Forum Thermomix
Questions Doubts and Requests => Questions? Technical Issues? The Survival Guide => Topic started by: debetha on October 11, 2010, 11:47:17 am
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I have had my thermomix for a month, but it has developed a smell after less than 2 weeks - made onion relish using the odettes onion recipe and since then the lids has had an onion aroma. Take it apart fully after anything cooked/ sticky etc and after any cooking "session", and wash by using turbo pulses, and then the brush in the sink. Have tried cookignup with bicarbonate and lemon asnsuggested on this forum, putting the lid in the freezer overnight, putting the lid thru the dishwasher at the suggestion of my thermomix consultant, and soaking in bicarbonate & vinegar overnight (also her suggestion)
Smell maynhave eased a bit but still detectabel, possibly kore in the seal but alsomin the lid. My last lot of yoghurt had a distinct onion whiff to it. The smell does change - eg made marmalade and was more sweet and citrusy, but still bothers me
Any suggestions? Surely this isn't normal? Pretty disappointed ESP as it is so new, & claims not to retain smells
Cheers
Deb
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I don't think it is supposed to retain odours if it is washed straight away, but I know of some people who have ended up with a lid smelling like leek or onion. I would probably give it a good rub each day with a cut lemon and wash it once a day in the dish washer also. Good luck. :)
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Hi debetha, welcome to the forum. Sorry your first posting is because of a problem. I have never had a smelly anything in my TMX so it is rather strange. I would report it to your consultant and see if she can get answers from H.O. for you.
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Hi debetha, have a look at this topic and read what Frozzie does to get rid of a smelly bowl and lid.
http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3380.msg51861#msg51861
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Mine retains smells all the time. I reduce it by storing the MC in the basket in it to let it air while it is not in use.
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I never leave the MC in the lid when its not in use. I always just leave it on the top.
I have occasionally had curry smells but they seem to go away quite quickly, although one of my bowls has a lovely curry coloured MC.
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I think a big thing is to wash the lid immediately after use (especially with curries, onions etc). I remember our Tassie GL telling us about a customer who came to her with a lid that smelt strongly of leeks. It turned out the person had cooked potato and leek soup for dinner and then hadn't washed the thermomix (and lid) until the next day. Yucko. :P
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debetha, I have had onion smells but now wash out bowl immediately i have cooked something, The only thing I leave in bowl is bread. If it smells even a little I leave the lid off altogether, until I am going to use it again. Can't add much to what has already been suggested.
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something I do that I just thought maybe others don't do or know about (you know these little things lol) is hang the lid from the bowl rim via the locking hook. Place your bowl in the cradle and the the lid will hang either to the left of right of the handle.
This keeps it all together ready to use, but open to air. I do keep the MC in the bowl - you just need to remember that it is there or you will chop it up - how do I know this, you ask, well one of my customers did it :o thank goodness for her MC's are only half the price of a butterfly!
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I think immediate washing is also a key. Just yesterday, I cooked a chilli, ginger, garlic and shallot mixture for a salad dressing, then washed straight away. I didn't detect any aroma from the lid or bowl and made a chocolate cake immediately afterward.
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I think you are spot on MJ, mine never smells as I always wash it straightaway. It is far easier to clean then too.
Faffa, it only makes sense to air the bowl - I know we all like to have our TMX sitting there in one piece but although I haven't hung my lid by the hook, I do just sit it loosely on top of the bowl since our group leader told me it will help the rubber seal to last longer. If I have visitors coming, I put the lid on but do not click it shut all the way.
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I knew there was a reason I always wash my bowl immediately! I started doing it to re enforce to DH how easy it was to wash and it became a habit.
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The trick is to rinse in cold water first with a dash of detergent. This takes the onion type smells right out of the situation. Then wash with hot water. Hot water first up will "set" the smell. This was the advice I got as a Tupperware demonstrator for cutting boards and choppers and it's never failed :).
Perhaps try washing in cold water now? That might solve the problem.
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Thanks guys
I have been very careful to always wash right away - the other washing up gets left but not the TMX! - but used hot water which was probably the cause. Have tried Frozzie's remedy. Waiting to hear back from my consultant's supervisor for any further advice. Tend to have lid over bowl for storage, without MC, but will leave it off in future
Thanks
Deb
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I found this on the U.K.Thermomix recipe website about cleaning the TM. ;D
http://www.ukthermomix.com/recshow.php?rec_id=115
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Thanks CC, haven't heard of that method before.
