Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Anaise on November 19, 2009, 11:45:17 pm
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Now I have my Thermomix I am sure I will find myself using other appliances less. and those will be sold.
What appliances have others found they no longer use and have gotten rid of?
I have a food processor
yoghurt maker - def. going
icecream machine - def. going
rice cooker
bread machine
baymix
food dehydrator.
pressure cooker - ???
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If you've only just got your TM, I wouldn't be hasty in disposing of your other appliances just yet. Wait and see over the next few months to see if you still want to use any of them. This is just my opinion on my usage, I hope it's of help. :)
I've had my TM for about 3 months and this is what I've found:
I have a Magimix processor, so it's very good but I haven't used it since getting my TM. However I won't get rid of it because if I want to do a lot of slicing it will be there for me. I must admit this is the only thing that I would now use it for, but I can't think of getting rid of it.
I have an EasiYo yoghurt maker and once I've used up the packets of mixture I will attempt to make it in the TM.
Ice cream machine - I love this and find I'm using it more now than before. The TM is so quick and easy to make the custards then I churn in the machine.
Rice cooker - Again haven't used since getting the TM as that makes enough rice for us. But if I should need to make more rice than the 400g maximum, then the rice cooker would be used.
I still use my bread machine as it's so easy just to put everything in and 3 1/2 hours later lovely bread that I am happy with. I do like to make by hand now and then but if my bread machine packed in I would replace it.
I have a Braun stick blender which hasn't been used since.
I don't have a dehydrator or pressure cooker so can't comment.
I do have a KitchenAid mixer that I wouldn't get rid of, nothing beats a good mixer for cakes, eggwhites etc.
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Now I have my Thermomix I am sure I will find myself using other appliances less. and those will be sold.
What appliances have others found they no longer use and have gotten rid of?
I have a food processorI doubt you'll ever need it unless you're doing multiple things at once
yoghurt maker - def. goingabsolutely - try Canadian Foodie's yoghurt
rice cooker - handy to be able to cook rice while the main is cooking - good for larger quantiites
bread machineI like my tmx bread
baymix I'm giving mine to my sister as haven't used it since TMX
That's my thoughts anyway. In 3 months I've barely used my pots, but my oven is getting a thrashing.
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I agree with JulieO - hold off on any decisions!
I've had my TM for 2 years and here is what I've found.
Got rid of the juicer.
I got rid of my rice cooker, but we are not huge rice eaters and the TM makes enough for us.
I've hardly used my bread machine since I got the TM, but can't bring myself to get rid of it. I would use it on hot days when I don't want to have the oven on.
I have a Magimix,too, but haven't used it at all. Am moving it to our beach house.
Still use the Bamix for quick, small jobs.
Will NEVER get rid of the KitchenAid - I like to bake and, for a perfect cake or pav nothing beats, creams and aerates like it!
I think the ice cream maker and the TM are a match made in heaven! Like JulieO, I use the TM to make the rich custards etc., then fast freeze in the ice cream machine.
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I agree with the girls so far Anaise. Gave away my rice cooker but so far every other appliance is still sitting in the cupboard taking up valuable space. The breadmaker I have rarely got used before and definitely never gets used now, not that I make a lot of bread in the TMX either - I only do it to prove to myself that I can and when and if I find the perfect loaf, maybe will make more. I have used the stab blender on the odd occasion whilst the TMX is being used so wouldn't part with that and it doesn't take up much room either. Have only used the large and smaller version of my food processors for making breadcrumbs whilst the TMX has been busy. Yoghurt maker, not used but then I still haven't perfected the TMX recipes, maybe will try again this summer as there now seems to be foolproof recipes on the forum. My potato ricer will never, ever get used again so that can go. Never lucky enough to have a kitchen aid but my mixmaster is still handy for pavlovas etc as I just can't get the consistency I want in the TMX. So guess it boils down the the fact that apart from the breadmaker, rice cooker & potato ricer I will probably keep the rest for emergencies. I'll keep the yoghurt maker too to use in conjunction with the TMX. Would love a dehydrator to make fruit things for my grandchildren as the natural fruit straps etc are so expensive to buy and also an ice-cream maker as those with one seem to think it does a much better (or easier) job of finishing off TMX ice-cream. Women and their appliances - a match made in heaven.
