Today, we’ll be comparing the Vitamix E320 Explorian variant, as well as the Vitamix 750 Professional-Grade option. Both are considered top-tier models that offer advanced features for commercial use.
Since most people consider spending four hundred dollars a costly expense, choosing the right gadget becomes more crucial. Let’s compare these two, so that once and for all, we can know which one is the better selection.
Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender
Are you setting up a restaurant soon? How about a neighborhood coffee shop?
Although not considered an industrial-grade appliance, the Vitamix E320 Explorian Blender is more than capable of withstanding harsh working environments. It’s used predominantly as a secondary device when preparing hot soups and appetizers. The internal operating system functions really smoothly, even after several hours.
Another practical quality about it is its large 64-ounce container.
Since commercial establishments usually cook meals in bulk, having this helps save so much time. You can simply dump all the needed ingredients, then blend them in a single go. Just remember to portion everything accordingly so nothing is wasted.
The speed on this machine can be controlled by a single dial. On it are ten pre-programmed settings, plus a pulsing function. Operating the Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender is easy, too. This is particularly handy when multitasking because it requires very little maintenance.
Even cleaning this machine won’t take much effort. Simply add in some warm water to a drop of dish soap, and turn up the speed. Goop should slide right off, even without any disassembly. One downside, though, is because the blades are fixed, some waste gets stuck in between them. Make sure you have an old toothbrush ready to get in those hard-to-reach places.
Considering all this, the Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender‘s price doesn’t seem so outrageous after all. Everyday home cooks may be scared off, but a small business should see it as a worthwhile investment that helps streamline several processes.
In the long run, you should be able to make back that money in terms of time and effort saved.
Pros
- BPA-free (Bisphenol A) so you know your diners are safe
- Provides sufficient cutting strength; can be used on different foods
- Blade friction heating lessens the need for defrosting ingredients
- Comes with a 7-year-long warranty
- Very versatile; a pulse feature helps achieve thicker consistencies
Cons
- Adds excessive noise to an already very busy workplace
- Requires sufficient storage space because of its bulkiness
- You may need to buy some additional accessories
Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender
Another potential option for your food business is the Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender. Like the E320 Explorian model, it offers similar features like a robust 2.2-HP (horsepower) motor, stainless steel blades, and ten pre-programmed variable-speed settings.
Having this much power will really come in handy, especially when blending harder ingredients like nuts, coffee ground, and ice. Weaker appliances may labor through such tasks, but the Vitamix 7500 hardly makes a sound.
A few users have even shared that they sometimes feel it carries too much force. We had a similar experience, too. While controlling the Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender is generally manageable, it will require some adjustment. The timing of shifting speeds, in particular, was tricky. But after a while, it felt more natural.
We recommend testing it out first before performing any complicated kitchen tasks. Otherwise, your food may not have its ideal consistency.
To support this newfound cutting strength, the Vitamix 7500 is equipped with several safety features. A radial cooling fan keeps the internal temperature at a minimum, while its thermal protection system prevents any short-circuiting.
Since blenders are relied upon heavily in most commercial settings, these provisions minimize the risk of accidents. In a similar way, it extends the machine’s lifespan by protecting any major components from any potential long-term issues.
Thankfully, the Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender also comes with a favorable 7-year-long warranty that includes several guarantees from the manufacturer. This should at least put any potential buyer’s mind at ease after spending a substantial amount.
Pros
- A 6-foot-long power cord allows it to be moved around easily
- Several safety features in place allow continuous use in a work day
- Produces very little noise; doesn’t serve as a distraction
- Large capacity means more ingredients can be added at a single time
- Extremely versatile; use it on any conventional task in the kitchen
Cons
- A lot more expensive than models offering the same specs
- Controlling the speed may require a steeper learning curve
- Self-clean option doesn’t remove all the residue; not dishwasher safe
Face-to-Face: Vitamix E320 vs 7500 Comparison
Choosing a professional-grade blender is very different from one for households. They are used for more demanding tasks, not to mention for longer periods. This means that durability, in most cases, takes a higher priority over other factors.
