Blendtec TB-621-20 Blender
Let me preface the comments with the statement that I rarely cook. I have only had the blender about 1 month, but have used it 18 times and would have used it more except for the need for groceries. We make mostly fruit and ice smoothies. By adding a cup of raw spinich and some carrots, we have increased fruit and vegetable consumption, reduced chain-store yogurt consumption, and reduced calorie intake from processed snacks. This can be done in the time of a TV commercial. I am still trying new recipes (mostly whatever I have) each time. I never owned a really nice blender before and used my previous blender (a 30-year-old wedding present) for egg custards, but not for more powerful uses. With the Blentec, I've made soups. As winter approaches, we will use more often. I probably will not use for salsa, because I love CHUNKY onion, cilantra, and tomato salsa. The Blentec might be too smooth. This purchase is worth the money. By following the directions of a cup of warm water and a drop of dishwashing detergent immediately following use, I have had no problems cleaning the container. However, I do see that eventually, the polycarbonate jar will need replacing, which is not cheap. I cannot yet predict that amount of uses before replacement. I would re-purchase this item.

This is the best blender in the world
This was an unexpected wedding gift. I'd added it to our registry as a joke (because of the will it blend series of videos).

I'm eternally thankful to the friend who bought this for us because it's seriously the best blender I have ever used. I never doubt my ability to blend things. I never worry that this run will be the last time it crushes ice. I never fear that I've put too many bits of fruit or frozen pieces in it. It just works.

I've been through three lesser blenders at approx 40-60 bucks a piece and still not used them in total as many times as I've used the Blendtec. The others just died.

Maybe I'm hard on blenders... who knows.

Anyway, WELL worth the price.

One very happy customer
After reading the negative reviews on the Blendtec, I almost didn't buy one but now I'm so glad I did. My trepidation stemmed from complaints about the jar leaking which is a big deal when replacement jars cost about plus shipping. However after reading reviews for both the Vitamix and the Blendtec and watching demonstrations for both, I decided that the Blendtec had more of what I was looking for and took a chance.

The Blendtec is everything that I had hoped it would be. The Blendtec is easy to use and easy to clean (you literally just put water and soap in the jar and take it for a spin, then rinse and dry). In addition, the folks at Blendtec seem to have addressed the leaking jar issue.

To ensure maximum jar life just follow these simple instructions (provided by Blendtec flier V2 dated June 09):
#1 Do not store food items in the jar or soak the jar for any extended period of time
#2 Wash and dry the jar after each use, using hot water prevents sugar buildup that comes from making smoothies
#3 If the jar is being stored upside down, be sure to shake excess water from the jar so no water collects around
the drive shaft
#4 The jar may be washed in the dishwasher if placed on the top shelf and the "heated drying" option is turned
off
#5 If not using the jar daily, turn the drive shaft by hand for 5-10 seconds before using, this will keep the
seal in good shape
#6 If the shaft does not spin freely, add some hot water to the jar then spin the shaft by hand until it begins
to spin freely
#7 During blending some vibration is normal, there is no need to hold the jar


I love the Blendtec's simplicity. There is no tamper to push ingredients down towards the blade because the jars design does that for you (1 less piece to wash). You don't have to replace the blade when it gets dull because it is dull to begin with. And unlike my old blender, the jar and blade assembly is one piece so I don't have to take the jar, blades, washer and screw base apart and clean them everytime I use the thing. And of course, ease of use means lots of use around our house.

Worst...Blender...EVER!
My wife and I are both 47 years old and have owned our fair share of blenders. After the motor died on our Oster last year, we splurged for Christmas and bought a BlendTec TB-621-20 with 48-ounce and 64-ounce polycarbonate pitchers. Paid 5 for the set, which we thought was a great deal. We had already done quite a bit of online consumer research and watched a VitaMix live demo before buying the BlendTec. 8 months and quite a bit of frustration later, we are very badly disappointed with this product. Even performing a simple task like making a pitcher of frozen margaritas is a dreadful, laborious experience. We put in a 10-oz can of Bacardi frozen margarita mix, 10 ounces of Patron, 2 ounces of Cointreau and 2 ounces of Gran Marnier...top off the pitcher with fresh ice cubes...press "Smoothie or Milkshake"...blades spin for about 7 seconds, then the unit shuts itself off with an error code of "Overload" or "Overheat". Need to wait a minimum of 10 - 15 minutes before unit resets itself...meanwhile, margarita mix and ice continue to melt...try it again...sometimes it successfully blends, and sometimes it errors out again. Same problem when trying to blend chocolate ice cream and milk together for a milkshake. Guaranteed, BlendTec TB-621-20 will shut itself down at least once with every attempt. I may burn out a Oster every 12 - 18 months, but at least those damn things don't quit on me in the middle of every single frozen drink task. Oh, and don't even get me started on the polycarbonate containers...they sure do look pretty when you take them out of the box but, 8 months later after using them 2 or 3 times a week, they have a glazed/frosted appearance throughout the interior surface. Have never even once put them in the dishwasher, always hand-washed them. I guess blending ice is just a tough job for this poor excuse of a very expensive blender. Forget getting any help from BlendTec Customer Service, either...almost impossible to get a real person on the phone and, on the 3 occasions I did manage to talk with one, they were completely unhelpful. They all chanted the exact same mantra..."you're using it wrong, you're doing it incorrectly, you're the only person on the entire Earth who has ever complained about our blender..." At no point do they offer or agree to replace it or refund your money. It's the worst kitchenware purchasing decision we've ever made.

great blender, but you can make it better....
i've owned this blender for about 9 months. i just broke the 1000 cycle mark. no complaints, it has done all i've asked without any drama. some people has mentioned how loud it is. i don't think any 3.0+ hp blender can be quiet. if you need quiet you will need a sound enclosure, no other way.
i use it mainly for green smoothies and sometimes a fruit smoothie. i load it up with all sorts of veggies and fruits, many of them frozen. it is not a challenge for this machine.
i only have one recomendation beyond the basic package and that is to get it with the 96oz " wild side" jar. it takes an already excellent blender and makes it a great blender. i was astounded with the difference.

you will not be disappointed with the Blendtec.