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i finally gave away my food processor this year after not using it for 18 months
i do still use my stick blender when i make large quantities of soup etc
i need to get rid of my bread maker (kids won't eat the bread anyway)
will never get rid of my rice cooker as the tmx doesn't make anywhere near enough rice for our family
i havne't tried tmx yoghurt yet but do love my easiyos (x2) so not parting with them yet anyway
i still have slow cookers (x3) and hardly used them this winter, cooked in the tmx more instead, but will see if that trend continues this winter or not before getting rid of them.
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3 slow cookers Karen - wow :o :o :o I forgot my slow cooker in my posting. No, I would never give that away. It is a huge one and I can do lamb shanks or osso buco for 8-10 people in it. My DH & SIL would kill me if they went off the menu as they are their favourite meals. Also handy to pop a meal on when I am going to be out all day, late home and don't feel like cooking at the end of the day.
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Ladies, you have to at least try Valerie's yoghurt in the TMX. Give it a go next time you need to buy Easi-yo powder (or whatever it is). All you need is 2 litres of milk and 1/4 cup of yoghurt so it's very real and very cheap.
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I've still got all my gadgets in the cupboard. I hope to give them to DD when she shifts out, but I think she'll be buying a Thermomix.
I no longer use:
The bread maker
The blender
rice cooker
stab blender
my food processer died
juicer
I won't be getting rid of my slow cooker, Kenwood or easi-yo
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I have kept my little hand mixer as the beaters are very quick to wash when in a hurry to whip cream or egg whites. Don't use a slow cooker as I use a pressure cooker which is only 1/3 the cooking time of a recipe. Then apart from the oven, stovetop, kettle and toaster - TM does it all.
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Isnt it funny how one of the selling points of the thermomix is that you dont need anyhthing else in your kitchen! yet almost everyone has kept thing things the TM is meant to replace!! dont let Grace know ;)
I wouldnt get rid of my slow cooker - TM just doesnt cut it for stew type of meals, same with my pressure cooker, if I only have an hour to make a casserole I would use my pressure cooker over my TM
i do wish I had a Kitchen Aid as I think it would be much better for cakes....but I think I will have do to a lot of justifying to get one of those!
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Isnt it funny how one of the selling points of the thermomix is that you dont need anyhthing else in your kitchen! yet almost everyone has kept thing things the TM is meant to replace!! dont let Grace know ;)
I wouldnt get rid of my slow cooker - TM just doesnt cut it for stew type of meals, same with my pressure cooker, if I only have an hour to make a casserole I would use my pressure cooker over my TM
i do wish I had a Kitchen Aid as I think it would be much better for cakes....but I think I will have do to a lot of justifying to get one of those!
I never thought of mentioning the slow cooker before! I have one of them plus a slow combustion stove with a hot oven and a slow oven which I use in winter.
I will never get rid of that either. Some meals need long, slow cooking to develop flavours and break down meat fibres and it is wonderfully comforting to come home at the end of a long day to a hot, rich casserole or stew!
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Haven't thrown out/sold anything. Use them all for different things. If you have space keep some.
Kitchen Aid - egg whites/sausage stuffing/pasta rolling
Food processor - slicing and shredding veg, has ajuicer attachment that I prefer for some juices where I just want juice and no fibre
Rice cooker can keep food warm like slow cookers so I have kept that - don't use often - but.... hoarder
Bamix & Breville stick blender - quick blitzing at times & whipping one egg white.
Food dehydrator - DEFINITELY KEEP - a must for many raw foods and a real bonus to have the TMX to use with it.
Bread machine - never had one - not sure - probably sell.
Yoghurt maker - depends on the variety. I use the thermos and jar to set what is made in the TMX.
I might only use those things every 6 months - but still like to have them - sad but true confession. :-))
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Love my KA mixer, so would never part with that.
Got rid of the juicer
Still have the breadmaker, but it's packed away.
Same with rice cooker
Kept my little hand beaters as they're handy for cream if Timmy is busy with something else.
