On this page:

• What is an all-in-one kitchen machine?
• What can the Thermomix TM7 do?
• How did the Thermomix TM7 perform in our labs?
• Is the Thermomix TM7 safe to use?
• Thermomix TM7 vs Thermomix TM6
• Reasons to buy a ThermomixÌý
• Reasons to avoid a Thermomix

With its hefty price tag of more than $2600, adding a Thermomix to your kitchen collection is a significant investment so it’s important to weigh up all your options before you buy.

Is a genuine Thermomix really worth splashing the cash on? Are you going to use it every day and really get your money’s worth, or is it another of those appliances that is going to sit at the back of your cupboard gathering dust?

To find out how the TM6 and newer TM7 performed in our testing, you can view both models side-by-side in our all-in-one kitchen machines review.

What is an all-in-one kitchen machine?

All-in-one machines, like the Thermomix and competitors such as the Magimix Cook Expert, combine multiple features such as slow-cooking, food processing, steaming and mixing, letting you make thousands of different recipes from homemade bread and curries to pasta sauces, stock pastes, yoghurt, ice cream and nut butters.

“All-in-one appliances combine several appliances into one, which can free up precious cupboard and bench space,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog home economist Fiona Mair.

The new Thermomix TM7 promises several new features and enhancements such as expanded cooking functions and an improved user interface. It has a compact design (similar to that of the TM6), taking up only slightly more surface area than an A4-sized sheet.

“This style of appliance is great for people who are just starting out setting up their kitchen or for keen cooks who want to get rid of multiple appliances in favour of just one,” says Fiona.

Our ÌÇÐÄVlog home experts have tested the latest Thermomix model, the TM7, in the ÌÇÐÄVlog kitchen labs as part of our review of all-in-one machines.

The TM7 costs $2649. The price includes the base, mixing bowl with mixing knife and insulation cover, lid and lid cover, spatula, simmering basket and Varoma steaming attachment, three months free access to the Cookidoo 3.0 subscription as well as ongoing support from your Thermomix consultant.

Other all-in-one machines we tested range from budget brands such as the Kogan ThermoBlend, $299, and the Aldi Stirling Thermo Cooker (which have since been discontinued) up to higher-priced models such as the Magimix Cook Expert, $2499, and the Thermomix TM6, $2579. Here we’ll tell you how the Thermomix TM7 compares.

What can the Thermomix TM7 do?

The Thermomix TM7 does the job of more than 20 appliances, allowing you to chop, beat, blend, whip, weigh, mill, knead, mince and more. You can use it to whip up everything from banana bread and scones to butter chicken, pumpkin soup, pizza dough or mashed potato – the recipe possibilities run into the many thousands.

Features of the Thermomix TM7:Ìý

• There are 18 modes including sous vide, blending, slow cooking and fermenting for making things such as yoghurt, dough and cheese. There are also 10 manual speeds plus gentle stir and reverse stir as well as five pre-clean cycles to choose from.
• 2.2L stainless steel mixing bowl housed in pleated black heat-insulated cover so it stays cool-to-touch.
• 10-inch touchscreen cooking display with Wi-Fi connectivity.
• 200 recipes to download, from the cookbook Manifesto, plus over 100,000 recipes to search via the Cookidoo online recipe library/app – a free three-month subscription is included with your purchase and costs $89 per year after that. You must be registered to the Cookidoo account to access the full recipe.
• Open Cooking mode, where you can cook with the lid off, similar to cooking on a cooktop. This mode can be used for reducing sauces, stirring, or adding ingredients while cooking.ÌýThe maximum temperature in the Open Cooking mode is 100°C and manual stirring is required. There is also a dedicated Browning Mode, allowing for manual control of high-heat cooking up to 160°C for searing, caramelizing, and browning ingredients. The lid must be in position to use the Browning Mode.
• Redesigned Varoma basket (steaming container) which claims to have 45% more capacity.
• Integrated scales up to 3kg.
• Magnetic lid locking mechanism (in comparison to the mechanical arms of the TM6).
• 24-month warranty plus service centres available.
• Ability to use step-by-step guided cooking, pre-set recipes or manual cooking.

What makes the Thermomix different from other all-in-one machines?

ÌÇÐÄVlog kitchen expert Fiona Mair notes that the features that stand out to her as differentiating the Thermomix from other cheaper models are its general performance, and its pre-programmed recipes via Wi-Fi connectivity that gives you access to a huge database of step-by-step cooking guides and recipes.

“When it comes to all-in-one appliances, you get what you pay for,” she says.

“Cheaper all-in-one appliance brands such as Aldi’s Stirling Thermo Cooker have limited instructions and recipe guides as compared with the more expensive brands, which can be an issue if you’ve never used an all-in-one appliance before.

ÌÇÐÄVlog tip: In our fullÌýreview of the Thermomix TM7Ìýwe compare it with other machines, including the Thermomix TM6, to give it a detailed score on performance, how easy it is to use and safety.ÌýYou can alsoÌýview our review of all-in-one kitchen machines.

How did the Thermomix TM7 perform in our labs?

To test the TM7, Fiona and Chantelle performed more than a dozen tasks such as whisking egg whites, melting chocolate, grinding and milling, steaming, kneading dough, chopping vegetables, sauteeing, making mashed potato and more. They also carried out additional tests on the TM7 like cooking white rice, boiling eggs, sous vide salmon and processing kale, however, these results don’t form part of the overall score.

The TM7 was pretty impressive across the range of our performance tests. Fiona was particularly impressed with the ‘Open Lid’ cooking mode, a new addition to the TM7. She says, “being able to view the food while it’s cooking gives better control and this open lid mode is perfect for reducing sauces or searing vegetables and meats.”

“There have also been improvements to the mixing bowl design on the TM7”, says Fiona. “The insulated removable cover remains cool-to-touch, and while it makes the jug slightly heavier than the TM6, it significantly reduces the risk of burns and makes the appliance safer to use.”

With the TM7, you can also opt for manual cooking and don’t have to follow the recipes provided. However, Fiona says, “I recommend following the guided recipes initially to develop a better understanding of how the Thermomix works, which will give more confidence when cooking manually.”