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Welcome Deb. I think most problems I encounter are with the rubber seal more than anything. But it has never been a big problem.
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Hi,
I have the same problem. My husband made butter chicken and didn't wash the lid properly. So next time I went to use it it smelt like indian food!
I have tried everything as well. I have just emailed my consultant to see if there is something else I can do!
BLOODY MEN!!
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I had the same experience with the cauliflower and leek soup causing the silicon rim of the lid to smell, but after a few times in the dishwasher the smell has gone away. In future I will use cold before hot water as suggested. Thanks for the tip
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BLOODY MEN!!
Hey watch it !!! You couldn't live without us :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
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Well I can still smell onion on the lid - especially the seal, but spoke to my local demonstrator's senior, who was helpful, and reassured me that it can retain some smell but shouldn't transfer to the food. In fact have made a couple more batches of yoghurt without having that onion whiff to it!
So feeling more confident to cook away :) - in fact made some more "Odette's onions" chutney last night, and the lid & seal now smell more strongly of onions, even after a soaking in vinegar, but that smell is fading/ changing as I cook other things. Hoping to try some washing powder later so might serve a double purpose!
Thanks for everyone's help
Deb
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I've only had my TM for a few days, I did a macaroni cheese recipe, and diced up some onion, then cooked the sauce in it, so it was probably half an hour later when I washed it, and there was a very distinct smell of onion in the silicone rim. I was also pretty dissapointed!
I washed in hot water also, perhaps that should be a tip the consultants give out? That you wash in cold water, then hot water. Would have saved the onion smell through my chocolate sauce :-))
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I've never done the cold water hot water thing and haven't had a problem! So sorry you've been disappointed. Perhaps bi-carb soda does the trick if using straight after chopping onion.
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Debetha does your seal have a clear edge to it? If so it is one of the new ones. They are fantastic seals in preventing liquids from leaking out, but they do seem to be retaining smells. I am sure that HO in Australia is reporting it - it must be happening all over the TM world as they are centrally made, so something will have to be done about it you would think. My suggestion would be to buy an additional one to have one for savoury & one for sweet. I don't think you'll completely get rid of the smell from what I gather......Have you told your consultant? The more complaints received, the more there is likely to be a response.
Good luck!
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I noticed that difference when I received my new bowl JZ but I have 3 of the original plain black ones so I will make sure I use one of them if cooking smelly food. I never had a problem with the plain ones and was wondering why, all of a sudden the newcomers were having smelly seals. It all points to this new type of seal then so I also would suggest you all complain about it and maybe they will go back to the original.
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Didn't even know there was a different seal. My TMX is 2 yrs old & I replaced my seal at 12 months & think I need to do it again. If I make a drink it leaks out everywhere. Maybe I should just but another bowl ;)
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i can't say i have sniffed it...they say ignorance is bliss ;)
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Oh that is interesting to know JaneeZee. Perhaps I need one of those new seals for our morning juices and smoothies. I get little leaks when I wizz it to speed 10. Or perhaps I just need a whole new bowl too. ;D
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VHJ it's probably a good idea to get a new seal if your liquids are leaking at high speed. As I mentioned before, the new ones are clear & black as opposed to all black & they came in around 4-6 months ago from memory. I replaced mine after 2 years & got an old one then I got a new one as an incentive. DH was complaining that ours leaked when he washed it so I started using the new seal but in light of the "smell factor" I now use the old one for savoury stuff & the new one for sweet.
Chelsea, you might want a new bowl but it's a lot cheaper to check whether a new seal solves the issue!!!!
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Yes it is one of the new ones - was wondering why I had this "new" problem!
Will investigate a new seal
Cheers
Deb
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Chelsea, you might want a new bowl but it's a lot cheaper to check whether a new seal solves the issue!!!!
I think the problem is that we are pushing the limits. Our morning smoothies (with 1kg of fruit, 500g of water and blending at speed 10) are a bit too much for our thermie. When we have a bit less water or fruit (or blend at speed 8 :'() it doesn't leak.
