BEST BLENDERS COMPARE & REVIEW | Blendtec, Vitamix, Oster
UPDATED: March, 2013
(Oxidation and Rancidity Discussion)
hat blender should I buy?
We have 3 favorite blenders. We love the Oster because of the amazing price and it’s versatility. However, it doesn’t do all the things that the super powered Blendtec and Vitamix . So, is price the most important factor, or do you have specific needs?
 The 3 Top Blenders♥ Blendtec Discounted + Free Shipping ♥ Vitamix Buy Here Now ♥ Oster Buy Here Now |
3 Best Blenders – 3 Reviews and
Comparisons
Here are our three final contenders for Best Blenders of All Time for the general public. Click on the links for more info. We chose these three because of performance, customer loyalty, satisfaction, and reputation.
he Blendtec is an powerful, high quality blender fitted with a 3HP motor. It is extremely solid and very durable. You may have heard the very popular "meme" (a meme is a phrase that has become popular to the extent that it has become very widely known, almost like a brand.): "But – will it blend?" This popular phrase refers to the Blendtec blender, which, according to its inventor, can blend almost anything from iron bolts to the full Apple iPad tablet computer.
Blendtec’s Tom Dickson is invited to the introduction to the new iPad 2. But as great as it is, Tom shows Steve Jobs how the Blendtec Total Blender can handle even the greatest of inventions. (Besides the Blendtec, of course.) Here are 2 videos that compare the Blendtec with the Vitamix.
| Video with John Kohler Blendtec vs. Vitamix (1) |
Video with John Kohler Blendtec vs. Vitamix (2) |
Here’s the funny video below. You don’t want to miss this. Also, at the end, there’s a very funny adlib call, from, guess who? : )
Will It Blend? (the iPad 2)
: ) The Blendtec has a 3 HP motor while the Vitamix has a 2 HP motor. This gives it a slight edge in the power department. However, the Blendtec has more dull style blades while the Vitamix has almost dangerously sharp blades. The dull style blade gives a "crushing" and "milling" action as well as a "cutting" action. One interesting experiment is to blend an entire avocado including the pit. If you try this experiment, you should end up with a very smooth, creamy concoction without any noticeable bits of shell. We don’t recommend eating the pit of the avocado. The Blendtec blades come with a lifetime warranty. The duller style blades are less damaging to brushes, spoons and utensils and also safer for fingers during cleaning or wiping. Many prefer the attractive and smooth digital controls of the Blendtec blender with automatic settings, including a usage counter.
POSITIVES AND BENEFITS
* Most powerful motor of all home use blenders * Extreme Durability – Built to Last – Tough Built * Smaller and Lighter * High Performance, Professional Grade * Easy to clean digital controls * Attractive and clear digital display * Automatic Settings for ease of use * Super strong BPA Free Container Jar * Single Piece Blade and Rotor Assembly * Dull, strong blade never needs sharpening * Dull, strong blade safer and easier to clean * Dull, strong blade doesn’t damage utensils * Single container can do both wet and dry contents * no need for second jar container * 7 year warranty, 3 year extended available * Lifetime warranty on blades and rotor assembly * The only blender able to blend almost "anything" * Factory sealed jar/blade assembly for cleanliness, safety & convenience
NEGATIVES
* Digital Display for those who prefer the old-fashioned switches and levers * Comes with 3 year original warranty, 4 year extended is extra * Noise level – mederately loud as are all power blenders * Higher Priced Click Here to See the Selection of Blendtec Blenders.
Favorite Models:
Blendtec WildSide Combo Blender: HP3A Total Blender – 3 Qt (96 oz w/4 – Comes with two containers large and larger, precision tuned 4 blade. Expensive.
Blendtec Total Blender: (less expensive) Blendtec Home TB-611-20 1,560-Watt Total Blender
ew professional model – the latest Vitamixes are likely the culmination of a number of customer wishes and desires. They boast an under-counter lower profile along with greater noise reduction. Are they still noisy? Yes, they are, but definitely quieter than previous versions. What’s most noisy of course is blending ice cubes, frozen or harder items. It still comes with a 64 ounce cannister despite being low profile (shorter) and is both wide and spacious. The newer blades work very efficiently despite the greater width. As for pricing and availability, we are pleased to note that Amazon has some good specials right now.
The Vitamix tops the charts with a whopping $500 – $650 price range. (See latest discounted prices here at Amazon.) However, it still comes with a sterling 7 year warranty and a Swedish built 2 peak hp motor powerful enough to blend a full container of the hardest vegetables and fruits seemingly within seconds. What we love about this blender is that is comes with a "tamper" or plunger. We’ve often bumped the blades with wooden or plastic spoons or spatulas. The tamper makes it easy to "tamp" down foods while blending. We also like manual controls rather than digital controls. But on the flip side, digital controls are very durable these days, and they are easier to wipe clean. The Blendtec also has an attractive blue digital display. With its newer and more quieter motor, blending can mere seconds, preserving nutrients which can be destroyed by the centrifugal energy field generated by the blades and swift circular motion. Of course the older model Vitamixes are also extremely fast and powerful. We like the fact that the Vitamix comes with a 7 year warranty. We’ve known and heard about several people who have had their Vitamix blender replaced within a week or two. If money were no object, the Vitamix model we would opt for is the we might opt for is the Vitamix Professional or Commercial Grade Blender with the extra containers. This is their premier package and comes with all the bells and whistles.