Fiona and Chantelle also made some other notable observations:

• With the TM6, you were able to view into the jug through the lid. However, this isn’t the case with the TM7 as the lid has no viewing capability into the jug.ÌýInstead, you’ll need to press pause on the digital display, wait for the lid to unlock (if you’re using a speed over 2) and then lift the lid off to check inside.
• You can search through the Cookidoo app while a function is in process.
• When following a recipe on the Cookidoo app, once the correct ingredient weight has been added to the bowl, the inbuilt scale will detect this and automatically tick off the ingredient. Keep in mind, it can’t differentiate between similar ingredients like flour and sugar.
• The lid of the TM6 had a removable chute for adding wet and dry ingredients during cooking, however, the TM7 has no open chute on the lid, only small vent holes to feed through liquid only and allow steam to escape. You’ll need to pause and take off the lid to add any dry ingredients.
• After many attempts following the TM7 meringue recipe, it failed to stabilise and form stiff peaks resulting in a borderline performance score.
• Chopping soft ingredients in the TM7 can easily result in over-chopped and mushy vegetables. This is because there is no no viewing capability into the jug through the lid. While there is no dedicated “pulse function” button the TM7 utilizes Turbo Mode for pulsing. This mode operates the blades at maximum speed in short bursts (up to 2 seconds) allowing for controlled chopping. This mode works excellently when chopping hard ingredients.
• Sauteeing and searing in the Thermomix may need to be done in batches to ensure even browning. It can cause foods to bake-on at the bottom of the bowl.
• Care needs to be taken when using the soft spatula as it can become damaged when scraping around the blade.
• The larger capacity of the Varoma steaming basket can fit foods like a whole fish or chicken and plenty of dumplings, but it can be bulky and if you don’t want to leave it sitting on top of the bowl, you’ll need space to store it.
• Foods can heat through friction when mixing at speeds higher than 4 for an extended period of time. Adding frozen fruits or ice to smoothies will help to avoid them becoming warm.
• There is a slide mechanism on the exterior to release the bowl which is easy to use requiring minimal hand strength.

Is the Thermomix TM7 easy to use and clean?

The large touch control screen on the TM7 is very intuitive and easy to follow, providing step-by-step instructions for each recipe.

Fiona was impressed by the responsiveness of the screen. “Even with greasy or wet hands the screen remained responsive to touch.”

The lid locking and unlocking mechanism is also much quicker to respond than that of the TM6 and gives audible feedback.

The unit is generally easy to wipe clean, and while all parts are dishwasher safe, we’d recommend against putting the blade in the dishwasher. The lid has many crevices which can be difficult to clean and when cleaning the bowl you may need to separate the cover from the bowl to clean thoroughly. The rubber lid and seals can also hold onto strong food smells, so cleaning with bicarb soda might be needed to remove odours.

Is the Thermomix TM7 safe to use?

When the TM7 was launched in Berlin, product demonstrations showed that previous safety issues had been addressed and fixed in the new model.

After putting it through its paces, Fiona can confirm, “significant improvements have been made to the safety of the TM7.”

“We have two main safety requirements when testing all-in-one machines. They must have a speed cut-out, where the unit will automatically reduce the speed if the temperature inside is over 60°C and a lid locking mechanism, where the machine won’t operate unless the lid is locked into the main unit.”

Pleasingly, the TM7 has both of these safety featuresÌý–Ìýyou’re unable to use a speed over 6 when using any temperature setting and the lid will automatically lock on speeds over 2.

However, it doesn’t prevent users from performing high speed blending on contents that are already very hot (with no temperature setting selected). This was a similar safety concern in the TM6 but now the vent holes in the lid of the TM7 help to allow steam to escape so no pressure builds up in the bowl.

“The insulated cover on the TM7 bowl that keeps it safe to touch, and the slide-like mechanism that easily releases the blade are also welcome safety improvements in this new model.”

Vorwerk also addressed the issues from their 2022 safety notice in the design of the TM7. Previously the use of the TM6 cup in the machine had the potential to cause uncontrolled spillages and burns. In the TM7, there is no open chute on the lid, but rather small vent holes which allows steam to escape, preventing any build-up of pressure.

The “open lid” cooking mode can only be used when cooking with a speed below 2 and while the butterfly whisk should only be used on a maximum speed of 4, the unit doesn’t detect the whisk accessory so the user can still increase to maximum speed. Using the whisk on high speeds can cause it to become detached from the blade resulting in a damaged whisk.

Thermomix TM7 vs Thermomix TM6

Reasons to buy a ThermomixÌý

• °ä´Ç³¾±è²¹³¦³Ù:ÌýUnlike bulky kitchen appliances that take up space in the cupboard or on the benchtop,Ìýor need to be pieced together every time you use it, the Thermomix is surprisingly compact, with minimal parts. It’s designed to live on the benchtop and with a flick of a switch, it’s ready to go.
• Reduces physical tasks with hands-free functions and modes:ÌýThe Thermomix is set-and-forget, with a timer and the ability to stir while cooking – great news for busy (or distracted) cooks who might be called away from the kitchen while trying to put dinner together. Best of all, this feature prevents burning and overcooking.Ìý
• Can help cook nutritious meals:ÌýThe Thermomix is a great partner in crime when it comes to sneaking vegetables into meals. With a powerful set of blades, it can pulverise carrots, celery, broccoli and more, blending all that hidden goodness into pasta sauces, risottos and soups.Ìý
• Cooking from scratch:ÌýMaking food yourself is usually cheaper and healthier than buying pre-packaged or ready-made options, but takes effort. All-in-one machines such as the Thermomix are designed to make this easier. Muffins can be whipped up and shoved into the oven in minutes. Biscuits and even pastry are equally easy and fast. Other fast favourites include smoothies and juices – all whipped up in seconds. The pre-programmed recipes and guided cooking functions mean that even a complete kitchen novice can follow the step-by-step instructions and produce things they may have never made before, such as pizza dough.
• Ongoing support for updates and services:ÌýVorwerk (the manufacturer) continually updates their technology and the Wi-Fi connection means that you are able to access new software updates as they become available. There are also bricks-and-mortar service centres you can visit for repairs and service. If you have a Thermomix consultant, they can also help you get the most out of your appliance. For owners of the TM6, Vorwerk typically guarantees parts and repair facilities for 10 years from production.
• Getting creative:ÌýIf you’re feeling adventurous, you can even use your Thermo to whip up things like your own laundry detergent, body scrub and moisturiser.

