Customer Reviews

Blendtec HP3a Home Blender - Red Base

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This will probably sound shallow to the blender connoisseurs out there, but after reading the reviews comparing and contrasting Blendtec with Vitamix (its main rival), I chose the Blendtec in the end because I couldn't stand the idea of paying a fortune for the Vitamix that is (in my opinion) really unattractive :). The Blendtec, on the other hand, is fantastically sharp-looking on the counter. I use it daily and it performs like a dream. It is goof-proof. Decide what you want it to do and push the corresponding button. It turns itself off when it's done, and counts down the seconds digitally while it's working.

I use it almost solely for smoothies and it is every bit as good as the Vitamix that I borrowed from a friend for several weeks when I was test-driving these (expensive) machines. When you're spending so much cash on a kitchen appliance, you don't want buyer's remorse. I was thrilled to discover the Blendtec right before I was about to plunk down $500 for a Vitamix.

Another perhaps shallow reason I chose Blendtec over Vitamix is that the Vitamix is too tall to rest under my upper cabinets, whereas the Blendtec is just the right height. But if you think about it, this is not a trivial difference, because one is much more likely to use a machine that doesn't have to dragged out of hiding.

In my situation, the decision to get rid of my perfectly operable and nearly-new Cuisinart and to pay so much for the Blendtec was a matter of health. I have a young husband with stage IV cancer and I thought it was imperative to have a top-notch machine to make healthful smoothies and shakes into which I could add supplements like protein powders and extra vitamins and minerals. The Cuisinart, while a nice machine, just couldn't touch what the Blendtec does, which is make smooth as silk drinks without any grit or unblended material at the bottom.

According to the manual, this machine can also create ice cream and warmed soup. Once my husband is cured, I will branch out beyond smoothies and hope to enjoy many years of fun and experimentation with this gorgeous workhorse!

This shiny red hummer will likely cost you another $50 a year to operate according to a K-Tech representative we spoke to on the phone last month.

We've had our blender for nearly 5 years, but won't be patronizing K-TEC, including their BlendTec product line, anymore. The pitcher has a gear fitting on the bottom that tends to wear out every 2 years. They blamed us the first time because we had put the pitcher in the dish washer a couple of times. Thinking they were an honest business, we coughed up the $100 to have them ship a new pitcher. Around 2 years later, the exact same problem started happening. This time they admitted that their pitchers only last about 2 years with regular use.

Here are the symptoms:
* Grey powder between the pitcher and the base. That's powder from the metal shaft in the pitcher grinding up.
* Sharp grinding noise at the beginning right before the blades really spin.

Eventually the shaft fitting wears down completely and won't work anymore, requiring you to spend another $100 or more (as prices rise) every other year for a new pitcher.

Personally, I find this to be a total rip-off when old blenders that cost a fraction of the price and made in the late 70's are still able to work (albeit without the same amount of torque) for 30 years and this one can't even last 3!

What did we use it for? Smoothies. That's it. Ice is the toughest thing it's had to deal with.

It's a bad mechanical design for the consumer, though a profitable one for K-Tech.

Stay away from K-Tec and BlendTec and tell your friends to look for alternatives.

I purchased one from a Costco show. I use it for smoothies and soup. The male spindle at the base of the jar is starting to grind away, leaving fine black schmutz on the bottom of the jar. I can see that the bottom of the teeth are being ground away at an angle. So here's the catch: you spend >$400 on this thing, and the warranty is only on the base. They've designed the teeth at the bottom of the blender jar to be softer than the main motor teeth, and only warranty the motor base. Genius, but wrong. I'm pissed, and I hope Costco will accept mine for a refund. Look at other brands, avoid the Blendtec.

I use this blender daily to micronize my foods for better absorption of nutrients. I've used other high powered blenders and the Blendtec is hands down superior.

No problems with this product. Very efficient and quick. I like the fact that the whole fruit/vegetable can be used, making it more nutritious.
Louise
Scottsdale, AZ