Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: runnybabbit on May 01, 2012, 05:50:36 am
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Okay, so about a month into my Thermie ownership, and I just don't use our blender, stick blender or food processor anymore. I just need some help convincing myself to donate them to poor uni students or something. So -- have you gotten rid of your other appliances, and do you regret it? Or do you still use your pre-TM appliances from time to time?
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I haven't got rid of mine simply because they will be given to DD when she shifts out. I never use the rice cooker, stick blender and blender any more. I still use the bread machine occasionally and my hand mixer.
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:( i have added to my collection, sad but true
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Hi runnybabbit,
Congratulations on getting your Thermie.
When I first bought mine I thought that I should get rid of all the things I used before TM. I'm pleased though that
I kept my Kitchenaid and my stick blender. Even though I have a second bowl, I find the stick blender useful when I cook several dishes. For e.g. if I forget to grate something small before I start cooking. The Kitchenaid is good for making large quantities of things especially large cakes and pavlovas.
Hope that helps :)
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Ok I never had any of that except a blender which I gave away. I consider my oven a slow cooker but everyone is talking about a pressure cooker. BWAAAAAAA!
Gert
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I got rid of my food processor and cheap and nasty mixer. But I would love a new better mixer (like a kitchen aid ) I still have my bread maker but don't use it. If I put it up in the roof I will have room for a mixer :)
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I've actually been using my stick blender lately to whip up a little bit of cream for something rather than beat the whole container of it. I never used to use it for whipping cream so don't even know what made me try it but it is so simple and then it rinses out under the tap. Gave the food processor and rice cooker away though, certainly no need for them anymore. Keeping the mixmaster although I don't use it very often to justify keeping it - I think the fact that it was one of the first things I bought myself many years ago when I returned to work is what is making me hold onto it.
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i got rid of nothing and i have a lot of stuf!! i still use al of them occasionally for something or other....i have even bought EXTRA things since I got my TM
dont believe the hype!
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When I got my Thermo I boxed everything away, for DD and DS when they leave home. Its been 6 months now and I haven't touch the box since, now just waiting for the kids to leave ;D
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I did give the food processor to my mum although bought a tefal fresh express for grating and slicing. I can't part with my crock pot but it is very old and I'm considering a multi cooker or new slow cooker and pressure cooker. I still have and use my bread maker. While the TMX gives a much better knead, if I'm cooking a regular loaf I will knead in TMX and cook in bread maker - especially in summer to save heating up the kitchen. Nope doesn't look like I've given up anything. Oohh and I want a vegetable spirally thing.
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:) Hi I got rid of so much in appliances when I bought my thermomix 2 1/2 years ago.
I have bought a nu wave 5 in 1 pressure cooker though.
I also have a kitchen aid mixer.
Robyn :)
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Thank you everyone. I think I'll get rid of the blender and keep the hand blender, hand mixer and food processor -- if nothing else, for slicing. Although we also have a mandoline (?) slicer thing... Ah well.
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Mcmich, do you like the tefal grater and slicer? I nearly bought it but then decided not to since it looked like it was an awkward two hand operation. Am I right?
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I still use my old breadmakers (to make the dough) when I am making several loaves of bread. So I can have them ready for the oven at the same time.
And my mix-master makes an appearance at times. Old habits are hard to get rid of. ;)
And I still use my very tired rice cooker. When it dies I want to replace it with a New-Wave 5 in one and get rid of several slow cookers I have.
I haven't used my stick mixer or my blender since TC arrived and I have boxed up a heap of pots and pans to go to the op shop. I make so much in TC and steam things much more than I expected I would.
The microwave now hardly gets used. :-\
My oven now is in constant use tho. ;D
I have had to add a marble slab to roll cookies on :-))
And I seem to need a lot of new cake tins lately :o
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I kept everything!....and there is no plans to rid any of them. I would suggest to wait a little before off loading....you may be surprised when you look to use some things, I know I still do, and that's using the TM on a daily basis.
