Chopping, steaming, baking, kneading and much more

You can use it to weigh, cook, bake, steam, slice, chop, knead, clean and more: the Thermomix TM5. The price is high, very high, but that doesn’t bother a great many people. In 2015, more than a million units of this all-rounder were sold.  

It won’t win any beauty contests (just like the crock-pot), but the Thermomix does replace many kitchen tools in one fell swoop. It has an integrated scale and a chopper for slicing onions, garlic or meat incredibly quickly. With the pulveriser, you can make your own powdered sugar and finely grate Parmesan in seconds. Its biggest advantage is that the appliance also heats up, including a thermometer, allowing you to cook, stew and bake with precision. Thanks to the kneading and baking function, your bread machine can also go on Marktplaats.

Apple

The first version of this appliance came onto the market in the 1970s. Since then, a great deal of work has gone into its development. The design department says it took a lot of inspiration from Apple. Hence the white colour and simple control buttons.

The German company does not know exactly what accounts for the Thermomix’s growing popularity. Perhaps sales through Tupperware-style parties create a snowball effect. Spain and Italy lead the way in terms of sales. Around three hundred units are sold every day in these countries. That’s quite something, considering the appliance costs no less than 1100 euros.

Tupperware party

Since 2005, the appliance has been sold in the Netherlands through a website and special Tupperware-style parties. The company rewards good salespeople with earrings, bracelets and all kinds of titles, such as honorary member of the Rose Club or the Diamond Club. In return, the saleswomen report every week how many of these all-rounders they have sold.

This Amsterdam chef can’t live without the Thermomix

The internet is full of videos in which female home chefs praise the Thermomix and prepare recipes. The videos look a little clumsy, but don’t be fooled: this ugly appliance is a genuine cooking robot. Here you can see how to make your own mayonnaise in next to no time. Say goodbye to that tired arm.

Image: Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa