Blendtec HP3-A 4-Speed Blender
- Capacity: 64 oz.
- Blender Type: Work Top
- Pulse Feature: With Pulse Feature
- Speeds: 4 Speed
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Finally - An Answer to the HeathMaster
Pros
Programmable, self-clearning and does what it's supposed to.
Cons
Loud.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Worth the money. Will probably be the last blender you will buy. Very efficient, self-cleaning and programmable.
Hi, again - I'm back! My last review was on Montel Williams' HealthMaster "emulsifier" blender. I bought it because we wanted to get all our days veggies and fruits in one drinkable glass and become/stay healthy. Well, after replacing one after another due to engine failure in no time at all, we gave up. UNTIL...we bought the Blendtec.
We know many people who RAVE about the Vitamix and that was what I had aimed to eventually purchase. Is it costly? Yes. Also, in my opinion, it's a bit primitive as it has dials as opposed to being computerized and/or programmable. Vitamix is $429 for the base model, and that's what you get: A basic but strong blender that accomplishes what the Blendtec does, but in a more primitive way. However, I learned of the Blendtec while trying to find Vitamix for the least amount of money - and this is what I learned.
First off, let me say I got my Blendtec blender at a great price because Costco does what they call "Road Shows" from time to time on different items; and by doing such, they offer amazing prices and "perks" with the purchase of the item that they're doing the Road Show for. This model Blendtec blender sells for $435 on the manufacturer's website and comes with a 3-year warranty. Well, because of the Road Show, I was able to purchase it for $379 and with an extended additional 4 years on the warranty, making the total coverage 7 years. If my engine or anything else fails during the first 7 years of use, Blendtec will replace it for me free of charge.
Here is why I choose to go with Blendtec. Besides doing everything a Vitamix can do, such as emulsify fruits, veggies, ice, etc., it is programmable, meaning no dials, and has computerized settings, has a 3 HP engine, and BPA-free jar. This engine is so powerful that when it is in operation, it creates a vortex. How do you know that? Besides visually seeing it suck the contents of the jar down into the vortex itself, how many blenders could you turn on without the cover in place and not have to spend the next 20 minutes or more cleaning the food off your cabinets, ceiling, etc.? This one can operate without the lid. It creates such a downward pull that not only do you not need the lid, but you don't need a tamper to push the food down into the blades as you would with the Vitamix and Healthmaster.
Now, the other main difference, aside from the blade configuration which is only two "blades" if you want to call them that because you can touch them and they are duller than dull, as opposed to four on the other machines, is the fact that this has 10 computerized programs. So when I make my smoothies, I put everything into the jar and then press the "Whole Juice" button and it pulverizes all my ingredients, including the ice, into a smooth, drinkable treat without me having to do anything at all. It raises and lowers the engine accordingly on its own and then shuts off automatically.
So far I've had this machine for about a month and I am thrilled. Did I fail to mention one of the greatest parts, which is to clean this baby, all you do is take a tiny bit of dish washing liquid and a little water, put the lid on and hit "Pulse" for about four or five pushes (you DO need the lid to use the "Pulse" feature) and it actually self-cleans the jar and lid. All that's left to do is rinse and air dry.
This blender makes everything from smoothies, butters of all types (i.e., almond butter, too), soups (hot), desserts, dips, and I even made hazelnut ice cream by taking a cup of hazelnut coffee creamer, 1/3 cup of chocolate syrup and three cups of ice, enough to feed about four people, and pressed "Ice Cream" and, voila. Plus, the recipe booklet included is just loaded with great ideas with step by step instructions, even which ingredients to load in the correct order. The 10 computerized programs makes your tasks virtually unthinkable whereby all you do is just load the jar, press the appropriate button, and it goes though the necessary stages, raising and lowering the engine speed to suit the recipe, and then shuts itself off. Life is easy with this blender. Actually brings back fun to your cooking.
So, yes, I do recommend the Blendtec blender to everyone. However, I would suggest calling your local Costco so you can catch them at a time when they're doing a Road Show and save yourself some money and extend your warranty. ENJOY!!!
We know many people who RAVE about the Vitamix and that was what I had aimed to eventually purchase. Is it costly? Yes. Also, in my opinion, it's a bit primitive as it has dials as opposed to being computerized and/or programmable. Vitamix is $429 for the base model, and that's what you get: A basic but strong blender that accomplishes what the Blendtec does, but in a more primitive way. However, I learned of the Blendtec while trying to find Vitamix for the least amount of money - and this is what I learned.
First off, let me say I got my Blendtec blender at a great price because Costco does what they call "Road Shows" from time to time on different items; and by doing such, they offer amazing prices and "perks" with the purchase of the item that they're doing the Road Show for. This model Blendtec blender sells for $435 on the manufacturer's website and comes with a 3-year warranty. Well, because of the Road Show, I was able to purchase it for $379 and with an extended additional 4 years on the warranty, making the total coverage 7 years. If my engine or anything else fails during the first 7 years of use, Blendtec will replace it for me free of charge.
Here is why I choose to go with Blendtec. Besides doing everything a Vitamix can do, such as emulsify fruits, veggies, ice, etc., it is programmable, meaning no dials, and has computerized settings, has a 3 HP engine, and BPA-free jar. This engine is so powerful that when it is in operation, it creates a vortex. How do you know that? Besides visually seeing it suck the contents of the jar down into the vortex itself, how many blenders could you turn on without the cover in place and not have to spend the next 20 minutes or more cleaning the food off your cabinets, ceiling, etc.? This one can operate without the lid. It creates such a downward pull that not only do you not need the lid, but you don't need a tamper to push the food down into the blades as you would with the Vitamix and Healthmaster.
Now, the other main difference, aside from the blade configuration which is only two "blades" if you want to call them that because you can touch them and they are duller than dull, as opposed to four on the other machines, is the fact that this has 10 computerized programs. So when I make my smoothies, I put everything into the jar and then press the "Whole Juice" button and it pulverizes all my ingredients, including the ice, into a smooth, drinkable treat without me having to do anything at all. It raises and lowers the engine accordingly on its own and then shuts off automatically.
So far I've had this machine for about a month and I am thrilled. Did I fail to mention one of the greatest parts, which is to clean this baby, all you do is take a tiny bit of dish washing liquid and a little water, put the lid on and hit "Pulse" for about four or five pushes (you DO need the lid to use the "Pulse" feature) and it actually self-cleans the jar and lid. All that's left to do is rinse and air dry.
This blender makes everything from smoothies, butters of all types (i.e., almond butter, too), soups (hot), desserts, dips, and I even made hazelnut ice cream by taking a cup of hazelnut coffee creamer, 1/3 cup of chocolate syrup and three cups of ice, enough to feed about four people, and pressed "Ice Cream" and, voila. Plus, the recipe booklet included is just loaded with great ideas with step by step instructions, even which ingredients to load in the correct order. The 10 computerized programs makes your tasks virtually unthinkable whereby all you do is just load the jar, press the appropriate button, and it goes though the necessary stages, raising and lowering the engine speed to suit the recipe, and then shuts itself off. Life is easy with this blender. Actually brings back fun to your cooking.
So, yes, I do recommend the Blendtec blender to everyone. However, I would suggest calling your local Costco so you can catch them at a time when they're doing a Road Show and save yourself some money and extend your warranty. ENJOY!!!
