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Pros and Cons of Aftermarket Replacement Blender Containers October 26 2015

Aftermarket replacement blender container for BlendtecAftermarket components and products are produced and sold to consumers in various different markets. It is very common in the consumer technology industry as well as in the automotive industry. Aftermarket products and components / replacement parts usually are an indicator that a certain product is very popular. It is also associated to money savings to the consumer. In the pharmaceutics industry, the term ‘generic’ is often used. Perhaps the latter is not really an aftermarket component in the sense this article is referring to.

 

Blendtec®, Waring™ MX series of blenders, as well as Vita Mix® blenders are just three blenders from among a few other high performance smoothie blenders, of which a whole ton of are presently in use globally. It is estimated some 100 million of these particular powerful blenders roam the Earth in peoples’ kitchens and restaurants. About 60% of them, according to a study, are not in use. Why they are not in use is not really known. It could be in part a reluctance of user-interest and/or that and being broken down and just never having gotten to it to make a ‘replacement’ attempt of a broken blender blade or jar.

 

Most people are not very technically inclined. When their jar breaks, or the blade bearing of blade assembly in the jar seizes up, they interpret it as a broken down blender. The blender gets put aside until time and effort is made to make the warranty call, or if the warranty is expired, a new jar is purchased. If the blender is misdiagnosed as dead and broken, not being sure what is bad, time may tell that these high percentage consumers have their ‘broken down’ blender collect dust in storage.

 

In the case of these blenders, aftermarket components, such as replacement blade assembly cuttingAlterna aftermarket jar with replaceable blade unit (left), Blendtec jar with broken seized up blade units (the knife, or in other words the blades) will be a money saver and a convenient solution, if only the consumer in possession of the broken down Blendtec or Vitamix blender (or Waring and others – non one brand in particular) would dig into finding out more about alternative replacement parts.

 

It is however not just about replacing a broken part, in the aftermarket industry. Additional jars offer opportunities to have spare parts for just in case, and an additional container for the purpose of alternating blender jars. The Kosher blending enthusiasts of course always use 2 jars. There are certain advantages to the number 2, two jars in possession rather than just one, especially when they are different. Blending is often better in one jar than in another depending on what one blends up.

 

The Alterna™ Jar, the aftermarket jar reported on in this article, brings several advantages to the table. Current users have reported an increase in finer blending, smoother concoctions, more thorough emulsification. The actual blending capacity is 80 ounces of ingredients. The jar is also, like the OEM factory containers, a BPA-Free copolyester material, with stainless steel removable blade assembly, and tamper stick accelerator tool available.

 

The advantages are certainly not always enticing to everyone, for example money savings. Some people may find a Blendtec Fourside replacement container for $60 plus shipping. Why would one purchase an aftermarket non-factory container for $80 including shipping? Those that do, are not buying it for immediate savings, or not for money savings reasons at all. The reason for that is that the old type Blendtec jar is always the same, no improvement with a blade that is just going to break again eventually and a new complete whole jar has to bought again, even if the price is only $60 instead of $80. If that same scenario happens with the Alterna Jar, one would have to simply just purchase a replacement jar for $35, instead of $60 for a new jar by Blendtec. Of course, Alterna has a package deal available for real blender enthusiasts, which is the jar with a blade already installed, plus an extra replacement blade for $99, including shipping.

Alterna jar fits on Vitamix Blendtec and Waring and JTC omni Blenders

Let’s assume the Alterna blade goes out at the same time the Blendtec blade would seize up, in the Blendtec jar. At that point the OEM factory enthusiast would have spent $120 while the aftermarket consumer fan spent only $99. But, again, not everybody may be interested in the cost factor issue. The Alterna jar blends better, blends bigger volumes, and is a heavier duty jar overall.

