Thermomix - Worth The Purchase or Not?

Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 07:43
Last edited 02/06/2020 - 21:29

Hi all,

I'm very tempted to get a Thermomix but obviously the price tag is a consideration factor. A few things that go through my head that I thought I should ask:

  1. If you have a thermomix, do you think it's worth it? How often do you use it, and what have you cooked with it that has worked well?

  2. What hasn't worked so well with the thermomix?

  3. What other appliances do you have other than the Thermomix?

  4. If you have considered getting a thermomix but did not get one, what was the reason?

Appreciate that there's a lot of questions but you don't have to answer all (but if you do, I'd be super appreciative!) thanks for sharing!

Poll Options

  • 24
    Have it, definitely worth it!
  • 7
    Have it, not worth it
  • 8
    Don't have it, tempted to get
  • 50
    Don't have it, don't care for it either
Home & Garden Multi Cooker

Comments

  • Melb69 on 02/06/2020 - 07:56
    +2

    Poll

  • Belistic on 02/06/2020 - 08:06
    +1

    1 - Yes, especially with 12/24mths interest free. I use it daily or every second day.
    Risottos, soups, sauces, shredded chicken breasts for furbabies.

    2 - sometimes mince dishes tend to become mushier than a pan.

    3 - everything you could think of.

    I have the Tm5, the Tm6 can fry meats, as well as a kettle function.

    I'm definitely not a rep, but I love my thermie. Try a google search, there's plenty of options out there, for and against.

    • ihbh on 02/06/2020 - 15:30
      +1

      The Breville BPR700BSS (<$250) makes great risottos, stews, but pumpkin soup we need to throw in the blender (will get a hand stick blender) as part of the process. Our risotto uses a mushroom medley which we fry separately and then throw in at the end; but onions, etc. can be fried at the start in the pot and left in there with the rice.

      I assume the Thermoix has fewer steps?

      Note the Breville has only 12 months warranty; if there's a problem with the electronics and it dies not far outside of warranty, Breville is a pain in the ass to deal with.

    • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:47

      Do you know how much the reps make by any chance? Haha

  • lvagg59 on 02/06/2020 - 08:22
    +1

    I started with the TM31 so I got used to the manual cooking, I then moved onto the TM5 which had the recipe chips for automated cooking. I don't use the automated cooking nor do I subscribe to Cookidoo for $49 per year to access recipes. I use the recipe community and google and sometimes convert my existing recipes. I don't use it every day but I do use it to cook my rice (a couple of times per week), soups, make banana bread and loads of fudge at easter and Xmas. I went to a demonstration and I was convinced to buy it. If I was buying today I would look for a second hand TM5 with an extra bowl set and chips or books for around $1200-$1400.

    • Belistic on 02/06/2020 - 08:26

      Yes, definitely need at least 2 bowls.

    • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:37

      Did you make banana bread solely using the thermomix?!

      • lvagg59 on 04/06/2020 - 09:43

        Yes, after blending in the bowl you can steam the cake in the veroma on top. If you compare the cost of the Thermomix to the latest iPhone it is pretty much the same price if not cheaper and I upgrade my iPhone more than I do my thermomix.

        • berry580 on 04/06/2020 - 22:28

          Flagship smart phone price analogy is a good one. I always do that myself.

          Like justifying an awesome mattress, thermostatic faucet, etc.

  • bohn on 02/06/2020 - 08:30
    +2

    I've heard it's good for those with families (kids) who want to make things a bit easier.
    You can set things and then go and clean up poo and vomit etc.

  • iforgotmysocks on 02/06/2020 - 08:59
    +7

    No, there are far cheaper alternatives that aren't pyramid schemes.

  • iampoor on 02/06/2020 - 09:10
    +7

    1. I was very lucky to be gifted a TM5, however I don't think it is worth it. I now predominantly use it as a steamer or to weigh ingredients.