POSITIVES AND BENEFITS
* Most powerful motor of top two home use blenders * Easy Use Tamper to tamp down ingredients while blending * Extreme Durability – Built to Last – Tough Built, esp. older models * High Performance, Professional Grade * Manual switch and lever controls * Super strong BPA Free Container Jar * 3 year full warranty on container jar * Lifetime warranty on blades and rotor assembly * 7 year full warranty * Extremely popular * Now has low profile models with quieter motor (See here)
NEGATIVES
* Comes with Manual switches (but some may prefer manual over digital) * Noise level – mederately loud as are all power blenders * Separate jar, gasket, blades (Some may prefer this feature) * Requires two separate jars for wet and dry ingredients * Super sharp blade can be more difficult to clean * Newer models have had slightly more repair needs. * Higher priced
Some Favorite Vitamix Models
Vitamix 1710 Professional Series 500 Vitamix 1710 Professional Series 500 Variable-Speed Countertop Blender with 2+ HP Motor and 64-Ounce Jar
VitaMix Commercial Blender – Platinum
reat Pricing and Performance… The Oster. Why do we love this blender so much? In a nutshell: pricing and quality. It takes care of most normal blending chores very well. It’s rugged and durable. So, you get excellent quality AND great performance at a low price. Oster blenders were previously known as Osterizer blenders. There are many Osterizers still working after 35 years. Can you imagine that today? Do they still make blenders that durable? We’re not sure about that. But, Oster has kept up a great tradition with these low priced Osters.
Ancient Age…
We happen to have another Osterizer blender that’s approximately 38 years old. Can you believe it? You could call it a family heirloom. Here’s the amazing part: yes, this blender still works. It has not ever been repaired. Recently, we broke the glass jar. We discovered we could buy a replacement jar for $10 or so on Amazon. We ordered one, and ordered another Oster blender just in case this blender broke down. How could a blender that old last, we figured? Well, it HAS. It’s still working perfectly. How could we not deeply respect and honor a company that makes blenders that lasted almost 40 years? Can you imagine the quality of the rubber belts inside? Unbelievable. The other blender we carefully decided to purchase was the high performance 16 Speed Oster for approximately $45 – $49, including shipping. We couldn’t believe the low price. It had great testimonials and seemed to have all the features we needed. It crushes ice and even grinds sprouted grains to make Essene bread. You don’t have to buy a separate ice crushing blade.
POSITIVES AND BENEFITS
* High performance – makes juices and smoothies quickly and easily * Includes Ice feature and blades * Best Priced Highest Value per dollar * Large mouth convenient jar – easy to rinse clean without removing base * Durable, stable and strong * Even with ice, jar does not shake as with other lower priced blenders * Surprisingly powerful * Easy use buttons * Strong high quality glass container – easy to clean * Incredible value * All purpose, single jar usage, wet and dry * Blends sprouts, seeds, nuts * Versatile
NEGATIVES
* 16 speeds do not seem necessary * Harder to clean between buttons * Moderately loud, but not more so than any other blender Click HERE to see a selection of Oster Blenders.
Favorite Oster Blenders
Core 16-Speed Blender Oster 6812-001 Core 16-Speed Blender with Glass Jar – 42% Discounted
Classic Beehive Blender Oster 4093 Classic Beehive Blender, Chrome
GLASS VS. POLYCARBONATE
It was a hard choice to choose between glass and polycarbonate. Glass is heavier and more easily breakable. Polycarbonate is lighter and almost impervious to breakage. You could throw a polycarbonate jar across the room and it’s likely to stay in one piece. Of course it might crack or chip, but much less so than glass. Glass on the other hand is almost impervious to scratches, acids, deposits and staining. Our glass jar on our original Osterizer looked new with no scratches or imperfections. You can put both glass and polycarbonate in the dishwasher. The Blendtec tritan polycarbonate jar is lightweight, non-reactive, can withstand extreme temperature changes and comes with a 3 year warranty. The jar and blade is one assembly piece. The Vitamix polycarbonate jar is also very high quality. It comes with blade assembly unattached. The Oster comes with a glass jar. It’s very durable and also has a detachable blade assembly.
WARRANTY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE BLENDTEC AND VITAMIX
The Vitamix comes with a 7 year warranty on the container yet has a 3 year warranty on the blade and gaskets. Replacement parts are considered normal wear and tear and will run the same cost as replacing a container and assembly for the Blendtec. The Blendtec comes with a lifetime warranty on the blade assembly, a 7 year warranty on the base and container. You can purchase an additional 3 year warranty.
SUMMARY
(Note: See the updated notes on oxidation added below) If money is no object, we would buy both the Blendtec and the Vitamix, along with a nice hand crank blender and mini sized travel blender. Each comes with their own set of benefits. But for power and speed, the Blendtec has a 33% more powerful motor and the Vitamix has the very handy tamper. We have just been informed that there are also tampers for the Blendtec available. Of course, we would also buy the Oster just to hand out to friends, associates and family. : ) It’s pricing can’t be beat. The newest Vitamix uses actual switches rather than digital controls. We like that. We have found in the past that some digital controls can be slightly slippery (especially with wet hands), a bit ungainly, hard to press and slightly more complicated and less durable than basic hardware controllers such as knob and switch controls. However, the Blendtec display is easy and comfortable to use. It also has convenient auto settings. It is a strong toss up if you had to choose between the Blendtec and Vitamix. You really can’t go wrong with either of them. For the budget minded, the Oster may be the best deal of all. The Oster will make a smoothie including whole apples (including core and seeds), oranges, bananas and tough greens with stems in under 30 seconds. (We use approximately 3/4 to 1 cup of water and cut the apples and oranges into quarters. At a price less than 1/9th the other blenders, it’s a great, economical choice. Again, it also does ice and many grains without a hitch and runs smoothly and easily.
