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Jan 12, 2024

Thermomix Review: Is A Thermomix Really Worth It?

Posted by Megan Birot 23/03/2022 Fact Checked$("#scpopover_747372").popover({

Posted by Megan Birot 23/03/2022

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The Thermomix is a ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’ kitchen appliance for many consumers, and with its high price tag, it's little wonder why the debate continues as to whether it is really worth the money.

It's not a huge surprise as to why there is such an appetite for this innovative machine, as for many time-poor households owning an appliance that does all of the hard work for you is a win-win solution to the everyday challenge of cooking up a decent meal for the family.

Marketed as a machine that will combine all your main cooking appliances into one, the Thermomix should theoretically cut back on the expense of those individual items – and save on space in your kitchen.

The one-pot wonder not only cooks, it whips, grinds, steams, mixes, blends, chops, kneads, heats, and weighs – to name just a few. There is no doubt that it is a quality piece of machinery. The blades stay sharp, the bowl looks like new every time you clean it, and the plastic seals for steaming food don't get corroded quickly.

The downside to this superior technology is that it doesn't come cheap!

Haters of the ‘Thermy’ (as it's been affectionately renamed by those in the know) would say that the $2,359 price tag is just not worth it. While you can enter into a payment plan – to pay it off in installments – there is still no getting away from the high price for a gadget that is secondary to your cooker.

However, you are paying for quality. Apart from the usual product malfunctions (there will always be a small number of buyers who receive a faulty item) such as needing a replacement sealing ring, most of the complaints come from those who say it simply takes the joy out of cooking. With proper care, the Thermomix should last a lifetime, and when you can replace your blender, bread maker, steamer, scales, mixer, and so on with it, maybe this product really is value for money?

The buds at Thermy headquarters say that by cooking food from scratch – such as bread, flour, and yoghurt – you are automatically saving money, and with its good energy-efficient rating, you are also cutting down on electricity costs. _gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'Engagement | appliances', 'Multi Tab Table', 'Default | '])

So how easy is the Thermomix (TM6) to use, and how do you become known as the ‘best cook ever’ by your family members? Well, the fact that your $2,000+ Thermomix comes with its own consultant is a testament to the complexities around this kitchen tool.

The consultant will come to your home to help you set it up and get you trying out the millions of recipes from the cookbook they provide. For some home cooks, the fact that its capabilities are endless and that you will never see its full potential can be too much to bear…

Those who are opposed to this product also talk of the lack of taste in some of the meals it produces, and that many of the dishes are missing some much-needed crunch. For the lovers, the fact that they are able to serve a hearty, healthy meal for the family by throwing all of the ingredients in and then pressing the ‘start’ button is a no a brainer when considering whether to take that step into the Thermomix world.

Thermomix claims to combine the functions of 12 different appliances in one: weighing, mixing, chopping, milling, kneading, blending, steaming, cooking, beating, precise heating, stirring, and emulsifying.

Apparently, owning a Thermomix will turn recipes you’ve never tried before (because they seemed like too much effort) into easy and fun achievements. Meals that once took your grandmother several hours to prepare are now just a few buttons away.

So, what can you actually do? The Thermomix can:

The Thermomix is a pretty amazing kitchen appliance, but it can't do everything. So, here is a list of things you can't do:

It may be able to clean itself on the inside, but you’ll be left to take care of the outside of your Thermomix.

So, we know all about the Thermomix, but what about its rivals? What other know-it-all appliances are out there to help make kitchen life even more convenient? Other brands include:

Here's how they compare on price:

Tefal i-Companion XL Connect Cooking Food Processor

Source: Prices taken from respective retailer websites, March 2022.

The KitchenAid 13-cup food processor (KFP1319) has been hailed as a big hit for its appearance. With a choice of colours to match your kitchen, this could be a winner for those who rate their appliances on style.

Designed with a large 13-cup capacity, expect features such as six auto cooking modes and settings including chop, shred, precision slice, dice, knead and mix, as well as manual cooking functions and die-cast metal construction. Additionally, you’ll find an ExactSlice lever to easily adjust slicing thickness.

With a $1,899 price point, and a large 3L capacity dishwasher-safe bowl, the Tefal i-Companion (FE90C) is a big competitor to the market leader. This product is particularly popular amongst those with a lot of mouths to feed (it can serve up to 10 people). It features four automatic programs and a manual mode to adjust speed, heat, and time for your own recipes.

In addition, it comes with multiple blades for stirring, whisking, cooking, chopping, and kneading dough. You will also find a steam basket and a keep-warm function that stays on for up to 45 minutes. This model comes with Bluetooth connectivity to access recipes and instructions via the Companion app.

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ALDI's Mistral Thermo Cooker appears in Special Buys from time to time, typically retailing between $249-$299. It's described as 10 appliances in one, allowing you to steam, blend, chop, crush ice, mix, dry, knead and make stew. It features an 800W motor with 2L of capacity. There's also a steamer unit with 1000W of heating power.

There are 10 speeds to choose from with an integrated scale and reverse functions. Additionally, it comes with a chopping blade, mixing tool, and recipe book.

Kogan's ThermoBlend Elite All-in-One Food Processor & Cooker is another budget-friendly option. With a price tag of $229, you can combine ten appliances into one unit. It features an LED screen, timer, temperature dial, and smart speed controls. There are 11 variable speeds to choose from along with a pulse button.

This multifunctional appliance provides a 2L capacity and is stated to chop, mix, knead, blend, cook, steam, stir, fry and more. To help with the clean-up, the utensils are said to be easy to clean while the cooking bowl is dishwasher safe. In addition, you’ll find a steam tray, lids, and measuring cups included. _gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'Engagement | appliances', 'Multi Tab Table', 'Default | '])

When all is said and done, the Thermomix is a machine with a very fancy engine and the ability to revolutionise how, and what, you cook. But it does cost a huge bundle of cash! Whether you consider it to be value for money really is down to you as an individual. Unlike the Thermomix itself, there is no one size fits all answer.

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Original Author: Veronika Hleborodova