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I gave my moulinex food processor to my FIL - but I never used it, too much trouble to get it out of the cupboard & figure out how to put it together. That thing came with about 100 attachments! Also donated my rice cooker to the school fete - I have a microwave rice cooker which suits me better. Kept the stick blender with all it's attachments & also the slow cooker - I can't see myself getting rid of those. Like some others I've now got more cake tins etc.
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I gave my food processor to DH's neice when she got married recently. Like Deedub, I rarely used it before as it had too many attachments. However, since the TMX I have purchased both a yoghurt maker and an ice cream maker to handle the 'finishing stages' of making these in the TMX.
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I gave my Kewnwood plus all attachments to my two daughters who share a flat but then I earned another TM and they got my old one - don't know whether they ever use the Kenwood. I haven't used stick blender or rice cooker but regularly use my slow cookers and a hand blender occasionally.
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I lined up all the appliances I had stacked in the cupboards . .processor, blender, stick blender, coffee grinder (for spices, etc) ice cream maker, yogurt maker, scales, slow cooker, kitchenaid, hand mixer, bread maker that have accumulated over the years. . . . none have gone yet, but definitely on the "to go" list are the processor, yogurt maker (although the jars are perfect for veg stock, etc.), bread maker . . . and the others I'll hold onto for the time being - although the Kitchenaid will definitely stay. I do find the scales come in handy and the slow cooker, particularly in winter. Would certainly survive with just the TMX but the others are "like to haves" ;D
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I haven't gotten rid of anything to date. Just never know when I will need it.
I have a 3 tier steamer I no longer use and am looking at donating it to the school kitchen.
I am considering an ice cream maker for Mothers Day. The old 1.5L models are reduced to $79 at Robins Kitchens. Just don't know if it is really necessary as we don't eat alot of ice cream. What do you think????
DG ;D
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Mcmich, do you like the tefal grater and slicer? I nearly bought it but then decided not to since it looked like it was an awkward two hand operation. Am I right?
Courton, I find the tefal express (http://www.tefal.com.au/All+Products/Food+Preparation/Fresh+Express/Products/Fresh+Express/Fresh+Express.htm) really easy to use (one hand) and doesn't take up much space to store.
There is s thread on it somewhere here. Also Target has $10 off it this week.
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I got rid of my food processor, my stick blender, electric mixer, and bread machine. I also streamlined my pans (pots). I've occasionally wished I'd kept my stick blender although I rarely feel the lack of it and wonder if I should have kept my bread machine since it was pointed out that dough made in the TM can be baked in the bread machine without the paddle so there's no hole, and it saves switching on the oven. Still, it did take up a lot of bench space so I'd probably have got rid of it anyway. I didn't have a rice cooker.
My big one recently was to get rid of the microwave, because it destroys the nutritional value of many (although not all) foods. I now do my reheating in the TM, using either the bowl or the varoma dependent upon what it is.
However, I DID get a halogen oven so that I don't have to switch the oven on for all the baking I do now with the TM and it's great for so many other things too.
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My big one recently was to get rid of the microwave, because it destroys the nutritional value of many (although not all) foods. I now do my reheating in the TM, using either the bowl or the varoma dependent upon what it is.
I was wondering about this just the other day - especially now that the cooler weather is setting in. Could you give some examples of what you reheat and where, etc.?
I often put frozen fish fillets in the varoma - the salmon fillets come out beautifully.
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Thanks mcmich..will check it out again. :)
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I have had my Thermie for just over 6 months and haven't got rid of a thing, but I must create some more space as I want a water bath, vacuum sealer, pressure cooker and a food dehydrator when I can afford them :'( However at least I now know which items I have stopped using, so I would keep your stuff for a while.
