I’m a frugal living blogger. My job is to give an overall sense of being smart with your money. So, when I had the opportunity to do a review and giveaway (giveaway now expired) of the Blendtec Blender (a $500 appliance), I spent months trying to decide how to approach this topic with you…and here is what I decided:
Just because you are frugal with your money, doesn’t mean you cannot have nice things. Being frugal and being cheap are two different things. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – being frugal is being smart with the resources God has given you…using them wisely. It doesn’t mean you make do with the cheapest version of stuff for your entire life. Sure, that might be something that has to happen for a season…that’s when you’re being smart. But to choose cheap things when you can SAVE FOR QUALITY isn’t usually the better option.
Buying Quality Appliances
We aren’t spendthrifts. We drive used cars. We don’t have cable. We don’t go to the movies. We don’t take lavish vacations…but we like nice appliances. So, how do we make this work with our frugal lifestyle? I’ll tell you:
- We research the options and decide what we want.
- We become familiar with the prices and start looking around.
- We save up the money.
- We take our time purchasing an item: we don’t buy immediately.
- We watch for sales and look for coupons. We scour Craigslist. We look in the classifieds. We place “wanted” ads. We contact the company and ask about refurbs or scratch-and-dent/open box buys.
- When we are ready and have the cash in hand, we purchase the best option within our budget.
I knew from months of looking around and researching that I wanted a Blendtec Blender. I talked to friends. I watched videos on You Tube. I made sure it was what I wanted – and then I saved up the money. I had it. I was going to purchase – but we contacted Blendtec about doing a review and GIVEAWAY (giveaway now expired) so I could bless another reader. I love blessing y’all. 🙂
Prior, I had a Kitchen Aid blender. While it got the job done, it was very lacking on a few things: it didn’t blend up ice well, it didn’t blend up anything remotely hard, and it would randomly leak out of the bottom…kinda like my 11 month old. When I got my Blendtec, I was in pure heaven – more exciting than getting a car from The Price Is Right.
I can say without a doubt that Blendtec Blenders are the way to go. It hasn’t disappointed me in ANY way. It will blend up anything – even iPhones. Since I’ve already dropped my phone in the toilet, I’m pretty sure it’s only a matter of time before I also drop my phone in the blender. I already blended up an entire plastic spoon in there – accidentally. Yes, an ENTIRE PLASTIC SPOON. Does your blender do that?
The Blendtec will do anything you can do in your blender and your food processor – plus MORE. It will chop, shred, puree, make smoothies, make ice cream, whisk, and even grind grain. It will chop ice and it will never talk back to you and ask you “why?”
Saving on Blendtec Blenders
So, what are the best ways to get a good deal on a Blendtec? I’ll tell you:
- Look on Craigslist and scour yard sales. Yes, this is possible. I’ve had a few friends find them this way and for CHEAP.
- Call around to places that carry them and ask for open box buys. We have purchased a few things that were open box buys – who needs the box? (Don’t tell Annie I said that.)
- Buy a refurbished Blendtec directly from them. Nothing is wrong with the product – it’s just been fixed if it had an issue. We buy refurbs all the time – my computer is a refurb.
- Can’t find it? Save up and purchase it new. Notice I said SAVE UP. Do not buy it on credit.
Pros of owning a Blendtec
- It does everything in one place. You won’t need a blender, food processor and grain mill. The Blendtec is one appliance that does it all.
- It makes life in the kitchen easier. I literally use my Blendtec about 5-10 times a day. I use it to make smoothies, breadcrumbs, butter, chop vegetables, make flour, puree soup, and eat plastic spoons.
- It’s the best. It rocks. It’s fun.
- It is SO easy to clean! It just swishes clean in the sink or easily wipes down. You don’t have to take the bottom off or take out the blade like with a food processor or most other blenders.
Cons of owning a Blendtec
- It’s loud. Really. The first time you use it, you’ll think it’s about to take flight.
- It’s expensive. Yes, I know it’s a lot of money – about the cost of a cheap refrigerator. But, does Stacy, the queen of “always order water because it’s free,” think it’s worth the money? Yes I do – and it says a lot that I had already saved the money to purchase one before I got one to review.
- Your friends are all jealous and won’t come to visit unless they need to blend.
I have several friends who own a Blendtec and they all agree. It’s worth the money and yes it really is the BEST blender out there. 10 out of 10 smoothies agree.
So, let me summarize and then I’ll show you a short video of me making a smoothie so you can see how loud it is, how easy it is to use, and how fast the cleanup is.