In this next section, we’ll be talking about 8 qualifications when buying blenders for commercial use. We’ve based our recommendations on countless reviews, both online and offline. Through this, we hope it helps you make the best possible decision moving forward on what model to invest in.
Blending Power
Professional kitchens deal with different ingredients on a daily basis. Some are soft and mushy, yet others have tough exteriors. Chefs don’t always have the luxury of time to cut, so tossing them into a blender is the next best thing.
We’re glad both the Vitamix E320 Explorian and 7500 Professional-Grade blenders come with substantial cutting strength. They each have a 2.2-HP (horsepower) motor that operates stainless-steel blades. Very few kinds of food can give them trouble.
On the surface, these two seem almost identical. But a closer look will show that one carries a slight advantage.
We noticed the Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender’s motor is slightly more hardwearing, and thus, performs better. It emits very little noise, labors through hard foods less, and gets things done at a faster pace.
Since time is of the essence in these situations, we would have to rule in favor of the Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender – the more powerful option.
Container Dimensions and Design
Size doesn’t usually matter when preparing dinner for the family. But for a catering business, it can make a substantial difference. Prepping for meals in one go means you save precious minutes, which can instead be used for other more important tasks.
For us, a 64-ounce container is the perfect size. It provides enough functionality without being too bulky. This way, you can have multiple appliances working on your countertop simultaneously.
We’re very happy that both our contenders have large enough containers. It’s just that the Vitamix E320 blender is built taller, while the 7500 model is wider. Neither design really makes a difference on usability, so it really just boils down to preference.
Storage Space and Mobility
Speaking of bulkiness, this can also affect how easily you store and transport it whenever needed. Typically, professional kitchens utilize many different appliances and gizmos. So finding enough space for all is always a priority.
Earlier, we mentioned that the Vitamix 7500 is broader in shape. This helps it fit better inside most cabinets or cupboards. On the other hand, the Vitamix E320 has more height, which means prior to storage, it needs to be disassembled first.
Both blenders also weigh right around the same, approximately 13-lbs. They are relatively easy to transport – whether within or outside the kitchen – and won’t require much effort.
Given all these observations, we have to give a slide edge to the 7500 model. Being shorter makes more sense in an environment that already lacks space, yet without sacrificing the container capacity. However, if you’re confident about having an extra utility room, then the E320 Explorian blender makes sense, too.
Maintenance
If you’re like us, then cleaning is never an enjoyable task. We prefer getting it done in as little time as possible. Fortunately, both these blenders come with a self-cleaning feature. Simply fill the jug with warm water, add a few drops of dishwashing soap, then turn up the speed.
After just thirty to sixty seconds, you should notice the gunk begin to slide off for easy rinsing.
The only problem lies when blending stringy and sticky foods. Reside usually gets caught around their blades. And because they aren’t detachable, you’ll need an old toothbrush to clean inside those hard-to-reach places.
This isn’t exactly impossible, but also not the most fun, either.
In such cases when you don’t feel like scrubbing away, the Vitamix E320 Explorian Blender seems like a better choice. All its parts are dishwasher safe, so simply pop it inside the cleaning machine, and watch your problems be washed away.
Sadly, its counterpart doesn’t offer the same convenience. So if some remnants are left, they need to be dealt with manually.
Safety Features
Blenders have very high maximum speeds to ensure subsequent results. But if users don’t manage them correctly, they can break down, or worse, cause a fire in the kitchen. Having safety provisions can help minimize these scenarios.
The Vitamix 7500 and E320 are relatively easy to operate. They both come with a variable-speed dial to control how fast or slow the motor runs. This is crucial so the machine doesn’t spill food all over, or cause any minor injuries.
Besides that, one of them is equipped with advanced features.
To supplement the added cutting strength, the Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender comes with a radial cooling fan installed and thermal protection system. Keeping the internal temperature low greatly reduces overheating.
On the other hand, the E320 variant doesn’t include much safety features, which tells it shouldn’t be used continuously. Strategically placing breaks in between tasks will be crucial to extend its overall lifespan.
Warranty
Another way to preserve your investment is through the product warranty. Even though this may cause the final price to go up, it actually saves you from the headache of paying for repairs or parts replacements.