I have decided to keep:
Kenwood Chef (I use it for mixing large quantities of dough)
Magimix for grating and slicing stuff evenly
Stick blender, as it is great for grinding small amounts of spices, coffee etc,
2 slow cookers (one large and one small)
Breadmaker because one forum member (Chookie or JD?) suggested using it to bake bread by removing the paddle, although the mixing is done by hand or in the TM or in the Kenwood
3 tier steamer (not electric), because I am attached to it ???
Hand mixer because DH is terrified of the larger appliances and makes an awful mess when using the stick blender
Tomato press because DD gave it to me
However, I do intend to get rid of:
Kitchen scales as I have 2 identical sets
Rice cooker and steamer - was only bought because DH could never make decent rice in a saucepan :-))
Asparagus steamer as I now do that in the TM
Couscousier ditto
So I would think very carefully before getting rid of your existing stuff ...
JB
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Tomato press and Asparagus steamer, google them now i have never seen them b4
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ok i know the Tomato press very well :-)), but not the asparagus steamer.
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ok i know the Tomato press very well :-)), but not the asparagus steamer.
I thought you might recognise the tomato press as the only ones we can get here are made Italy. I use it when I buy boxes of tomatoes from a local nursery towards the end of summer when they are nice and ripe. Brilliant for gazpacho and tomato sauces.
I suspect that asparagus steamers are quite a British thing. You put the asparagus into it vertically and fill it up with enough water to cover the thicker stalk end so that the tips are just steamed to ensure even cooking, but I find that the TM does it just as well. A lot of it is grown in the Vale of Evesham, which is very near to me, but the growing season is so short, I don't think the steamer warrants the shelf space :(
JB
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I got rid of my blender, food processor, juicer and rice cooker. I've kept my stick blender for whipping small amounts of cream.
I've only just put my Kitchen Aid in the spare room. I never use it for cakes, only to churn ice cream and DH doesn't like home made ice cream.
I still have my hand beaters as they belonged to my late MIL.
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My big one recently was to get rid of the microwave, because it destroys the nutritional value of many (although not all) foods. I now do my reheating in the TM, using either the bowl or the varoma dependent upon what it is.
I was wondering about this just the other day - especially now that the cooler weather is setting in. Could you give some examples of what you reheat and where, etc.?
I often put frozen fish fillets in the varoma - the salmon fillets come out beautifully.
If it's complete meals or rice, etc then I heat it in the varoma. If it's liquid based, eg casserole then I do it in the bowl. Most things are steamed, though. The only thing I quickly discovered was to make sure I covered the dish the food was in, I use the lid of the tupperware or a silicone cake tin liner, otherwise it got a bit watery from the water dripping down from the varoma lid. I put 500 ml water in the bowl, varoma speed 3 for 18 minutes covers pretty much everything. If I'm in a hurry then I boil the water in a kettle then I only need 8-10 mins.
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I forgot about my scales - yes, I got rid of them too.
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CW = thanks for that . . .very helpful tips!! :D
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l got rid of my bulky hard to clean juicer and citrus juicer
yoget maker
milkshake maker
soda stream ( never used it any way )
kept the bread maker ( as l like to put it in then walk away )
food processor ( l use to for sliceing and grating maining )
stick mix
rice cooker ( as l like to have it on while l cook a meal in the thermie)
sandwish maker
popcorn machine
snow cone maker ( was a present to my son from a friend )
fruit dryer
l thought l would not need to buy any others boy was l wrong
l have brought a pie maker to use up left over casseroles and to encourage my son to eat
valcum sealer
slow cooker
cake tins and silcone ones to
and would like to buy a ice cream machine and a 5in 1 multi cook( but not shore yet as slow cooker is only one year old )
and thought the mini pie maker would be good too
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What is a snow cone maker and a 5 in 1 multi cook please Nazar?
JB
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I kept everything!....and there is no plans to rid any of them. I would suggest to wait a little before off loading....you may be surprised when you look to use some things, I know I still do, and that's using the TM on a daily basis.