    2. Pretty much everything. It is great to set and forget, however I personally feel that the dish is maybe 80% of what would be if you cooked it conventionally. Mince is mushier (chilli con carne, bolognese), noodles are more broken up (any asian style noodles), risotto texture is not 100%, rice isn't as good as a rice cooker etc. The food cooked is perfectly edible and really tasty if you have good recipes but it just isn't as good as conventionally cooked food.

      If you like cooking and are used to conventionally cooking food you might find it falling short as was my experience, however I do know a lot of people who love using it and the time saved. I prefer to stand in the kitchen and build the richness in my bolognese/soup, fry my noodles instead of having semi stewed/heated noodles from the thermomix and perfectly cooked rice from my rice cooker. Comes down to what type of person you are which in my case it is a mismatch with the Thermomix target demographic.

    3. Air fryer, Instant Pot and rice cooker.

    4. N/A

    • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:38

      Thanks for responding to all my questions! How often do you use your thermomix now?

      • iampoor on 03/06/2020 - 11:18
        +1

        Probably use it once a week for weighing ingredients now that my son wants to bake cookies.

        Steaming maybe once a fortnight?

        You should go for a demo and try out the food for yourself, it really isn't hard to recreate the taste that the demonstrators are able to produce.

        Pay particular attention to what they need to do to produce the food, bearing in mind that most demonstrators use pre-prepped ingredients as they are time limited so you need to factor that in.

        If you are comfortable with the time you will need to prep the ingredients, follow the steps the demonstrator uses to cook the food and you like the taste then you can seriously consider it. If you can't tick off all three criteria I would say buying it will likely provide you with a lovely white elephant.

  • Pungentia on 02/06/2020 - 09:39
    +3

    I have a cheaper version - a Bellini Intelli. I'm on to about my 5th replacement as the earlier ones all kept dying on me - I've had them for about 9 years now I think? I got it when the first kid was starting solids I think?

    It is currently used about once or twice a month in our household for the set and forget ability - primarily I use it to make white sauce, but sometimes risotto - but the one I cooked yesterday somehow managed to be mushy and al dente at the same time:/ I also use it sometimes for porridge in the winter months. I use the metal bowl but have never been a fan of cooking using the plastic accessories (steamer basket/varoma). All in all, it is good, but not good enough that I should spend over $1000.

    My siblings both have thermomixes and use them regularly - lots of custards, cake batter (instead of blenders/mixers). They have had theirs a few years.. I know of plenty of people who have bought them and then very rarely used them. I would suggest either second hand or a knock off machine that is a lot cheaper. They are hardcore foodies and have all the tools.

    Incidentally, I still have a food processor, hand stick blender, normal blender and rice cooker (we also have a jaffle iron and waffle maker).

    • cuteseal on 02/06/2020 - 11:21
      +1

      I've got a Bellini as well and I agree with you. I use it mainly for soups and congee, risotto once in a while, maybe 3-4 times a month, if that. Never used the steaming stuff.

      I still prefer cooking bolognese and stir fries on the stove - comes out much tastier, as I can brown the meat properly and get a nice char. In the Bellini it just ends up stewing the meat in its juices.

      I think it's okay for set and walk away cooking (I can see it being useful for people with babies / young kids) but not if you actually care about the taste.

  • brad1-8tsi on 02/06/2020 - 09:39

    4) Everything it could do I could do myself. My situation didn't need the time saving or automation.

    The friends I know that bought one weren't really enthused by cooking and it made them cook more, so for them it was a great purchase.

  • redpump on 02/06/2020 - 09:40
    +3

    I bought mine (TM5 in 2014) after being convinced by a boss, who loves his thermomix.

    1. I think it is more expensive than it is worth, prob only worth half the price (1k). I use mine infrequently, few times a month tops. I tend to use mine to make 75°C boiled eggs, dahl, stews (except I use pressure cooker now for this), cake batter, whipped cream, milling raw sugar to granulated/icing sugar, milling dried mushroom or seeds into powder, dough (pizza, bread, etc). However, since I was given(stole) my sister's kitchenaid mixer I haven't used the thermomix to make dough or cake batter or whipped cream any more.