 

Waring MX series blenders, those that are truly 3.5 horsepower monsters, come with rather inferior blade and jar design. The OEM Waring container has a poor warranty, to one hand. On the other hand, the vertical jar wall goes into the bottom of the jar without curvature straight in a straight 90 degrees. There are numerous reports of poor performance and warranty issues and poor customer service. Plus a 2 Liter replacement jar from Waring costs anywhere from $120 to $160. The Alterna aftermarket container configured for the Waring MX series blenders performs better, hold up better and costs less as well.

 

Vitamix… ditto to Waring.

 

In conclusion, aftermarket is not for everyone. OEM has its advantages especially when the blender is still under warranty. In Europe or in Asia, Australia and South America, Blendtec and Vitamix warranties are general between 2 to 4 years maximum. Waring already has a 2 in 1 year warranty in the USA which means 2 year parts and 1 year labor. Costs of replacement jars in non-USA markets are mostly prohibitively expensive. In Brazil a Blendtec Fourside jar is $150 USD and $200 has to be coughed up for a Wildside jar. The same in Europe, the UK, in Australia and all over the Asian Rim.

 

Those consumers that consider the advantage of aftermarket recognize that aftermarket means that the OEM brands are going to stick around more likely longer, aftermarket components will bring the prices down everywhere, and aftermarket blender containers offer a convenience, a choice, a versatility, especially when this one blender jar actually fits on all, Vitamix, Waring, JTC Omni, Klarstein, Optimum, Omega blenders, and the Blendtec blenders.

 

Note, how the Alterna Jar sits on the various blenders, straight on Blendtec, and diagonally by 45 degrees on Vita Mix, Waring, and JTC Omni blenders. This is a little different than with any other blender jars, but it works, and is actually mostly designed that way so the same container can be used namely on different blender bases, such as the Blendtec and the Waring kinds.

 

Pros and Cons, if a blender were still under warranty, and consumer wanted to use the aftermarket Alterna jar, it is most likely assumed that the given factory might tell the consumer that such application is not authorized and will likely void the warranty. If the Blender motor might break, such use opens up the question of whether the jar and the aftermarket blade bearing may have contributed to, or perhaps was the cause of premature motor failure. However, there are several issues to that.

 

If the blade seizes up on any blender jar, it is the consumer's responsibility to stop using it, replacing the whole jar or the blade assembly from the Alterna jar with removable replaceable blade assembly unit. Plus, who is to say that a given consumer has not already over exerted their blender motor when running the blender motor with a seized up blade unit in their jar for far too long of a time and have not noticed it. Sure, if it can be proven that there is a relationship between the Alterna jar aftermarket container and a broken motor, it would only be fair that warranty is assumed, if there is a warranty. However, in every possible scenario, it should be taken into account, that it just cannot be proven. There are too many variables from abuse to a defect from the blender factory to begin with or simply just heavy normal use and therefore wear and tear having lead to an early natural death of said blender motor. It is simple, anyway, it should be considered to always pay close attention to the condition of the blade assembly and bearing, no matter if the user operates an OEM factory brand blender container or an aftermarket blender jar.

 

In any case, OEM brand factories should be exited about aftermarket blender jar availability. It is a sign that the market has reached a certain saturation and the brand is here to stay. The consumer views more choices and availability as convenient and as a great advantage, actually and eventually bringing down prices and helping to improve quality.

Copyright 2015 (C) Alternajar.com LLC


Assessing the Strategic Benefits of Different Blenders August 04 2015

Using blenders from Waring, Vitamix and Blendtec delivers the same gain of blending raw foodstuffs into consumable products. However, each of these has unique features that distinguish their functionality. Alterna jars also introduce an innovative perspective into the blending process. It is necessary to evaluate the distinct characteristics of all the blending equipment above to enable users make the appropriate decision when performing blending operations. Below is an assessment of the various features of Waring MX1000 to MX1500XT high power blender series, Vitamix 5200/6300, and the Blendtec various blenders as well as the Designer Series Blenders.