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I reckon it is the seal Chelsea. We have two new seals (I kept the old ones for emergencies or for customers who need one in the interim) however I lent my newer seal to a customer, who is a friend and am using one new and one old seal at home ( we have two tm bowls) and whenever dh does milk for coffee with the old seal in, we get leaks and that is only 500 of milk on spd 8. The seals are only $20. I reckon they are great ;) mine isn't smelly at all either ???
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I am looking forward to trying one of the new seals. My machine came with a split seal (leaking from day 1 >:() and then my second and third seals lasted for less than a month before they started leaking too. My machine gets used day in and day out, but I am always gentle when I handwash the seals. Perhaps these new seals are a little more hard wearing.
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Ok job for the day is to organize the new seal as my latest batch of yoghurt, while fantastically thick, has the distinct taste of chutney made 10 days ago!! And washed right away, used in between for things. It is just the really bland things that are the problem
So one batch of yoghurt for yoghurt cheese & quiche, and 1 new seal for yoghurt, butter, smoothies etc to be ordered!!!
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My new seal arrived today. I think I will keep my new one for blending (juices etc) and keep my old split one for anything that may leave an odour (and that won't leak). :)
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I wash mine straight away after use but I put the lid and seal in the dishwasher all the time and this seems to get rid of any smells eg onion,garlic etc.I also store my TM on the bench with the lid unlocked and the MC off. Even though iuse my TM all the time, I don't seem to ever have a problem with unwanted smells.
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I just got my thermomix on Monday afternoon ( it's wed night now) the first thing I made by myself the day I got it was pumpkin soup and the lid still smells like pumpkin soup despite it being washed straight away and about 10 times since then!:(
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I still think it is the new variety of seal that is causing the problems. My old one never absorbed smells so I am careful not to use the new one & bowl for anything spicy. Wonder if H.O. are aware of the problem.
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Yes I agree JD. I have never had a problem with my old seals smelling. I must say I do like the design of the new seals though. They are a very secure fit.
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Debetha does your seal have a clear edge to it? If so it is one of the new ones. They are fantastic seals in preventing liquids from leaking out, but they do seem to be retaining smells. I am sure that HO in Australia is reporting it - it must be happening all over the TM world as they are centrally made, so something will have to be done about it you would think. My suggestion would be to buy an additional one to have one for savoury & one for sweet. I don't think you'll completely get rid of the smell from what I gather......Have you told your consultant? The more complaints received, the more there is likely to be a response.
Good luck!
OK guys,
This hasn't been a huge problem, and all of your suggestions are great and will help.
From HO point of view, please do not leave your TM with a closed lid (and seal) when not in use. Just like any other cooking implement, it can retain cooking smells (have you smelt your range-hood extractor fan filters lately? Ewww) and using the dishwasher to clean the TM frequently will also help. We get so accustomed to a quick rinse sometimes, because we need to cook something else in it...that we don't often take the time to put it through the dishwasher. Worse case scenario, get another seal...or dare I say another TM bowl...best thing I ever bought!
Not sure if this helps....hope so. ;D
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This hasn't been a huge problem, and all of your suggestions are great and will help.
From HO point of view, please do not leave your TM with a closed lid (and seal) when not in use. Just like any other cooking implement, it can retain cooking smells (have you smelt your range-hood extractor fan filters lately? Ewww) and using the dishwasher to clean the TM frequently will also help. We get so accustomed to a quick rinse sometimes, because we need to cook something else in it...that we don't often take the time to put it through the dishwasher. Worse case scenario, get another seal...or dare I say another TM bowl...best thing I ever bought!
Not sure if this helps....hope so. ;D
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I disagree - it is a NEW problem, for the first few weeks I had my TMX I was very disappointed because I couldn't work out what the problem was, and why flavours were transferring to yoghurt etc, when no one else had the same problem. So it is a manageable problem, but given that it is due to the new seals etc, it needed to be identified and recognised. Now we know what the problem is, it is much easier to sort out, and at least people won't feel let down by their purchase.
I have contacted HO and they are sending me a new seal! Fab. SO I can save that for sweet things, and not have more onion yoghurt for breakfast! Very happy now.
ANd for the record, I never give things a quick rinse, but am meticuous in washing it properly & immediately and airing - the smell still lingers though although fades over a week or so with bicarb/ vinegar/ freezings/ dishwashings etc but still was noticeable in the yoghurt at 10 days...
Deb
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I have to agree with you Deb, there were no problems with the old type of seal only this new one. Perhaps the machine should be supplied with 2 seals, one for savoury dishes and one for sweet ones. No-one should have to spend so much time and effort ensuring their seal does not retain odours - the TMX is afterall, supposed to be a timesaver in the kitchen.
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No-one should have to spend so much time and effort ensuring their seal does not retain odours - the TMX is afterall, supposed to be a timesaver in the kitchen.
It was more that I felt let down by my new wonder machine and couldn't work out why I was having this problem, after spending so much and having such high hopes.
Hopefully now the problem has been idenitified, a second seal may be provided, or at least offered routinely to new purchasers.
Thanks for the support - back to the TMX working like mad before I have my baby TOMORROW MORNING!!! I just wish I had other household devices to do the other stuff I had to do that were as efficient as the TMX!!
deb
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Thanks for the support - back to the TMX working like mad before I have my baby TOMORROW MORNING!!!
OMG debetha, what a time to have your baby :o ! Congratulations and I hope all goes well for you.
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Good luck with the birth Deb, a great Christmas present apart from the fact you will be in hospital and not be able to join in the festivities with the rest of the family.
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I have had my thermo for 8 days and the lid stinks. I have washed it properly with detergent, soaked in bicarb and it is very garlicky. Not very nice.
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I was also sent another seal, and used an old seal, the problem dosn't seem to be that bad with the old seal. I still do get some flavour transfer from the lid and spatula sometimes (after a curry or something) but nowhere near as bad as with the new style seal yucko!
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I think immediate washing is also a key. Just yesterday, I cooked a chilli, ginger, garlic and shallot mixture for a salad dressing, then washed straight away. I didn't detect any aroma from the lid or bowl and made a chocolate cake immediately afterward.
definately mj...sometimes i used to leave the washing until after dinner etc but now i rinse it out straight away or soak it if necessary and havent had problems with smell since..i also do an occasional dishwasher wash to really give it a good clean (but thats only possible for newer versions) :)
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how long has this new seal been available...?? i have had my thermie for 8 months now and had smelly problems in the beginning but not so much now but like i mentioned to give it a good rinse out i use the egg shells and dishwashing liquid method and also do regular dishwashing washes and also dont leave it too long before washing if not immediately and i put the basket in the thx bowl with the mc in the basket, sit the lid on loosely and pose the varoma trays on a tilt on top with the butterfly sitting in the varoma...sorry to hear so many newbies are having smelly problems!
will have to ask my consultant if they have been having problems lately over here :)
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Hi
What I did was I made my own vegetable enzyme and everytime I cook something that adour I will soak in it overnight.
To made the enzyme is 3kg fruits peel ( more acidic the better) 1 kg brown sugar and 10kg water mix well and keep in the cover container for 3 months for Aus. it have to be longer cos the weather there is cooler then we in Malaysia.
Strain and the pulps can be used a fertilizer.
You can keep it for a long time mine is about 6 mths old .
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just found this thread ... do what you would do with smelly tupperware ... wash it, dry it and put it in the freezer .... magic ... no smell!
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Was just about to give you all the same tip....stick lid in the freezer for an hour. Odour GONE! ;) ;) ;)
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Argh... I'm of course having the same problem. I've only had the thermomix for 4 days and the lid and seal stink! I hate smelly things. I've cleaned with detergent, vinegar, lemon juice, bicarb. I've never left it dirty or with the lid on. It still smells like the vegetable stock concentrate that I made with the consultant. My DD's porridge that I made this morning had the lingering odour of it too :( I am really disappointed and shouldn't have to come up with all different methods to try to remove an odour or have to have a separate seal for savoury and sweet for a machine that is so costly and it is a problem that has been known about for a few years now.
All this isn't helped by the fact that I have an extra sensitive nose due to pregnancy!
