Aftermarket 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 cutting 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.
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.
The Alterna Jar is basically made to fit 2 different type of blenders. One is the Blendtec blender series. The other is the 'other' blender group, which is basically all the same, when it comes to blender jar compatibility.
They all fit on each others' blender platform, in other words. These are the Waring 3.5 hp blenders (not anything else from Waring), the Vita Mix type blenders, the Omni by JTC, and all their associated private label brands - all the same, basically, when it comes to their jars fitting onto one and the other blender.
The Blendtec blenders' motor turns clockwise and the Blendtec blender base comes with a drive socket attached to the motor axle permanently, metal on metal, no clutch. A clutch would be a way out to absorb energy (bad energy that could break the motor). And the Blendtec blender jars have permanently installed blades that cannot be removed, taken out without breaking the jar and/or the blade bearing assembly, and the blades are not sharp either.
As a matter of fact, Blendtec apparently insists that their blades perform better dull than any other sharpened blades / knives. The only beef with that is however that a dull sword does not cut off heads as easy or as clean as a sword that has a very sharp edge. Also a dull shear machine, if you get your hand in it, instead of cutting off your fingers clean, it will likely pull in your whole hand and arm etc.... you get the point. Bottom line, sharpened is better, no matter who you talk too. That said, and the point is, the blades in the Alterna Jar are sharp, very sharp. For Blendtec applications, the blade in the jar has been sharpened on the right side, ... because the knives are rotating right ways - clockwise.
The drive socket gear is smaller in the Blendtec blenders, so of course the blade assembly in the Alterna jar for the Vita Mix blenders does fit into the Blendtec drive socket. Three things then; The Alterna blade assembly for the use in the Alterna jar on top of the Blendtec blender has a removable blade assembly that is sharpened, turns clockwise, and has the appropriate gear to fit on all Blendtec blenders, except with use in a sound enclosure. For that, there is a new jar on its way in the early 2016.
The blades therefore being different for the use in the Alterna Jar on top of the Waring 3.5 hp blenders and it's alike-kind-type blender bases. The knives are sharpened on the left side of the blade because it turns counter-clockwise. The gear is larger thicker because the drive socket part of that area of the blender motor axle is larger.
Then how do these different Alterna Jar configurations sit on each of these blenders? The Alterna Jar sits on the Blendtec blenders just normal, line its original Wildside or Fourside jar, straight and square. Remember, the Alterna jar was made with the intention that it also fits on the other kind blenders, like Waring, Omni, Vitamix,.... That in mind we engineered the bottom base of the jar in a way that just by turning the jar 45 degrees in an angle it would also fit on the other kind blender bases, thus missing the rubber cushion stubs.
People or restaurants that have both type of blenders, have the opportunity to switch the blade assembly out accordingly and use the Alterna Jar on both blenders. It is not so much that one should switch back and forth between the two uses. Mostly it is advantageous for restaurants that have Blendtec blenders in their shop and want to switch their blender equipment to Waring or Vitamix, for example. They don't have to buy all new jars. A Blade assembly is so much more inexpensive.
First off, the Alterna jar fits on Blendtec blenders, Vitamix, JTC Omni, Waring 3.5 hp blenders, and all same kind alike platforms, aka the high powered really good and expensive blenders, usually. Second, if your blade assembly (in the case of the Blendtec jar, your bushings) have seized up or are in the process of wearing and bogging down and starting to seize, you need to look at repairing your blender container. Blendtec cannot be repaired - you have to buy a new jar - or consider a jar with replacement blade for your Blendtec blender (check warranty of your blender and jar before you spend money).
This following video gives you some good ideas about how to repair your blender jar or replace your container blade assembly. There is not much difference from blender to blender, if they are Vitamix, JTC Omni, Klarstein, Hamilton Beach, Optimum,... Again, if you happen to have a Blendtec container, the Wildside or the Fourside jar, then watch the video anyway to get a good idea of how advantageous a jar with removable blade can be.
Thanks for watching. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
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.
From a consumer standpoint, a refurbished high performance blender, such as the Blendtec blender series, and other competitors in the $500 price club, appears at first to be a nice deal. There are however several points of views to look at as to why companies could have refurbished blenders in stock, why they are offering them, and who would return them - in what quantity - and why?
