It is no secret that I have been wishing and dreaming for a high speed blender for a long time now.  I was saving up my pennies to buy one, but my addiction for kale chips and almond bread was so great I put my needs for these first. A dehydrator usurped the industrial blender that had previously sat atop my culinary gadget list. So at times, when making nut cheeses and craving raw soups, I have experienced some regret of not purchasing the blender first. It was just such a huge monetary commitment.  This is why I wanted to share with those of you who are holding back, like I was, another option.

Several weeks ago, I was asked to review a blender much lesser known than the oft heralded Vitamix and Blendtec.  I will be honest, because of it’s lower price tag, I didn’t hold out much hope of it taking away my pangs for a Blendtec.  

Over the past several weeks I have been cooking and creating like crazy in kitchen HQ, all in the name of Vegan MoFo 2013.  A both wonderful and loony concept of bloggers posting all things vegan for the whole month of September. I cannot tell you how fun this has been. Well, I can, but not right now. Anyway, all the while I was using the new Omniblend V to enable me to create my daily recipes.

I have been sous chef to a few raw food masterminds, so I know the capabilities of the Vitamix.  The Blendtec and I have met several times at food festivals and events.  I have witnessed the cut of their jib. So I felt I was in the position to make a few comparisons.  I was hot and flushed just imagining getting my hands on a blender with 3 horse power.

With the Omniblend I have pureed and creamed, made sauces, raw soups (the friction of blending warms it through), dreamy ice creams (fast blend time means frozen food stays frozen), ground pin-head oats to flour, and nuts to butter.  I can honestly say I’ve been thrilled, amazed and really happy with the results.  One thing I didn’t try yet was mixing dough, which it apparently it does well.  I will update you when I do.  

For a some blender personal statistics: The Omniblend has a BPA free, 2 litre jug, so any hot items will not leach chemicals from the jug into your food.  It has a wide neck so is easy to scrape the sides, meaning virtually no waste.  It has four upper and two lower blades.  The Vitamix only has 4 in total.  It is super simple to use, with auto timer programmes with 30, 60 or 90 seconds. Pulse button and 3 set speeds; low, medium and high.  At first I was worried that it was manufactured in China but Omniblend have service centres in all the countries that they sell in, and easy to obtain replacements parts, should they ever be needed or fall outside the terms of their warranty.  

7 year motor warranty
1 year jug and blade

At a cost of only £249 compared to £450 - £580 Vitamix.  I think it is a really worthy contender.  Some other reviews of the Vitamix I found online suggest the Vitamix may cut a few seconds of blend time, in comparison to the Omniblend but, with the knowledge I have now, I’d probably not pay out over £200 to save a few seconds of blend time. The only thing I would say is that the tamper stick felt a little cheap.  

This is my unbiased opinion. I’d totally recommend the Omniblend if you are willing to buy for performance and not the long trusted name.  In fact, that is the only reservation I have, that Omniblend is relatively new to the market and so customer service, warranty fulfilment and rugged long life is not so well established and known.  However, seeing as it does have a long warranty I’d say it was worth giving it a shot.

Without it I wouldn’t have been able to create such wonderful recipes for Vegan MoFo, and you.

For the recipes above..

Raw Butternut Squash & Kiwi Soup with Chilli Apple Croutons

Aubergine Walnut Rouleaux With Wild Blackberry Mustard Vinaigrette
Double Layer Orange & Cardamon Cheesecake