- Blendtec is the best blender on the market.
- It’s expensive.
- It’s possible to save up and purchase one without credit.
- It takes the place of several other appliances.
- Do not buy things on credit.
- It rocks and I love it.
- Do not buy things on credit.
Here is the link for my Freezer Smoothie Packs if you are interested.
Hi Stacy. I was wondering if you ever use your Blentec for doughs and batters. I am thinking of purchasing either a Blendtec or a Vitamix, but I don’t want to have to additionally purchase a stand mixer too. I’m primarily looking for an “all-in-one” to mix large batches of doughs/batters, be a food processor, and grind grains.
Only pancake batter. I think it would be too harsh for most dough. I have never had luck in the food processor either. You gotta treat your dough with tender love. 😉
Gluten free dough is more like a batter, so I’m assuming that it will fit my needs! I ended up ordering a refurbished one. 🙂
Good luck. I’ve watched several GF Bread Beckers videos and she just uses a stand mixer.
I just got it. Turned millet into flour in 50 seconds! Ahhh! And I can’t find millet flour anywhere so this is GREAT! Now on to make a gluten free bread. 🙂 🙂 🙂 I’ll let you know how it turns out!
I assume since I didn’t get an email it wasn’t ME, Melissa that won LOL I was soooooooo hoping to win this thing!
:-0 Guess not – she already replied.
Lol well my cash budget allowed for me to order a Ninja, so I’ll just save up the cash for a Blendtec and pray I find a great deal while I use the Ninja 🙂 congratulations to my namesake 🙂
I like how you think.
Congrats to Tiffany!
Yes!
ohhhh I just feel a win coming!
LOL
Awesome Blender!
Yes indeed!
I’ve tried to sign up for the BladeTec give away, when I click on the link it takes me to a sign in page. Do I have to have a Rafflecoper account?
No – you should be able to sign in with Facebook or your email address. Could you try a different browser?
Thanks so much for offering this blender to us!!
Thanks for entering! And thanks to BLENDTEC!
Love it and love your crockpot recipes! I am saving for one with a timer. Life is hectic. 🙂
I have a timer in my head…but sometimes it forgets that it’s on and it burns stuff. Stinkin’ timer.
I want to grind flour without having to buy a grinder JUST to grind flour, know what I mean? So, this could be a major money saver. 🙂
You betcha!
“….and eat plastic spoons” Made totally laugh out loud.
True story.
Thank you for this giveaway Stacy!!! I am a fellow THM and I could really use a new blender! What a blessing that would be. 🙂
Yes, it would! Your Frapps will never be the same again. 🙂
I have been eyeing the Blentec for awhile now- my Oster just isn’t cutting it anymore LOL- awesome review!
I hear the old Osters were the best blenders EVER.
Super exciting!!! I could never afford to buy one of these on my own 🙁
Yes you could!!!! 🙂 Save up and keep an eye out for a DEAL!
Hi Stacy, I just entered, then I realized it was for USA only 🙁 I’m in Canada. I think I’ll start saving my pennies. Thanks for the great review, and now I’m finally subscribed to your blog (not to worry though, I always read without the subscription). Have a Happy Thursday!! Melissa
Melissa, I’m sorry about that. 🙁 It was a rule set by Blendtec. I”m glad you subscribed though!
Wow, you ARE a girl after my own heart!!
🙂
I’m just trying to transition into the THM lifestyle. Kinda overwhelmed with all the ingredients necessary to create their authentic recipes…. (because I want to do it ALL RIGHT NOW) .. : ) but we’re taking it a little at a time. This Blendtec sounds like a dream come true! Creating some of the wonderful smoothies I’ve been reading about would really help motivate my children into this new mindset! My health has been poor, am menopausal and on tons of meds each morning. Stacy, you’ll never know how appreciative we are. You have changed our lives in a blessed way! I’ve been praying He would throw me a lifeline toward a healthy future instead of the downward spiral of the past few years. You are my angel! Thanks so very much!
I’m so glad to hear you’ve found THM!!! 🙂
Entered! If I win, it’s going to my sister. She needs a good blender, and I’m already blessed with mine. 🙂
What a good sister you are!
wow. I would Love to win the Blendtec! I currently use my cheap food processor for everything THM and it doesnt cut it with the smoothies. I have 5 entries in so here’s hoping 🙂
Girl….a frappa just doesn’t work right in a food processor…I know, I tried. Ha! 🙂
This blender looks amazing! Would be great for breakfast smoothies for my kids in the morning
Yeah!!! It makes some fab smoothies!