We genuinely love these 3 blenders and specifically chose them to promote with our affiliate links. Thanks for reading! : )
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Updated Notes
It has been recommended that we add the KitchenAid blender to this comparison article. However, due to the number of comments and complaints regarding the durability of KitchenAid’s single piece jar and base unit, we have decided to add the KitchenAid blender at a later date when this issue seems resolved. We have had experience in the past with a $179 Waring professional blender’s one piece base and jar leakage and eventual breakage after approximately one year of use.
NOTES ABOUT THE HARM OF OXIDATION AND BLENDING
A number of people are concerned with oxidation levels caused by various blenders. Is this oxidation, "harmful?" The oxidative levels are interesting. A few websites that we found compared the color of the blended ingredients to measure oxidation. Although it is true that coloration can indicate that oxidative processes have occurred, it is not a fully accurate factor as age, amount and type of ingredients used, the length of time blended and the type of metals, plastics and glass can all have a bearing with resultant color changes.
What Is Oxidation?
Oxidation is a chemical process that occurs when a substance is exposed to oxygen. Oxygen is a highly volatile and reactive element due to its unpaired electron configuration. Thus, it causes high susceptibility to free radical formation and interactivity. Such exposure can cause a number of reactions, including "burning," degradation, alteration of molecular structure and greater free radical formation. Released free radicals (electrons) can cause cellular and tissue damage. So, is many ways, oxidation can do some harm to foods that are blended, shredded, masticated, juiced, crushed or agitated and thus, exposed to air. The more oxygen that is introduced into a food being blended, the more oxidation will occur. Speed and surface exposure will contribute to more oxygen exposure. A high speed blender such as the Blendtec or Vitamix will naturally introduce a higher level of oxygen exposure into a blended food than a slower blender. Also, the more spray and dispersement, the more exposure. On the other hand, time is a factor. The longer the blending time, the more likely the exposure to oxidation. The faster blenders may take less time to achieve the smoothness desired. Another consideration is the size of the carafe. A larger carafe may also allow more surface exposure during blending, thus more oxidation. However, larger blades may reduce blending time. Do larger blades rotate at a slower speed? This is unlikely if the same blender base is used. When a liquid is blended in a smaller carafe at slower speeds, the air may not be drawn into the blade area as quickly as with higher speed, larger carafes. All in all, it’s quite a toss-up, dependent upon personal opinion and speculation. What does science say? So far, we have not come across neutral, non-brand associated scientific research that proves one blender superior to another.
Best Blending Practices
So, what is the solution for the "best" blending? We believe that the best way to blend is to use short bursts with the least amount of agitation possible. The less agitation, the less exposure to electro-magnetic forces, and the less oxidation is likely to occur. Both of these forces and interactions can cause the reduction of nutrient levels. It is interesting to note that juicing can cause even greater oxidation due to the fine breakdown of plant cell walls and constant exposure to air and thus, oxygen. Perhaps the most valuable research was provided by a physician who actually cured cancer and other diseases with raw plant juices and special diets. He noted that his greated results were with juices consumed immediately upon pressing with the Norwalk juicer and presser combination. He found that blenders in his day to be less efficacious. Today’s blenders are quick and powerful. A few seconds of blending can yield satisfactory results. Our summary regarding oxidation and blending is that most all blenders are quite similar offering only slight varying degrees of oxidative action. Likely the best trick is to blend as little as possible to preserve the greatest nutrient value.
Orig: 2.7.11 Curr: 03.13
72 responses to “BEST BLENDERS COMPARE & REVIEW | Blendtec, Vitamix, Oster”
More Oster Blender Details From Oster:
“With sleek modern styling and a powerful 450-watt motor, this efficient countertop blender works great for whipping up fruit smoothies, mixing frozen margaritas, blending pureed soups, stirring up zesty salsas, and more. Simply add ingredients to the large 5-cup scratch-resistant glass jar, secure the lid, and make a speed selection from the user-friendly push-button control panel. Choose between low power and high power and 16 speed settings including grate, blend, shred, grind, mash, liquefy, frappe, stir, beat, puree, chop, whip, pulse, ice crush, and more. The appliance features sharp ice-crushing stainless-steel blades to ensure smooth results and an exclusive all-metal drive system where the two connecting pieces, from motor to blade, are made of metal (instead of plastic) for enhanced durability and long-lasting performance. Best of all, the glass jar can safely go in the dishwasher for effortless cleanup. From one breakfast smoothie or party drink to the next, the blender, which measures approximately 8-3/5 by 10-1/5 by 14 inches, might be best left out on the counter for quick, easy, everyday access.”
