anyone got a thermomix??

This is my new coveted appliance... anyone got one? is it worth the money... tell me all about it!

Is this like a vitamix?

i don't have one but I think it depends on how you like to cook and the type of food you like to eat as to whether its worthwhile. ie if you are into soups, icecreams, custards, purees, slushies or even ****tails, sauces etc I can see them being worthwhile and I know thus they could develop other ingredients well for other recipes eg fruit purees to use in muffins etc but weren't they at full price uptowards $2K unless you became a "dealer" (I could be very wrong here). I just can't see me getting my $2K out of it because I don't/make a lot of the above. I know a couple of people who have them and love them but they aren't big from scratch cooks so to be able to put a pile of stuff in and come out with the above things is great for them. i could be very wrong about the limitations mentioned above and the price but that was my understanding of them

Rouge - no... it does so much more... check it out online...
it blends, chops, makes ice cream, casseroles, cakes etc. its kinda like a kitchen revolution...
i am in LOVE! i have heard obly good things so far... (bloody exxy though, like 2K)

ETA - Jaspen - interesting - I am a 'from scratch' cook but thought it did a lot more than what you said - will have to look into it more...

i have heard some fantastic reviews about them.

you are more than likely correct Mamapan - as I say most of my info is second hand. I didn't know you could cook cakes in it - make the batter yes but didn't know about cooking it.
I sort of had the impression (in very simplistic terms) that they were a multiblade style blender with a thermostat that went from freezing (for sorbets etc) to cooking (sauces etc) - don't know whether they stop "churning" during the process. I suppose I really like the idea of what they could do but just couldn't see the $2K value - that just seemed sooooooo much

If it can replace your icecream maker, your soup pot, your blender, your mixmaster, your slow cooker and gave you the ease to cook all of these things without standing by to stir etc then maybe. I know they do a lot of cooking parties to display them - would be interested to see how much is done in the thermomix and how much in the stove.

ETA just had a look at the website and they are really into focusing on getting back to basics with machine that does all these things quickly but from raw ingredients rather than using jars etc. they have a whole list of things that it does - I liked that it cleaned itself and there is obviously a new version - the steamer/bowl attachment I hadn't heard of before. Yes it certainly looks like it could replace a lot of appliances especially in a small kitchen and do a good job at the same time

Hmmm I'm not convinced. You can do all that with the vitamix, the only thing that is different is it's got scales and has a wider mouth. It doesn't actually cook anything other than soups. You still need to bake the cake iykwim? And I don't know if I would pay an extra $1k for scales ;)

hadn't heard of the vitamix but having had a quick look on the web I would agree with Rouge and definitely struggle to pay $2K when there seems to be an equivalent product for $1K. In reality I probably wouldn't pay $1K for either of them because of the type of food I cook and eat

My IL's have one... and LOVE it...... personally i dont think they are worth it for the $$$'s it cost

oh interesting.. will have to look at the vitamix... i didnt know it could do so much

I got one earlier this year and I love it.
Yes it does chop and blend. Yes you can make great soups, ice creams, custards etc. But it does far more than that.
It makes fantastic rice. It can steam fish, chicken. Boil, poach eggs. I threw out my breadmaker and now use the thermomix to make all my dough and pastry. I have even made meatloaf with it. It can make the prefect risotto. I have even made fried eggs without the oil.
If anyone would like any more info just ask I will tell you what I can.
The downside is that they are expensive just short of $2,000 but they are of a very high quality and will probably last you for life

I have a Vitamix... and I use it all the time to make heaps of different things, the main difference is the thermomix actually has a heating component, where the vitamix uses the speed of the blades to heat up the food. So its just friction (sp?) that causes food to heat up, after 1 minute the food heats up 10 degrees every minute.... it is supposed to do the same sort of things but the thermomix can do more like what Alan said, although I can do doughs etc.... and scrambled eggs.

I use it alot for hiding vegetables from the kids, and making food that is generally more healthy... i.e. I make sorbets with 2 pieces of fruit and ice. So no sugar or anything else.... and the lime slushies (aka Margaritas) are lovely!

i was given one and i just sold it
never used it- it just look too complicated and took up too much room!
plus DH is a cook from scratch man- he is a chef- so he never went for it
horses for courses

I have one and I love it. Took us 9 months to pay it off but worth every cent.

I make bread, butter, jam, soup, pizza dough, lasagne sheets, pasta sauce, tomato sauce, dips, ice-cream, cakes, biscuits, butter chicken, curries, salads, vegie stock....I could go on and on and on....

The thing I love the most about it, is that I can make everything right from basics - I grind my own wheat and other grains to make bread, make butter from cream etc etc so I know there are no preservatives or hidden nasties in the food I make. It's awesome for risotto and porridge because there is no stirring needed. It was the best $2K we've ever spent and we don't use any other kitchen appliances now except kettle, toaster and sandwich press :) And it also makes everything super fast so you save a lot of time too.

If you are interested in seeing one in action, book a demo, they will come and show you and the best bit is you get to eat lots of yummy food.

