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01.Introduction
We review three all-in-one kitchen machines, priced from $329 to $1934.
We've rated each appliance for:
performance, and
ease of use.
The Thermomix has been around since the 1960s, when it first launched in Germany as a food processor. After many years of innovation, it found its way onto the Australia market in 2000, combining the functions of 10 appliances in one unit.
We first tested the Thermomix as a "first look" back in 2010. Since then a number of young pretenders have sought to topple the king of kitchen machines, and members have been clamouring for us to test their claims directly against the Thermomix and see whether it really does justify its high price.
Our home economist, Fiona Mair, has tested these machines and is impressed with the performance of all of them. They are true multi-taskers that can chop, beat, mix, whip, grind, knead, mince, grate, juice, blend, heat, stir and steam. The Thermomix and Thermochef even have inbuilt scales.
For more information about benchtop appliances, see Kitchen.
Our findings
While all the machines are capable of a number of tasks, its ease of use that sets them apart. The Bellini and Thermochef both come close to the Thermomix on performance. But when it comes to ease of use, the Thermomix is miles ahead, leaving only one clear winner.
The Thermomix is undoubtedly the best kitchen machine on the market, which is why we score it above the others. Whether its $1500 or so better than the Bellini depends on how much you value clear instructions and a fiddle-free life.
We also looked at the Kenwood Cooking Chef - it's different in design to the other all-in-one machines and we felt it was unfair to compare it directly. It looks like a traditional Kenwood Chef benchtop mixer, but with an induction heating element that allows you to cook food in it as well. See What to Look For, for more information about the Cooking Chef.
Brands and models tested
Bellini Intelli Kitchen Master BTMKM510W
ThermoChef Natura
Thermomix TM31
How we test
Performance our home economist, Fiona Mair, assesses the functions of the kitchen machines by conducting a range of tests from chopping, to kneading, to braising and making risotto, steaming and crushing. A total of 16 tests are conducted on the machines and the results are averaged into the overall performance score.
Ease of use Fiona assesses how easy the controls are to use, the general ease of use of the machine and how easy it is to clean and store.
02.What to buy
Thermomix TM31
Scored 90/100 | $1939 (A)
90%
Good points:
Excellent results for all performance tests except for mixing a heavy batter.
Very easy to use.
Quantities will feed up to 6 adults.
Very easy to clean all components dishwasher safe.
Healthy eating as it reduces the need to buy processed foods.
Reduces food costs as less processed food needs to be purchased.
Cooks for a large crowd.
Easy to adjust recipes to suit your own tastes.
Can be used as a cooktop, food processor, grinder, blender, hand mixer, benchtop mixer, mincer, steamer, rice cooker.
Comprehensive instruction booklet and recipes that are easy to follow.
Scales that can be used as you go.
Standby mode- switches to standby after 15 mins when not in use.
Bad points:
Expensive.
Some mixtures can boil over into lid (lid has provision for any spillages).
Boiled over slightly when cooking mash potato, mash potato browned on the bottom of bowl.
03.Compare results
Instructions
Comparison table list
By default ALL tested products are listed. You can select up to five items to view in a side by side comparison.
Additional columns can be viewed by using the Next/Previous buttons.
Using the filters
Use the filters to show only products that meet your specific requirements or which have the specific features you're interested in. Selecting filters automatically updates the Comparison table list.
The number shown in brackets represents the number of products that will be shown if you select that filter.
You can view additional filters by selecting the Show more filters button.
Results table:Compare kitchen machines
Scores Cost Features Specifications Comments
Products tested:
Overall Score Cooking performance score (60%) Ease of Use Score (40%) Price ($) Cord Storage Pulse function Blade/attachment storage Scales Noise Comment Safety features Exterior Temperatures Accessories Dishwasher safe Max Bowl Capacity (ml) Dimensions (H x W x D) (cm) Weight (kg) Contact Good Points Bad Points
Thermomix
TM31 90 90 90 1939 (A) yes yes yes yes High speed - very noisy (short time) Lower speed - noisy (churning sound longer time) Machine will not operate unless lid is locked into position Jug can become very hot at high temperature All parts dishwasher safe except unit 2000 30 x 28.5 x28.5 (excludes Varoma/steamer) 6.3 thermomix.com.au Excellent results for all performance tests except for mixing a heavy batter.
