Is the new Thermomix TM5 worth it?

Well I’ve had my new Thermomix TM5 for a week now and thought I’d let you all know what I think. Here is the last time I wrote up a review on my Thermomix – Is a Thermomix worth it. I’ve been a thermomix owner for over 3 years and had wanted one since I was pregnant with my twins (now 6 years ago!) but it was just too big an expense. Once I had a thermomix I realised that it would have really saved us from months of frozen fish and chips with steamed vegetables on the side in those early twin days. Anyway, as soon as I saw that a new Thermomix was released I knew I wanted it and messaged my demonstrator. She told me I could order the next day and I did. She asked was I sure and did I want a demo first but I knew I’d love it and ordered it and just like my first one I did it on a payment plan to lessen the blow.

So here we go…..

WHAT’S NEW

Bigger bowl, varoma and thermoserver

We’re not talking hugely bigger but an extra 200mls in the bowl and an extra 500mls in the thermoserver and the varoma is bigger. I did a kilo of chicken thighs and vegies without a problem. I like that it’s bigger but it wasn’t the one reason that I bought the TM5.

Recipe chip and touch screen

The recipe chip is fab and the kids are loving it. It takes you step by step through the recipes in the cookbook that comes with your machine and tells you everything from turning on the oven to each step of the way. You weigh in the ingredients at each step and turn the speed dial and it won’t go past the speed for the recipe. Great when your kids are making it for you. And this is the biggest plus for me. The kids are loving it. There are also a few automated recipes like custard and rice where you just put it all in and it does it in one step.

My kids weren’t really interested in using the thermomix before and I was probably a bit too precious about them using it. Now they are busting to make a recipe as they just follow the steps. Kids get touch screens and scrolling through so they are loving the recipe chip and I’m also watching them make dinner which is great. Now of course kids can make dinner without the thermomix, I know that (I’m saying this because I’ll always get one person to criticise this post) but they certainly have a new enthuisiasm for getting into the kitchen and are loving it. They’ve done custard, smoothies, cookies, cake and pasta so far.

The weight and temperature are all touch screen and you turn the dial to select the speed. If you’re using the recipe chip then you just turn the dial a bit and it will select the function  like kneading function, stirring , speed 4 etc.

Quieter

Ummmm just at low speeds. Of course the first thing retro daddy heard was me making a smoothie and crushing frozen fruit and he wasn’t convinced it was quieter. It doesn’t sound quieter to me at the high speeds but at the lower speeds it’s quieter and the finished sound – it plays a little song for you – is quieter than the beeping on the TM31. So jury is out on how much quieter but don’t buy it thinking you will no longer deafen the family everytime you put nuts or sugar on speed 9. If you have a thermomix then you know what I’m talking about. Usually the TV goes up or I need to give some warning before I crank up the speed.

Speed, weight and temperature increases

Now a demonstrator can correct me if I’m wrong but the speed now goes up in half increments instead of just whole numbers, the temperature goes up to 120 instead of a 100 degrees maximum (on the TM31) and weight goes up by smaller increments as well. Remember I’m not a demonstrator so this is just what I’ve worked out since getting it. The higher temperature will be great for caramelising and sweets. The weight is great for more accuracy and measuring smaller ingredients. I love the built in scales in the thermomix, really do. Just makes life so easy and recipes accurate.

New improved butterfly

Confession time. I actually misplaced the butterfly at my last house so never used it. Not for egg whites or cakes or risotto. The butterfly is new and improved and apparently does perfect egg whites. Not that I’ve tried it yet but that’s the word. Come and tell me what you think.

Closing the lid

I wasn’t quite sure how to word that, but as you can see the top of the TM5 is different to the TM31. I kind of think of these as arms and the lid just sits straight on top and is pressed down and then once the speed is selected the arms close over the lid and off it goes to work. If the lid isn’t placed on properly (which I’ve done a couple of times) you’ll get an error message and you just need to press the lid on correctly. You do also need to wait for the lid to be released before you can remove it. I notice a few people said this takes time but it hasn’t really bothered me too much as I’m not a speed racer with taking off the lid and putting it on again. If you are you might find it takes some getting used to because instead of clicking the lid into position you are waiting for the ‘arms’ to do it for you.