To the most part, these factories over-sell and under-deliver unfortunately to the dissatisfaction of the many customers who return their expensive blenders to the factory directly or through the retailer. The factory then goes over the blender and cleans it up and puts a new unused jar with a new recipe book into a new box and then offers the blender for sale as refurbished. This is one most plausible theory.
Why would a customer not be happy or satisfied with an expensive high performance blending machine? This is one possibility that has been found at Costco and at Sams Club. The consumer sees and tastes a fine magical smoothie during a demo show. The blender demonstrator, well experienced and highly trained, shows off fancy tricks and concoctions that leave the consumer at a jaw-dropping awe. Once at home with the new shiny toy, duplicating the smoothie is some other foreign story and the remorse sets in. And the cycle of return begins.
What is wrong with that picture? Yep. We like to educate our customers about gimmick purchases. No, a blender does not heat soup with an electric heating element (it heats soup with the blade unit that turns into a heating element because of friction). No you don't need a dedicated button to crush ice, make peanut butter or almond butter. A yes, you are paying at $ 400 to $500 already way too much for a 3 horsepower high performance blender when you can get the same thing in brand new for half the price. Look at the OMNI Blender for example. Half the price?
Still be aware of the many crappy not so well built and under-performing blending machines. Some totally copy the Vitamix, Blendtec blenders, and the OMNI blender straight out. Ninja, Nutri Bullet, the Health Master, all are inferior to the big and powerful blenders, the name of the game. We have sold many different blenders and have gone away from it and now are just focusing on the OMNI Blender. The JTC OMNIBLEND blender is the best blender bang for the buck because of its quality, power, warranty, and low competitive price.
We have been in business selling blenders since 2007. Ever since, having carried many different high quality high powered blending machines, we have wondered why we can't sell refurbished blenders? The simple answer is: Hardly ever anyone returns the blender. Why do you think that is? We leave it by that because that fact and question is already a good enough answer in itself. And why do you want a refurbished blender when you can get a brand new OMNI Blender for the same price as other used ones? Do you want the chance to have someone else' hair in your smoothie?
If we had refurbished blenders available, they would cost $225 including shipping and would be cleaned up, coming with a new jar and blade, tamper, and new recipe book, all in a new box and full 7 year standard warranty; that is if enough customers would return theirs. But they don't. Customers have the opportunity to purchase the OMNI 3 hp smoothie blender and review it for 30 days and take advantage of our return policy should they wish to return it within that time frame.
I order to reduce the likelihood of a consumer to return a blender we focus on education of our blender, what it does, how it performs, and how to make smoothies, in the front-end before they are buying their high powered blender. A refurbished blender could theoretically also be returned, it just has never happened.
Comparing blenders in this competitive smoothie making industry is an important task; also difficult. Many competitors focus on gimmicks that consumers easily fall for. Others are focusing just on price by faking a high quality blender however at a dear cost at the consumer's expense.
Horsepower
The horsepower (hp) strength of a motor is not necessarily the final output. A motor can have the capacity of a 5 horsepower blender, but only 1 or 2 hp strength or equivalence to watt output are used, measurable in watts. For example, the Omni Blender has a 3 horsepower motor output capacity. It is really inefficient and also puts a big potential overload strain on a motor if used to its fullest capacity. That is how motors blow out and burn out.
The OMNI Blender motor is a 3 horsepower motor which has been optimized to run as efficient as possible, as powerful as possible, while at the same time being as quiet as possible and because it is running cooler than others it also lasts longer. And then, the bottom line is that it still blends as good and powerful with same texture results in smoothies, hot soups, ice cubes into snow, sauces, purees etc... blended. Price, quality, performance and customer service should be carefully be the considering purchase factors only.
A more efficient motor that does not over-exert itself (not pushed to its limit) will last longer, thus our durability guarantee.
Watt consumption
The watt declarations of various blender manufacturers are simply incorrect and deceiving. For example some smoothie blender companies suggest on their label a 1200 or a 1500 watt output consumption. But just like it is with all labeling, factories for marketing sakes push the envelope to its outer possible legal gray areas. Theoretically correct, a lie can be presented with lots of sugar coating. And unfortunately, many consumers fall for it because they will never find out the truth anyway because they are not going to use their blender often enough to experience a breakdown. If a 3 hp smoothie blender actually would measure or consume 2275 watts, it would blow the motor, maybe not right away, but it would rather sooner than later burn out quickly.