Reasons to avoid a Thermomix

• Safety issues: For owners of the Thermomix TM6, there are some safety issues. However, these have been resolved in the TM7.
• The TM7 can’t brown or caramelise very well in large batches: This is due to the small surface area of the jug. If you are sautéing meat for slow cooking for example, it’s best to do so in small batches.
• Yet another appliance: One of the pros of a Thermomix is that it can do cooking tasks performed by many other appliances, which is great if you don’t already own those appliances. However if you’ve already invested money in a range of good-quality appliances, this is a significant expense that could be avoided.
• A different way of cooking: Learning to cook differently is a bit of a drag at first. It can take some time, effort and practice to learn how to get the best out of your machine (however, the idea is that that time invested will pay off later).
• It can get pretty noisy: ÌÇÐÄVlog kitchen expert, Fiona Mair, found the TM6 to be: “one of the loudest all-in-one machines we have tested, with a noise level during operation of 84db which is close to the noise you hear standing on a busy street kerb.” The TM7 promises a ‘silent motor’, however, Fiona found that while it was much quieter at low speeds it was still equally loud as the TM6 on high speeds, reaching 81db on speed 10.
• You can only buy from a consultant: Thermomixes are not available to buy from traditional retailers. You have to either buy directly from the Thermomix Australia website or through a consultant. If you’re purchasing through the website, you can choose to either contact your consultant or you can complete a form to get connected with one. The assistance of a consultant is useful, as they can take you through a demonstration of the appliance and show you how to get the most out of it.

The Thermomix blade cover and attachment accessories

In 2023, Thermomix released the Thermomix Blade Cover and Peeler ($69), which is compatible with the TM5 and TM6 Thermomix models. The blade cover, peeler and whisk is also compatible with the TM7.Ìý

It’s designed to protect food during slow cooking and sous vide cooking (so your slow-cooked food or sous vide bags don’t end up pulverised). But it can also be used to effortlessly peel potatoes, which could be especially handy for people who have dexterity issues or limited time for food prep.

We put the new accessory to the test in a range of cooking tasks and while it didn’t produce outstanding results all round, it does bring welcome functionality to what is already a very expensive appliance. Read our review of the Thermomix blade and peeler accessory.

Vorwerk will also be releasing a Thermomix Cutter and Spiraliser specially for the TM7.

Where can you buy the Thermomix TM7?

You can’t buy a Thermomix from a standard retailer. They’re sold by independent consultants, who hold ‘Cooking Experiences’ either virtually or in homes and workplaces to showcase the features of the machine.

Once you’ve bought one, your consultant will deliver your Thermomix for an introduction, and they are also supposed to be available for advice, ideas and assistance with your machine.

The post Should you buy the Thermomix TM7? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

An appliance that performs more than one function is great if it works. In our increasingly smaller homes, saving space (and potentially money) by combining two or more products seems like a no-brainer – and we’ve seen some great examples of multifunction appliances that are genuinely good buys.

An air purifier that doubles as a fan, a mop that doubles as a vacuum cleaner and an oven that is also an air fryer can all be great ways to combine the functions of two or more appliances into one stand-alone product.Ìý

On the other hand, our experience has shown us that sometimes a great idea fails when it comes to execution. Our ÌÇÐÄVlog testers too often encounter products that try to do too much, and end up falling short.Ìý

Here’s what you need to know to ensure that your whizz-bang new buy doesn’t disappoint.

Kitchen multi-function winners and losers

As the name suggests, a multi-cooker is an appliance that can cook food in different ways, combining multiple appliances and cooking functions in one unit. These products have evolved since we first began testing them. Earlier versions of this appliance usually only combined a slow cooker with a pressure cooker, but the latest models include many more cooking functions, including everything from cooking rice and air frying, to steaming, dehydrating, searing and more.ÌýBut are they any good?Ìý

Our kitchen experts have tested many multi-cookers since we first looked at them in 2014, and have seen them improve markedly.ÌýÌý

“In the last few years we’ve seen multi-cookers become super multifunctional, with some having an air fryer function. Having this mode with a fan and element allows the user to grill and roast,” says ÌÇÐÄVlog kitchen expert, Fiona Mair.Ìý

Whereas early multi-cookers required a lot of trial and error to get the best result, modern appliances make them much easier to use with step-by-step instructions and prompts.Ìý

They’re also getting safer, with better positioning of steam releases to reduce the risk of injury.Ìý

“Pressure cooking was always a bit frightening for some, but multi-cookers have made pressure cooking easy,” says Fiona.

Fiona says it is definitely worth getting a multi-cooker rather than a separate appliance for each function.Ìý

“Depending on what you like to cook, a multi-cooker with an air fryer is a great option. Combining an air fryer and pressure cooker will save you time in the kitchen and enable you to cook meals fast,” she says.Ìý

Air fryer fails

Unfortunately, the addition of air fryer functionality isn’t always a win. Over the years we’ve seen manufacturers adding air fryer modes to many appliances and the results aren’t always impressive.

“We have tested benchtop ovens, microwaves and wall ovens that have air fryer functions and I find that they just don’t perform that well,” says Fiona.Ìý

“They may have a pre-programmed air-fryer setting and come with the wire basket, but this doesn’t change the fact that it is just using the same element and fan as the standalone appliance,” cautions Fiona, who warns against paying extra for this kind of gimmicky marketing.

Two microwave convection ovens with air fryer modes we’ve tested – the LG Infrared Convection MC3967ABC microwave and the Kmart Anko Air Fryer Convection MicrowaveÌý– are prime examples of appliances with disappointing air fryer functionality.

“The air fryer mode uses an element and fan at the top of the unit which is no different to what you would use when cooking on convection mode. They rarely perform well when cooking chips or foods that require shaking,” she says.