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Product Features:
Product Features
* 450-watt blender with 16 speed settings, including ice crush and pulse
* Large 5-cup scratch-resistant glass jar offers generous handle and secure-fitting lid
* Exclusive all-metal drive system for enhanced durability and long-lasting performance
* Sharp stainless-steel blades; push-button control panel; dishwasher-safe parts
* Measures approximately 8-3/5 by 10-1/5 by 14 inches
More Oster Blender Details From Amazon (whom we are a frequent customer of : ) :
“With sleek modern styling and a powerful 450-watt motor, this efficient countertop blender works great for whipping up fruit smoothies, mixing frozen margaritas, blending pureed soups, stirring up zesty salsas, and more. Simply add ingredients to the large 5-cup scratch-resistant glass jar, secure the lid, and make a speed selection from the user-friendly push-button control panel. Choose between low power and high power and 16 speed settings including grate, blend, shred, grind, mash, liquefy, frappe, stir, beat, puree, chop, whip, pulse, ice crush, and more. The appliance features sharp ice-crushing stainless-steel blades to ensure smooth results and an exclusive all-metal drive system where the two connecting pieces, from motor to blade, are made of metal (instead of plastic) for enhanced durability and long-lasting performance. Best of all, the glass jar can safely go in the dishwasher for effortless cleanup. From one breakfast smoothie or party drink to the next, the blender, which measures approximately 8-3/5 by 10-1/5 by 14 inches, might be best left out on the counter for quick, easy, everyday access.”
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Product Features:
* 450-watt blender with 16 speed settings, including ice crush and pulse
* Large 5-cup scratch-resistant glass jar offers generous handle and secure-fitting lid
* Exclusive all-metal drive system for enhanced durability and long-lasting performance
* Sharp stainless-steel blades; push-button control panel; dishwasher-safe parts
* Measures approximately 8-3/5 by 10-1/5 by 14 inches
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More Blendtec Blender Information From Amazon:
“The Blendtec Total Blender has automatic blending cycles for ice cream, frozen yogurt, ice crushing, milkshakes, soups, syrups, fondues, sauces, dips, dressings, batters, whole juice, and smoothies.
These cycles have variable speed settings that will change during the course of the cycle. This allows the blender to draw the contents into the blending vortex, which creates the desired texture.
The blender will run its pre-programmed cycle and automatically shut off. If at any point you want to stop the blender before it has completed its cycle press any lower row button. The Total Blender recipe book is designed for an overall average in terms of ice temperature and the amount of liquid typically contained in various fruits and vegetables.
Your experience may be different depending on local conditions and you may need to adjust certain recipes to have more or less ice, and higher or lower portions of fruits and vegetables or other ingredients. For example, if a drink is too thick to blend adequately, try reducing the ice a little and replacing the ice with a little water or other liquid.
You will be amazed at the difference in blendability. Whatever your experience with ingredients, the Total Blender will blend things faster and more easily than other blenders because of its unique combination of high speed motor, patented square jar, single prong wingtip blade, direct drive coupling, and computer controlled blend cycles.
In the world of professional blending, there are many factors which go into making a delicious and consistent blended product. It is from that world of professional results that the Total Blender derives its heritage. In order to blend many different things consistently well, Blendtec developed blend cycles to match the blending needs of the type of product being made. ”
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* Blendtec HP3A Total Blender with 3 Qt (96 oz) and 2 QT (64 oz) Containers – Color WHITE HPA-611-26
* WildSide 3 QT Pitcher – 4″ Blade, BPA-Free Jar and Lid, Fifth Side creates a better blend
* HP3A Base – Touch Pad, 6 Pr-Programmed Settings, 25 Total Settings, Manual Mode -10 Speeds
* 1560 Watts, 13 Amps, Blade Speed up to 29,000 RPM, ETL, NSF & UL Certified
* Manufacurers Limited 3 Year Warranty – Owners Manual and Recipe Book Included
More Vitamix Blender Information from Amazon:
“Vitamix and the Culinary Institute of America have partnered to bring you the CIA Professional by Vitamix. The CIA has trained more than 37,000 chefs and foodservice professionals, including many celebrity chefs. Ordinary blenders can’t begin to approach the speed nor the results you’ll enjoy while using the powerful CIA Professional by Vitamix machine. Like no other kitchen appliance available, the CIA Professional by Vitamix multi-tasking appliance will unlock the deep rich flavor treasures hidden in all your select ingredients. You can create dishes the way professional chefs do. It easily handles the work of many appliances so you can blend, puree, chop, juice, grind and more, all in this one versatile machine! Included is an exclusive new recipe book, “Recipes and Techniques from the CIA Master Chefs”. The book features more than 20 recipes developed by the CIA’s Certified Master Chefs. The CIA Professional by Vitamix also comes with “Create”, an easel-design recipe book which saves counter space and is packed with over 300 easy-to-prepare recipes from some of the country’s top professional chefs, including Joanne, Weir, Michael Symon and Hugh Carpenter. Instructional DVD and owner’s manual included. “It’s not a blender – It’s a Vitamix!” ”
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Features:
* Countertop blender with laser-cut stainless-steel blades
* 2+ peak hp motor generates blade speeds of 240 MPH
* Durable all-metal construction; variable speed control
* 64-ounce jar; recipe books, instructional DVD, and manual included
* Measures 8-3/4 by 7-1/4 by 20 inches; 7-year warranty
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My wife and I have had Vitamix blenders for over 15 years. She actually once gave a speech on what she could Not live without, and gave it about the VitaMix. We use it everyday, sometimes 3 or 4 times per day. We think it is absolutely fabulous!
