Apologies to Mel and Bel who have already contributed to this discussion on FB... Just seeking other opinions.

So after reading the Thermomix thread that's been up ATM, I've been covering and coveting again. But it doesn't really matter how I look at it, I just can't justify the expense when we've got the financial pressures that we have and I'm about to stop working for 6-8 months.

Because it was on my mind, when my Mum asked me what I want for my birthday next week, I very much tongue in cheek said 'a Thermomix and two weeks in Queensland'. Well much to my surprise, my Mum toddled off and spent a few hours on google and has come back to me with 'if you'd be happy to compromise, I'd buy you a Thermochef'. Wow. Generous Mummy.

I have done a bit of googling myself now and the reviews are all over the place but mostly put one against the other. Which I guess is useless to me as even if the Thermomix is far superior... which you would hope so for $1200 more, I can't afford it.

So I really want to know about the Thermochef in it's own right.
Do you have one? Do you use it often? Can you access enough recipes or have you found that you can use the Thermomix recipes? Any issues or things you don't like?
And if you really must compare the two, is the TMX that much better that it's worth waiting, say, another two years 'till I can afford one?

One of the things I keep reading is how loud both machines are, but the Thermochef even moreso. Does the volume stop you using it when kids are asleep? My kids rooms are pretty close to the kitchen. It would really frustrate me if I couldn't use it while they were sleeping.