Kept my stick blender, useful for zapping large quantities of soup, but rarely used.
Kept slow cooker, handy for large quantities and can cook away for a few hours when you're not there.
Food processor is in now in my Skinflint workshop where it mixes dry clay, bath bomb ingredients and grinds salt.
I have a mandolin for slicing.
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I have always had my eye on a KitchenAid. I think I just need to be "tipped over the edge" a bit more since the arrival of TM. Does any one colour improve the quality of your cooking? Red may make you cook faster ;)
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I was convinced I wouldn't need any of my old appliances after buying my TMX but decided to keep them all for a year to make sure they wouldn't be used throughout any of the seasons. We still use the breadmaker everyday, I use the stick blender for large pots of soup and the rice cooker whenever I am using the TMX for whatever else we are having. I could do away with the coffee grinder but it's so small & convenient so it's not worth losing it. The food processor is the only thing I could now throw away. The things I really haven't used very much are my saucepans.
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Maybe another way of looking at this would be - if I only had my TMX, would I buy the other appliances or would I make do? Most of us already have all these other things and TMX is an addition.
If I was just starting out, I'd buy a TMX, kettle, toaster, frying pan and lots of muffin pans, cake tins, biscuit trays and lots of tupperware to store all my ingredients. I think if that's all I had, I'd be pretty happy.
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I gave away my bread machine... to my brother. :P
I have kept my Oscar juicer (DS1 loves it)
my slow cooker (great for slow curries)
my rice cooker (we eat way more rice than the TMX can cook)
my stab blender (haven't used it since TMX arrived 5 mths ago)
my 1970s Kenwood Chef with a zillion accessories (comes in handy when TMX is in use)
espresso machine.. (THIS one is never going anywhere and I'd be hard pressed to choose between it and the TMX if I had to! :D)
ETA: the icecream machine stays too for the reasons already given.. but if I hadn't found it in an Op shop for $10 we wouldn't have one! ;)
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Like your thinking CB79 - I say to people that for somebody starting out then the TMX is the ONLY way to go.
Once I sell something or give it away then I find that I "need" it (though probably would do very well without.
I hadn't used my slow cooker or pressure cookers for 2 years and so decided to give them away (and not sure that who I gave them to really appreciated them!). But then found a few recipes that I just find work so much better in the slow or pressure cooker.
Fortunately slow cookers are still very cheap and I found a pressure cooker at half price - so all is well. If I had never had them then I probably would not have re-purchased them.
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Well, my breadmaker walked out the door today. I had 2 bolts drop out of our recliner and as I am not in a position at the moment to be able to turn it over myself and fix it, had to ring a friend and ask for his help. He uses his breadmaker every second day and has gone through a few over the years so it went to a good home and will get used.
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It seems that most people have kept their other kitchen appliances and I think I will be hanging onto mine for a while too.
It is interesting because before I brought my TM the demonstrator was saying that if I had a TM I wouldn't have a need for the rest - rice cooker, breadmaker, blender, etc.
But so far I have used the breadmaker and rice cooker, not the rest yet.
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It is a popular selling point. We're all different, but for me, the other gadgets are gathering dust. But I didn't use them very much anyway - most were typical wedding present items.
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I have only used the rice cooker out of all my apliances but I prefer TMX rice, the breadmaker has
gone to my mum(until she gets a TMX). The others I will give a bit more time and then probably get rid of them if I'm still not using them.
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If the TMX had greater capacity - at least twice the present size - I might consider retiring some of my other appliances.
While I love it and have been using it almost daily, it simply does not have the capacity I need for many of my standard applications.
I do grind my own grains into meal and flour (Nutrimill). I have a large capacity dough mixer that will handle enough dough for 7-10 standard bread loaves (I usually bake 4-6 at a time).
There is the 10 cup IH(induction) Zojirushi rice cooker that I use daily.
I have two of the Excalibur 9-tray dehydrators because I dry a lot of fruits and vegetables - also use them for proofing bread dough.
I have a large commercial electric steamer that I use when I make candied or crystallized ginger (this is mature ginger, not stem ginger) minimum 10-pound batches - cooked in an electric roaster.