Thank you for doing this giveaway! This is so generous of you, Stacy!
Generous of Blendtec. I’m so excited!!!
Hi Stacy,
I love your blog, thank you for the excellent review & videos of the Blendtec blender! I’ve burned up a couple regular blenders grinding nuts & tough veggies into smoothies over the years until I finally saved enough to pay cash for a Vitamix. I would love to win the Blendtec to be able to compare them, and to have dueling smoothie machines going! lol
Blendtec…hands down. 😉
The blades in it are different than in a normal blender. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO16WF9j9dM
Cool, Thanks! I was making the coffee FSF and my blender smelled hot, so it won’t be long until I need a new one!
Yeah – hot is not good.
I use my blender daily , smoothies and FSF’s……….would love to win this one.
Oh how I love FSFs!
Ok, I read thru the comments (quickly) so I don’t think this was asked before. But it really just gets clean enough by running it with some water in it? I am worried about “getting in there” and under the blades to clean it.
Here they are: http://www.blendtec.com/products/view/total_blender_classic_series_factory_reconditioned
Thanks!
It’s REALLY STINKING LOUD…but worth it. 🙂 It’s all those horses in there.
You’re welcome!
What a great giveaway. Thank you, Stacy!
It makes ice cream and frozen yogurt too?? My daughter LOVES frozen yogurt (mommy too!) and it would be so great to make it all natural at home for her 🙂 P.S nice review! I like that you don’t downplay that it is loud.
Stacy, Thank you so much for writing about, and demonstrating the Blendtech – I had never heard of it before. It would be a huge blessing to win, especially since I am a THM! 🙂
Could you tell me where on their site you find refurbished models. (I couldn’t find them) I will be looking around on Craigslist etc. as the closest dealer is at least 3 hours away.
Thanks again.
It doesn’t fit under the counter?! DEAL BREAKER!
You’re welcome!
Being vegan, we would use it many times a day, as we make all our own milks, sauces, nut butters, gravys, etc! Thank you so much for having this give-away! Cheeryshirley
I believe that you use it that many times a day…I have a vitamix, which is comparable and I couldn’t do the real food boogie without it. Mayo! Alfredo sauce! flax seed! Avocado chocolate pudding!
That being said, my vitamix was a gift, and I have done the research you suggest and if I were to purchase my own awesome blender, I’d lean toward a Blendtech. Probably for the simple fact that it has a lower profile than the vitamix, allowing it all to fit on the counter, under the cupboards. because, yes, I never put mine away!
I know how that is….
🙂
Great minds!
Would love to win this Blendtec. I use my blender everyday now that I am a THMer!
I use mine like CRAZY!
I would just about kill (nicely…. humanely…) for a Blendtec! 😉
Ha, ha!
I want a Blendtec blender SO much! Our Bosch blender was just destroyed (stripped bottom) a few days ago, and having a Blendtec would be pure heaven!
Wow – Bosch is really nice too!
I don’t live in the U.S but I have a U.S Address where the item can be shipped, can I participate?? As a suggestion I think you should open the contest worldwide, and for those outside the U.S you can give a gift card with the price amount.
The contest rules were not set by me….it was guidelines set by Blendtec. I have to go with what my sponsors say since they’re providing the items. 🙂 But yes, if you have a US mailing address, that’s just fine with us. 🙂
I understand, thank you Stacy! And I’m so happy that I can participate! 🙂
Love my blendtec and just happened to blog about it yesterday as well!
Thank you so much!
No money in our budget now so hope to win this wonderful blender ?
I have had the Blendtec on my wish list for a while now. I told my hubby that it could be my Christmas and Bday gift wrapped into one….for the next 10 years if need be lol! I had done my research as well and found that the Blendtec got great reviews and is said to be a bit shorter than the Vita therefore sitting on counter and under the top cabinets easier. I am currently using my Magic Bullet (as seen on tv..lol) but have found that it just doesnt do the job when adding ice to any of the recipes. It has also started leaking some. I was just at WM the other day and priced the Ninja thinking it was still more in my budget but now after reading your review I think it would be wise to just set aside some money each month until I can buy the better choice, the BLENDTEC!! I will wait to see if I am the lucky winner before I do so though 😉 Thank you for sharing with us your experience an your expertise <3
Yes – go big or go home. Ha, ha! Saving up makes it so much more worth it though….doesn’t it?
