Thermomix TM6 hands-on review + how it's different from TM5

What is Thermomix?

In a nutshell, Thermomix is a kitchen appliance that looks like an oversized food processor that's been bred with a huge blender, though this device is a lot more than that. It has the ability to connect to thousands of online recipes, and it will guide you through cooking all of them step by step, measuring ingredients, and doing all the chopping, prep and even the cooking in this one device. It’s pretty shocking actually, what this machine can do.

What can Thermomix do?

Let’s go over the highlights, and we’ve all heard those pitches: It dices! It chops! It whips! And it stirs! This magical do-it-all wizardry is the fodder of late-night infomercials. But in this case it’s no sales pitch.

The Thermomix TM6 can blend, puree and liquefy, it can also chop, grate, beat, whip, knead dough and shred. It can peel vegetables or garlic, and Thermomix also has some other properties that will blow your mind; it can steam vegetables and fish, cook rice, and make creamy risotto, sauté onions and garlic, weigh your ingredients, make you a salad, and even go as far as cooking not just a dish, but an entire meal.

Oh, did you think I was done? No… it can ferment, sous vide, cook eggs and work as a kettle. Oh, and it will wash itself too.

What do you get with a Thermomix?

The Thermomix sits on a base, which does require a plug. The base houses the computer guts, heating elements, and the safety technology that keeps everything safe while your cooking. On top of the base sits what’s called the mixing bowl, which looks like a giant jug with a handle, and inside is a sharp blade. Inside is a lidded simmering basket for steaming veg or making rice. A lid goes on that and it has a removable stopper called the measuring cup.

You can use the included whisk attachment over the blade for gentler tasks.

You’ll also get the Varoma basket which works when you remove the measuring cup and place it on top of the lid; this 3-piece, two layer steamer basket is used for steaming fish, or even baking cakes, and it can handle multiple different foods inside.

Thermomix TM5 vs Thermomix TM6: what’s the difference?

Now is a good time to talk about what’s new on the Thermomix TM6.

**Seperate video??????

Moe functions from same basic design

The new Thermomix TM6 uses the same basic design as the TM5, with the same blade, same bowl design and same motor, but it’s important to mention the bowl is not swappable between models (due to different electronic connectors in the base.

While the TM5 had 12 kitchen functions, the TM6 is now able to do 20.

Now with Wi-Fi

The older Thermomix TM5 needed small recipe chips or magnetic discs installed in order to use the guided recipes. The new TM6 has Wi-Fi built in, so instead of needing to load specific recipe “books”, you get automatic access to the entire Thermomix recipe library. And while access is automatic, you do need to pay a yearly fee for the library; it’s ???

The TM6 also works with the new companion Cookidoo app and website where there are thousands of recipes available. You can even create or tweak recipes to your own tastes and safe them for future reuse.

New Blade Cover/Peeler

There are a few more features on the TM6 that are also new, and one that I fell in love with right away is the blade cover-slash-peeler. I’ll show you this little slice of amazement in a minute…

Higher heat, longer heat times

The TM6 also has a higher heat mode than the TM5; it’s gone from a max of 120 degrees to 160. It also allows for longer heat times so you can sous vide (cook using a warm water bath) or ferment too.

Larger colour display

The TM6 has a much larger display screen, and adds colour for the first time.

Improved measuring cup, lid, simmering basket, spatula

The measuring cup, which acts as a lid stopper is now rubberized and fits tightly instead of knocking around as the pervious version did, and the steamer basket now also has a lid. It also comes with measurements on it, a strange omission in the previous version.

Finally the spatula has a bit more of a flexible rubberized tip, and the lid on the Varoma steamer basket is now opaque instead of clear. (I actually kept my old one).

How does Thermomix work?

Despite the somewhat intimidating amount of functions, the Thermomix is easy to use.You simply choose a recipe, and the bot walks you through what to do; it handles the order of tasks, timing, all the measuring, stirring, speed and fine tuning. You just add ingredients and follow its instructions.

Cooking with Thermomix

Perhaps the best way to show you what Thermomix can really do is to cook with it. I made more than a dozen recipes with my TM6.

[Karla_Finch-Cluff]

This is one of the most concise reviews of the Thermomix tm6 with a great explanation of the difference between TM5 and TM6. I really appreciate your style and will be watching many of your reviews from here on!

[halfdom]

this is a great explanation on the thermomix Kitchen robot and the differences between the twp models. Unless I missed it, you neglected to explain that the Thermomix can be used manually without the use of the cookiedoo. I think that is a very important function, as if it only works with a cookiedoo I probably wouldn’t buy one. Thank you for such an excellent presentation. I upgraded my TM5 to the TM6 am I am very happy I did.

[whyandaccount]

My wife has one and LOVES IT! I’m not allowed near it for fear of breaking it. Based on “happy wife, happy life” how could I not recommend it.

[alseyb]

Will the recipes be available if you are outside of Wi-Fi range?

[tlamont]

G'Day Erin,
Great video, I have a TM31.
No screen, everything is manual.
I love it and use it heaps.
I call it my $2K mashed potato maker :)

[frontgateloadingdock]

Do you have access to your own recipes that you've converted if you're not paying the yearly subscription to their database of recipes?

[headerahelix]

Paying 2k for something and still being expected to pay a subscription just to use it seems ridiculous.

[saulrodriguez]

Thank you for the review, what's the dimensions on the product?

[Karla_Finch-Cluff]

Thank you for this review, especially showing the peeler in action!
I have wanted a Thermomix for a long time, I think since the Tm35, to me back then was mind-blowing!
By the time I can afford a Thermomix I wonder which version they will be on? Unless Tm6 will gain enough updates to have the longest life 🤩

[halfdom]

This was supposed to be a comment to a person who questioned whether there would be a newer version when they bought Thermomix

[JWeir-pqgf]

Needs screen inversion function and text size adjust for visually impaired

[halfdom]

there is a video on YouTube about the TM7 in the future. I suggest you search for it. Given the flexibility of the TM6 and the fact that they can add features remotely. It is highly unlikely a TM7 is in the near future.

[danielraiter]

One of the best reviews I have seen, and I have seen quite a few, well done and thank you.

[dankelley]

Wow, crazy expensive to replace some kitchen gear you already own & along with a yearly gotcha subscription, it’s a nonstarter!

[grahaml]

Definitely wouldn't mind giving that a try if fact I think I would use that a lot

[OMGWTFLOLSMH]

I've seen them used on superyacht videos. Intriguing, but I'm not interested in any appliance that requires wifi, apps or subscriptions. I've been burned too many times by companies obsoleting their products and not providing future support. Then you're stuck with an expensive boat anchor/paperweight. Like my Swann security system. They no longer support the app that works on iPhones for my model, so I can't upgrade my phone to a newer model or my current OS, without losing the ability to monitor my system. 4 cameras and a DVR will soon be useless. It's only as good as the software and its support.