Thermomix

What it is

Thermomix is a multifunctional kitchen appliance made by Vorwerk of Wuppertal and sold as Bimby in some markets. It combines a mixing bowl with a powerful motor, blades, a heating element and a scale. The first heating mixer, the VM 2000, was introduced in 1971 and is regarded as the original Thermomix. Recent generations include the TM5 of 2014, the TM6 announced in 2019 and the TM7 of 2025.

How it works

The appliance combines functions that would otherwise require several devices. The motor drives a blade that can chop, mill, knead, emulsify and stir at different speeds, while a heating element in the base of the bowl cooks the contents at controlled temperatures. A built-in scale weighs ingredients directly in the bowl. Since the TM5, a touchscreen guides users through recipes step by step and sets time, temperature and speed automatically. The newest models connect to an online recipe platform and support functions such as slow cooking, fermentation and sous vide.

Why it stands out

The Thermomix was an early example of a connected kitchen device that changed how people cook at home. Guided cooking lowered the barrier for inexperienced cooks and made complex dishes achievable. Vorwerk's direct sales model, in which independent advisers demonstrate the appliance in customers' homes, created a loyal community and has been compared with multilevel marketing by critics. The Thermomix has become Vorwerk's largest source of revenue.

Where you meet it

Thermomix appliances are found in home kitchens, often after a cooking demonstration by a Vorwerk adviser. They have a devoted fan community that shares recipes online, and some professional chefs use them for sauces, purées and doughs.