How much does the Thermomix TM7 cost, and is it worth it? My honest answer

This is the question I get asked most often in private messages, and I understand why: the Thermomix isn't an impulse buy. I thought long and hard about it myself before buying one, so here I try to answer the way I wish someone had answered me, without the salesperson tone.

How much does the Thermomix TM7 cost

The price isn't a single number, and that's the first reason you find confusing information online. It depends on three things:

• The package you choose: machine only, or with accessories like the Slicer, the Thermomix Friend, or months of Cookidoo® included.
• The promotions running at that moment: they change several times a year and sometimes include accessories you'd otherwise pay for separately.
• How you pay: in one payment, or in installments, with or without interest.

That's why you won't find a price written here: it would be out of date within a few weeks, and that wouldn't be fair to you. Message me on Instagram and I'll give you the exact, current price for the package you're interested in, with no obligation.

Can I pay in installments?

Yes, and it's how most people I know choose to buy it. Zero-interest financing is also available, so the total amount doesn't change, you just spread it out over time. The exact terms depend on your situation and the period, so here too I explain them case by case.

One practical tip: if you decide on installments, think about the monthly payment compared to what you're already spending. Many people find the installment is close to what they used to spend on takeout or food delivery in the same month.

Why does it cost so much more than a $300 food processor?

It's the most legitimate question of all, and it deserves a real answer instead of the usual "because it's a Thermomix".

A cheap food processor does one thing well: chops, or kneads. The Thermomix instead weighs, chops, kneads, cooks, steams, whips, toasts and emulsifies, and guides you step by step through Cookidoo recipes. In my house it has replaced the kitchen scale, the stand mixer, the steamer, the immersion blender and the ice cream maker base.

But the real difference, the one that doesn't show up on a spec sheet, is cooking. A machine that doesn't cook saves you five minutes of prep; a machine that cooks at a controlled temperature while you do something else changes how your whole day is organized. It's the reason why I, who never used to cook at all, now make everything at home for my son.

Honestly: it's not the right choice for everyone. If you cook rarely, if you enjoy being at the stove and don't want to hand it off, or if you're just looking for a powerful blender, a $300 appliance does the job and costs a lot less. The comparison only makes sense if you look at how many functions it replaces and how much you'd actually use it.

How much counter space does it take up?

Less than it looks like in photos: roughly the size of a classic food processor. The difference is that the Thermomix stays out on the counter, because you use it every day: you don't have to dig it out of the cupboard every time, which is usually why so many appliances end up forgotten at the back of one.

If you have a small kitchen, also factor in what it removes from the counter: since it arrived, the blender, the scale and the steamer have all disappeared from mine.

Is it worth buying used?

People ask me this sometimes. My take: watch out for warranty and support, which don't automatically carry over on a used machine, and always check that the model is still getting software updates: that's what keeps the guided recipes alive and has added real new features in recent years.

Does the demo mean I have to buy?

No, and I want to say that clearly because it's the doubt that stops the most people. A demo works like this: I come to your home (in-person demos are limited to South Tyrol, Italy), we cook something together, you try the machine with your own hands and ask all the questions you want. Then you decide in your own time, even weeks later, even if the answer is no.

The best way to find out if it's for you isn't reading a spec sheet, it's watching it work on a recipe you'd actually make. If you're interested, let's talk about it: I reply within the day and I won't rush you.