We did have the bearings go bad once, and called the company. They not only sent us the new blade assembly (which houses the bearings), but the tool to use to replace the assembly, and did not ask for the bad part back, showing they just believed us without question. We appreciated the trust they showed. They also sent the replacement part that same day, or the next day. We’d definitely give them 5 out of 5 stars for equipment and service both!
Thank you for your review. It’s great to know that they sent the tool and the replacement part, and that you’ve had your Vitamixes for over 15 years. The Vitamix truly is a big winner. This is clearly the case where we would like 2 blenders – the Vitamix AND the Blendtec. : )
I have a funny question. I really am happy with my new Oster blender ($30 at Costco) — except that I am confused because there is no button that says “Blend” even though it’s a “Blender.” How to convert my recipes? I totally goofed on my mayo. What correlates to Blend in the new lingo? Would it be “Milkshake” or “Smoothie?”
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Good question. : ) We’ve found that the different buttons have just a slight difference in speed, increasing as you get to the higher terms for more blending. Personally, I ignore the labels and just go for the speed that suits what I’m blending. Generally, the fastest speeds are the easiest and quickest. But sometimes, their too fast. I love the ice crusher feature on just about everything.
Great review Cici! I own an Olster and a Vitamix. I can’t understand why Vitamix keeps using the poly carbonate container! and the Olster does use the healthier glass!
Carlos
Hi Carlos! Perhaps the blender companies use the polycarbonate because of the weight. And, when they (Blendtec, for example) keep shredding all those electronics, they need that tough plastic. : )
But, wouldn’t it be nice if they had the glass option? There’s something wonderful and chemically inactive about glass. We do love the Oster for the glass canister – no stains, and it’s shiny and flawless for each blending. : )
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Thank you for the review. We used to go through an Oster blender every year (motor burns out when blending frozen fruit every day) so we bought a Vitamix about 4 years ago. It still works like new. Regarding the Blendtec vs. Vitamix videos- There is another website that compares the oxidation and the 4 inch blade Blendtec definitely oxidized the food less than the 3 inch blade Blendtec or the Vitamix. Since you are doing a review, why not make it thorough instead of saying that you don’t know but you don’t think it really makes a difference? Also, I wish you had tested something more substantial than a couple of chopped up apples. Why not make a real smoothy since you are doing a review? Some of the users say that not having a tamper for the Blendtec (3 inch blade) is a drawback since it won’t draw all of the ingredients down to the blade (tampers for the blendtec are available at third party websites). Users of the 4 inch blade blendtec say this is not an issue.
thanks for this! just started doing green smoothies and can’t afford a higher end blender. I have had my oster for 5 years and am happy it does the trick for now. Prefer glass over polycarbonate too.
Response to Karen:
Thanks, Karen. We also LOVE our Oster. We grind down frozen chunks of hard fruit like there’s no tomorrow. : ) It’s a workhorse. So far, it’s quite durable, and we love the glass as well. That’s one of the reasons why we love Oster.
Karen’s Message:
“Submitted on 2012/03/15 at 12:14 am
thanks for this! just started doing green smoothies and can’t afford a higher end blender. I have had my oster for 5 years and am happy it does the trick for now. Prefer glass over polycarbonate too.”
Karen’s Message:
“Submitted on 2012/03/15 at 12:14 am
thanks for this! just started doing green smoothies and can’t afford a
higher end blender. I have had my oster for 5 years and am happy it
does the trick for now. Prefer glass over polycarbonate too.”
Response to Karen:
Thanks, Karen. We also LOVE our Oster. We grind down frozen chunks of hard fruit like there’s no tomorrow. : ) It’s a workhorse. So far, it’s quite durable, and we love the glass as well. That’s one of the reasons why we love Oster.
I was informed by Vitamix that glass isn’t used due to the high speed of the blades. These performance blenders hit much higher rpms than an Oster for example. If something were to be dropped into a glass container at such high speed, serious injury could result from flying shards of glass.
@Pete This likely also explains why the Blendtec also uses the carbonate-type container. Thanks for sharing this information with us!
Thank you for your information. We very much appreciate it. The oxidation levels are interesting. We actually added an ‘Oxidation’ section to our article, above. It addresses some of the issues you brought up.
As for our blending experiments, we’ve actually put our blender through a host of “punishing” experiements. These days we blend large amounts of dandelions, cilantro and other very fibrous materials. We Add ice and frozen fruit which really puts our Oster through its paces.
We will say that there is an occasional slight drip from the bottom of the blender via the stem and blade assembly.
However, because we are so extremely hard on our blender (large amounts, tough, fibrous plant material, large frozen chunks) that we are actually amazed out blender has lasted as long as it has. We are immensely satisfied thus far.
We were unable to find a tamper for the Blendtec. However, Blendtec claims that no tamper is necessary with the variable speed settings, and commenters have noted that they no longer need a tamper with the Blendtec. As you say, the 4 inch blade and larger canister seems to be quite effective and have received high praise. The 3 inch blade is also very popular, however.
Please let us know if you find a readily available tamper assembly for the Blendtec.
Us, too. : )
We absolutely love the glass as it seems to be less reactive than any type of plastic. We wonder if the glass helps prevent some oxidation… of course we have no proof. Glad you’re Oster is going strong!
does any one know which blender would grind date pits? iv heard that they are good for the heart.
Thank you for these honest and quality reviews! I respect your decision not to include Kitchen Aid blenders until the issues are resolved. I’m shopping for a new blender less than 1.5 years after buying my Kitchen Aid. It leaks from the bottom of the pitcher and makes a mess.