Are ovens with air fryer modes any good?

ÌÇÐÄVlog experts have also found that ovens with an air fryer mode can be disappointing, and they advise against paying more for an oven with this function. These appliances use the top element and the fan-forced mode, which is similar to the fan grill mode. They may come with a separate shelf support that the air fryer basket sits in and they can be difficult to clean.

“You need to have a tray under these baskets to catch the drips and crumbs falling through the basket, so you are doubling up on cleaning,” says Fiona.Ìý

“They rarely perform well when cooking foods such as chips, as the instructions state that shaking or turning the food is not necessary as the air flows under and around the food evenly. We found that this is not the case as the food was unevenly cooked.”

Multifunction floor fails

Gone are the days when a humble upright vacuum cleaner, a mop and a broom were the only tools we had to keep our floors clean.Ìý

Nowadays, stick vacuums come with attachments for everything from picking up pet hair to eliminating cobwebs from crevices and ceilings. Then there are the hard floor cleaners, which are part steam mop, and part vacuum. These relatively new products aim to combine mopping and sweeping and look similar to a stick vacuum, though are often slightly larger and bulkier.Ìý

Given the trend towards combining similar appliances, it’s no surprise that Dyson now sells vacuums that double as hard floor cleaners, but ÌÇÐÄVlog testers find performance is mixed.

While our review found theÌýDyson V15s Detect SubmarineÌýperformed well as a stick vacuum, it fell short as a hard floor cleaner. Not only that, its price, an eye-watering $1649, means you’ll be paying more than a regular Dyson stick vac for something that doesn’t deliver on the promise of a combination vacuum/hard floor cleaner.

Robot floor cleaning fails

How about a robot vacuum that also mops the floor? Most new models of robot vacuums now include this added capability. However, we’ve seen mixed results and these combination appliances don’t always perform well in our testing.

But if the thought of never having to lift a vacuum cleaner or wield a mop ever again has you reaching for the credit card, pause and consider that, while this is an appliance that promises a lot, our experts advise that most are best suited for people who have hard floors and are diligent about keeping floors clear.

Some robot vacs are better at mopping than others (some only have incredibly basic pads you just stick to the bottom), so it’s important to check our reviews if you’re after a robot vacuum with this functionality.

The stood out from the other robot vacs with mopping functionality in our latest review. It scored 88% for dirt pick-up on hard floors, 34% for dirt pick-up on carpet, and 80% for mopping performance. Features include auto-charge, self-empty, hot mop and auto-dry, but it will set you back a massive $2499.

Ìý

Double-duty air purifiers

When air purifiers exploded in popularity post-COVID, many manufacturers were keen to jump on the trend with a variety of products that span from the useful to the outright ridiculous.Ìý

The Dyson Zone Absolute+ air purifying headphones double as a personal air purifier, using built-in filters and a detachable visor to clean the air around you, all while delivering clean sound.

That’s the theory, at least. In reality, the air-purifying mechanism is noisy, with the fans audible even when the noise-cancelling feature is active. We also found they were heavier than most over-ear headphones, and at more than a thousand dollars they were substantially more expensive than any other over-ear headphones we’ve tested.Ìý

Perhaps a more logical combination than headphones that double as an air purifier is a fan that is also an air purifier. Dyson has attempted this innovation, with mixed results.Ìý

Our ÌÇÐÄVlog experts have tested three Dyson fans that boast air purifying capability along with a heating and/or cooling function. Unfortunately, while they may perform adequately as fans or heaters, we found that they didn’t match the performance of other air purifiers in our tests and you’ll be paying a premium for the fan and heater function.ÌýÌý

ÌÇÐÄVlog home appliance expert Chris Barnes says that if you’re looking for an appliance that combines a tower fan or heater with air purification these models are worth considering since few other options combine these capabilities.Ìý

“However, there are many cheaper heaters and pedestal fans that have superior cooling and heating capabilities and other air purifiers that perform better in our reviews,” he says.

The post Double duty: The best and worst multifunction appliances appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

How the Thermomix Blade Cover and Peeler works

Blade cover

At the heart of the Thermomix is the star-shaped blade that sits at the bottom of the cooking bowl and performs functions like pureeing, chopping, mixing and blending.ÌýSeasoned Thermomix users will know that the blade is constantly turning, even on low speeds, which can bruise food or break it down when you don’t want it to.Ìý

The Blade Cover and Peeler accessory sits atop the blade, acting as a “lid” to prevent larger pieces from falling into the blade’s clutches during tasks like slow cooking.ÌýYou can also place a sous vide bag in the bowl, safe in the knowledge that it won’t get mangled by the blades.

Peeler function

The previous version of the Thermomix Blade Cover didn’t double as a peeler. This latest version lets you peel root vegetables like carrots, beetroot, potatoes and turnips by adding 600mL of water per 800g of root vegetables (note that depending on the vegetable you may not fit 800g in the bowl in one go).

Performance tests

ÌÇÐÄVlog home economist Fiona Mair conducted a number of tests to see how well the Thermomix Blade Cover and Peeler accessory performs.Ìý

To begin, you’ll need to make sure your Thermomix software is updated to the latest version (do this via a Wi-Fi connection) to access the peeler mode.Ìý

For our tests, Fiona also used another optional extra, the ($69 per year), which lets you access relevant recipes on the control panel.Ìý

Sous vide test

For this test, Fiona used Thermomix’s own Vac-U-Seal Vacuum Sealer Set ($149.85), which includes five small vacuum-seal bags. These fit two standard-size pieces of meat or fish.Ìý

She followed the recommended Cookidoo sous vide recipe for a medium-rare beef scotch fillet, which resulted in an evenly cooked, tender, melt-in-the-mouth dish.Ìý

Next, Fiona followed the sous vide salmon recipe, with similarly impressive results: the salmon fell apart easily with little resistance to chew.

Peeling tests

One major selling point of this Thermomix accessory is its ability to peel vegetables without a potato peeler in sight. It does this by agitating the vegetables in water over four minutes.Ìý

(Despite its similarity in looks to a food processor grating disc, it does not grate, it only peels.) The peeling method is not suitable for frozen vegetables or vegetables with hard or thin skins.