Just think of it like insurance. In case anything goes wrong, you’ll have a direct line to the manufacturer. Or better yet, a written promise that they stand behind their offering.
We’re very happy to report that these two Vitamix blenders come with a 7-years minimum warranty. This includes a comprehensive package of repair, diagnostics, and product replacement. Customers will also have access to various service centers located globally, as well as their client care hotline.
After-sales support is really a strength of Vitamix, and we’re happy this can be seen in these two products. Buyers won’t ever need to worry in case anything, whether big or small, goes wrong.
Overall Price
Needless to say, the majority of shoppers consider these as expensive. They are, after all, high-end options built for more rigorous work environments. Their price tag alone is enough to scare off would-be users, who only consider cooking as a hobby.
But after comparing them side-by-side, is there one that provides better value for money?
Between the two, the Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender is much cheaper, by almost a couple hundred dollars. Besides the added durability, safety features, and streamlined design, all other key features are found in the Vitamix 7500 model, too.
The question we must now ask ourselves is would that be worth it?
For us, it isn’t. Which is why in terms of overall price, we give the edge to the Vitamix E320. It yields more functionality per dollar than its counterpart. Plus, both these variants are better suited as secondary tools, anyway.
Intangibles
Now, this may seem a bit vague. But intangibles refers to the little add-ons found in each blender that make life easier for users. Simple elements like an extra-long power cord or additional accessories can change the game, especially when two subjects are almost identical, as is the case today.
Between the two, we find the Vitamix 7500 blender more complete. Its 6-foot-long cord and specially designed tamper allow you to make minor adjustments without having to power down the machine.
For instance, the tamper helps push down mixtures towards its blades to create a much more even consistency. An extended power cable likewise means changing positions won’t be as tedious anymore.
Of course, this isn’t to say that the Vitamix E320 model isn’t reliable.
It comes with a specialized pulse feature switch, blade friction heating, and BPA-free container. The only problem is it’s also found in its fellow Vitamix blender. So the initial appeal somehow loses its shine.
What Do Consumers Say About Each One?
Are you wondering what existing customers say about each of these two Vitamix blenders? We wouldn’t be surprised. Comments serve as testimonials for actual product performance, and provide a peek into how they perform on a day-to-day basis.
To set forth an unbiased report, we read through countless customer comments. Our team also identified the overall rating, with five stars as the highest, and a single star as the lowest.
Vitamix E320 Explorian Professional-Grade Blender
Generally speaking, the Vitamix E320 blender is very well-accepted by consumers. It boasts of an 89% approval rating based on 1,181 respondents. This is obviously a unanimously positive verdict on this product.
The comments section reflects the same sentiments.
Several users were in awe of its blending power on various household tasks. According to them, it made quick work when used on nuts and frozen fruits. So despite the high initial payout, they considered it justified.
One downside, though, is that there were some reported cases of overheating. Maybe because the Vitamix E320 didn’t have any additional safety features included. If the brand ever considered introducing a successor, this could probably be a point of improvement.
Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender
In an almost indistinguishable way, the Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender almost scored the same. Out of 1,651 consumers, it came away with an approval rating of 88%, or 4.8 stars out of 5.
Its durability and reliability, especially on thicker foods, was what won people over. Several users were able to maintain their healthy lifestyle because it rarely faltered. Numerous individuals also appreciated its shorter design because making additional space was no longer needed.
In case you ever decide to buy this model, just be warned that several customers complained about the delivery process and after-sales support. At least there weren’t many objections to the actual product.
Conclusion
This definitely wasn’t an easy decision because both the Vitamix E320 and 7500 models are very similar. They offer buyers almost the same value, support, and user experience. But alas, we need to make a final ruling.
Even though more expensive, we found the Vitamix 7500 Professional-Grade Blender as more complete, especially to those furnishing a professional kitchen or commercial space. Its balance of power, safety features, and comprehensiveness is what sets it apart.
It also came with a lot more intangibles that led to greater flexibility when working in a busy setting. So if you’re ever looking for something more high-end, this is definitely a good place to start.
