A few questions

[abundanceatangas]

Hi all,

I introduced myself a few weeks back after I'd had a demo - or was it before? 

I have the money together now to buy myself a thermomixer and have been looking through the forum.  It is such a great forum.  I've been learning heaps and I love it that there are such a lot of healthy ideas.  A couple questions though ...

The lady who demonstrated for me said to buy the "Full Steam Ahead" cookbook I need to have a varoma demo.  Do I need the "Full Steam Ahead" cookbook.  Surely there are recipes for the varoma in the main cookbook.  Will I be able to work out the varoma without a demo?

I read that it doesn't grind grains all that well.  Is that true?  That is one of the main reasons I would like a thermomixer.

I know I had other things I wanted to ask and now I'm drawing a blank!!

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Deb

[quirkycooking]

I grind grains in my Thermomix every day, and it works great!!  I've had one for over 6 years and use it every day and LOVE it - I would definitely say BUY IT!! 

There are plenty of Varoma recipes on the forum and internet, and some in the Everyday Cookbook that comes with the machine - but later on when you are familiar with the machine and ready to 'step it up a level', it is great to have the Varoma demo - the recipes are so yummy and it will really help you to use your Varoma more.

Jo 

[judydawn]

Hi Deb, nice to see you back and all ready to purchase (you introduced yourself before the demo).  Jo is right, just take one step at a time, have the varoma demo a little further down the track if you want to but if you get a chance, have a browse through the book beforehand if you know someone else who has one, it may not appeal to you.  I taught myself the varoma way of cooking so it is not that hard to do and there are plenty of recipes on here - I always say, if you can read you can cook. 

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I absolutely love my thermomix and wouldn't be without it for a day, but I don't think it does a great job at milling grains.  I have seen grain mills in action that do a much better job and produce much finer flour.  I do use it to mill grains most days as I can't afford a grain mill as well, but it is my big complaint about the TM (and it was brought up by other users at the last cooking class that I went to).

Having said that I use my TM at least 3-5 times each day and really do love it.  Our family diet is almost free from preservatives now and so much healthier.  I really do love my thermomix!!!   

[quirkycooking]

I used to have a grain mill (stone ground) but I find the tmx grinds finer than it did, and with a lot less mess!  If I tried to grind maize grain, it would force the stones apart, and I'd have to clean up the mess then tighten the stones and re-grind it - such a pain.

[zebraa]

One of the many reasons   I love it is because  I think it grinds grains so well! Mind you, I have never used a stand alone grinder so have nothing to compare it with.

[meganjane]

Seems we all have differing views on the grinding of grains! It grinds rice really well, but not wheat in my opinion. I've felt the flour from a good grain mill and it was fine and soft. The flour that I made was still slightly coarse and I had to be careful not to overheat.

Jo's Blender Batter idea is fantastic if you're using the flour for cakes or other 'batters'.

I adore my Thermomix and use it every day. I make so many things that I never normally would since I've had it. I have a blog post here about the way I've saved money by not having to buy so many pre-prepared things when I shop.

[andiesenji]

I'm another that has problems with grinding grains in the TMX but I have had a Nutrimill for years and routinely use it because I grind larger batches at a time, not just for one recipe.  Even my VitaMix grinds wheat, especially the soft, white wheat, better than the TMX but it does not produce a true, fine flour, which is why I got the Nutrimill in the first place. 

In the TMX the soft, white wheat I use for southern style biscuits (scones) develops little gummy particles that I have to sift out, otherwise they bake into hard tiny beads in the finished product.  I've put the wheat in the dehydrator for two days prior to grinding, so it is as dry as possible but the results have been pretty much the same.   This is almost my only complaint about the machine.

The TMX is fine for grinding whole grains that are in a "rustic" loaf with cracked grains and seeds and any other product that does not require finely sifted flour. 

That's just my opinion and perhaps my machine does not grind as well as some others do.  I routinely "sharpen" the blades so I know they are not dull, so I know that is not the problem and it has been this way since day one. 

[abundanceatangas]

Thanks for your replies.   What type of grains do you grind, Quirky Cooking?  I think I will need to be able to grind wheat for bread.  I will be grinding rice and other gluten free grains as well.

Andiesenji, does it make a lot of wastage having to sift out the wheat before using?  Although, I guess you just said you use your nutrimill for grinding!

[quirkycooking]

I mostly grind spelt, rice, buckwheat, millet, chickpeas, corn, tapioca, rye (and wheat at demos) - I usually use part wholegrains part plain flour in my breads & baking, unless it's a recipe that's soaked overnight, like the blender-batter baking recipes (and I use about 70% in Artisan bread).  Even when I had my Retsel grain grinder, I found I had to add some plain flour or soak the dough overnight, or else it was way too heavy and crumbly.  If you grind it about 1 1/2 minutes it is finer.  I do find rye doesn't grind as well for some reason - but if you soak your ground up grains in the liquids for the recipe it softens it all.

Here's some of my recipes where I grind the grains in the tmx:
Spelt bread rolls
Spelt Artisan Bread
Spelt Challah (my quick recipe for bread)
Blender Batter Muffins
Blender Batter Brown Rice Waffles/Pancakes
Blender Batter Berry Cake

Hope that helps

[abundanceatangas]

Thanks, I love your blog Jo; seems like my kind of food   My computer is slow to load it and scroll through it though.

Thanks for your help; I just ordered my thermomixer (gulp!)

[earth mumma]

Hi abundanceatangas

I too mill grain in my TM.  I don't have anything to compere it too, but like the results.  As far as the cookbook goes I think JD suggestions are the way to go.  Get yourself familiar with the TM first and then if you are interested have a varoma demo - the new recipes are very yummy. The cookbook usually comes either free (if someone purchases at your demo) or you pay half price for it.  There are loads of great varoma recipes that you can find here to give you a taste.  Enjoy your TM.  I can remember that queasy slight sick feeling I had after I ordered mine.  I had mine for 2 and a bit years now and can't imagine being without it.

[quirkycooking]

Well, I know I NEVER regretted buying mine!  Didn't have a queasy feeling either, just a YIPPEEE  feeling!! 

[Very Happy Jan]

  Didn't have a queasy feeling either, just a YIPPEEE  feeling!! 

Two years on & I still have that feeling.  Love my TMX

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

Congratulations on your purchase!!!  I am sure you won't regret it.  I felt a little worried when I put my order in (it was a spur of the moment thing), but I shouldn't have.  I love my thermomix so much. I was just logging on to suggest that you ask a consultant to mill some grain for you (to take home and try in some wholemeal recipes), but you are all sorted.  Well done!