This is really neat. I love your site and hope I have time this winter to really read it. I think I’m frugal but you have given a new meaning to the word with your ideas here. Thanks.
LOL Thank you….I think? 🙂
Yes – one appliance that does the work of several – I like my counter space. 🙂
Thanks for entering!
Once a day? Gosh…you’re slacking. 😉
Doing a post on dehydrators this month too! 🙂
I used mine three times today. 🙂 That’s kinda low for me.
That is a GREAT deal!
Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XczOrf3f9M
We are always on the hunt for refurbs and scratch-and-dent!
I haven’t used it for that – because I have a Nutrimill…but I do use it for oat flour and it works great. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XczOrf3f9M
I am just getting to the point where I really need a good blender!! My bullet is just not doing it for the FSF & big boy smoothies. Was just looking up the VitaMix yesterday. Now I’ll cross my fingers for this Blentec! It looks like it could change my world as I know it & make my THM life sooo much easier! lol
ps I had no idea you had such a cute southern accent!! =)
Oh yes – life is much easier in the kitchen since I got my Blendtec…I can’t even begin to tell you how much. I just used it for dinner to make cauli rice. AWESOME…my favorite way to make it.
What accent? 😉
I currently have a Ninja blender and love it. but I do realize that there are better products out there. I am wondering how Blendtec compares with Vitamix…. anybody know? Thanks for the giveaway Stacy! I Love that you are trying to help others live more frugally and naturally.
Well, from talking to a few friends here and there, it seems that Blendtec is usually preferred. I think there are multiple canisters with Vitamix, but you can do it all in one canister with the Blentec.
You do NOT have to use the plunger for everything on the Vitamix. You make smoothies fine without it. When you go to put frozen fruit in without liquids, you will need to use it since there are no liquids to pull it down into the blades. This is for making ice cream and sorbet. The Blentec does make flour in the same container as to where the Vitamix you will need to purchase an expensive jar for that.
Yes! I love that it only has one needed canister. The Twister jar is just a fun extra. 🙂
I would love one of these to make my own flours in!
YEAH! 🙂 Thanks for entering!
I’m sad it’s not open to Canadians 🙁
🙁 So sorry….that was a rule set by Blendtec.
I have a Blendtec on my wish list and was so excited to see your review and give away.
I bet your wish list is kickin’ awesome!
I have seen the Blendtec and the other high powered blender in action and the Blendtec really impressed me with it’s power and ease of use.
Yeah buddy – it eats everything…even pool cues.
Thanks for the giveaway. I am wondering how coarse this grinds wheat into flour? Does it work really well as a wheat grinder?
Thank you so much for the give away! This looks awesome 🙂
Thank so much for being such a blessing to others, and thank you for giving us an opportunity to win the blendtec, I’m in the process of looking for another food processor, mine isn’t working well. This might be an alternative, plus more counter space. Have a Bless week.
What a fantastic tip to contact the company about scratched/dented products or even ask for refurbed products; I hadn’t thought about that before for kitchen appliances! That Blendtec looks like a dream to this momma! I run in-home daycare and my kiddos favorite snack is banana ice cream…you know the kind where you blend frozen bananas and it turns into an ice cream like texture? Yeah my blender doesn’t do that, so I have to nuke the nanners first-I know it’s gross, but using my hand to chop frozen bananas with a wooden spoon didn’t work any better 😉
Thanks for the giveaway. I am wondering if it has different coarseness for grinding grain? Does it do a good job as a grain grinder?
I watched videos and read blogs – and I talked to friends who had used both. The general consensus was that Blendtec was a better product and easier to use. So we went with that. 🙂
Once a day? Girl…blend more. LOL
Haha I actually just used it twice today and its not even 10 yet haha!
This also comes with the Twister jar!!! 🙂
I really really want the twist jar I have the normal and the wildside they had a deal on their website a while back where you could get the wildside jar for the price of shipping which was an awesome deal ive been watching out for the twist one!
Very cool!
Yes indeedy!
What a wonderful thing to say! Thank you!
I don’t have a Vitamix – but I’ve talked to friends who have used both and they prefer the Blendtec. 🙂
LOL LOL
I’m glad you agree. 🙂
I don’t have any experience with Nutriblast. I do know that the Nutribullet seems to make people happy – until they have a Blendtec. LOL
Fine by me! 🙂
There is a Rafflecopter entry form at the bottom. If you don’t see it, you might need to use a different internet browser. 🙂
YEAH! Blendtec all the way, baby!