I also use it to refresh or rehydrate dried fruits that are going to become glacé fruits or used in baking - even very hard fruits can be brought back to a satisfactory condition without any loss of consistency as happens with soaking in liquids.
I will also keep my large meat grinder that I use for many tasks, not the least grinding raw chickens (bones and all) for dog food.
I also make sausage, both bulk and links, various combinations of meats, fruits and vegetables.
I have the big commercial (20-cup) Cuisinart that I use for large batches of dry pastry, cookie(biscuit) and quick bread mixes - cutting the fat into dry ingredients and keeping these basic mixes in the freezer (also give them as holiday gifts along with the other non-perishable ingredients and mixing or baking vessels, etc.)
I also have several bread makers - left over from the time back in the early '90s when I was hired to test and also develop some recipes for breadmaker cookbooks. They are very handy when preparing several different bread varieties at the same time. Keeping them.
Fortunately, I have a rather large kitchen and a very large walk-thru pantry to store all this stuff. I can understand that limited space is going to figure significantly in how many appliances can be retained. One does what one must to make life easier.
I have a friend who wants a TMX (since seeing mine) because she lives in a senior citizen's center and is not allowed any appliance with an exposed heat surface in her apartment kitchenette. (A safety factor for seniors who the managers seem to think are like children.) Although toasters are okay. Go figure!!
They do have a dining room and meals can be delivered to the apartments but she likes cooking for herself.
I gave her a Senseo coffee maker two years ago because she was told she couldn't keep the one she had.
They do have a communal kitchen for the 6 apartments in her section, but she hates using things used by other people.
She is quite well off and has no problems affording the unit and in my opinion it is ideal for her. She has submitted a request for permission to have one in her apartment kitchenette.
I think that for someone in her situation, this is a fantastic appliance. She can do so many things with it that it will greatly improve her quality of life.
Incidentally, she is three years younger than me!! :D
It will be a cold day, you know where, when they get me into such a facility.
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I can see why the TMX wouldn't be big enough for you andiesenji, after reading the above. I am amazed at the things you do in your kitchen - do you ever leave it ??? ??? ??? What a great idea for your friend - I would never have thought to take my TMX if I end up in one of those places (heaven forbid but they are better than nursing homes one would think, at least you are able to take care of yourself if you want to). I have one of those Senseo coffee makers but I'm not keen on the taste so don't use it. I have thrown out 2 perfectly good coffee machines as I've decided I prefer instant coffee over anything else - boring aren't I :P :P :P
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Nothing to cause amazement. I'm very well organized - I know how to set up prep and perform efficiently and in a timely manner in the kitchen.
For quite a few years my kitchen was certified as a commercial kitchen (very difficult in California and in L.A. County with many, many laws) and I did contract baking for caterers and very small local coffee shops. In 2005 I let my license expire as it was too much for me to do at my age.
At present I need the space and the larger appliances because I teach a couple of classes each year to girls and women who are in the shelter system for abused women and children. Far too many of them have never learned anything about good nutrition or how to prepare real food (as opposed to junk food) which is more economical as well as better for them.
Also I do baking and cooking for a few people who are more elderly than me and also want to live in their own homes and be independent. I prepare casseroles and similar items that can go into an oven or a microwave. Fruit and vegetable salads that will keep in the fridge for a few days and include appropriate desserts that are suitable for their various medical conditions. They pay a nominal amount for the "supplies" and feel good about themselves and they are getting good nutrition. I can afford and enjoy doing it.
I'm diabetic but have it in excellent control.
Also, I'm a breast cancer survivor and keeping myself occupied has been an important part of my own therapy.
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You deserve a standing ovation andiesenji. I bet those people all love you to bits and appreciate your efforts so much. You are another example of the quality of the members of our forum - a bunch of lovely, caring people. Keep up the good work and I hope someone will be there to look after you when, and if you need it. :-* :-*
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I'm diabetic but have it in excellent control.
Also, I'm a breast cancer survivor and keeping myself occupied has been an important part of my own therapy.
Glad to hear that you have a positive outlook despite what has been dealt in your "hand".
I am very impressed too. We had an article in the Staurday paper by a food writer talking about what he would have in his dream kitchen. The TMX was one, but think he would need a kitchen of your dimensions to cope with all his wishlist.