    2. Dough bits are hard to get out as they get stuck around the knife, easy to clean though (whizz with soapy water). Lid gets stained from turmeric. Whipped eggs leaves a little of unwhipped egg around the middle. Temperature and weight in 5°C increments, so not very finesse.

    3. Rice cooker, pressure cooker, kitchenaid mixer, slow juicer, blender, stick blender, slow cooker.

    • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:41

      Thanks for responding, and that's quite a set of appliances you've got there!

      How often do you use your thermomix now?

      • redpump on 03/06/2020 - 07:56
        +1

        Last time I used it was probably 4 weeks ago, to make icing sugar from raw sugar. If you don't have a lot of appliances or space though, getting a thermomix is not a bad idea. However at their usual price of 2k, you can get a kitchenaid mixer (730), slow cooker (150), pressure cooker (100) and blender (??) and it still comes out heaps cheaper.

        • iampoor on 03/06/2020 - 11:22

          I use the kitchenaid hand mixer which is actually great for everything except frequent bread kneading ($150), Instant pot ($180) which takes care of the slow cooker and pressure cooker.

          Repurposed a Braun multiquick ($200) which was used for baby food as a blender so all up definitely heaps cheaper!

  • R1ngSt1nger on 02/06/2020 - 10:22
    +2

    We bought a TM31 around five years ago, $1939 was the price from memory.

    At the time was great, used it every day, etc.

    Now, it's just a glorified chopper. We use it to chop carrots/zucchini etc to go in food for the kids so they don't notice the veggies, lol.

    Is it good - yes
    Is it worth it - no

    I would look for second hand or perhaps see if you can import one from Europe as they're around 1/2 - 2/3 the price after shipping. Obviously no warranty will apply in Australia, you'd have to send it back to Europe if there's a problem. In saying that, we've had ours for at least five years and it still works perfectly.

    The lady who owns the Thermomix business in Australia rips us off. Like Tupperware basically, pyramid scheme where everyone has to take their cut on the way.

    • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:42

      Thanks for the tip! Have you seen any websites where you think I can import one from? 1/3 the price would make my decision 2/3 easier!

    • anastasiastarz on 09/06/2020 - 03:04
      +1

      Should you ever want just a cheap chopper for small quantities eg. half an onion the $6 kmart one that works like a salad spinner is good.

  • keegs on 02/06/2020 - 10:39

    Check out some of the Thermomix groups on Facebook. Lots of info there. I have a TM31 and it's great. If its just used for chopping then you're doing it wrong. There's no doubt it's better for some dishes that need stirring and sometimes heat. Like making a white sauce from scratch - all ingredients in, press a button and in 15 minutes you have it. It's particularly good for bread or baking where you often need a little heat for yeast or melting butter. When I make other meals I still use it to chop stuff as it's great. I made an apple crumble recently and I've made it a dozen times before having the Thermomix, but I thought about it and then just used the device to help my original recipe- making the crumble first and then later the apples. It just speeds things up massively.

  • Placebo on 02/06/2020 - 11:19

    We have a TM31 that we got about 6 years ago. For us, it has absolutely been worth it. I have a significant interest in sustainability and I make lots of things from scratch in the Thermomix to avoid packaging. If you averaged it out, ours would be used daily, if not more. We almost never cook on the stove top anymore. I'm not particularly interested in cooking, but I find that I have been much more adventurous with it and have cooked things I would never dream of without it.

    I've heard that the current model is excellent, but there are lots of TM31 for sale second hand and I would recommend considering that.

    I would agree with others that 2 bowls is definitely the way to go.

  • SydStrand on 02/06/2020 - 11:52

    My old house had one, and for what I was making, it was over-engineered. If you can afford it, go ahead. But you can grab an instant pot (or Breville Fast Slow Pro), a quality air fryer, and a stand mixer for less than half price the price.

