New addition: Thermomix

[foraloysius]

I came across this NIB 12 year old Thermomix. Just when I had decided that I didn't really need a Thermomix, this came by on a Dutch auction site. I just couldn't resist! Overhere used TM31 models go for 450 - 500 euros. This one was still unused (when i used it for the first time, that new motor smell came from it). I got it for 300 euros. So far I made a few risotto's, tomato sauce and the Thermomix special: broccoli salad. I'll try making a smoothie with it soon, but also some more complicated recipes. You can cook and steam a whole meal in these machines.

Here are some pictures.

Anyone else here a happy Thermomix owner?

 

[vacerator]

Some of those

newfangled gadgets are $1,400.00 U.S. A cooker, stirrer, mixer in one. Someone got the idea to add heat to an Electrolux assistant.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations Louis!

I am happy for your find and the good price.

 

[logixx]

Congrats on that bargain. Quite a difference (the control panel) to the current Thermomix and the Bosch Cook It.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Congratulations Louis! They are terribly expensive here.

 

My sister-in-law has one.

 

[brisnat81]

Hey Louis,

I love my Cook Expert, for much the same that you do. I can finally make risotto's and sauces without standing there stirring for hours, its really opened up those sorts of food for me. On the weekend, I made 2.5L of Cheese sauce for Vegetables, and then had it make the gravy as well. I bought a second lid seal as it works exceptionally well for cocktails also, who doesnt love being able to make 2.5L at a time .

I've had a couple of attempts at Bread and I still prefer the dough hook on the Kenwood Chef for that, I find it tends to mix unevenly, even with the bigger dough blade installed.

I'm yet to do the nifty thing and do multi level looking in their with the steamer basket, but maybe one day. Michael has made some recipes from the cookbook, such as Sweet and Sour pork, but that stuff is just easier in regular utensils.

The main reason I got it however, was because of the traditional food processor, I use that a lot and it let me gift my Magimix away to someone else, rather than adding an appliance.

Congratulations on your new toy.

 

[foraloysius]

Thanks guys,

The Thermomix is far from newfangled, they celebrate their 50th anniversary this year.



They are indeed very expensive, the new TM6 is 1369 euros at the moment, at least in the NL. IIRC the TM31 was 1199 euros back then. So I got this one for 25% of the price. It lacks ofcourse the guided cooking function but I don't find it a problem to have the iPad on the counter for the recipe.

I watched videos of the Bosch Cook It, quite an interesting machine, but a very limited number of recipes available. It's not sold in the Netherlands, but after an adventure with the Bosch Autocook, that disappeared from the market just as fast as it came out and there is hardly any support for it anymore, I'm very leery of buying it when it would pop up on the Dutch market.

I had a look at the Magimix too, but it's just too big for me. I don't cook for large groups, it's mostly only me or for two when somebody is coming over for dinner. I already had the Kenwood kCook, but that one is not only smaller but I had problems handling the bowl when I had to empty it because it has two handles. The Thermomix is way handier because it has only one handle.

Besides that I already had the bowl of the kCook replaced because an error that occured more and more. It started after I put it throug the dishwasher once. Although the manual said it could be done, the material is probably not as solid as expected.

Here's a picture of the Thermomix and the kCook together.

 

[jamiel]

This may seem like a silly question, but are these sold in a MLM setting, or in real stores? The promos look very similar to direct-sold vacuums/cookware. Further, is it just a cooker that stirs? It would seem to have some usefulness, but wouldn't it puree everything into oblivion (think Vitamix?)

 

[foraloysius]

Yes, Thermomix is part of the Kobold company, well known in Europe for their vacuums. Kobold products are sold through direct marketing. However, if you want, you can buy them online too through a Thermomix website.

It's more than a blender, it can turn counterclockwise too, so things get stirred with the blunt side of the blade. Speeds are between 40 and over 10,000rpm. If slow stirring with the blunt side of the blade is still too harsh, there is a blade cover available that keeps food from the blade.

 

[tolivac]

I have the TM6-It was sold by a salesperson much like a DTD vacuum sale.The salesperson fixed my dinner with the the machine.It is a nice unit.Mine requires and internet connection to make using the recipes to work.The TM5 has a plug in digital recipe device-should have gotten that one.The internet in my area is rather spotty.For the most part use my machine manually.I am braving up to see if it can make my scrambled eggs using the cook and stir functions.I use the machine like a blender or chopper.Works well for those functions.The machine CANNOT replace a food processor if you want to slice or grate foods.Indeed you can forward reverse the blade by pressing on the blade icon on the screen-then its like using the older forward-reverse VitaMixes.The forward reverse function works at any speed.The motor can reverse instantly!and no jumping as the VitaMix does.

 

[foraloysius]

Yes, in case your internet connection isn't too great, the TM5 is a good option. Otherwise the TM6 is the better choice. The price difference here is not that much and it gets updates now and then that can include new options.

Here's a video about scrambled eggs in the Thermomix. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to do it this way. lol

 

[petek]

Don't get me wrong as you all know Im a gadget freak but that seems like an awful lot of work for scrambled eggs.

 

[foraloysius]

Oh yes , I agree. I'm a gadget freak too, but I will not use the Thermomix for this.

 

[foraloysius]

I made a risotto tonight. The Thermomix is not loud when it's working on a low speed, but the sound is a bit annoying. The Kenwood kCook can stir intermittently and the sound is a bit more pleasant. The video of the Kenwood is from months ago.

 

[foraloysius]

And here's the result of the Thermomix risotto. It was perfect and yummie.

 

[bewitched]

Here in Italy it is named Bimby Vorwerk.

 

[foraloysius]

Bimby

Oh yes, I know. And the best thing is, the app (Ricette Bimby) shows recipes for free!

I've watched a lot of Italian food video's and was surprised to see a Thermomix in many kitchens, especially the TM31.

 

[tolivac]

I use my TM6 to prepare-scramble the eggs and cheese before cooking in a pan on the stove.I use my machine manually for the most part.Internet is too much hassle.

 

[chachp]

Thermomix TM5

 

<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter Condensed', serif;">I picked up a Thermomix TM5 on eBay.  I got a great deal.  She literally used it only a few times and it shows.  It’s like new. I got the feeling she didn’t like to cook and thought this would entice her to cook more often.  You like to do it or you don’t.  LOL.</span>

<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter Condensed', serif;"> </span>

<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter Condensed', serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Anyway, I got all the attachments including their Basic Cookbook and the Cookkey (which are separate purchases) which gives the machine Internet access.  It gives access to all their online cookbooks, etc. The first thing it did when I plugged it in, was an update so, for me, that was further proof she didn't use it much.  It even still had the plastic protective covering on the screen and the chrome areas had the blue plastic on it that I peeled off.</span></span>

<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter Condensed', serif;"> </span>

<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter Condensed', serif;">I am learning the basic techniques for converting recipes and have accessed their online cookbook for self guided cooking if you choose.</span>

<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter Condensed', serif;"> </span>

<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter Condensed', serif;">What I like best about this is cooking something that would require you to stand at the stove for a while.  This stirs for you so I can set it and walk away to continue with other things.  It plays a little tune when it’s done.  Another thing I like is the built-in scale.  You can weigh as you add which saves an extra step.  Then when your done the whole thing goes in the dishwasher.</span>

<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter Condensed', serif;"> </span>

<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter Condensed', serif;">The first thing I made was mashed potatoes.  I weighed the potatoes, peeled them, cut them up and put them in with some milk.  Twenty five minutes later I had mashed potatoes.  Easy Peezy!  This weekend I'll try a blueberry compote for our waffles, oh and I'll make the waffle batter in there too.</span>