Once hailed as a culinary revolution, the Thermomix dazzled kitchens everywhere with its futuristic promise: effortless, delicious home-cooked meals while saving precious time (and perhaps a little dignity for those less skilled with a whisk). But lately, there’s a growing trend of users quietly—sometimes not so quietly—saying goodbye to this much-hyped gadget. So, what changed? Let’s dig into why so many are waving farewell to the once-coveted Thermomix after trying it themselves.
The Honeymoon Period: When Thermomix Changed the Game
For half a century, the Thermomix by Vorwerk stood as a shiny beacon of culinary innovation. Families adapted their routines, simplifying dinner prep and embracing digital recipes. It made bold promises: more delectable dishes with less effort, freeing users from the tyranny of chopping, kneading, stewing, and cleaning endless pots and pans.
Yet, nothing lasts forever—especially in a world where kitchen trends shift faster than your stand mixer can whip cream! Recently, that much-vaunted bond between home chefs and their beloved robot is starting to unravel.
Sticker Shock: The High Cost of Culinary Ambition
Perhaps the most glaring obstacle is financial. The Thermomix’s starting price is a hefty 1400 euros—a figure likely to make wallets shudder and bank accounts nervous. But let’s not forget the recurring 60-euro annual subscription to the Cookidoo recipe platform. Together, these costs stack up to a significant investment for many households, ultimately raising more eyebrows than soufflés.
- Initial price: 1400 euros
- Recipe platform subscription: 60 euros annually
For some, that’s a steep price tag for kitchen convenience. And when extra expenses like accessory replacements pop up, it’s unsurprising that reality bites.
From Sizzle to Fizzle: Performance Gripes and Practical Woes
Even for owners who splurge, the Thermomix doesn’t always deliver the fairy tale ending. Many users have reported culinary shortcomings: uneven cooking—especially meat—draws criticism, and at times, dishes are described as bland, missing the spark once promised by the marketing team.
But the list of grievances doesn’t stop there. Everyday maintenance is a recurring headache. Cleaning after use is commonly seen as tedious, and keeping up with replacing various parts only adds to the friction.
- Uneven cooking, especially for meats
- Bland preparations that fall short of flavor expectations
- Time-consuming cleanup and regular accessory replacements
Practical annoyances further feed the disillusionment. The device’s considerable weight makes it unwieldy, cutting into valuable kitchen real estate. And for noise-sensitive types hoping to find kitchen serenity—bad news: operation can be loud enough to test even the most Zen home cook’s patience.
A Perfect Storm: New Models and Fierce Competition
Disappointment alone isn’t always enough to part with an expensive kitchen gadget. But just as users consider if the love affair is worth reviving, along comes the promise of something even shinier: the upcoming TM7 model, slated for April 2025. This next-gen robot boldly incorporates artificial intelligence, handier accessories, voice control, and improved thermal insulation—all key upgrades directly targeting users’ chief complaints.
Despite the TM7’s higher price of 1599 euros, some current owners are choosing to sell their TM6 units to fund the new buy. As a result, pre-loved Thermomix ads are multiplying like sourdough starter on online marketplaces.
Parallel to this wave, brands like Lidl’s “Monsieur Cuisine” are stirring the pot with lookalike rivals offering similar functions at lower prices. For budget-conscious cooks, these alternatives make the Thermomix’s high price feel even harder to justify.
- TM7 with AI tech and major improvements is on the way
- Rising resale of older models to fund upgrades
- Affordable competitors attracting cost-sensitive buyers
Ultimately, these overlapping trends have sparked a phenomenon: high-performance appliances, once welcomed with open arms, are being reevaluated under a more discerning lens. Many Thermomix units, despite their price tags, now languish in cupboards, used only occasionally—if at all. It’s the classic life cycle of a premium kitchen gadget, from initial infatuation to cool, pragmatic calculation.
Is It Time for a Kitchen Break-Up?
The Thermomix undeniably changed how people cooked. But as the mass resale shows, today’s users weigh the drawbacks more than ever: high costs, maintenance headaches, underwhelming performance, and tough competition. For a growing number, the balance now tilts towards disappointment instead of delight.
So, if you find yourself eyeing your Thermomix and thinking it might make a better paperweight than a sous-chef, remember—you’re not alone in rethinking what truly earns a permanent spot on your kitchen counter.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