Again, thanks! I’m going to get myself an Oster and save up for one of the other two!
Good question. : ) We’ve found that the different buttons have just a
slight difference in speed, increasing as you get to the higher terms
for more blending. Personally, I ignore the labels and just go for the
speed that suits what I’m blending. Generally, the fastest speeds are
the easiest and quickest. But sometimes, they’re too fast. I love the ice
crusher feature on just about everything.
Hi Zainabakbarr,
Re: Date Pit Blending and Consumption
Date pits are extremely hard can be difficult for most blenders and contribute greater to general wear and tear. They also can break up into small shards and pieces and fly about the blender at high speeds. These bits and pieces could conceivably be a choking hazard, especially for small children. It’s best to consult with a physician regarding this. As for eating the pits…
Some have cited cases where date pits were turned into a form of cake. The process is laborious and energy intensive and very hard on mechanical equipment. Other uses have included animal feed. Interestingly, fully sprouted date pits can be fed directly to certain animals, as the pits have been softened. Another interesting use has been drying and grinding the pits to be used as a coffee “filler.”
Nutritionally speaking, date pits contain oil, amino acids, minerals, and a huge amount of fiber. They are generally not found to be useful for the human diet, likely because the nutritional value doesn’t warrant the large expenditure of energy to make them available.
In our minds, sprouting and then grinding might be a slightly better option. Date pits properly processed do not seem to be toxic for ruminant mammals.
In studying the nutrient content of date seed mash, there doesn’t seem to be anything of particular note that may be conducive for heart health.
There are some anecdotal stories that date pit flour can be beneficial for health, but there is no actual proof. Animal studies have shown that animals can be fattened on processed date pits, but benefits are fairly commensurate with other forms of feed.
Blessings!
Hi Christina,
Awesome – congrats on your new Oster. Hope it works out great for you! Please let us know how it goes.
: )
I have an Oster beehive, it works well, but about once a year the plastic ring that hold the blades in place cracks. Also, like the Kitchen Aide I had previously, the Oster leaks.
I wonder if there is a difference in noise level from the Oster to the Blendtec or Vitamix.
I use mine almost exclusively for smoothies, but usually 2 a day, so plan to leave it on the counter, which looks like I am leaning toward the Blendtec since it will fit under the cabinet. Is there a version that has just 3 speeds or so?
Thanks for the info! I was doing a search to find out why my blender has dull blades instead of sharp blades, and I got my answer. My blender is a KitchenAid Ultrapower that I have had for about 15 years. I’ve just started making more smoothies, and it does great! I just put in all my fresh veggies first, then add frozen or hard veggies after it is going, and my smoothies are perfect! I keep hearing that I have to have a Vitamix or Blentec, but why spend that money when my Ultrapower is doing the job just fine?? And I love my glass container and removeable blade assembly for cleaning!
I am realizing that this year is 8 years that we have had our Blendtek!! Worth every penny for healthy smoothies that your kids will actually drink!!! A veggie smoothie at Whole Foods will run you 6$ and up per smoothie, so I have definately saved money that way!
Hi Demuralist, just saw you comment today – it’s 7 mos later but will answer anyway. : ) We would say that the Oster may be a little quieter than the other 2 blenders which are quite high-powered. Interestingly, Vitamix now has a blender that also fits under the counter. The Blendtec is not really a 3 speed blender, but it is programmable which is quite handy and relatively easy to use.
I just ended up buying the Vitamix. Obviously it works much better than the Oster, and there are no leak issues. As an added bonus, the sound level is actually lower on the Vitamix than the Oster Beehive, until you hit the highest speeds on the Vitamix (the Oster only has off and on). I use it mostly to make smoothies, and almond and coconut milks though so I rarely use the high speed. I just set the container next to the base on the counter, so no big deal there. I love the Vitamix, for its use, ease of cleaning, and simplicity of dials.
Thanks for this – good to know. We’re not a fan of the beehive model due to what you said – the simple on-off switch. Waring had a similar beehive blender with an on-off switch that we tried and we were not satisfied, either. We love the new Vitamix – it’s definitely quieter and has a nice, shorter profile. As for the taller Vitamix, good point about simply removing the jar from the base to fit under-counter. Many of us neglect to consider that option.
Great point about saving on smoothies. Folks can literally save thousands with their own blending. Congrats and the 8 years and going strong – may it continue for at least another 8 years and beyond. The Blendtec is a champ. (And the Vitamix, too of course : )
Would love to see the new Oster Versa, as part of this review, and see how it stacks up to the blentec and vitamin. The versa has been getting a lot of positive reviews from users.
Thanks, Bennett, that’s an excellent suggestion. We’re looking into right now. Hopefully, we will have something to add very soon. It looks like a great blender at a very good price.
I am awaiting mine any day. I read literally hundreds of reviews and saw dozens of videos, and hope I’ve made the right choice in getting the Versa. I wish there was more feedback out there, but this machine is still too new to be widely talked about. I really can’t justify over $600 CDN for a Vitamix, when a blender almost equal in power and quality can be had for less than 1/2 the price from a very reputable brand. I did say to my husband, that if it turns out to be junk, I will be getting the Vitamix. He is so enjoying his less than completely perfect (old blender)
green smoothies each day, and looks very forward to homemade soup… he isn’t arguing!
