So you have a Thermomix, now what?
Congratulations – you’ve joined the Thermomix family!
Whether you’ve just unboxed the brand-new TM7 or picked up a pre-loved model, the excitement (and maybe a little overwhelm) is real.
The Thermomix isn’t just another kitchen appliance. It’s like having a blender, slow cooker, steamer, food processor, chef (& more!) all rolled into one. But if you’re staring at it wondering, “Okay… now what?” you’re not alone.
Here’s your guide to getting started and making the most of your Thermomix, no matter which model you have.
Unboxing and unpacking
Before you start cooking, you’ll need to unpack your machine! If you are receiving your machine directly, have a chat about opening it up with your consultant. Chances are, they’d love for you to get it out of the packaging and get started with the basics which are included in the information that comes with your machine.
When you first plug it in, you will need to follow the prompts to set it up, including logging into Cookidoo and doing updates.
While it’s doing this, you can wash the goodies to get any residues from shipping/packaging off, and have it ready to cook!
If your machine is second hand, you’ll still need to turn it on and if it’s a TM5 or TM6, get it setup for your Cookidoo account (if appropriate for the TM5) and probably give it a wash!
1. Start simple
The temptation is to dive straight into something fancy. But the magic of the Thermomix is how easily it handles the everyday basics.
- Cook perfect rice or quinoa
- Steam vegetables with zero fuss
- Whip up a smoothie in seconds
- Make healthy hot chocolate
These simple wins build your confidence quickly and show you how powerful the machine is.
2. Learn the core functions
Every Thermomix model – TM21, TM31, TM5, TM6, and now TM7 – has its own bells and whistles. But the foundations are the same including chopping, mixing, blending, steaming, kneading, and cooking.
The TM7 brings even more smart features, but don’t worry if you’ve got an earlier model – you can still create the same nourishing, time-saving and potentially budget-busting meals. The key is learning the basics first.
Get into the ‘modes’ area of your machine and be curious! Give something new a try or at least see how it would work if you needed it.
3. Use guided cooking (if you have it)
If you’re lucky enough to have a TM5 with a Cookkey, a TM6 or TM7, you’ve got access to guided cooking through Cookidoo. This means recipes walk you step-by-step, adjusting times, speeds, and temperatures automatically.
Buying second-hand? You may not have guided cooking – but don’t stress, you’ll still be able to follow recipes from books, blogs, or the Thermomix community and adapt them with practice.
4. Save time, save money
One of the biggest wins is how your Thermomix helps you ditch pre-packaged foods. Things like:
- Grating cheese in seconds (no anti-caking additives)
- Mixing your own doughs, dips, and spreads
- Making stock paste and nut butters at a fraction of the shop price
For families, the cost savings add up fast and you get to enjoy food that’s fresher and more nourishing.
An added bonus with all of these items and many others you can now make with ease, you may be able to use them when you visit others or in making practical gifts for others! Home made ‘hot chocolate mix’, seasonal gifts or when you need to bring a plate along. Now it’s easier to make healthier and cost effective options.
Kristan loves sharing her vegetable stock paste with others at her local monthly community food/plant swap – it’s been a great way to help others with a healthy (& tasty!) staple in their kitchen, and they swap extra plants or produce for Kristan and her family to use at no cost!
5. Build it into everyday life
The Thermomix isn’t something to save for “special recipes”. It’s designed to be used daily. Keep it on your bench, don’t put it away out of sight.
Try setting a challenge for yourself: use it once every day this week. Whether it’s chopping onions, blending soup, or steaming dinner – soon it will feel like second nature.
Common questions
Q: How can I clean my Thermomix in the easiest way?
A: In models that have it, please use the ‘pre-clean’ option. There are different modes depending on how dirty your machine is in the first place.
About 500ml of water, a drop of liquid detergent and you’ll shift most residues.
For browned/cooked-on food, a little sprinkle of dishwasher powder (or a little bit off a dishwasher block) in the ‘browning’ cycle is brilliant.
Kristan wouldn’t be without her brush from TheMix Shop for her family’s machines to finish the job after the pre-clean cycle is done.
Q: I turned my butterfly and/or other components yellow with turmeric… what now?
A: Wash it thoroughly and put it in the sun – this is meant to help! Otherwise, with time the yellow will fade. It shouldn’t impact on the taste of food it’s put in with, in the meantime. If you do lots of curries, it may be worth considering buying a second butterfly for everything else!
Q: My lid smells like onion/leek/garlic… will this impact on my other dishes? How do I get rid of it?
A: The smell shouldn’t impact on most dishes, but if you are doing a particularly delicate meal, you could try one of the following. Again, if you do lots of smelly dishes, but want to avoid the need to ‘de-smell’ it for other dishes, it may be worthwhile investing in a second seal and/or lid.
Q: Someone in our house accidentally put liquid into my Thermomix bowl and the blade wasn’t in place… it has leaked all over the place! WHAT DO I DO?
A: Clean up everything you can that has spilled and contact your consultant. The next steps from here will depend on your model and what has been spilled.
Q: When I’m making certain dishes like sorbet, it sounds like the blades are whizzing around not doing anything. Is my Thermie broken?
A: No! It sounds like you have an air pocket forming. Great time to pull out your spatula, pause the recipe (in a TM7) and stir it around. For models that have a hole in the lid, you can use your spatula with the collar, to stir contents around and this often is enough to move the food around and to get going again.
Getting the most out of your machine for YOUR family
Often the best way to get the most out of your machine is to book in and have a Cooking Experience with your consultant. These can be done in person, or via a virtual session and give you the best way to learn more tips and hints like has been covered in this blog. The best bit is, you can earn host rewards by bringing a couple of friends from different households to attend!
Connect and learn more
Thermomix owners love to share tips, recipes, and hacks.
Join online groups, watch Cooking Experiences/ demos, or connect with a consultant (hi, that’s me 👋).
You’ll discover new ways to save time, reduce stress, and make your Thermomix pay for itself many times over.
Sign up to Kristan’s Thermomix newsletter here.
If you would like to join Kristan’s WhatsApp chat, drop us a line and we can get you set up!
Final thoughts
Your Thermomix TM7 is more than just a shiny new gadget. It’s an investment in your health, your time, and your sanity in the kitchen.
Even if you’re starting with an older model, the essence is the same: less time stressing, more time enjoying real food.
So go on: unpack it, plug it in, and start small. Before long, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.