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This is what I have to work with. The counter under the windows is a slab of marble for pastry and candy making, as well as my bread dough prep center. The counter height is lower than standard height. I told the designer I wanted "lots" of counter space and he followed my direction. I was 20+ years younger then...Sigh!
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h129/Basenjibabe91/Kitchen%20stuff%20old%20and%20new/Andieskitchen1.png)
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Just you and that huge kitchen all to yourself - heavenly. Thanks for posting pictures andiesenji.
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Love it! Love it! Love it! Your inspirational andiesenji! :o :D ;)
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I think that the kitchen is as big as my house. Love it.
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What a wonderful kitchen. Thanks for sharing.
Gretchen
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Interesting thread - that I found when searching for something else.
I'm generally a hoarder so I've surprised myself by being one of the (few??)people who has gotten rid of most other appliances. I sold my beautiful Magimix, but to a friend so I know it's in a good home. Also my blender, small herb grinder, stick mixer w' chopper attachment.
Still use the breadmaker and the slow cooker but they can live in the laundry now (for occasional use rather than frequent), the delay function on these makes them invaluable to me as a mother of three kids. Rice cooker I never had. Ice cream maker I'm torn on, will have to see if I can fit it at the new place but if not I won't cry over it.
Coffee machine I still have, sorry, can't compare to a specialist espresso machine & grinder. ;)
Space is the main driver for me, though.
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Space is an important consideration for most folks. I've a friend who is a kitchen designer and often becomes very discouraged when clients want him to cram too much stuff into too little space.
The problem is that far too often they are dissatisfied with the results and blame him instead of realizing that he simply followed their orders.
I didn't meet him until long after my kitchen was remodeled but he likes to show clients photos of it because it isn't fancy but has room for everything. It was a new addition onto a rather old house (old for this area) that had a fairly large kitchen but it was dark and felt confined because of a low ceiling. I'll see if I can find a photo of the old kitchen to post so you can see what I mean.
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Yes PLEASE ;D ;D :-* :-* :-* :-*
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I gave my bamix to my sister a few days ago. She was so excited and will get much more use out of it than me so great to share.
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So kind - very true that it is better to see somebody get some use out of these neglected toys ;D
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I found this pic of the kitchen prior to the '94 remodel.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h129/Basenjibabe91/Kitchen%20stuff%20old%20and%20new/AndiesOldkitchen.jpg)
Very little natural light. Low ceiling and cluttered because I had several of my antique electric mixers displayed on the counters.
It didn't have a very efficient layout. The people who owned the house before me had taken out a wall between the original kitchen and the dining room and remodeled the kitchen in 1979 and I bought the house in 1988.
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Bigger than my kitchen before the renovations (was going to say "renos" - coz that's what we call them ;) ;) ;) )
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Your old kitchen is bigger than my kitchen now!! Oh how I would love your new kitchen Andie - it is to die for :D
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I love your new kitchen Andiesenji, but your old one also has a lovely warm, home look to it.
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I didn't care much for it. It had lots of storage - the wall to the right that you can't see in the photo had floor to ceiling cupboards for storage and a space for the fridge that placed it close to the table but six feet from the nearest counter. Mostly it felt like a dungeon because the outside walls are thick adobe, the windows recessed and there was no way to work in the kitchen without the lights.
I hated the flooring. It was cork with a seamless polyurethane surface "poured" over it. It dimpled from heels, heavy stuff (moving that heavy table was almost impossible) and was slippery as hell when wet. Usually I had non-skid mats in front of the sink, stove and other work areas, for safety.
I lived with it for five-plus years and was never comfortable in it.
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My mother had that flooring in her house and it is a pain - slippery for sure.
Worst thing was she went away for 6 months and the real estate agent who wanted to sell her house convinced her to let it short term rather than leave it empty. When she returned there were stiletto spike marks everywhere !!!!
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We had cork in the kitchen of this house when we bought it 16 years ago. Put up with it until we had a new kitchen put in then had slate installed to match the adjoining dining room. I used to work at a place which sold & installed it and never did like the stuff.