Blendtec ICB3 13Amp Commercial Smoothie Blender 110V Refurb $169.99 Shipped

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Has anyone used one of these for more than a few years? Do they last as long as a Vitamix?

bestdealseaker said:   Has anyone used one of these for more than a few years? Do they last as long as a Vitamix?

I've had my eye on one for a while. Blendtec is better than Vitamix. Blendtec is a true commercial blender. I know two different people who bought the Vitamix first, returned it, and bought the Blendtec.

Scumbag said:   bestdealseaker said:   Has anyone used one of these for more than a few years? Do they last as long as a Vitamix?

I've had my eye on one for a while. Blendtec is better than Vitamix. Blendtec is a true commercial blender. I know two different people who bought the Vitamix first, returned it, and bought the Blendtec.
Vitamix is better than Blendtec. Vitamix is a true commercial blender. I know three different people who bought the Blendtec first, returned it, and bought the Vitamix.

Seriously, they're both great blenders. Vitamix is what they use at Smoothie King and Jamba Juice. They carry a 7-year warranty. I own one. It pulverizes everything, so I blend seeds, stems, even avocado pits. The power of the Vitamix is insane.

Regarding the Vitamix vs. Blendtec debate, I think the vast majority of people would be pleased with either one. I have a Vitamix that I got from Costco about six or seven years ago, and it's still going strong. Getting a long warranty is worth something, but I paid a lot more than what this Blendtec deal is. I've been quite happy with everything I've tried in my Viatmix, even making hot soup in it. For such a low price, I'd take a chance on this Blendtec if I needed one.

blendtec had the refurbs about a year ago for 279, with an extra jar. they actually were new, with a refurb label and a 10 year warrantee. i grind my wheat in it, easier than getting the grinder out.

for something you are going to put in your kitchen, you don't want the sound shield on, it looks bad. look at the real blendtec or vitamix.

the demo guy at costco said that until they have a thousand or so cycles on them, they are not truly broken in and you need to be careful with them.
he said not to blend a hammer handle in the first 1k cycles

just sayin

Wads said:   the demo guy at costco said that until they have a thousand or so cycles on them, they are not truly broken in and you need to be careful with them.
he said not to blend a hammer handle in the first 1k cycles

just sayin

I wouldn't trust the demo guy at XXX store as far as I could throw him. They scam around @ BJs too, very annoying.

Wonder how much it cost to replace the electric motor?
After a year a use and it breaks, would be curious how it would cost to fix with just the parts along.

I've had both, and I love my Blendtec more. Why?

1. Automatic cycles, the vitamix is manual
2. Fits on the counter, under the cabinets. The Vitamix is too tall.
3. Wildfire blender canister doesn't need tamping tool.
4. Nicer looking.

That said, both are awesome. This deal looks awesome and dirt cheap but only if you are more interested in blending quietly and don't care about looks. Both machines are very very loud!

It is both. I've been using a reconditioned Vitamix almost daily for 4 years now. Absolutely love it and have had no problem with it. I looked into Blendtecs before and I believe they are good too especially compared to the ones you get at a department store. Do keep in mind that Juice bars do use them but most people I know into juicing prefer Vitamix. For the price, this is a pretty good deal.

Got mine yesterday. Naturally it looks used, but is still in great shape. With the sound shield installed, it's not going under most kitchen cabinets. You can remove the sound shield. The hardest part was trying to figure out how to program the buttons as the manual doesn't say and the cycle chart is apparently no longer available on the Blendtec website. Once I found the chart, programming was a snap.

The chart is here.

I'm quite happy with the purchase. Well worth the money. The price of a new one is over $800.

Edit: The link for the chart doesn't work. Basically how I found it was to do a search in Google for Blendtec_Chart.pdf. The first link is the one you want, but it is dead. Click on Quick View on this first link.

wildbottom said:   Wonder how much it cost to replace the electric motor?
After a year a use and it breaks, would be curious how it would cost to fix with just the parts along.

The motor is very expensive to replace. Remember this is a commercial grade blender that is made to cycle hundreds of times per day, every day. For home use it should last pretty much forever.

Scumbag said:   Toddler said:   I'd take issue with #4. The Blendtec looks like it should be in a factory. Food Network uses VitaMix for all of their shows and sets. They either do that because VitaMix is better, or because it's prettier.

They use them because Vitamix gives it to them for free along with some cash for the promotion of using them in their studios.

Blendtec also tried to give them for free along with more cash offer, but instead rejected.
I'd go with Blendtec from Cosco instead. They are currently 399 ($359 weeks ago), and they come with lifetime warranty.

CupCak3 said:   Toddler said:   I'd take issue with #4. The Blendtec looks like it should be in a factory. Food Network uses VitaMix for all of their shows and sets. They either do that because VitaMix is better, or because it's prettier.

The Blendtec in the OP... the one being discussed in most of the posts does not look anything like it belongs in a factory.
Haven't you looked at the photos? It looks very industrial, very commercial--no surprise, since it is a commercial model. Great for a cafeteria, the Applebee's bar or an office breakroom. I just can't see a woman wanting that in her kitchen.