Waring 3.5 Hp MX1200XT Series Blender

  • Shatterproof and heavy-duty plastic material used for creating the lightweight and BPA-free carafe
  • Powerful 3.5HP motor and strong stainless-steel blades crush ice, creating frozen cocktails and blending thick and creamy smoothies
  • Warranty of two years from Waring
  • The electronic keypad membrane is easy to clean with a beautiful blue backlit LCD screen.
  • Adjustable speed control provides for variable speed function to allow different type of operations and at different speeds.
  • Reprogrammable beverage stations for ease of use on some models.
  • Dual pulse functions.
  • Debatable 45,000 RPM bare motor speed for powerful and fast crushing operation.
  • Price range (MX1000) starting below $300 and going over $700 (MX1500)
  • Does not come with a tamper tool, but really could use one. The jar is squared off on bottom from wall to bottom of container area – there is no transition.

Vitamix 5200/6300

  • Relatively costly at around $450 to $500, upwards to $600 and $700, depending on the model you buy, and offers basic blender setup, having standard pitcher of 64 ounces – smaller sized jars are available.
  • Certified Reconditioned blenders available at lower cost but are not necessarily new.
  • Free shipping provided within the US if blender is ordered through a link on most affiliate marketing sites with a coupon code.
  • Features 2-peak horsepower motor which spins blade at variable speeds
  • 7-year manufacturer’s warranty for residential use and 1 to 2 years for commercial use.
  • Highly-versatile and durable blender
  • Quite tall at 21 inches with pitcher
  • Four-tipped blade that is separate from pitcher (Vitamix has wet, dry, and ice blade options)
  • Toggle switch and dial interface offers precise, manual blending control
  • Includes tamper tool for pushing down blending contents

Blendtec Designer Series Blender

  • Fairly expensive ($500 / $600) with just the basic blender setup offered which comes with 64-ounce standard pitcher
  • Factory Recertified blenders available only for Total Blender Classic Series
  • Free shipping offered for US orders done via some online resellers
  • More power with 3 peak horsepower motor of 1560 watts and high spin-rate (is a marketing driven term)
  • Manufacturer’s warranty of up to 7 years available in the USA residential use, Commercial 1 to 2 years in the USA. Europe and Australia have less warranty
  • Durable and highly versatile functions
  • Relatively short at 15 ½ inches with pitcher and can thus fit under regular kitchen cabinets
  • Blade fused to pitcher making it necessary to replace blade alongside pitcher
  • Features ‘touch user interface’ and not buttons for control functions
  • Lacks tamper but has square-pitcher and special straight-blade design for efficient blending
  • Straight, single-prong, wing-tip blade
  • No tamper claimed to be necessary. But consumers have repeatedly requested tamper availability – See Universal Tamper.

Advantages of Alterna Jars

  • Offers good retrofit on multiple blending machines of high-performance, including those from Vitamix, Blendtec blenders, Waring and JTC Omniblend, few among others
  • Sits straight onto Blendtec, and on Vitamix, Omni, Waring 3.5HP and Good4U blenders in angel perpendicular 45 degrees turned
  • Gears modified in various dimensions for correct fitting into applicable blenders
  • Capable of producing diverse concoctions and blends like smoothies, ice cream, hot soups, sauces, sorbet, purees, rice, paste and broccoli and ice cubes among others. Improves blending quality especially with nut butters, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and other real hard to emulsify ingredients that would otherwise leave visible particles
  • Features replaceable blades compatible with Blendtec, Vita-Mix, Omni and Waring blenders

Selecting the correct blade-cutting assembly unit enables users of Alterna jar to achieve convenient blending operations with their blender.

