Europe's Miracle Kitchen Appliance
by StellaCadente*
on February 22, 2010
Yesterday's post on my favorite new-to-me utensils and dream kitchen wish list sparked a conversation between my former classmate Scott and me. He reminded me about the Bimby (also called the Thermomix), an appliance found in many Italian kitchens. Now, in my kitchen I only saw the Bimby used to blend soup. But in Scott's kitchen in Abruzzo, it was used to perform a whole host of tasks. Watch the video above to see what I mean. If it doesn't sell you instantly, then you are not a red-blooded American consumer! The only catch is, they aren't that easy to come by in the States. This article by Amanda Hesser explains why.
Does anyone out there have one? If so, how has it changed the way you cook?
--StellaCadente*
quieti on March 01, 2010 at 06:52 AM
I don't see this taking off in the US. This is a great tool if you make a lot of soups, sauces, or custard-y things, but most American cooks don't do that. For very specific tasks, this gadget can save you a lot of time and yield a superior product. The question is, how often do you do those specific tasks? I can make terrific ganache in less than 5 minutes now, and buttercream doesn't take me too much longer. While I believe that the Thermomix would produce a better product, is the increase in quality worth it?
You can use a food processor to chop if you're going to puree it eventually -- but if not, then you end up chopping by hand to get uniformly sized, attractive pieces. The Thermomix has the same problem.
And the footage of the lobster bodies being turned into soup? I just hope the chef is able to strain out all the little bits of shell after it's been pulverized. Nothing like a *crunch* to ruin your lobster bisque experience.
drmrforman on March 01, 2010 at 07:10 AM
Just called Vorwerk USA. They don't expect to have any of these for sale anytime soon and have been told "sometime after 2011." They were apparently sold here last in 2004.
Good luck trying to find one!
Ardvark on March 01, 2010 at 07:18 AM
Is there a punch line here?
BunnyMomRocks on March 01, 2010 at 07:57 AM
I saw a friend of mine in Germany use one at her home. All I can say is instant lust! She made ice cream in a matter of minutes without a lot of mess. The built in scale function is wonderful. I looked to buy one when I returned to the US and was disappointed I could not. I will keep looking and hopefully it will return soon. It does the function of several kitchen appliances at once and for someone with limited kitchen space that is wonderful!! As a busy Mom using something that keeps cleanup to a minimum and allows me to work faster is worth the money. Just watching the video I kept thinking of things I would use it for in my weekly recipes. It's such a smart idea......please bring them to the US sooner rather than later!
Guest User on March 01, 2010 at 08:30 AM
Do countries like Spain and Italy tend to buy a machine like this instead of the two similar appliances an American would be more likely to own, i.e. a food processor and a crock pot? This looks like the ideal appliance for someone who is very short on kitchenspace, and needs a machine to perform 3+ tasks that would normally be spread out over at least two appliances and five linear feet of counterspace in a US kitchen.
But, for those same reasons, I can't see this being useful in most US kitchens.
StellaCadente* on March 01, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Apparently they sell about 200K a year of these in Spain...My understanding from the cursory research I did was that it is meant to be the "go to" appliance in a small kitchen, but they are very adamant about training the customer to use the product correctly. You cannot purchase it without being privy to a demonstration.
drmrforman: Aw rats, thanks for letting us know!
BunnyMomRocks: Maybe I will try to smuggle one out on my next trip to Europe!
Bonnie on March 01, 2010 at 11:44 PM
I'm so so lucky to own a Thermomix in my kitchen. I like to stir fry vegetables and make hot drink for breakfast. With Thermomix, it's very easy to host friends with 6 courses from hot meal to gelato. Own a Thermomix to enjoy your life!
Carmelina on March 02, 2010 at 08:00 AM
Buy one...you will love it!!!
Have owned a Thermomix since last October, has revoluzionized the way I cook and my busy life (faster, healthier, tastier, etc.).
Even my children are excited and help to prepare meals.
There is a distributorship in Vancouver. For U.S. residents, pick one up here. It will be even more economical for you. E-mail if interested. I might change my profession!
StellaCadente* on March 02, 2010 at 09:39 AM
Carmelina--thanks for the tip on the Vancouver angle. Border run!
Helene on March 02, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Great discussion. I got one in August last year and it has changed my cooking beyond belief. I went from being a skeptic, to using it, on average, about 3 times a day. But I loved cooking before I got this... only thing was, I didn't think I would ever use an 'appliance' of any kind, as I have always loved using my hands and a good sharp knife. Many US residents simply order from the Canadian distributor closest to them. There is lots more info and videos on my blog at www.superkitchenmachine.com and no, I don't sell these. I became a blogger after trying the machine and being so shocked at how good it is, and how it is virtually unknown here. I have mixed feelings on whether or not it would ever take of in the US. Yes, they insist on 'teaching' how to use it, but I think much of that teaching can be done on line. No -- correction -- I believe ALL of that teaching can be done online these days. I think the business model for this product needs updating.
Cheers,
Lyndita on March 02, 2010 at 10:05 PM
I can get you YOUR OWN THERMOMIX Now and show you how to Save Time, Energy and Money!!!
I cannot live without my best kitchen helper, Thermomix TM31! neither can my husband when I am not around!! Yes, I will ship to U.S. no problem. I am an authorized Vorwerk Thermomix consultant here in Alberta, Canada. Cookbooks are available in serveral languages making cooking fun and easy for all.
StellaCadente* on March 03, 2010 at 11:14 PM
Helene and Lyndita thanks for chiming in. Lyndita, I am saving my pennies. I will keep you in mind when I am ready!
Natasha on April 23, 2010 at 01:00 PM
i'm about to order one from the distributor in Canada, back in portugal everyone has one, and there it costs 2x the national minimum wage..... even so everyone has one. I was skeptical at first till i finally realized how much healthier i'll be able to eat and how much money i will not have to spend on cheap fast food lunches at work..... the TM31 can cook me lunch while i get ready to go to work..... and it can also bake me fresh break every morning.... pretty amazing. i'm sold.... love to cook but after a 9hr day work and 3 hours seating in traffic, who has time to cook 3 meals a day?
Maria on June 30, 2010 at 09:41 AM
I live in Atlanta but all my family lives in Spain. All my cousins (25) have one and everybody loves it. I would like to buy one, and I guess that I can get one from Canada. Can anybody send me a web page or how to contact them?
Thanks a lot
Queenie on July 10, 2010 at 03:19 PM
I purchased one from Fantan easycooking. Very impressed with their professional service, fast and efficient. You can get the ordering information from the website: www.easycooking.ca
Barbra on January 13, 2011 at 04:47 PM
Hi
Could you please let me know if you are the Alberta or specifically Edmonton Thermomix distributor. I would like to have a demonstration of this product with purchases of it.
thank you
Barbra