Fiona followed the recommended procedure for peeling potatoes and used evenly sized potatoes that were small enough to fit into the chute.ÌýShe rated the result as “very good”, with most of the peel and only 15% of the flesh removed. A few small blemishes remained.

While Thermomix says you don’t need to rinse your potatoes beforehand as they’re “washed at the same time as peeling”, Fiona found she did need to rinse them afterwards to clean off a frothy sludge that was left after processing the potatoes. Thermomix says this can be reduced by adding a little oil.

Next up we tried carrots, with less success. Due to the design of the Blade Cover and Peeler, it’s best suited to more symmetrical vegetables such as potatoes. The carrots were shaped by the machine into an oval shape, so the peeler clearly took off a lot more than the skin.Ìý

The weight of the carrots before peeling was 570g, but after peeling was just 350g. This equates to a whopping 38% of the carrot removed! An old-style peeler may be a better bet.

We also found that the unit vibrated and jolted at times during the peeling tests, causing the measuring cap to become loose and liquid to splash out of the chute.

Slow cook test

The Blade Cover function serves to protect slow-cooked food from coming into contact with the constantly moving blades at the base of the cooking bowl.Ìý

To test this, we used the ÌÇÐÄVlog test recipe for slow-cooked chilli beef. As the meat and beans were left untouched by the blade, they weren’t broken up.Ìý

However, the sauce made less contact with the element at the base of the bowl than it might have otherwise, and was unable to reduce and thicken, so the resulting dish was somewhat watery.

As for the meat, this was perfectly cooked and tender, but the beans were slightly undercooked.Ìý

The temperature at the end of cooking was 87°C, not the expected 95°C. So although the results were good, some tweaks are needed.Ìý

“As slow-cook mode [on the Thermomix] has a set temperature of 95°C, it is possible that increasing the temperature may help to thicken the sauce,” says Fiona.

How easy is it to use and clean?

The Peeler is useful for those with arthritis or weak hands and wrists, and is a definite time-saver for potatoes.

The device can be easily cleaned in warm soapy water, is top-shelf dishwasher-safe, and easy to assemble. As there is limited grip area when removing, care must be taken if the Thermomix was heated.

The instructions are comprehensive with detailed safety information.

Is the Thermomix a safe machine?

While the Thermomix TM6 is a handy machine that performs well and can be used safely, we still don’t give it a ÌÇÐÄVlog recommendation. Although the temperature cuts off when blending at high speeds above 60°C, the liquid inside may still be hot and blending may still occur if operated manually.

Is this accessory worth it?

Relative to the machine, the Blade Cover and Peeler is good value and can bring extra functionality to what’s already a very versatile machine. With a bit of experimentation and knowing about the food restrictions, you should be able to get satisfying results.

The post Is the latest Thermomix accessory worth it? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

An important safety notice has been issued worldwide for use of the Thermomix TM5 and TM6 by its German manufacturer Vorwerk Elektrowerke.

Owners of both the Thermomix TM5 and TM6 models have been advised they should use the simmering basket instead of the TM6 measuring cup when cooking at temperatures of 95°C and above to avoid the risk of uncontrolled spillages and potential burns.

ÌÇÐÄVlog believes that although the Thermomix manufacturer has been proactive in dealing with the safety issue, the solution it’s offered is imperfect and consumers may be entitled to a refund.

TM6 cup can spill dangerously hot food

On Vorwerk’s website the company states, “We have observed a few cases in the market where a problem has arisen when using the Thermomix.”

The company explains that when the standard measuring cup is inserted in the Thermomix TM6, it fits tightly in the lid, preventing it from falling out when the mixing bowl lid is removed. The measuring cup on the TM6 is designed so that sufficient steam from the mixing bowl can escape at the edges when cooking or simmering.Ìý

However, during the cooking process or when following certain recipes, ingredients can float to the top, become compressed and prevent steam from escaping.Ìý

Consequently, increased pressure can build up in the mixing bowl during cooking or simmering (or heating at temperatures of 95°C / 200°F and above), which can lead to a sudden and uncontrolled spillage of hot food, which can cause burns.

TM5 owners should check their cup

This situation does not arise if a TM5 measuring cup is used, as the measuring cup for the TM5 sits loosely in the lid of the mixing bowl. Users of a predecessor model should check if they are using a TM6 measuring cup. If you own a TM5 and have never upgraded your measuring cup to a TM6, then the warning won’t apply.

You can differentiate between the TM5 and the TM6 measuring cups as the TM5 cup is clear, and the TM6 cup is a solid dark grey.

What Thermomix users need to do

The new guidance from Thermomix states that when cooking (simmering) at temperatures of 95°C or above (200°F), the simmering basket should always be used as the ‘lid’ instead of the TM6 measuring cup. The simmering basket rests loosely on top, is steam-permeable, and also prevents food spatter from the mixing bowl.Ìý

‘Guided Cooking’

If you follow recipes in the Guided Cooking feature, the software has been modified so that all affected recipes in Guided Cooking have been updated with the new instructions. You’ll be prompted with the safety alert and to update your software when you turn on your Thermomix and connect it to Wi-Fi.

ÌÇÐÄVlog home economistÌýFiona Mair says, “It’s important to follow the new cooking instructions when using a Thermomix to avoid any safety issues. Make sure you connect your appliance to Wi-Fi and read and implement the new software update when the alert shows up.”

Manual cooking

People who don’t use the Guided Cooking function will need to pay extra attention.

“If you use a physical Thermomix cookbook, you currently have to adapt the instructions yourself. If the recipe directs you to cook at a temperature of 95°C or above, you’ll have to remember yourself to use the basket instead of the measuring lid,” she says.

“If you’re using your machine manually, reduce temperatures once any food you’re cooking has reached boiling point, and follow the maximum capacity grading so you don’t overfill your machine.”

Cleaning up

Fiona says that Thermomix owners may find having toÌýuse the simmering basket instead of the measuring cup inconvenient, as the simmering basket is bulkier and could be trickier to clean.Ìý

You can find more information and some FAQs at the website.Ìý

What Thermomix customers are saying

The Thermomix is an expensive machine, with a price tag of more than $2000. It’s billed as an appliance that makes cooking easier, and therefore appeals to people with a wide range of abilities who are attracted to its hands-free guided cooking features, and its ability to do a range of tasks from chopping, mixing and kneading to boiling, sautéing and steaming.

‘Band-aid solution’

Several users on the Thermomix in Australia Facebook Group are disgruntled with what they believe to be a ‘band-aid’ solution to the latest safety issues, which sees the onus being placed on the customer to change the way the machine was originally intended to be used.

“I purchased a product and I expect it to function as originally advertised,” says one customer.

‘Not impressed’

The added effort in cleaning the simmering basket is also a sticking point. It’s bulkier than the measuring cup with ridges that food can get stuck in, and it takes up more space in the dishwasher.Ìý

“As a family of seven with lots of dishes to fit in the dishwasher I am not impressed one bit with now needing to find space for this every time we use the thermie, which is daily,” says another customer.

Concerns about poor cooking results

Thermomix maintains that using the simmering basket in place of the measuring cup will have minimal effect on cooking results and that they’ve adapted recipes accordingly. But some customers have noted that as more steam than usual will escape during the cooking process, the texture or consistency of food such as sauces or soups may be affected.Ìý

Calls for Thermomix to provide replacement cup

If customers recently upgraded from a TM5 to a TM6, they can use the TM5 cup in the TM6 machine, though this would mean if they wanted to sell their TM5 secondhand it would be missing the cup.Ìý

Many people are calling for the company to provide all customers with a TM5 measuring cup, but at this stage there appears to be no plans to do so.

Are Thermomix customers entitled to a refund?Ìý

ÌÇÐÄVlog consumer policy adviser Patrick Veyret says, “While it’s good that Thermomix has addressed the safety issue and provided a solution, the onus is now on the consumer to fix the problem by changing the way they use the machine, which isn’t ideal.”

This current issue with the Thermomix could arguably be classified as a major problem if the customer would not have bought the product had they known about the problem.Ìý

A problem is major if at least one of these applies:

• You can’t use the item.
• Repairs can’t be made quickly or at all.
• It’s unsafe.
• You wouldn’t have bought the item if you’d known about the problem.
• The product has two or more minor failures, and you would not have bought the product if you knew the nature and extent of these failures. (Note: These failures don’t need to relate to the same consumer guarantee.)Ìý

People who’ve bought a product with a major problem are entitled to a refund under Australian Consumer Law. Read more about your consumer rights.Ìý

This is not the first time Thermomix has experienced safety issues. After ÌÇÐÄVlog’s long-running investigation into Thermomix safety issues, the ACCC tookÌýthe manufacturers to Federal Court where they were eventually fined $4.6 million.Ìý

The Court found the Australian-based sales team for Thermomix violated consumer law by failing to report dangerous defects.

We want to hear from you

If you own a Thermomix and you’re affect by this safety notice, we’d like to hear from you. Visit the to have your say or email us on newstips@choice.com.au.

The post Thermomix issues safety notice about the TM5 and TM6 appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Has spending more time at home got you thinking about even more ways you can cook up a storm?

Perhaps you’ve had your eye on an all-in-one cooking machine like a Thermomix but can’t afford the $2000-plus price tag.

Supermarket chain Aldi recently sold its budgetÌýversion of the Thermomix as a Special Buy for $249. Were you able to get your hands on one? Our kitchen expertsÌýFiona MairÌýand Chantelle Dart put it to the test to see whether it can match (and even beat) its more costly opponents.

Billed as 10 appliances in one with 10 different speeds, the Aldi Stirling Thermo Cooker claims to mix, emulsify, knead, sauté, stir, puree, smoothie, crush, steam and mill and has an in-built scale to weigh out ingredients.

How did Aldi’s Stirling Thermo Cooker score in ÌÇÐÄVlog reviews?

Our experts tested Aldi’s Stirling product when it was on sale in March, and at $249 it’s the cheapest model we’ve tested (all-in-one machines can cost more than $3000).

Very good cooking performance

The thermal cooker performed very well overall with excellent results in many of our performance tests. However, it did perform ‘only OK’ for our mashed potato, green smoothie and slow cook (stew) tests.Ìý

Pleasingly, the machine also passes our safety requirements with a speed cut-out above 60°C and a lid locking mechanism.Ìý

But our testers needed to modify the manufacturer’s recipes for risotto and mayonnaise to get good results. They also noticed that the unit shakes with a heavy load but suction feet help to prevent it from moving on the bench.

Read more about theÌýfeatures, specifications and test results for Aldi’s Stirling Thermo Cooker.

Can a $249 machine really rival a $2000-plus appliance?

According to ÌÇÐÄVlog kitchen expert Fiona Mair, when it comes to all-in-one appliances you get what you pay for.

“Generally, cheaper all-in-one appliance brands such as Kogan have limited instructions and recipe guides when compared with the more expensive brands, which can be an issue if you’ve never used an all-in-one appliance before,” Fiona says.

“Using one of these appliances is a different way of cooking and preparing foods, so initially you’ll need guidance and specific recipes. These are features that the more expensive brands are better at delivering.”

The Aldi Stirling Thermo Cooker isn’t too bad in that the user can go to to shop a collection of thermo cookbooks and accessories. The back page of the recipe book also has a guide on converting recipes to suit the Stirling Thermo Cooker.

“If you’re considering buying an all-in-one machine to replace most of your kitchen appliances, my advice would be to choose a brand that has excellent instructions with basic recipes, plus continued support and updates.”

The latest model, the TM6 Thermomix from Vorwerk (which ÌÇÐÄVlog experts reviewed) retails for $2359. ÌÇÐÄVlog members can access our test results and readÌýour full Thermomix TM6 review.

There are other versions of this type of all-in-one appliance available from brands such as Kogan, Magimix and Thermochef.

