One of the questions I get asked all the time is what type of blender do you recommend for new raw food folks?
The truth is that the majority of us can’t afford a Vitamix, or at least not yet.
When I first went raw I certainly didn’t spring for a Vitamix or a Blendtec
My Recommended Low-End Raw Food Blender
From my point of view, you can get by with most types of blenders when you’re first going raw.
You might not be getting the smoothest smoothies, but if you’re willing to let the machine rest between blending you can still make some great green smoothies!
Here is the equivalent of the first blender I used when I first went raw. It’s called the Hamilton Beach WavePower Plus 14-Speed Blender
I used this blender for about 3 years before moving on to another blender. It stayed true, and I kept it clean so it barely rusted.
All blenders have the possibility of defects, so if it doesn’t last you as long you’ve been warned!
You might also consider getting a blender with a glass container, since these tend to be a bit more durable.
Just make sure you DON’T get a blender with a spout like this one. I’ve had one of these, and smoothies and sauces can get stuck and they are a pain to wash out!
What to Look for in a Blender
If you want something between the very low-end type blenders and the very high end blenders, here are some points to keep in mind.
- Look for a glass container or a BPA-free container: it will last longer and is less prone to stains and scratches.
- For true blending power, go for 350 watts of power. Note that this isn’t the most important thing (it’s not a racecar!) but you want at least a minimum of power.
- If you want something that’s truly easy to clean you’ll want a blender with removable blades, so you can wipe them clean and they won’t rust. (This isn’t the case for high end blenders, but they tend to be easier to clean overall.)
- You’ll want to look for different blending speeds, and a pulse mode so you can control how smooth or chunky your food becomes.
- Make sure the blender has a secured lid, possibly with one of those optional opening covers that you can use to add ingredients mid-blend.
- One of the most overlooked parts of the blender is a skid-proof base. When you’re blending on a high speed, the base is likely to start sliding across your counter unless you’re holding on tight or you got a blender with a solid foundation.
- Lastly, be willing to give your new blender a fair try and if it’s not right to return it. You don’t need to spend a lot on a blender to get a good one, but keep in mind that it may not last as long!
High End Raw Food Blender Reviews
If you’ve read any raw food web sites or books, you know that two of the most highly recommended blenders for raw food are the Vitamix and the Blendtec
I often get asked which is better, and whether my decision is influenced by the fact that I’m an affiliate for Vitamix.
Well, are you ready for my shocking answer? It’s a bit anti-climactic, but here goes.
The no-holds-barred honest-to-goodness truth is that they are essentially interchangeable! If you can get your hands on a Blendtec
If you can buy yourself a Vitamix, you will also be equally satisfied since it makes a super smooth mix.
I know everyone has a preference, and I encourage you to just stop the “analysis paralysis,” and if you can afford one of these two high end raw food blenders – just pick one and go for it!
I’m not going to over-analyze these two blenders, since you can get all the information you need from their web site
Reader’s Poll…
I want to know! What kind of blender do you use?
Leave a comment below and let us know what brand of blender you use, and whether you’d recommend it or not.
{ 13 comments }
This is a very useful guide, Nathalie. A lot of these question came to my mind, when I was looking for a blender to start making green(ish) smoothies. To start out, I didn't want to invest in a Vitamix so I had to look for a good alternative. Thanks for sharing your advice!
You're welcome Bart! I know what you mean, I certainly didn't buy a vitamix when I first went raw so it felt kind of weird for me to recommend only one blender. ;) Yay for green-ish smoothies!
I just bought a GE blender for $40 and it works amazingly well!! I was super impressed with it. I made a green smoothie with 3 huge handfuls of spinach, an entire bag of frozen mixed berries, two bananas and an apple and the blender cut thru that stuff like it was nothing.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/GE-48-Ounce-Digital-S…
Thanks so much for sharing Jennifer! I am sometimes amazed at how well the so-called “cheap blenders” can do the trick. :)
I have a Champ HP3. Its good to know that lower end blenders work just as well though. I had a cheaper one in the past and it just didn't do the job. I need a blender that can blend ice without the mortar smoking!
Since green smoothies was my entry into the world of raw eating, I'd encourage someone to get the best blender possible. Look for a used VitaMix or BlendTec. I know that if my introduction to smoothies was lumpy, I would never have continued to make them, let alone progress to the food plan I'm doing now (which is nearly 100% living foods). I own a VitaMix and use it at least 4-5 times a day. I upgraded a few years ago from the stainless steel canister to the see-through plastic. Recently I purchased a couple of new canisters. Since I use it so much, having several has made food prep a breeze.
Thanks for sharing what your blender is Carla! :) I'm always curious. I should mention that the cheap blender I used didn't handle super-smooth blending or too many frozen items. But if it's not frozen it's fine. ;)
I love the idea of getting more than one containers. That way you can set up different containers for different meals/recipes throughout the day. :)
I know that my mom can't handle the “chunkiness” of green smoothies that weren't made with a vitamix. But she actually likes the really-smooth ones that a vitamix can make. :)
Since green smoothies was my entry into the world of raw eating, I'd encourage someone to get the best blender possible. Look for a used VitaMix or BlendTec. I know that if my introduction to smoothies was lumpy, I would never have continued to make them, let alone progress to the food plan I'm doing now (which is nearly 100% living foods). I own a VitaMix and use it at least 4-5 times a day. I upgraded a few years ago from the stainless steel canister to the see-through plastic. Recently I purchased a couple of new canisters. Since I use it so much, having several has made food prep a breeze.
Thanks for sharing what your blender is Carla! :) I'm always curious. I should mention that the cheap blender I used didn't handle super-smooth blending or too many frozen items. But if it's not frozen it's fine. ;)
I love the idea of getting more than one containers. That way you can set up different containers for different meals/recipes throughout the day. :)
I know that my mom can't handle the “chunkiness” of green smoothies that weren't made with a vitamix. But she actually likes the really-smooth ones that a vitamix can make. :)
I use the Starbucks blender. It is professional quality with a heavy glass chamber and stainless steel base. 2 speeds plus ice crushing (reverse) Use it everyday with no problems!
Ooh a starbucks blender, I didn't know there was such a thing. ;) Thanks for sharing! :)
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