I went to a demo last night and am now trying to convince my husband that we do really need one!! I'm in love... In 2 hours, the consultant made jaffa sorbet, wholegrain rolls, hommus, beetroot/apple salad, risotto, and custard for 6 people. She said the entire menu ingredients cost around $20!! So that's how you save your money. I love the fact too that as others have said you can go right back to basics and mill your own grains, make your own butter etc and it all omly takes a few seconds. She told us it will easily last over 30 years, and that they have fantastic round-the-clock customer service, are constantly bringing out new recipe books, and hold regular cooking classes in all major cities. No other appliances do all that for you...

I told her it would be hard to convince my husband, so she's going to come to our place for a one-on-one where she will cook all his favourite food (spag bol, cheescake, etc.) to show him how cool it is.

Oh I love them and seriously want one, my kitchen ware/appliance collection is a little extreme already though lol

I watched Heston Blumenthal make snail porridge in one! It seems very very versatile but I don't see myself using it for "every day" cooking.

I have one...it is awesome. Totally love it!! :)

Yeah - I saw this on a tv show called Come Dine with Me. The hostess, she made everything from it... looks amazing..

Would love to get one, on asking hubby , he said he'd rather get a new projector... :(

bumping this cos I've convinced myself I have to have one. DH is not convinced, especially given he's the cook in the house and he suspects I just want one to have one and then it will gather dust.

I'm so lazy in the kitchen and what I like about the idea is apparently it's really easy to clean. I'm also trying to get rid of preservatives and additives and have a chemical free lifestyle. I'd like a rice cooker, bread maker, juicer, all of which I could get for less than $2K total. Though I threw away my last juicer cos it was a nuisance to get clean.

Can anyone else add information? I understand it won't replace a slow cooker, but will help with preperation? Though I don't find a casserole in the slow cooker takes much prep. And I do porridge in the microwave.
What's the volume anyway?

btw - it's recommended in Choice mag.

oohhhh I want one too lol

I've been to a demo and fell in love! Another friend is having one in a couple of weeks, this time DH will be dragged along :D

Tashybabe: I'd recommend having a demo or going to one. They have a 2ltr jug, very easy to clean. You can put water in them and switch them onto turbo and it basically cleans itself and just needs a rinse. They are the perfect appliance for lazy cooks :) I make porridge in the thermomix it takes 10 minutes and self stirs (I grate a lot of fruit into it first too). I had a juicer that I never used because it was a pain to clean and I did have a food processor which I used, but not as much as the thermomix. I'd use it about 4-5 times a day! They are amazing and I make so much from scratch so I know exactly what is in everything!

Drag your DH to a demo (I had one at my house) and he will love it too. Mine originally said no till he saw it in action.

Well you know my opinion! Point out to him how much his coffee machine is worth and that that only makes coffee!! I'm bringing mine to Melbourne in January so you can borrow it for a couple of days if you want and both have a play with it. But yes, have a demo, I reckon your mum would love one too. I asked my consutaltant if she knew anyone good to get a demo from over there but she didn't. Just book one thru the website.

I will PM you details of my consultant in Melbourne Tashybabe

So DH came to the demo and he's a convert too he was even talking it up so much his mum is now convinced she needs one lol

What sold him was the making stuff from scratch with no preservatives etc - he's a very organic/ethical living, home grown veggie type guy

The bummer is he said I have to wait until we finished building house and move in BUT the upside is my mum bought one and since we are living with her I'll get 3-4months of playing with hers..............ooohhhh it should be here next week some time can't wait :D

jealous! We're saving for one.

wow! this is the third time this week I have heard of a thermomix and until now I had no idea what it was...

off to look at the website... I think this could be dangerous!

I first saw it on the cooking show as well! It did look great.

OMG I went to a demo today.. and I have no idea how we are going to afford one but I have to have one!! I have booked a demo so DF can check it out too (he also does most of the cooking!) and I know as soon as he sees it he will be sold too. I love how much it can do..!!

I want one too!!! Have to wait till we sell the house booooo

Mum is taking delivery next monday of hers and having delivery demo - can't wait!!

Bummer is since I'm not allowed one till we are moved into new house and settled, thought I'd have a few months to play with mums, damn builder for running ahead of schedule I'm only going to have about 4 weeks lol

I just went to a demo last night and am TOTALLY convinced!! What a great invention!
My Dh saw one ages ago on come dine with me and wanted one ( just cos he likes new toys), but cos of the price I was sceptical.
Now I am a total convert, there is so much you can do and such health benefits as people have said.
My main 'issue' would be that I like standing by the stove stirring things etc but when you are busy this would be a lifesaver.
Anther great benefit is that it is portable- I love that!
The consultant made a perfect rissotto in about 15mins, it will chop large veges in seconds, I could go on forever....
DH didn't need much convincing so once we get our ivf medicare rebate I'm allowed to buy one- yippeeee!!!!! :D
Everyone saving for one- hope you get it soon!

i went to a demo late last year and fell in love with it! DH and I were both sceptical at first too but as soon as she started the demo we fell in love! so now i am getting one in may and i cant wait! bring on may!! :D

great teresa! Enjoy it!