Very easy to use.
Quantities will feed up to 6 adults.
Very easy to clean all components dishwasher safe.
Healthy eating as it reduces the need to buy processed foods.
Reduces food costs as less processed food needs to be purchased.
Cooks for a large crowd.
Easy to adjust recipes to suit your own tastes.
Can be used as a cooktop, food processor, grinder, blender, hand mixer, benchtop mixer, mincer, steamer, rice cooker.
Comprehensive instruction booklet and recipes that are easy to follow.
Scales that can be used as you go.
Standby mode- switches to standby after 15 mins when not in use.
Expensive.
Some mixtures can boil over into lid ( lid has provision for any spillages).
Boiled over slightly when cooking mash potato, mash potato browned on the bottom of bowl.
Bellini
Intelli Kitchen Master BTMKM510W 74 87 55 329 no yes no no High speed - very noisy (short time) Lower speed - noisy (churning sound longer time) Machine will not operate unless lid is locked into position. Error messages if the bowl is incorrectly placed, the motor has overheated, blades jammed Jug can become very hot at high temperature All components are dishwasher safe. It's recommended not to leave them in the dishwasher for long periods of time 2000 31 x 40 x 23 40 x 45 x 23 (includes steamer) 5.1 belliniappliances.com.au Good overall.
Very good for cooking performance.
Incorporates 9 different functions that can replace some small appliances.
Quantities will feed up to six adults.
The blades are very easy to assemble and disassemble.
The unit is very stable on bench during operation.
The cooking time, temperature and speed can be adjusted at any time without the need to stop the machine.
Exterior has very few cracks and crevices easy to wipe over smooth surfaces.
Digital display can be difficult to read unless at eye level.
Quite noisy during operation on a higher speed.
Jug vibrates when mixing heavy dough's.
Jug can get very hot during cooking.
No cord storage.
Baked on food can be difficult to clean from the bottom of the jug.
Lid can be a little stiff to close and open.
Difficult to determine which is the stirrer blade and the chopping blade. (chopping blade has a small area where the blade is quite sharp).
Recipe book is very poor for an appliance that requires clear instructions initially.
Boiling liquids can bubble up out of the lid hole around the measuring cup and splash onto the bench.
Braising meats and vegetables can become shredded.
Slow to respond to temperature change, especially reducing from a high temperature.
The jug can move slightly with a heavy load.
Difficult to remove heavy batters and dough's from around the blade, scraping the sides of the bowl is not smooth with the ridges.
If the machine is stopped at all to scrape the sides of the bowl or to check the food, the temperature, time and speed need be programmed again.
Thermochef
Natura 74 80 65 795 (B) no (cord is detachable can be stored in side jug) turbo boost yes yes High speed - very noisy (short time) Lower speed - noisy (churning sound longer time) Machine will not operate unless lid is locked into position Jug can become very hot at high temperature All parts dishwasher safe except blending bowl 2000 30 x 34 x 28 (excludes steamer) 6.3 newwavekitchenappliances.com.au Incorporates 9 different functions that can replace some small appliances.
Very good for cooking performance.
Quantities will feed up to six adults.
Scales that can be used as you go.
Recipes are limited and some need to be modified. Eg Chocolate mousse, mayonnaise.
Difficult to remove heavy batters and dough's from around the blade, scraping the sides of the bowl is awkward with the ridges.
Can vibrate around the bench with heavy mixtures.
Browning on the bottom during braising can be difficult to clean.
Quite noisy during operation.
Exterior of the jug can get very hot during cooking.
Food can become chopped too finely.
Very difficult to remove and replace the lid and steamer bowl.
Handle is quite wide a slightly uncomfortable grip.
Jug is fairly heavy.
Jug cannot be placed in the dishwasher.
The jug needs to be removed from the base and placed on the scales when weighing this can be annoying when you need to weigh during cooking.
Digital display can be difficult to see unless you are at eye level.
04.What to look for
Controls should be easy to use and comprehend with clear labelling and/or bright digital display.
Inbuilt scale is useful and allows you to weigh food as you go.
Instructions should be detailed and comprehensive, especially if you havent used this type of appliance before. They should also come with a decent amount of recipes to get you started.