Aldi Stirling Thermo Cooker vs Thermomix

Features of the $249 Aldi Stirling Thermo Cooker

• 2L stainless steel bowl.
• Integrated scale function.
• 1200W motor.
• 10 speeds.
• Includes jug with blade, jug lid with measuring cup lid, steamer bowl/tray/lid, spatula, stirring attachment and protective blade jacket, user manual and recipe booklet.Ìý
• Three-year warranty.

Features of the $2359 Thermomix TM6

The extra outlay for a Thermomix buys you many more features, so you can chop, beat, blend, whip, weigh, mill, knead, mince and more. We’ve listed some of these features below.

• 20 functions and 12 modes including sous vide, slow cooking and fermenting for making yoghurt.
• 2.2L stainless steel bowl housed in high-grade plastic.
• Touchscreen cooking and Wi-Fi connectivity.
• 120 pre-programmed recipes, plus a further 70,000 recipes to search via the online recipe library/app (a six-month subscription is included with your purchase and costs $69 a year after that).
• Integrated scales.
• 24-month warranty plus service centres available.
• Ability to use step-by-step guided cooking, pre-set recipes or manual cooking (our testers note that using the machine manually can bring some safety issues).Ìý

Should you buy an all-in-one kitchen machine?

All-in-one machines combine features such as slow cooking, food processing, steaming and mixing, which allow you to make thousands of different recipes from homemade bread and curries to pasta sauces, stock pastes, yoghurt, ice cream and nut butters.Ìý

Thermomix is undeniably the most recognisable of all the all-in-one kitchen machines, with a premium price tag to match. Despite the fact that it costs more than $2000 and has been plagued with safety issues over the years, it’s won many diehard fans who use it in their everyday cooking and food prep.Ìý

“All-in-one appliances combine several appliances into one, which can free up precious cupboard and bench space,” says Fiona.

“These appliances are great for people who are just starting out setting up their kitchen. But before you buy, I recommend reading our detailed ÌÇÐÄVlog reviews of these all-in-one appliances and really think about how often you’re going to be using it.”

The post Should you buy the Aldi Stirling Thermo Cooker? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

In the kitchen, Kenwood’s kCook Multi Smart is its app-enabled rival to the popular yet controversial Thermomix all-in-one cooking machine.

What can it do?

Like most all-in-one machines, the $1699 Multi Smart can heat and cook food as well as conduct common food preparation tasks including mixing, emulsifying, kneading, chopping, beating, whisking and steaming. It also has a food processor attachment and separate digital scale.

The machine connects to your home’s wireless network and relies heavily on an app to perform cooking tasks. The app includes recipes and step-by-step methods. It’s also needed to see the measurements on the wireless digital scale. Getting the Multi Smart online for the first time is fiddly and involves a number of steps including setting up an account, but it was OK once we got it connected and the process was similar to setting up a smart speaker or camera.

Using the app

Although you can use physical buttons on the machine’s control panel to perform cooking tasks, the kCook Multi Smart is designed around guided cooking using the app (iOS or Android). This includes comprehensive steps for each of its recipes and the ability to control cooking tasks using your device. For example, the Victoria Sponge Cake recipe requires 200g of butter, so the first step involves connecting to your scale, viewing measurements on your device’s screen, ticking the task off once it’s done and swiping to the next step. Further along in the preparation process you can remotely mix the batter using the app, and so on.

There are more than 25 steps to swipe through on screen in this one recipe’s process, so after you’ve got some experience using the machine, swiping through each of these tasks could get tedious. There’s a text-based summary of the method for those who want to skip some steps, but the app’s mainly about guiding you through the cooking process, so that option defeats its purpose. Instead, we’d like the ability to control key steps using the app without spelling out every task and Kenwood says it’s working on an option that shows minimal step-by-step “cards”.

Our tester notes that instructions on how to get the machine to perform basic tasks like chopping and other ‘how to’ guides are lacking. Because the Multi Smart is a different way of cooking even advanced cooks would find these useful in developing an understanding of how the appliance works.

Performance

Cooking results for the Multi Smart are very good overall, and it’s excellent at steaming, crushing ice, mashing potato, kneading dough and making a mushroom risotto, among other things. It did not excel at making a green smoothie (a task better suited to a dedicated appliance). It also has a handy food processor attachment which adds to its multi-functionality, but if you’ve already got one then you may not need it as it’s fiddly to assemble and the small round chute is difficult to guide narrow vegetables through.

Safety features

The Kenwood kCook Multi Smart includes a few safety features:

• When the machine is above 60ºC, it will slowly ramp up to high speeds during chopping and blending rather than start abruptly, to prevent splashing or spillage.
• A transparent lid to let you see whether food is steaming or being mixed.
• Warns you if the unit is vibrating excessively.
• Processing blade is restricted to speed six (out of 12) when ingredients are above 105ºC using the pre-set functions, but we found you can manually override this.

While we are pleased to see Kenwood addressing safety, the functionality to manually override the speed limitations when cooking at high temperatures means we can’t recommend it. While cooking a potato and beef broth, we cranked the speed up to 105ºC and some liquid bubbled over from the surface. We alerted Kenwood who investigated, and in their response they compare this to the way a conventional saucepan could bubble over in some circumstances, depending on the viscosity of the ingredients used.

ÌÇÐÄVlog verdict

The Kenwood kCook Multi Smart is good overall, and has a few safety features we’ve not seen in other all-in-one machines.

It’s worth considering as it performs very well, but people can still bypass the automatic restrictions and perform tasks at high speeds manually, so it doesn’t fully meet our safety criteria. It’s early days for the app, so it may improve in the future, but what currently affects its ease of use score is the relatively steep learning curve and usability of the app itself. Some guided tasks can be overly complicated. There’s currently a lack of online community support that you see with some other all-in-one cooking models, but this may improve as more people buy one. Novice cooks and those who are comfortable and keen adopters of smart devices will find it worth a go.

Kenwood kCook Multi Smart Price: $1699

The post Kenwood kCook Multi Smart appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Our expert tester
• How we choose what we test
• How we test
• Test criteria explained
• Our test lab

Here we tell you how we test these feature-rich machines to see if they live up to the hype.