  • Cheap Steve on 02/06/2020 - 12:21

    Yes, my wife joined the Thermomix cult 3 years ago and I have eaten like a king every day since. Best money I ever spent!

    • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:43

      Lucky you! What are the memorable meals she's made so far?

  • seraphim2017 on 02/06/2020 - 13:04
    +1

    AS I don't own one I have to ask. is this a food processor that also heats the food?

    What else does it do?

    Genuinely interested, as cooking doesn't seem that hard and is quite satisfying, and isn't very time consuming for a lot of dishes.

    Anything you can't make in them?

    Edit: Just seen their non disclosure agreements and use of legal to silence detractors, wowsers!

    • cuteseal on 02/06/2020 - 13:44
      +4

      Pretty much multifunction cooking thing.

      It heats the bowl up to cook stuff
      It has a blade inside that can chop, blend and stir stuff while cooking
      It has a steamer basket attachment to the top to steam stuff
      It has a timer so you can set it and walk away while it cooks

      Newest model has recipes - basically runs through step by step and tells you what to put in and when.

      Main convenience is that you can do it all in one machine. E.g. to make Bolognese sauce you chuck in onions, it chops it up into bits, then you add oil and it sautés onions till soft. The you add meat and it browns it, and then you add tomatoes or sauce and it cooks and stirs it for 20 mins. Then you can add at steamer attachment and it cooks pasta (never done this in particular - shrug). For soups you can whizz it all at the end so it comes up nice and smooth.

      Other convenience is you can walk away and do stuff while it’s cooking and you don’t have to stand there stirring. Obviously depends on the recipe - great for risottos and soups.

      It’s hard to cook stuff that needs a nice charred or browned flavour. The cooking surface at the bottom is quite small so fried stuff is still best done on a pan.

      It’s more of a convenience device. Just don’t expect Masterchef quality cooking just because it costs a bomb.

      • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:44

        With the new models with recipes, do you need to pay extra for that or a subscription?

        • lvagg59 on 04/06/2020 - 09:32

          Yes, the subscription to Cookidoo is $49 per year. I personally don't subscribe as I don't cook a lot of meals in it.

      • Book72 on 03/06/2020 - 07:36

        I did note that the MasterChef contestants have access to them if needed. (Pops up on the bench a couple if times this season.)

  • Gills on 02/06/2020 - 16:52

    i highly recommend it as we have been using it from 2012 and love cooking with this machine/ Looking to upgrade to new one now.

    • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:45

      Are u looking at upgrading to TM6?

      • Gills on 02/06/2020 - 22:05

        Yes that’s correct

  • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2020 - 17:28
    +4

    Yes.

    After I got a Thermomix, my wife stopped asking for a Thermomix.

    • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:44

      Nice one, I need to try this trick on my husband!

  • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2020 - 19:13
    +4

    No. We had a thermomix and my wife hated it. Positively loathed it! She enjoys stirring the pot ( literally, and once in a while figuratively as well) and she couldn't do that with the Thermomix. Mind you , my wife doesn't know how to cook. I cook. Her contribution to making dinner is her sparkling conversation, stirring the pots and pans and taste-testing. Personally, I reckon she was jealous that her presence in the kitchen was no longer required once we got the Thermomix.

    So she got rid of her rival and bought me a new tv instead.

    Tv > Thermomix 👍🏻 My advice …get a new tv , OP ;)

    • Invisiblefreak on 02/06/2020 - 21:46

      I already got a new TV, now we need a thermomix so my husband can come back to the kitchen!

      • [Deactivated] on 02/06/2020 - 22:10

        Well, in that case, enjoy your thermomix :)

  • wannagrababargain on 02/06/2020 - 22:07

    Don't become part of the brainwashed cult of Thermomix

  • jtc13 on 02/06/2020 - 22:59

    We have a Thermomix… It's ok but really depends on your personality cooking wise as to how much you will get out of it. If I had my time again I would get the ALDI dupe for about $400 instead of forking out $2000.