Just like with a car. If you know what fuel efficiency means, if you have a bigger robuster motor with a low fuel efficiency that does not mean that the same 8 cylinder motor with high fuel efficiency is not as strong. Gas mileage does not determine the final strength of a motor these days anymore. Which motor is going to get the job done better? A 4 cylinder motor with 160 hp or a 6 cylinder motor with 220 hp? Which motor will last longer? Therefore, as our competitors are claiming a 2 hp peak motor, probably just a 1 hp motor turbo charged, the 3 horsepower blender motor will last longer, especially when optimized to run slightly slower for better cooling and lower noise output, and still blending the smoothies and soups equally we..
Brand name recognition
Some companies that manufacture high performance blenders have been in business for 90 years, 60, and 30, or in our case 25 years. Yes, the OMNI Blender has been made for more than 25 years, and it is settling in the USA smoothie market only just now since about 2008/2009. The OMNI JTC Blender, aka TM 800 A blender has been imported as one of the finest and high performing power blending machines for about 5 years. Competitors' brands boast market domination using age. But as you know, age is not everything. The OMNI Blender is built and engineered with modern day technological advancements such as motor efficiency, that you can have a high powered 3 hp blender motor without the boasted 1500 watts or 2275 watts actual consumption. The blender lasts longer and costs less.
Design
The designs of blenders, at least of the mainstream power blenders, those that matter in the high performance blender industry, including the OMNI Blender, have a very similar design in blade performance, jar or container shape, and the operating system. Some blenders, like Nutri Bullet or the Ninja blenders are poorly designed. The Ninja especially has a blade design, well, how shall we put it???? - Is not very smart. Well it blends well like a food processor. But you can get a Black and Decker food processor for $ 50 bucks, why paying $200 for a Ninja? The Ninja blade does not make any sense when it comes to most efficient power blending in the smoothie and soup industry. It just does not perform well.
Features
Blender features are important to consumers, not necessarily for functionality - make-sense purposes, but mostly because they are shiny objects. Humans are attracted to gimmicks, especially when not practical or not needed. They more shiny gadgets, as useless as they may be, the bigger the jaw-dropper effect on many people.
Consider this education: Any high performance smoothie blender between 2 hp and 3 hp motor performance can make a hot soup. Although the factory puts a label and a button on the blender housing that says "hot soup", "ice cream"... etc., that does not mean that the blender has actually a refrigeration system built in or a heating element.Yet people fall for it all the time. It should actually be conceived as an insult that factories actually do think we consumers fall for every gimmick. And yet, the sad thing is that many consumers do fall for it. The saddest part of that is that many blenders are purchased based on the gimmick factors and not for practicality quality or price factor, and at the end, these consumers often times don't even use their blender beyond 2 days of ownership. Thus the high blender return rates - just see how many refurbished blenders are offered.
The only practical features that a powerful high performance smoothie blender should have is a powerful durable blender motor, high quality parts, good blade design, and simple blend features like low - medium - high - pulse and if timer settings then a choice of 3 suffices. The more options the more difficult to use. Simplicity is the name of the game in all things.
Conclusion
Not that these few matters are the only ones that should matter with a good high performance blender choice, but in the case of the OMNI Blender, it has been found that it performs equally well if not better than its higher priced competitors. The retail price is much lower and the warranty is 7 years on the motor. The bottom line is the performance, smoothie texture, how long the motor lasts, the final cost, and the customer service.
(C) 2014 123Vita LLC - for questions contact (801) 623-3225
Aftermarket 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.
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.
Some companies that manufacture high performance blenders have been in business for 90 years, 60, and 30, or in our case 25 years. Yes, the 
Blender features are important to consumers, not necessarily for functionality - make-sense purposes, but mostly because they are shiny objects. Humans are attracted to gimmicks, especially when not practical or not needed. They more shiny gadgets, as useless as they may be, the bigger the jaw-dropper effect on many people.
Yet people fall for it all the time. It should actually be conceived as an insult that factories actually do think we consumers fall for every gimmick. And yet, the sad thing is that many consumers do fall for it. The saddest part of that is that many blenders are purchased based on the gimmick factors and not for practicality quality or price factor, and at the end, these consumers often times don't even use their blender beyond 2 days of ownership. Thus the high blender return rates - just see how many refurbished blenders are offered.