Thermomix TM6 - Smart Cooker 14-In-1 Smart Kitchen Device

With a retail price of $1,500, the Thermomix TM6 has a lot to prove. That it does, though—as the workhorse gadget can cook, chop, crush, emulsify, whip, mix, steam, blend, knead, grind, simmer, grate, and mill, plus it can function as a kettle, slow cooker, and sous-vide. If you’re short on space or just want one appliance that can really do it all, the TM6 is it. The robust machine is Wi-Fi connected and offers a subscription-based service, Cookidoo, which gives users access to thousands of online recipes. The speed and ease of the Thermomix mean scratch cooking is no longer a chore. Throw away your takeout menus, forget about processed foods, and get your hands on this kitchen gamechanger. 

Design: Sturdy and good-looking

For a machine that can achieve so much, the Thermomix is still reasonably sized. This is a plus as the gadget’s German-engineered construction is far too good-looking to tuck away in a cupboard. The TM6 comes with a gleaming 4-pint stainless-steel jug, generous 6.8-inch full-color touchscreen display, crisp white bodywork, and a variety of attachments. There’s a butterfly whisk for fast meringues and whipping, and a splash guard for cooking sauces at high heat. 

Another handy addition includes the Varoma—a two-tiered steaming basket which sits snugly on the lid. If you were to cook potatoes in the jug, for example, you could pop fish and softer veggies in the Varoma on top, and presto—a complete meal in one go. 

One of our favorite design aspects of the TM6 is its built-in scales.

There’s also a useful measuring cup which fits snugly into the opening of the jug lid and leaves small gaps so that ingredients like olive oil are steadily dripped in while continuously mixing. This function may seem like a minor convenience, but if you (like us) enjoy homemade mayonnaise, it’ll come in handy. 

One of our favorite design aspects of the TM6 is its built-in scales. Being able to weigh each ingredient right in the bowl made cooking so much easier and reduced the typical mess that would result from weighing things with a separate kitchen scale. 

The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm 

Performance: Superbly efficient and terrifyingly fast

The first time we used the Thermomix TM6, its speed and efficiency were staggering. Yes, outwardly, the machine is not dissimilar to a food processor/blender, but that’s where the comparisons end. Within the stainless-steel jug sits a four-pronged super-sharp blade which, depending on the speed setting, can mix delicate pastry, blend soup in seconds, or purée fresh baby food. 

Accessing features and recipes was super speedy.

Crank the machine up to 10, and you’ll end up at a terrifyingly high speed that’s capable of crushing ice, transforming rice or dried chickpeas into flour, and shredding parmesan into fluffy clouds in seconds. Of course, the noise at such speeds is scarily loud, so it’s a good idea to warn others in the room before you turn it all the way up. 

To reverse the blade, simply tap the screen and a non-sharp edge will begin to stir rather than cut. Subsequently, the machine will switch from super-fast to slow—or vice versa—depending on what you’re making. 

Features: So many it’s hard to count

The TM6 boasts an astonishing 20 features, so you can whisk, caramelize, brown, chop, steam, sauté, blend, boil, knead, emulsify, mill, grind, grate, and knead all at the touch of a button. Using the touchscreen cooking functions, we were able to gently stir, heat, and emulsifying a Hollandaise sauce for eggs Benedict in just four minutes. Likewise, 15 minutes was all it took to create the lightest of crème brulées. We were even able to turn the toughest cuts of meat into delicious, rich casseroles thanks to the slow cooker mode which was far from slow. 

No matter what you’re making, timers, precision heating up to 320 degrees Fahrenheit, and the gentlest stirring ability mean you can busy yourself elsewhere while the Thermomix takes care of the cooking.

Using the touchscreen cooking functions, we were able to gently stir, heat, and emulsifying a Hollandaise sauce for eggs Benedict in just four minutes.

Useful new features on the TM6 (not found on other Thermomix models) include the kettle, sous-vide, and fermentation functions. Note that not all features on the TM6’s screen are available unless you are cooking within the Cookidoo subscription feature, though. Subscription-only features include caramelization, slow cooking, and frying. That said, in our test run, the frying didn’t work well and the base of the jug burnt, so we don’t see it as a significant loss. 

A major development on the TM6 is its Wi-Fi connectivity and faster processor, so accessing features and recipes was super speedy. For those who prefer a guided recipe, the subscription feature is a worthwhile investment. The guided recipes tested for an English custard sauce and a bearnaise sauce were easy to follow and the end results were just perfect. Plus, both were made in a fraction of the time they’d take on a stovetop. 

Warning

If your Wi-Fi fails, you won’t be able to access recipes and certain features. If you plan on using the online recipes often, make sure you have a reliable home network.  

Ease of Cleaning: Just watch those blades

The Thermomix is super easy to clean and, apart from the base, is wholly dishwasher proof. The jug and blades come apart with ease, but watch what you’re doing as the blades are extremely sharp and require careful handling. If your recipe leaves burnt food remnants or bits of doughy pastry behind, the machine also has an integrated rinse and wash function so you can pre-wash the tools you’ve used. 

Price: Pricey, but so worth it 

At nearly $1,500, the Thermomix TM6 isn’t cheap, but given that it eliminates the need for other appliances, the super-efficient machine makes a compelling argument. If time is a precious commodity, consider how quickly you can have a freshly cooked meal on the table. For professional chefs, the machine’s speed and efficiency will be like having an extra pair of hands in the kitchen.  

Competition: Nothing compares

There simply isn’t another kitchen gadget that comes close to the Thermomix TM6. Sure, it’s very expensive. But even if you invest in just a handful of other top-of-the-line appliances—like a KitchenAid Mixer, Breville Sous Chef Food Processor, All-Clad Slow Cooker, and Zojirushi Breadmaker, for example—you’d still rack up a $1,500 bill. Eliminate kitchen clutter and amp up your productivity with the all-in-one TM6 instead. 

If you have the budget, buy it. 

Justifying the price for this gadget is surprisingly easy. It can perform 20 different functions and effectively replace all of your other appliances. In the hands of an enthusiastic home cook or professional chef desperate for some help in the kitchen, the machine will pay for itself in no time. That said, if you know it’ll sit on your kitchen shelf mostly ignored, it’s definitely not worth it. Assess how frequently you’ll use it before purchasing.

Specs

  • Product NameThermomix TM6
  • Product BrandVorwerk
  • Price$1499.00
  • Weight17.5 lbs.
  • Product Dimensions113.4 x 12.8 x 12.8 in.
  • What’s IncludedMixing jug, varoma steaming basket, simmering basket with lid, splash guard, butterfly whisk, spatula, measuring cup, built-in Cookido
  • Motor Speed100 to 10,700 RPM
  • Capacity2.2L
  • Warranty2 years