they are marketed.
I have had a Vita Mix and can tell you this is Way better. One thing not mentioned in the specs is that the blendtec is only about 15 inches tall (unlike the Vitamix which is 20). That means it fits on your counter under your cabinets–very important for an appliance you might be using every day. Mine now occupies the space where the coffee pot used to be and I use it at least twice a day.
You can make nut butters, various flours, breads, soup….etc. It’s so powerful I think the motor could fly a small plane.
You can walk away from this blender and it knows when to shut itself off, it is not as loud as the Vitamix even though it is more powerful, and the clean-up is a cinch. This is the single best appliance I’ve ever purchased. The only thing I wish it had is a retractable cord and better customer service.
If you are on the fence about this–buy it! – crankypants
This blender has one of the most powerful motors, and one of the best designs. It’s a workhorse, and while it is more expensive than a lot of other blenders, it should be something that you are able to pass down to your kids. It is the same blender you will find it many coffee shops and smoothie places. – E. Byers
The Bad:
Great blender, but buy hearing protection to go with it! This is an awesome blender. It blends stuff like you’ve never seen before and I am really pleased with it. But holy cow is it LOUD!! – Shopperholic
I ordered this blender and then returned it. Replaced it with a Vitamix 5200, which I am very happy with.
I should state up front, that the reasons I didn’t like this blender are not reasons that will bother others. There are obviously people who love their Blendtecs and aren’t at all bothered by the things I mention here. None the less, here are the two things that caused me to return mine.
(1) I absolutely detest the way this blender sloshes everything up and down inside the container like a washing machine. This splashes everything up against the sides and lid. Better make sure your lid is on securely, or liquid will come flying out the sides creating a mess. Liquid will also come out the vent hole on the top of the lid, which forced me to cover it. I tend to blend my smoothies in the evening and place them in the fridge overnight for a morning drink. Because the Blendtec sloshes everything up and down, the liquid has hardened overnight on the sides and lid, making clean up a more difficult chore. This sloshing action appears to be caused by the design of the blades (NOT the motor speeding up and down), to make sure your ingredients don’t get stuck at the bottom. But that’s just not a big enough problem when I blend, to live with this washing machine action. The Vitamix does not do this by design, it only happens if you try, by cranking up the speed way too fast.
(2) On hindsight, the programmed buttons seemed like a good idea. In actual practice it was very annoying to me. The preprogrammed buttons just don’t give me a sense of control like the Vitamix. The Blendtec has a couple of buttons to adjust the speed gradually, but I find that annoying to keep pressing buttons to slow down and speed up the blending process. The Vitamix 5200 has a simple dial you turn quickly to adjust speed. I especially like the ultra SLOW speed the Vitamix can start with. I ALWAYS start at the ultra slow speed on the Vitamix to see what my ingredients will do, then gradually speed things up as I see is necessary. Again, I have total control with the Vitamix.
To repeat, these issues may not mean anything to you – and if not – you will be happy with your Blendtec. – terryoregon
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