By Alterna Jar (C) 2015


Replacement Jars for Blendtec Waring and JTC Blenders June 23 2015

 

The Alterna Jars are engineered and developed in the USA with the intention to retrofit one and the same container perfectlyalterna jar on omni blender on multiple high performance smoothie blending machines. These are all Blendtec blenders, Vitamix(TM), JTC Omniblend, Waring(TM) MX1050XT blenders, and a few others. Blendtec blenders have a different jar base design and normally a Blendtec(R) jar will not fit onto the Vitamix or Omni Blender or Waring blenders (MX Raptor type). And the Vitamix blender jars, Waring, Omni JTC fit all on the other blender base, but they do not fit on the Blendtec blender base, normally. 

And so we have designed a container that fits on both of these general blender platforms. The only difference is, you will sit the Alterna jar onto the Blendtec blenders straight, and on Waring, Good4U, etc... blenders in an angel perpendicular 45 degrees turned. The patent-pending design with specifically engineered jar cutouts allow space for the Alterna jar to sit on the Waring rubber blender cushion (and JTC and Vitamix...). The Waring et al blenders turn counter-clockwise and Blendtec turns clockwise, however. And so the blades need to be sharpened on opposite sides and the user who wants to use the Alterna Jar on a Blendtec blender must have the correct Alterna Blade for Blendtec blenders installed while the user who wants to use the Alterna Jar on a Vitamix or Waring or JTC blender, must use the jar with the correct Alterna blade blending assembly for the Waring and JTC et al blenders. The gears are modified in size and dimensions accordingly to fit correctly into the applicable blender.

Note, minimum size of blending capability is 16 ounces and maximum effectiveness is at around 55 ounces to 64 ounces, depending on liquid content ratio to solids. The Alterna Jar is capable of various blends and concoctions such as smoothies, hot soups, ice cream, sorbet, sauces, purees, paste, rice, grain to flour, broccoli, cabbage, avocado pits, ice cubes...

The other patent-pending engineering of this high performance jar set up for perfect Blendtec blender and Waring (et al) blender application is the requirement to elongate the gear - shaft to make room below the jar (jar and gear patent pending) for the bottom plate screw / nut so you can tighten down the changeable replaceable blade unit cutting blending assembly on the Alterna Jar specifically for Blendtec blender applications. Blendtec does not have jars with replaceable blades, but Vitamix and OMNI and Waring however do.

We have noticed on many occasions that customers / blender users would have bought a Blendtec blender but instead bought a Vitamix or JTC Omni blender or Waring MX1050XT blender because Blendtec has a fixed installed blade. The issue is, the blade will wear out (the bearing / bushing, to be exact) and then the blender operator has to purchase a brand new Blendtec jar. Bearing-operated blade assembly cutting units hold up longer than bushing driven blades, because they have better seals and gaskets and harder bearings (bearings are better than bushings). The bearings balls are made from a carbide alloy, the same used for roller skates and blades. And this is a big money savings issue especially for restaurant smoothie shop operators.

No matter if you have a Vitamix, Waring MX XT blender, JTC Omni or Blendtec blender, you can use the same Alterna Jar, however by selecting the correct blade cutting blending assembly unit. Select between the Alterna Blade - Blendtec or Alterna Blade Waring, Waring also fitting on Vitamix, Good4U Raw Power, and JTC Omni Blenders, perhaps others, such as Omega and Centaur blenders.

Disclaimer: We are no longer selling smoothie blenders. The mere fact that our Alterna Jar and it's blades are interchangeable and also fit on various other diverse high power blender brands is not prohibited by law, but not likely supported by it's brand owners. Brand owners may probably do and/or threaten to void warranty, however Alterna will gladly issue warranty coverage over said claimed equipment if it can legitimately be proven that a problem may have been caused by the Altern jar and/or its blade mechanism and its usage, provided it has been used correctly in accordance to our jar and blade maintenance guideline. If a blade has seized up and being used regardless, it can cause potentially to drive socket and/or cause motor damage. The trademarks of Waring, Vitamix, Blendtec, etc... are owned by their applicable owners. The Alterna Jar and Blades are patent pending and trademark registered.