Do we all need a Thermomix? thermomix.com.au

Don't get me started on Thermomix.There is a craze in my office...

Thermomix is definitely beyond my we-just-bought-a-house-omg budget. But I shall investigate a KitchenAid...

There's something about the Thermomix that makes me squeamish, like Amway. It all seems too good to be true. But I've never even seen one in action. Susannah, do Excellent Cakes come out of them?

And then there's sous-vide...

When it comes to sous-vide and other foodwankery, I feel that we have to leave something for when we go to restaurants. This is why I never make sushi.

It will be interesting to see whether something that seems like food wankery now will be absolutely standard in our children's and grandchildren's kitchens though. Sous-vide seems like it might be one such thing, because it's low-maintenance and low-energy.

The Cake Maker does not, in fact, own one. Although I believe she has been to a demonstration. Sheralyn swears by hers. And now to google sous-vide...

Oh yes - it makes me think of Adrian Mole and boil-in-the-bag

This is true. I also wonder if there's stuff we'll find out we've been doing All Wrong - like how people did actual cooking in the microwave in the 1980s.

The one-appliance aspect of the Thermomix is attractive. BUT IT IS NOT SHINY RED ENAMEL. So it fails on that front.

Or shiny PISTACHIO enamel. Also it's triple the price.

Hard to imagine making risotto in ugly thermomix when I enjoy using my perfect copper pan given to me by @virginia. Aesthetics of cooking matters.

My sis-in-law desperately wanted a thermomix, not sure if she got one. From her explanation, the only benefit I could see was as timesaver - she has four kids, job etc so I can see why she wants it. But I still don't really get the appeal and agree it sounds like Amway. Evangelists everywhere.

My two brothers in law r sous vide fiends - one is a chef & other a gadget freak. I have eaten sous vide stuff that is freakin unbelievably delicious and moist (eg chicken breast) in a way I don't know how you would get otherwise, but it still seems a palaver to me. Gadget freak b-in-law does mini catering for friends, school bbqs etc and uses the sous vide for that sstuff - like cooking steaks perfectly, ready for 1min searing on bbq then into a bun for steak sambo perfection. Great for 200 steak sangers but otherwise I can't see the joy. He is one of the Boy Performance Cooks who wants a new gadget every week.

I agree Helen aesthetics matter! Nothing like a lovely cast iron enamel pot and a nice knife. All other things are secondary.

I wonder about the energy usage of a Thermomix as well. I dont know the stats, but I imagine it is way less efficient than gas.

I just want an appliance which says 'You are going to cook x tonight' and I want it to be pretty. So that seems to preclude the thermomix.

Probably the iPad is the closest thing we have to a pretty appliance that tells us what to cook tonight... and I do think that the iPad is my favourite kitchen addition in years. Of course, I currently have no kitchen at all.

iPad + Aga... Of course if you don't have an Aga *shrugs*

I have to say, the "appliance" I use most is my little Tupperware herb chopper. I use it to make curry paste, mince garlic or onions, herbs for salad, salad dressing, dipping sauces. It's like a tiny blender, except it requires no electricity and you can stick the whole thing in the microwave. tupperware.ie