I wrote the above comment, and I am now the very impressed owner of an Oster Versa. My first impression was that it makes my 20 year old Oster blender look like a child’s toy. Not only is it big, very sturdy, and the blender container is quite solid, but it seems like it would take off on my countertop when I used it –WOW, talk about power! My old blender had, I believe 450 watts of power, and this one is 3 times that, at least. I made my first smoothie using almost all frozen ingredients. Strawberries, banana, chunks of peaches, pineapple, honeydew, and cherries, and fresh (not frozen) kale leaves, some steel-cut oats, and almond milk. I was amazed how effortlessly it tore through everything, and got the job done in mere seconds. I continued to let it blend on high a few seconds longer, just to ensure it would be smooth, and there wasn’t a single speck of kale or strawberry seed, or huge chunky oat bit to be detected. Normally I wasn’t too fond of kale done with my old blender, because I found the taste quite strong, and I would get tiny specks of kale and strawberry seeds in my mouth. Even worse, was the chunky pellets of steel cut oats I would have to almost chew up as I drank. The oats, I added as an afterthought today, and were quite smoothly blended in, but still added a tiny bit of texture (thickness) I am really looking forward to trying to make cream of celery soup (celery is obviously really stringy), and vegetable juice. Can’t wait to see what else this baby is capable of!
Hi Kristina, Thank you for your comments! We have been researching this blender, and willl be putting up a review. We would also like to put some of your comments directly into the article – they are very helpful. Leaving the pith on is terrific – we certainly appreciate those valuable bioflavanoids. And blending in hard, steel cut oats shows this blender to be a fellow premium contender to the mighty Blendtec and Vitamix. People are loving this blender, and the lower price is great! : )
Hi Bschultz, Thanks for your comments. Your Ultrapower sounds terrific. We also love the glass container. : )
Hi all. Just got a blender:
Only tested it with water in jug, and sure has plenty of grunt – and decibels. This unit has very sharp serrated blades, and my concern is blade dulling with use – plan on using it mainly for vege smoothies with carrot as one of the mainstay items. Experience with dicing carrot is that a stainless kitchen knife dulls surprisingly fast. Can only imagine things would be worse for a high speed blender blade. Apparently it’s due to microscopic silica particles taken up in the cell structure of such vegetables. Anyway, was thinking of being proactive and getting a quote for custom hard surfacing the blades, e.g.: hardtechnologies
Wouldn’t be cheap but then I figure there would be peace of mind knowing the blades should never dull, and dulling is an insidious process that creeps up on one with no warning buzzer. Guess no one else has tried it, but wondering if others here can comment on blade dulling with their blender usage. Am aware some makes have dull blades from the word go (I think Blendtec is one) while others go the sharp blade route (vitamix?). Maybe there is no issue to worry about, but still.
Just to update (if anybody still reads this thread). Went ahead and had the set of blades – 4-blade piece + 2-blade piece – coated with TiN (titanium nitride). Nice golden sheen that adds a certain something to the visuals. Tested just now with generous feed of hard veges – carrot, beetroot, and extras, and looks good. Had to try 2 companies; one never replied after two tries, but second one happily took the job. They had a mandatory minimum charge of AU$40 + $10 shipping + 10%GST applied, so total of $55 which was reasonable.
THANK YOU for sharing my sentiments exactly! I would buy the Blendtec in a minute if it came with a glass container! I would buy SEVERAL glass containers to insure that I always would have one! How could I justify spending all that money on PLASTIC? Yes, it’s “safe” for now, but who knows in 10 years if there is something in polycarbonate that causes harm? Just the thought of my fruits and veggies in plastic makes me cringe! Getting the Oster….several of them in case they stop making it!
I would always opt for Glass. As tests for BPA and BPP are carried out by the companies themselves, and they publish their own findings, who are we to say they are honest? nearly a hundred studies have happened, by independent scientists with no profit to make from these companies and they found that with normal wear and tear plastic is introduced into food. at speeds of up to 300mph and hard objects smashing against the plastic of course the plastic will wear down. Also studies have proven that integration occurs still with these plastics used by Vita Mix and Blendtec. Best to stick to glass and then just gently mix your food on lower speeds and then higher speeds. BPA and BPP is linked to Infertility in men, Breast Cancer, Heart Disease, Arthritis and obesity. So i guess it’s your choice, a fancy product or your health?. I choose my health thank you 🙂
It is not safe please check independent studies on the Plastics used by Blendtec and Vitamix. The studies are carried out from within the companies. No independent studies are published and put in the media……. do your research. BPA and BPP is linked to numerous health conditions. Your health is more important then a smooth drink.
Just to be clear Vitamix blades are as dull as a butterknife you wont cut yourself on them. Please don’t post misinformation.
Where is the Oster Versa review?
It’s been a year. How about the review for the Oster Versa 1400 Performance Blender?
Thank you for reminding us. We’re going to try and get right on it. It’s a GREAT blender for a fraction of the price of the other guys. 🙂
Ok. We’re going to get right on it. 🙂
Thank you Logan, ours seemed a bit sharp when we received it. They’re definitely dull now, and the blender works like a charm. Like you said, no need to worry about getting cut, indeed. 🙂
Thank you Salwa, appreciate your opinion on this. We notice our plastic jars are indeed getting scratched and a bit worn (no longer shiny smooth), but still working like a charm. We replaced a glass heirloom jar once in 40 years, our fault for dropping it. We love glass, too. 🙂
Hi Kevin, sounds like a great idea. We have some titanium coated tools and the coating does wear off. Hopefully the blades are made differently. We love the titanium, really seems to make a difference. Thanks!