As few attachments as possible makes storage easier. The Thermomix, Thermochef and Bellini come with the mixing bowl and lid, simmer basket, stirring attachment, measuring cup, spatula and steaming basket, while the Kenwood comes with all the accessories of a normal benchtop mixer plus an additional food processor attachment.
Comfortable handles that are well-insulated are useful. These bowls can get heavy with a full load and the handles can get hot after long cooking periods.
Surfaces should be easy to clean with few cracks and crevices where food can become trapped.
What about the Kenwood Cooking Chef?
The Kenwood Cooking Chef KM070 ($1999) is different in design to the other all-in-one machines and we felt it was unfair to compare it directly. It looks like a traditional Kenwood Chef benchtop mixer, but with an induction heating element that allows you to cook food in it as well.
While the Kenwood can perform the same functions as the other machines on test, youll need to use separate attachments to achieve the same results that the other ones can do in one bowl.
It comes with a flexible beater, whisk beater and hook attachment for stirring and also a food processor attachment and steamer.
However, there are many optional attachments you can buy for the Cooking Chef that add to the already-hefty price tag while taking up lots of space in your kitchen cupboards. Its very heavy at 14kg and has a three-litre cooking capacity (six litres if youre not cooking).
For performance the Cooking Chef is very good, but only OK for ease of use. The cooking time, temperature and speed can be adjusted at any time without stopping the machine, and the induction heating is very responsive to temperature change. Take care when using high temperatures, as Fiona found the mixing bowl to reach 88°C when cooking at 140°C.
The controls are easy to use and it has a splash guard that contains splatters and makes adding ingredients easier. The unit vibrates and moves along the bench when mixing heavy dough, and the large lift lever can be fiddly when releasing the motor head to open and close.
The large bowl tightens itself onto the unit so it can be difficult to remove, and it can also be awkward to clean in a domestic sink. No parts are dishwasher-safe and the stainless steel exterior and bowl requires more attention when cleaning.
While some parts can be stored in the bowl there is no separate storage box for attachments. According to the instructions the unit is not suitable if you have a pacemaker or other active implant.
The Cooking Chef isnt really necessary if you already have a benchtop mixer and cooktop. For general cooking Fiona found it to be more of an effort than cooking on a cooktop, though she did find it useful when cooking foods that need to be continuously stirred for long periods of time, such as risotto.
About the rest
The Bellini Intelli Kitchen Master BTMKM510W
The Bellini is very good for performance but only OK for ease of use. If youre not familiar with kitchen machines, itll take some time to get used to as its instructions and recipes are limited.
The unit is very stable on the bench, however the jug vibrates when mixing heavy dough. You can make adjustments without turning the machine off, but if you stop the machine to scrape the bowl or check the food youll then need to reset the temperature, time and speed, which can be frustrating.
Its difficult to remove heavy batters from around the blade and scraping the sides of the bowl is awkward. The digital display can be difficult to read unless youre at eye level. While the blades are very easy to assemble and disassemble, the lid can be stiff to open and close and baked-on food can be difficult to clean.
When cooking, Fiona found it slow to respond to temperature change, especially when reducing from high temperature. Boiling liquids can bubble out onto the bench, and meats and vegetables can become shredded when being braised. However, at $329 this model gets the job done and is still worth considering.
The Thermochef Natura
The Thermochef is very good for cooking performance but only OK for ease of use. However, its worth considering as a kitchen machine that has the same features as the Thermomix at less than half the price.
It has a scale, which is useful, however you need to remove the mixing bowl from the base each time to place it on the scale, which isnt ideal if you need to weigh during cooking. It performs well across most cooking tests, although Fiona found the potatoes to be overcooked, resulting in a grainy, watery mash. She was also unable to make mayonnaise from the recipe as there wasnt enough mixture.
The Thermochef is easy to use once youre familiar with it, with fairly clear labeling and push-button controls, thought its large digital display can be difficult to read unless youre at eye level. The lid requires some strength to open and close and we found it difficult to fit (likewise the steaming basket). Recipes with several steps require you to select the function, speed, time and temperature multiple times during cooking, which can become annoying.
Fiona found removing heavy batters difficult, and when mixing wet ingredients liquid can splash out if the measuring cup isnt in position. When braising, browning on the bottom of the bowl and baked-on food can be difficult to clean to help, run through a cycle with water and detergent.