🙂
Yes, it does a great job with juice! It has a juice setting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtWbdyWQAak
And yep, you can reuse the cheesecloth. Easy peasy. http://www.stacymakescents.com/cleaning-and-reusing-cheesecloth
After watching and reading and talking to people, we decided that Blendtec was the best option. 🙂 And sorry about the Canada thing…that was their rule. 🙁
We bought a juicer (Omega) but I was torn between that and a blender. I think if funds magically drop into our lap we’ll look at the blendtec then 😉 . I also highly agree with you on spending the money for a good product. We did that for the juicer and our dehydrator.
Maybe you’ll win! Or find one at a yard sale!
Maybe I will win… but doubtful I’ll find one at a yard sale since I rarely get to them anymore. Dragging 4 children (two of which are 2 years old) along with me has caused yard sales to lose a bit of their appeal.
Girl, I totally get that – I used to be a yard sale MASTER…now I pass them by because I think “I’d rather take a beating than get my kids out in that.”
I just peeked at the costco site and online its listed at 400$ but im pretty sure I just saw it in the store at 355$ but I could be crazy I know I got mine for that price but it was a year ago too!
I love love love my blendtec and use it at least once a day! I got mine from costco it was around 355$ and came with an extra year of warranty totally worth it!
I love love love my blendtec and use it at least once a day! I got mine from costco it was around 355$ and came with an extra year of warranty totally worth it!
I was curious why you chose the Blendtec over the Vitamix. A lot of bloggers prefer one over the other and address this in their reviews. My friends keep telling me to buy a Vitamix because they’re made in the USA and have a better warranty plus free shipping to and from if something goes wrong with it…but personally, I don’t like the plunger thingy that needs to be used over and over again just to make smoothies. My KitchenAid blender does a beautiful job on smoothies, ice, and a lot of other things without stirring or plunging! We would still like to eventually buy a better blender, just because our KA does ever so slightly have a tiny amount of liquid that comes out at the bottom of the jar…but I just can’t decide which brand to buy of the two (Blendtec or Vitamix).
wow! This is an awesome giveaway thanks! I was just thinking of getting a food processor and an immersion blender too but after watching the video it might be better to get the blendtec because it does the same thing in one unit. I would love to win this!!!
YES!!! Forgo both of those and get ONE thing..more counter space. 🙂
Dude. A Blendtec! I’m a wee bit jealous 🙂
Well, that’s annoying. 😀 Anywho, #1 – Why Blendtec and not VitaMix, and #2 – Why open to only Americans??!! Why??!! Canadians are people too! (Just kidding .. maybe because it is a weet giveaway haha 😉
Hi Stacy!
My 18 month old daughter has recently fell in love with Juicing. Here is what she loves from the juice bar out our health food store. BEETS!!!! She is CRAZY for beets. I don’t think I would eat a beet until I was thirty something, such a smart baby girl my Hannah is! So a juiced drink here in NY costs about $4.50 at the health food stores, yikes, major treat. So can this Blendtec juice? I would love to throw in a raw beet with carrots, spinach and cukes, she slurps this back so fast I have to take the straw away so she can breathe and so I can have SOME!!!
My friend has just bought a Nutribullet and she got is at Kohls with a coupon and on sale for about $70, much less money than the Blendtec. Do you have any experience with nutribullet?
Thanks! Hey I made the regular yogurt into greek yogurt the other day, awesome tip. Do you wash and re use the cheese clothe? Looks like it could be washed and dried and then just used the next time you make greek yogurt, and that would be more than once/week in our house, Hannah and I love it as much as Annie seems too.
This is an awesome giveaway!! Thanks so much Stacy and Blendtec.
Thanks for the giveaway. I was going to save up for a Vitamix but now I want this one!
OK…how do I enter?
Okay… so I’m from Canada, but my mother-in-law is from New York and the rest of her family lives there. Is it okay if I enter with my email and if I *happen* to win (or get struck by lightning) I can use one of my husband’s relatives who are American?
I would like to know if you compare this against Nutriblast?
I completely agree with the difference between frugal and cheap. When it comes to appliances it is better to invest in well made items than to replace them more often because they simply break or stop working. Stand mixers, even coffee makers all fall into this category in my house too!
My dog just went insane during the video. He thought I was being attached and about knocked the monitor off the desk…LOL
do you like the blendtec better than the vitamix? Definitely want a new blender for all my THM cooking!!
THANK YOU for the blessing of entering this giveaway! I’m new to your page, found you on Facebook, and I’m blessed already!