Our blender blades have gotten increasingly dull, but seem to work well as new. Things seems to blend as quickly and efficiently. We haven’t timed it however; so conceivably, there could be a small difference. Needless to say, we’re still happy as clams in a pristine harbor. 🙂 But we do like the idea of the titanium blades. Glad to hear they make a difference for you!
Hi Charlotte, so sorry we didn’t answer sooner. We’ve been away. Hopefully you rec’d your answer. 🙂 But there are grain and seed jars and blades that one can add on, and they work very well. We have blended seeds well with our regular blades. As for hard grains, we haven’t tried that extensively, although when we did, the grains did become powdery which was good (using regular blades). However, we would definitely opt for the special grain and seed blades that often come with a separate jar. The grains and seeds will cause the plastic jars to become cloudy. Nonetheless, they still seem to remain durable and functional.
Had given up on a response – but nice to get one now! So anyway, have to report my initial enthusiasm has been tempered somewhat. Surprisingly, the titanium coat started to come off after first use. But in a funny way – starting from the center where one might least expect it. After around a week there was virtually no more loss thereafter, and coating on blade cutting edges surprisingly were still intact. I assume coating process concentrated on the edges, but still disappointing to have any loss. Then at around 2 months use disaster struck. I add dried cut herbs, and unfortunately something probably a small screw or nut was mixed in and just destroyed the blades and unit effectively. Being a cheapie Vitamix knock-off, got a replacement unit that has performed well since. Decided not to go for coating again, and the initially super sharp serrated edge of blades does dull rather quickly but just how much that reduces efficiency is hard to tell. One drawback I assume also applies to Vitamix (jug design is identical) is the poor mixing for a full charge once thickening has started. Owing to square design/fluting causing stagnation against ‘far’ edges. An art and bother to stop occasionally and restart from slow speed to get mixing back up somewhat. A round jug (a la ‘Nutri-blender’) would likely avoid that problem. Watery mix and/or low fill levels not a problem. Oh well. So anyway I include a before/after comparison of coated blades – after being iirc on fifth day of use – around 3-4 minutes blending time involving ‘hard’ veges like carrot, beetroot, plus softer veges and seeds. Total delivered cost btw was around AU$60.
Hi Kevin,
Thank you for sharing your experience with the titanium blades. The pictures are very illustrative. An unusual pattern of wear! Very good to know. What’s interesting is that it seems from observing your experience, the brunt of cutting seems to occur on the inner portion of the blades rather than the outer portion. Or, perhaps the coating was applied differently in different areas, but that does seem unlikely, doesn’t it?
Interestingly, the slightly squarish jar corners of the Vitamix, Blendtec and Oster seem to pose little problem with stagnating contents at the edges. Everything seems to blend pretty evenly. The Oster jar is fairly slim and perhaps that helps, and the Vitamix and Blendtec are so powerful, or the cutting blades are specially designed to reach everything rather nicely. Perhaps some jars are slightly wider, and that may make the corners less reachable. Of course the new Vitamix jars are wider, but seem to perform well.
However, we have noticed when the jar is almost completely full to the top, there may be a tiny, tiny bit of material that rotates on the edges of the top edges of the mix. Is that what you’re experiencing as well? For slightly less thick or lower amounts, everything seems to blend quickly.
Hope your new blender lasts and performs well for you! 🙂
Hi and thanks for your comments! I don’t think it was a case of cutting being heavier on inner blade edges. Possibly the operator simply didn’t prepare (i.e. clean) the blades adequately, but I suspect rather that the TiN coating vacuum deposition process is biased to ensure adhesion to the actual cutting edges. Nothing else quite makes sense to me.
As for stagnation, not an issue if just blending vegies with adequate water added. Different story with fruits plus say flaxseed and dried herbs added. Thickens up pretty fast (using max speed setting) and while mixing is then still fairly good throughout lower half, the counter-clockwise flow stagnates against the triangular indented flutes that protrude inwards. Stopping then restarting from slow speed on up ‘gets it all moving again’ but it is a bit of an art that requires practice and sometimes repetition. As mentioned before one cure is to just add more water at the start, but I’m sure a round jar would solve the issue by eliminating any barrier to smooth flow. Can’t have everything though can we! And btw sorry about that repetitive double pic of blades – didn’t show in edit mode till posting then couldn’t find a way to fix it.
Hi Kevin, yes, now that you mention it, perhaps it was all in the preparation of the base metal and the application of the coating rather than consequences of spin. Of course, there is more surface contact approaching the center. It does seem that titanium coated cookware has a far superior bonding adhesion than our gardening tools, thus indicating a superior method and preparation of the metals. As for the double pics, hardly noticed. 🙂
I love your blog
I have read this article and enjoyed it
oster blenders can use standard mason mouth jars. this is their best feature. any size from jam jar to full 1 litre. this will change your blending life. crushes vitamix et al.
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Hi,
I was wondering about your introduction… You say that the Oster is not able to do some of the things the others can do, but it seems that you don’t mention that later on (However, it doesn’t do all the things that the super powered Blendtec and Vitamix.). But what exactly is the Oster unable to do?
In my opinion, Karmin blender is the best 😉
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