Me too! And I have almost every kitchen appliance readily available (except for the sous-vide thingy) sometimes multiples, but then, I am a "collector" of kitchen stuff.
Do NOT discard all your other kitchen stuff - you never know when you might have an emergency - there have been incidents when the TM needed to go to the "doctor" for treatment and in that case, there isn't much you can do with a knife and a wooden spoon. ;)
Frankly, I stopped trying to beat egg whites in the TM. No matter what I did (and I tried everything) I did not get the volume or texture that I require. In fact, I can get a better result beating the whites by hand with a balloon whisk but I use my KitchenAid or the Electrolux DLX in the auxiliary bowl.
Experience will tell you what you can do without over time. I often use some other appliances while the TM is working on one recipe.
Yesterday I made a sweet risotto "pudding" which took 20 minutes and at the same time grilled some sausage patties and used a stick blender to make a smooth gravy, steamed veggies in the microwave.
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Well said andiesenji! Be watchful before you offload stuff Maddy. Have never tried beating egg whites in the TM and note that several people have the same problem, especially if one is used to a Kitchen Aid or Kenwood. Would be interested in any comments on the subject of whites and the TM ...
JB
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A snow cone maker, is like a slushie, ( shaved ice and cordial)
5 in 1 multi cooker, (google Nu wave 5 in 1 ), its a pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, soup, and rice cooker in one, also browns meat.
I bought one, and love it.
Robyn :)
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JB so far so good, for me with the beating of the egg whites
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I have had Thermie for 15 months now.
I have given my rice cooker away, used to hate the way the rice stuck.
I have kept everything else, but my breadmaker was pretty useless so that will probably go.
Have bought
Food vacum sealer
Ice cream maker
New slow cooker
Le creuset casserole dishes
Endless baking dises
Recipebooks galore TM & non TM
My TM has just given me more passion for cooking & I cant stop.
Hence freezers over fllowing, fridges & pantry, plus items stored in outside kitchen, under our stairs & in spare room!LOL
H :)
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I have had Thermie for 15 months now.
I have given my rice cooker away, used to hate the way the rice stuck.
I have kept everything else, but my breadmaker was pretty useless so that will probably go.
Have bought
Food vacum sealer
Ice cream maker
New slow cooker
Le creuset casserole dishes
Endless baking dises
Recipebooks galore TM & non TM
My TM has just given me more passion for cooking & I cant stop.
Hence freezers over fllowing, fridges & pantry, plus items stored in outside kitchen, under our stairs & in spare room!LOL
H :)
Yup, sounds pretty normal to me. ;D
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I got rid of the rice cooker and the blender. Did keep my waffle maker though ;D
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I know JulieO, seeing it in writing it looks kind of sad, :( but I love cooking.
H ;)
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Not sad at all Hally, I won't get rid of anything of mine, and am always adding to what I do have. ;D
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Thank you Obbie. The 5 in 1 isn't available in the UK its seems, but I doubt if I'd use it that much if it was :(
I will try whisking some egg whites in the TM at some stage Uni and see how it works - it is not a thing I do often though.
And thinking of other appliances, I did weaken and buy a pressure cooker a couple of days ago. Nowhere for it to live though, but will be using it today to make Heston's Marmite Consomée. Have just made the beurre noisette in a saucepan, but does anyone know if it can be made in the TM? I got a bit bored standing over the hob for half an hour :-(
JB ;D
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Julia I think the brown butter has to be heated to slightly higher than available with the Thermomix. I wonder if the Hotmix
Pro gastro could handle that one. A question for Tenina.
Sorry but you will have to stand and watch.
Gert
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Thanks Gert. I will wait with baited breath! According to Heston, the butter should be on a gentle heat (which may explain why it took me so long), but some other recipes seem to indicate a medium heat, so hopfully there will be a gentle way of doing it in the TM :-\
JB
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It is worth a try. If you do it be sure to let us know how. I have burnt it more than once on the stove. It woul be great to achieve it in the Thermomix.
Gert