  • LPV569 on 03/06/2020 - 07:42
    +1

    I have the Kogan version, for $150.00 I think it’s good value and does everything I need.

  • lenlynn on 03/06/2020 - 08:15
    +2

    Instead of the Thermomix, check out the Magimix Cook Expert. It comes with a hard copy book and external food processor and weighing scale. Can add extras like juicer and spiral chopper. It has replaced my soup maker and so much easier to make things like risotto that requires you to stand and stir for ages. Use it once a week but should use it more!

    Pros: Slightly cheaper, bigger bowl that insulates, can sous vide (I actually do this a lot; air fry or pan fry the salmon or beef after that), great friendly online community with recipes, great food processor.

    Pros of TM: Build-in scales and recipes, mills more effectively, huge library of recipes, cult-like if you are into that, can easily find one 2nd hand.

    I love appliances and have everything. In order of what I use - air fryer (use it the most), rice cooker, slow cooker, Nutribullet, mixer, soup maker, stick blender, deep fryer (still unopened in box).

  • MontyMacaw on 03/06/2020 - 08:41

    The product is good if you use it and don’t mind paying a fortune for something that you may end up having as a decoration.

    The sales methods are questionable and have had their fair share of controversy. It’s almost cult like. Think Amway and Avon - both now history. Multilevel marketing is a recipe for people to lose money and pay a fortune for things that can be bought elsewhere for much less.

    As a concept and quality? It’s pretty good. So if you don’t mind paying 4 times what something is worth to have another kitchen appliance that you may or may not use then go for it. But if you have a habit of being sucked into the latest fad then steer clear and go buy something from Kmart that will disintegrate in 12 months of regular use.

    • Sensiekatie on 03/06/2020 - 11:55
      +1

      Amway is not history. It still sells heaps of stuff. Personally, I think the products and range are not as good as they once were.

      • MontyMacaw on 03/06/2020 - 20:52

        My mistake then. It must only be some countries where it is history. NZ is one. But that wasn’t my point. The point is the sales system does not favour the purchaser or the buyer as far as value for money is concerned and if the quality has dropped that would be because they are sourcing cheaper products to help their huge margins that are needed to pay all of the people in the sales system.

  • lew380 on 03/06/2020 - 08:55
    +1

    The wife uses it to make baby food, it makes perfect mashed potato, custard, risotto and easy bolognaise. You have to be willing to experiment and try different recipes and once you've found a few good staples, it is just a dream to use.

    It's also a really good blender and general cooking aid, does perfect boiled eggs and many other little things.

    It takes effort to get used to, be prepared to be googling thermomix recipes everyday, but I would say it's worth it. It is worth the huge expense, it might take awhile to pay it off with the savings on eating out but at some point it's just a super handy tool to have in the kitchen.

  • squash on 03/06/2020 - 09:00
    +1

    yeah we got given one, use it several times a week. sometimes i think damn this is an expensive rice cooker, then other times like last night i used it to make 2 separate dishes and it saved me lots of chopping and mashing and grating and stirring and watching boiling pots etc.

  • Waltervp on 03/06/2020 - 09:09
    +1

    I used to think people buying them as total crazy, and couldn't care less what it did but I wasn't going to have a $2000+ blender! That is till someone gave me an old exploding model which they couldn't sell.,. From the first recipe I was sold, I use it very regularly at least three times a week if not daily and totally love it. All my food comes out fantastic, I always Google a Thermomix recipe depending on food in the kitchen and print it out on one page. It makes incredibly nice fudge, ice cream, soups, breads, I am a total fan. Have had it for about 2 years now. Would highly recommend you get a second hand one first!

    Most recipes are very simple and take an hour to cook from scratch. I also use it for mashed potatoes which is too easy to make. Only limitation perhaps is that you only cook for 2-4 people and can't invite all your friends over for dinner :).