Measuring cup

The measuring cup is new. Not much else to say about that really but it’s new. My 3 year old one is getting a bit old around the edges but not bad considering it has been in the dishwasher and used well for 3 years.

What’s not to love/worrying me?

I don’t really have any negatives because I love the new thermomix BUT something is worrying me and it’s the whole new technology and relying on the recipe chip/touch screen. Retro daddy said it’s not really a negative and I guess we live in a high tech age with all touch screens etc.  I think dials and buttons will last longer than the touch screen and I’m just a bit nervous about the error codes and me doing something wrong and then having to send back my machine. Technology is moving fast and who knows maybe thermomix of the future will have voice control or something like that but I guess the touch screen and recipe chip will be replaced later on but for now it’s great. What I am saying is that if you love the TM31 and the dial and temperature buttons then stay with that. I love the touch screen but am just a bit nervous but that’s me. At least the kids can’t drop it like my phone or tablets.

And I should point out that actually my TM31 had to be sent back for a service (under warranty, great customer service and it’s door to door so you don’t have to do anything) because on Christmas Eve (I know, of all days) the temperature stopped working and it had a problem. So in saying that faults and problems can happen whichever machine you are using. And that was the only issue I had that was fixed in 3 years of constant, 365 day a year usage.

Hot Tips

For the love of everything good in the world please watch your fingers while removing and washing the blade. It’s super sharp and I cut myself with blood going everywhere so be careful. I only did it once and you’d probably only do it once and then never again but lesson learned.

Do not switch off at the wall before you shut down the machine! I was holding the baby while my demonstrator was telling me how to use the machine and so I didn’t pay attention to switching it off. Then when I was pressing the dial and it wasn’t turning off I just had to switch it off on the wall. WRONG. Tenina told me that if you do that at least 3 times you have to send the machine back to get it reset. Don’t. If you want to turn off the machine just press the dial until the shut down message comes on and then the machine will shut down. Phew. I did it twice.

Verdict

I love it. I’ve been churning out cookies, cake and dinners every day this week and just falling in love with my thermomix all over again. For me a thermomix does more than just make my caster sugar or cakes in a flash, it’s about cooking dinner while I am doing other things. It cooks safely and stirs for me and also has me trying new things. Just in one week I made Quirky Cooking’s Spicy BBQ chicken with vegies and rice and on another night I did creamy spaghetti with salami and the kids loved it. Now of course you don’t need a new thermomix to do it but I knew I’d want to upgrade and with 2 of my hotplates not working in the kitchen I really use my thermomix for our dinners. I knew the price was going to go up and that there was an introductory price so I wanted to take advantage of that and I’m glad I did.

If you have always wanted a thermomix then now is the time to get it. If the cost is just too much (and for many years it was for us) then now is the time to grab a second hand one. There are so many for sale. I think ideally buy from someone you know. That is why I sold to someone I knew because she knows where I live and if anything goes wrong she can call me up. So find out if anyone is selling one because the TM31 is still fabulous and it’s a great time now to snap one up or start saving for one.

If you love touch screen or new technology or want to get your kids in the kitchen or you hate cooking and making dinner then the TM5 will certainly make things easier for you. I love cooking and I love my thermomix because it makes thing easy for me, helps me make things from scratch, does two things at once like cook my rice and steam meat and vegies up top and it gets dinner on the table most nights of the week.

At the end of the day the cooking process is pretty much exactly the same as the TM31 but the recipe chip and touch screen makes things a bit easier and a bit more fun for the kids. The TM5 gets the big thumbs up for me. I’m glad I’ve upgraded, I’ll always love the TM31 but I did have to sell it to justify buying the new thermomix and I don’t really have a need for 2 on my kitchen bench. One is perfect.

Over to you…….do you have the new TM5, are you happy with your TM31, are you hoping to snap up a TM31 on the 2nd hand market, do you have a question? Fire away……………….

and if you like dramatic music and a little movie here you go…..

And just a note that I’m just a happy customer. Always have been and always will. I have a lovely demonstrator who always stays in touch with me but I don’t sell them, I don’t get any commission or benefits from Thermomix. And I bought the Thermomix myself. I also just wanted to add that I have friends (including one of my dearest friend’s) who bought a Thermomix just before the change and I really feel for them. I do think that perhaps there should have been a better introduction of the new model and I would feel the same way.