Questions before we buy a TMX! Longevity and more.

[judydawn]

Hi VMC513 welcome to the forum.  I can understand your hesitancy regarding price & warranty but rest assured your machine will last you many, many years and if, after the warranty period is over, you have a problem it really doesn't cost that much to have it fixed.  The service provided by HO is very good.  I've had mine over 5 years and it's done a lot of work over the years with only minor problems.  The lid seal needs replacing occasionally, you will know when by the fact liquid will run down the side of the bowl when you are self-cleaning it or making smoothies for the family. It's always handy to have a second bowl so go down that track when they are on special so that if there's a problem with one bowl you can always pop the other one on.  If you overload the machine (*by trying to chop something like a bowlful of huge chunks of pumpkin  ), eventually the blades will be stripped which means you need new blades so follow recipes and you will be OK.  This is a top quality machine and a great work horse.  Just before my 2 year warranty was up I had a problem (described above *) and when it went away to be checked, I was told it had done 2,500 hours in that first 2 years - it even has a black box. 

[cookie1]

Welcome vmc13. the chances of buying a TMX after you see it in action are fairly high. The demonstration shows it off well, but as you will see from looking through the forum it does heaps of other work.
I agree with what we have all said above and just thought I would add a bit more to help you decide. Occasionally some people buy a machine and don't use it. I have a friend like that. However when I visit her I see her doing a lot of cooking 'the hard' way. One day I will be brave enough to point out to her that she could use the thermomix.
I think it is very important in the first couple of weeks to use it at least once or twice every day. Soon you will see how useful it is.

Quite honestly this forum has been instrumental in me getting the most from my machine. Others give me recipes and ideas that I would never have thought of by myself. I am sure that I have paid for  my machine at least twice in the savings I have made on bread alone.

[Cuilidh]

In addition to Cookie's comments - WHEN (not if!) you get your TMX I think it is very important to actually keep it on your bench top because if it is hidden away in a cupboard you will not be so eager to pull it out and set it up several times a day to use it.  Accessibility, most especially in the early days, is so very important.

You will have gathered that we are all keen users, and there is a good reason for that, the machine has changed the cooking habits of nearly all of us and there are very few that regret the decision to purchase their TMX.  Some have saved up for years so that they can buy their machines, so, if you decide to go ahead, just wait until the time is right for you and you feel comfortable to make the purchase.  I am sure you won't regret it.

[gertbysea]

Welcome to the forum Ballardelle & vmc513. 

I have had my machine 5 years and use it several times a day most days. I also bought another bowl set which I keep for "best". Very handy . Last year I suffered an "incident" when cockroaches got Iinto the motor and caused havoc. I did have to pay for the repairs but was happy to do so. Efficiently done.

I have never had a problem with the blades at all.

If you want it and can afford it have it as you will use it.

Making bread alone can save a lot of money. My DH's bought a loaf the other day and it was over $6. Yikes.

Gert

[mcmich]

WOW, $6 for a loaf of bread  Cheap as in TMX 

[achookwoman]

Gert,  the ingredients in that loaf of bread probably cost $1.
Once you learn the potential of the TMX you will not only save money but have fun.

[gertbysea]

And it was disgustingly wet and tasteless. Helga's something or other went mouldy in two days. He has been warned.  I guess he just wanted something different and I was not I the mood to make the loaf he wanted. He can have good ole shortcut fake sourdough any time but I have to plan for the seeded stuff as I am cleaning out the pantry for the next few months and the plan  is not to buy anything I absolutely  do not need. Though I am down to only 2 X 800 gm jars of anchovies!

Gert

[Halex]

I reckon a great loaf costs well under $2, but a loaf from bakers delight or so ewhere is closer to $6. I make a lot of bread styles here too.

I have used my machine 3 times today, & I havent even done any cooking.

Tonight will use it to cook rice as we are having curry from the freezer. So 4 times in 1 day & imo not cooked at all.