Our expert tester

There’s no doubt our home economist Fiona Mair knows her way around a kitchen and has endless knowledge about kitchen appliances. With 30 years of experience, including 19 in the ÌÇÐÄVlog test kitchen, she’s seen lots of new technology enter the kitchen space. All-in-ones are certainly one of the most innovative developments in the past few years, and she knows what makes a good one tick.

How we choose what we test

We constantly monitor the market for new all-in-ones, and look for comparable products. Not all machines will share the same features (such as an internal scale, interchangeable blades or a recipe chip) but if they can perform similar cooking tasks, we’ll think they’re worth comparing. We typically look for big-name releases, but there are a number of emerging brands entering the Australian market we’ll also consider, particularly if they already have an established European presence.

We use your member funds to buy everything we test. Sometimes, a product demonstration is part of the buying experience and we’ll get an expert into the test kitchen to tell us how to get the most out of the product.

How we test

Our main aim is to experience the product just as someone would in a typical household kitchen. Sophisticated as these machines may seem, if they can’t do the basics they’re not worth the expensive price tag. Performance makes up 40% of our overall score.

We place a high emphasis on ease of use – in fact, it makes up the remaining 60% of our score. A good all-in-one won’t be difficult to use, and should be straightforward for people to master, even if you’re not a master chef.

Test criteria explained

Performance

For our all-in-ones test, we perform more than a dozen tasks such as whisking egg whites, melting chocolate, grinding and milling, steaming, kneading dough, chopping vegetables, sautéeing, making mashed potato and more.

We always look at the manufacturers’ recipes or use the pre-programmed settings where available, to best represent the consumer experience straight out of the box. If a task fails, we’ll try it again and see if any modifications can be made to improve it. If a recipe isn’t available we use our tried-and-tested ÌÇÐÄVlog method.

We also make some typical meals using the recipes provided, such as a beef stew, risotto, or cake mixture to see how well they perform.

Ease of use

Fiona examines:

• how easy it is to access and use the controls (this includes any digital controls, recipe guidance, pre-programmed settings and manual settings)
• how easy it is to follow manufacturers’ instructions and recipes
• how easy it is to perform general tasks, such as putting the bowl on to the unit and using the lid
• how noisy the unit gets, and whether it jolts or knocks around on the bench during cooking
• how easy they are to clean, particularly when it comes to removing food that gets stuck in crevices or on the lid.

Safety

In light of the recent safety concerns surrounding the Thermomix TM31, we’ve revised the way we recommend all-in-one kitchen machines to highlight the importance of the safety features they’re equipped with. To pass our safety requirements a machine must have:

• speed cut-out, where the unit will automatically reduce the speed (or prevent you from applying a high speed) if the temperature inside is over 60°C
• lid lock, where the machine won’t operate unless the lid is locked into the main unit.

Regardless of performance, we consider a speed cut-out feature and an effective lid locking mechanism to be essential in light of the many Thermomix accidents we’ve uncovered. We don’t recommend models that don’t have these safety features.

Our test lab

We maintain a kitchen lab that is up to date with the latest reference machines and calibrated tools so our testers can bring you accurate results you can trust.

The post How we test all-in-one kitchen machines appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

The ACCC case followed an investigation by ÌÇÐÄVlog that revealed the Thermomix TM31 model had a faulty sealing ring on its mixing bowl that had led to widespread scalding incidents (the model has since been replaced by the TM5).

Between 29 March and 9 May 2016, 87 Thermomix owners filled out a ÌÇÐÄVlog mass incident form and reported a problem with their machine (83 with the TM31 model and four with the TM5).

Forty-five reported being injured, and 18 of the injured said they received medical treatment.

ÌÇÐÄVlog passed the mass incident report on to the ACCC at the time.Ìý

Between June 2012 and July 2016, Thermomix failed to give notice to government of serious injury caused by the machine within two days on 14 occasions.

Thermomix also released misleading and deceptive statements that the product was safe, the court found, even though Thermomix was aware of 35 serious injuries caused by the machine.Ìý

Playing hardball

Consumers who contacted ÌÇÐÄVlog in 2016 said Thermomix in Australia used deny and delay tactics to avoid giving refunds and in some cases demanded that customers return the machine or take the company to court.

There was also suspicion among customers and within the company that Thermomix in Australia intentionally offloaded faulty TM31 units while the new TM5 was available, a tactic that earned the company a ÌÇÐÄVlog Shonky award.

On condition of anonymity, one former member of the sales team described a mean-spirited, sales-driven culture in which “there was bullying and intimidation from top to bottom”.

Want a refund? Sign a gag order

In our earlier investigation, ÌÇÐÄVlog obtained non-disclosure agreements from customers seeking refunds that required them “not to disparage or otherwise comment negatively about Thermomix or Vorwerk [the German manufacturer] and not to take any action which it is intended, or would reasonably be expected, to harm the reputation of Thermomix or Vorwerk, or lead to unwanted or unfavourable publicity”.

One Australian law firm wrote to customers saying, “the terms of the deed of settlement [refund of the cost of the machine] are strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to any person (but including via social media) without prior written consent”.

The court found that requiring a customer to sign a non-disclosure agreement as a condition for receiving a refund was a further violation of consumer law.

“Thermomix’s penalties should serve as a reminder to all businesses that consumers have rights in relation to faulty products which businesses cannot restrict, alter, or remove,” said ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court.

“When a consumer is entitled to a refund or replacement under the ACL, businesses cannot place conditions on that right to a refund or replacement and customers certainly shouldn’t have to sign non-disclosure agreements.”

Thermomix says we’re sorryÌý

Founder and Managing Director of Thermomix in Australia, Grace Mazur, says the company has learnt its lesson and will be contacting and offering a new TM5 model to the 9443 customers who bought a TM31 appliance between 7 July and 23 September 2014, the time period in which Thermomix owners were not warned about a serious safety risk but should have been.Ìý

“It is clear we should have done better in how we managed complex issues over the past few years. We regret this very much, are sorry, and apologise to those who were affected. We have learnt a lot, have evolved as a company in the years since then, and would never make these mistakes again,” says Mazur.

History of ÌÇÐÄVlog Thermomix investigation:

The post Thermomix to pay $4.6m for downplaying burn risks appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.