    My partner, a great cook herself, didn't touch it for a year, then she started using it as a scale, then she tried using it as a blender, and now, finally after 2 yrs she is also using it for recipes.

    I must say it is brilliant for soups, like a spicy carrot
    Soup is so simple and mind bogglingly nice, and carrot cake is a total winner too (I don't even eat cake much),…

    I could go on…

    PS my partner said, after the first month, that had she known how well and often I would cook she would've gotten me one years ago!!!

  • kanter on 03/06/2020 - 09:17

    As said below, it's not magic, if you don't like cooking it won't do it for you. There has always been one in my parent's kitchen (for the last 45 years). The amount of recipes available is endless, and the on-screen step-by-step instructions on the latest ones are great.
    I like the convenience of built-in scales meaning you only only have to wash the bowl and nothing else.

    If you're into cooking and enjoy trying new things, go for it!

    If you're only cooking you meat-and-3-veg meal with a bowl of rice because you have to, then it probably isn't worth spending that much money.

  • mjwills on 03/06/2020 - 10:16
    +4

    For expensive purchases (whether it be cookware, or a bike, or whatever) my general rule is this - buy a cheap one first. Then if you use it buy the expensive one.

    So start with a http://www.bellinikitchenmaster.com/ or https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/kogan-thermoblend-elite-all-one… or the like. Does it feel super useful to you after 2 months (but you wish you had the extra features of the Thermomix)? OK it does - fine, now buy a Thermomix.

    One of three things will happen:

    a) You don't use it much. Awesome, you are ahead (you spent way less money).
    b) You use it enough to value the Bellini, but not enough to justify the Thermomix. Awesome, you are ahead (you spent way less money).
    c) You use it enough to realise you really need a Thermomix. OK - this is the only scenario where you are behind (by a couple of hundred dollars) since you bought the Bellini unnecessarily.

    Of course, with c) you can gift the Bellini to someone else and start the whole cycle again.

    Also watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yr_etbfZtQ :)

  • Rel63 on 03/06/2020 - 12:31
    +1

    I really wish people would get the terminology correct.

    A pyramid scheme is where there is no product sold(none of value anyway), usually what is sold is the 'right' to set others up doing the same.

    An MLM (multi level marketing) is one or more products that work by referals and a multilevel salesperson setup.

  • Melb69 on 03/06/2020 - 23:11

    Some people swear by them, but I think for the money it's hard to justify the purchase for the likely uses. It takes up a bit of space on the bench. Get a really good coffee machine and grinder for the same amount and you'll use that everyday.

    • Waltervp on 09/06/2020 - 09:38

      The machines I use regularly are Fully automatic Jura coffee machine, jug, microwave, thermomix. Breadmaker and toaster, G.foreman grill, vacuum sealer, scales, oven temp prods, apple peeler, all in cupboards but used regularly.

      Thermomix is the most expensive, despite having the cheapest and oldest exploding version, and I totally love it for years already.

  • 00 on 04/06/2020 - 19:36

    Make pizza dough all the time in it. Cut down on pizza deliveries and the home made ones best. Make hot soups in it, smoothies and also mill sugars and make things like caramel almond brittle. It’s great if you’re not a chef nor a kitchen expert - just follow the instructions and throw ingredients in. It does the rest.

    Downside other than price is you really need to have two bowls. Otherwise you need to be constantly washing it. If you’re making a hot curry you don’t want to then have to clean it and have it all ready if making something afterwards.

    Also makes whipped egg whites fast - can make xmas pavlova from scratch easy.

    • oswade on 11/06/2020 - 13:36

      you can buy a 2nd hand bread machine for under $50 on gumtree/Facebook to knead dough.

  • fatty on 07/07/2020 - 19:47

    Had one that we used occasionally. I found the cleaning of the thing and attachments within was a PITA and made cooking more difficult than was necessary with more traditional techniques.

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