So, I’ll try to get it second hand for $1.6kish…. But I just can’t see the value in it.
Anyone on OzBargain like em? Thoughts? The pressure to buy is building and I’m not convinced.
My Wife Wants to Buy a $2.7k Thermomix. Thoughts?
The Wololo Wombat on 23/11/2023 - 20:16
Last edited 23/11/2023 - 20:59 by 1 other user
Last edited 23/11/2023 - 20:59 by 1 other user
Comments
There's an awful lot of garbage being posted here. If you have kids, having a thermomix is an absolute no-brainer. We have had one for the last 6 years and we use it every single day. Yes we know how to cook, yes we are good cooks, yes restaurants use them all the time, yes you can cook a completely ridiculous number of different meals in them, yes they are expensive but basically bulletproof - ours goes in the dishwasher after each use (no issues ever).
Some people don't like them because they think it's 'not really cooking' and that's complete garbage. You do you, but if I've got a tool that takes 80% of the effort out of cooking so that I can make healthy meals for the kids and family quickly and easily, I'm going to use it.
And yes there are plenty of one jug cooks that don't require you to empty between steps (check out all the books by Skinnymixers (Nikalene Riddle)).
I was unconvinced when my wife wanted it and she said she would pay for half of it. After a week with it I told her that paying half wasn't fair on her. We use it all the damn time.
Froothie is an Australian company that makes a comparable machine to the Thermomix at less than half the price. They currently have a sale on. I've bought their Optimum blender which is equivalent to the more expensive Vitamix, and it's just as good. I've owned both and I can't see any difference in quality or functionality. Plus their service is excellent.
froothie.com.au/collections/cooking-appliances/products/thermocook-pro-m-2-0?variant=44574868996346Do you have >= $1600 of power/garden tools that you "needed" but spend >99% of their time doing nothing?
If so let her buy the thermomix.I don't lol. Honestly.
sell you mine ~ $650 ~ TM5
We use it "religiously". It was the best purchase we ever made /s.
We own one, and it’s worth every cent as it’s easy enough my kids can use it. I would recommend getting a second hand TM5 (previous model) and see if you like it. They’re about $600 second hand. If you see value then get a newer model…
Thanks mate! I think this is the best value/current plan!
For the record I own a TM5. I don't see that much value in the newer models with wifi and subscriptions. Even the recipe chips from the TM 5 are rarely used by us (though the lasangna recipe has an awesome beschmel sauce on that is always perfect).
TM-5 in nice because it still has physical controls for some things which is useful if you have wet/dirty hands from cooking.
How difficult is the beschmel to make in it?
I always struggle making it. Ether burnt, or I worry I'm going to burn it and take it off too soon, half of it ends up stuck to the pot.
I agree, I love my TM5. I’ve never used the recipe chips etc. I do it manually like I did with the TM31.
If she cooks and you eat, let her buy it. But if YOU cook…
Personally I’d be very against it. BUT I think there’s two questions that probably should be asked:
Does she do most (if not all) the cooking?
Has she identified reasonable ways that it’ll make things in the kitchen easier and/or more efficient?If the answer to both of the above is yes, then I’d consider it. A couple of grand is next to nothing in the grand scheme of things, assuming you could afford the immediate out of pocket expense. It could be the best money you ever spend. If it’s collecting dust in 6 months, you could probably get at least half your money back through resale.
…damn, I think I just convinced myself to get one.
get a divorce.
Honestly, don't bother.
I bought my wife one and we used it for a little while (same as everyone else I know who has one).
Honestly, it's easier to just learn to cook.
+1
Already knew how to cook - but thought it would be fun. It now gathers dust
Same here.
i bought my wife a thermomix. you can totally survive without a thermomix. and it is expensive. but…
it's like getting a tesla and driving 110km/h on the freeway, but once in a while when you feel like, you CAN go 220km/h. (not that i recommend). AND…. let it autopilot.
it requires a mindset shift of how cooking is done, so if going in thinking like putting the ingredients on a pan.. you'll either be disappointed or think it is stupid.
function wise;
-it is a built in weighing machine
-blends things into powder (im truly impressed by it)
-makes dough for pizza/bread.
-slow cook with controlled heat.
-sous vide
-makes juice. literally blends it into juice. yes, its that powerful.
-does half boiled egg too.
-it even peels the garlic skin if you chuck it in and press a specific button. lol. (and obviously dice it for you)one beauty of it is it automatically & continuously mixes the ingredient inside, and you can go do other stuff like shower.
having said all that, i'm still using pan cause i don't cook much and time to time i just want a fried egg. lol.
Are you saying the thermomix blends fruit so hard it separates the pulp from the juice? Or are you just saying it blends fruit?
blend. no chance of separating. lol.
if you wanted lemon juice, you could chuck the whole lemon with skin if you like.
similar with orange as well.
you won't be getting a clear juice unless you filter it.
Happy wife, happy life.
@The Wololo Wombat whereabouts are you? I’m looking at getting rid of mine.
South East QLD! PM me :)
Don't have the money nor the space for it, but people I know who have it swear by it.
The TM5 cult movement got my wife into the kitchen more which helps because I did most of the cooking before that. If it saves us getting takeaway or going out spending upwards of $80-$100 a meal when I couldn't be f'd cooking, then it probably has ended up paying for itself over the years, but the initial investment was hefty. We've had ours for about 8 years, cost $2200 new. Used it heaps when new for the first year or so, then it tapered off for next couple of years. There was a time where I thought, "waste of money, told you so…" But now with kids it's getting a lot of use again for the convenience and I'm glad it's there. For me, I enjoy the process of cooking from scratch but I also appreciate that this tool is also a time saver/convenience item and includes a lot of recipes I can take inspiration from. It can produce consistent results with little effort. It is quite good at some functions, such as emulsifying mayo or hollandaise, making the creamiest soups, etc.
Nothing ever broke on it except the butterfly whisk (my fault, I blended it by mistake in unguided cooking) but the scales are a known weak point if you drag it across the bench. We've had to remind our folks plenty of times to be more careful when they move it on the bench for cleaning by lifting it first. If you've got young kids it is a great time saver. Wack something on and it's set and forget. Been plenty of times where I would have burnt a dish tending to my kid if not for the thermomix and it helps us eat healthier by making the cooking process automated. It's nice to not have to think sometimes when you've been flat out at work.
What could be a good compromise: We each get 5% of our combined take home income to splurge on anything we want (this is inspired by the barefoot investor cult movement). When our pay goes in we divide it up and pay ourselves first. We've got our own accounts for this fun money and we can buy anything we want without consulting the other partner. Only rule is save up to buy it, so no afterpay or anything like that. If you do this and your partner saves up for one herself, great. I did the same when I wanted a gaming laptop. Just saved up for 6 months. This stops a lot of arguments. It's good because one partner might like to save for an occasional big thing, but then other partner might like lots of little things.
An appliance is not a splurge for one person.
Might be if the other partner doesn't want it. That's why you communicate with each other. There's no hard and fast rules. OP can decide what's a need or a want.
We have a Thermomix which is 17 years old and still going strong. Yes, they are expensive and there are cheaper, alternative products on the market, so you have to decide if it's worth the money. Personally, as someone who loves to cook, I find the TM to be a great device and use it constantly.