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Argh... I'm of course having the same problem. I've only had the thermomix for 4 days and the lid and seal stink! I hate smelly things. I've cleaned with detergent, vinegar, lemon juice, bicarb. I've never left it dirty or with the lid on. It still smells like the vegetable stock concentrate that I made with the consultant. My DD's porridge that I made this morning had the lingering odour of it too :( I am really disappointed and shouldn't have to come up with all different methods to try to remove an odour or have to have a separate seal for savoury and sweet for a machine that is so costly and it is a problem that has been known about for a few years now.
All this isn't helped by the fact that I have an extra sensitive nose due to pregnancy!
HI PST
It does help if you don't put the lid on TMx when not in use. Many of us hang our lid on the back of the TMX when not in use. I have not had any issues with smells since doing that. I always try to wash TNx straight away or if busy at least fill up with hot soapy water.
I remember the sensitive smell of pregnancy, it must be off putting when your TMX still has odours.
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Yes I do leave it to air and wash straight away - I guess it's just the nature of the material it's made from and my very sensitive nose! I will have to learn to not breathe in when I am dealing with the lid :(
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I was told boiling a bit of vinegar in water i thermie gets rid of all smells but i o,ly had this in the beginning now no smells so maybe its just the material when Its new too??
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Argh... I'm of course having the same problem. I've only had the thermomix for 4 days and the lid and seal stink! I hate smelly things. I've cleaned with detergent, vinegar, lemon juice, bicarb. I've never left it dirty or with the lid on. It still smells like the vegetable stock concentrate that I made with the consultant. My DD's porridge that I made this morning had the lingering odour of it too :( I am really disappointed and shouldn't have to come up with all different methods to try to remove an odour or have to have a separate seal for savoury and sweet for a machine that is so costly and it is a problem that has been known about for a few years now.
All this isn't helped by the fact that I have an extra sensitive nose due to pregnancy!
I had a dejavue moment reading your post Persistenttiger because that's exactly what happened after my delivery demo where my consultant and I cooked the veggie stock concentrate...I have had that same smell on my lid (I believe the seal is the main culprit) for weeks and I also wash my TM bowl & lid after use, have always hung my lid on side of bowl (my logical thinking to do so due to smell) via hook, and my porridge has also had a funny smell to it, but taste has been ok.
Only difference in your post and my situation is that I am not pregnant BUT, I am an odour panelist and do smell industrial odours at one of my jobs....so I do have a fairly good sense of smell and often when walking past my TM I would get a whiff of that lid...yuk!
After reading this thread tonight, I have given my lid the close up smell test, have confirmed it is definitely the seal that's retaining the odour, attacked both lid and seal with bicarb, plus lemon peel, washed with detergent, then into freezer for an hour, only just taken it out, think the smell is more of a lemon smell now but will have a sniff a bit later once it's back at room temp.
It's not nice to have these smells after cooking and I also think this should be addressed because a second seal (to me) is more like a bandaid for the issue....it will help but I didn't pay this sort of money to be swapping seals around depending on what I'm cooking plus I don't want the stale smell of onions, garlic etc on my TM lid after its already been washed with detergent.
I will speak to my consultant about this to see If she knows whether its deemed a problem or not with HO.
She did tell me the lid can take on the smell of what you've cooked in the TM, but said it won't transfer into any other foods afterwards...she did mention some of the cleaning methods already mentioned on here.
I'm due to make more veggie stock concentrate soon, my first lot is almost gone, being salt free, I often use two ice cubes for flavour then add a small amount of salt to taste, (love my salt free stock) ;D
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You are right Girlpower, it is the seal and I think it is the silicone seal which holds the smells. My first bowl had a black seal and I never had this problem, my second bowl has the new silicon rimmed seal and I make sure I don't use it for smelly things. I bought this matter up with hierarchy at HO and I was told Vorwerk were working on it - I have not followed it up and that was 5 months ago. Therefore, to answer your question, yes they are aware of it and probably have been for years.
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Thanks Judy....it sounds like they fixed one issue (possible leaks) with the newer silicone seal but now have odour absorption to address.
Obviously HO have known about this for a while now then, wonder if more of us complained about it - it may put a little pressure on them for a better solution? Like people power! ;D
I've had another good sniff of my lid now it's at room temp ...LOL, feels like I'm at work still....the lid itself is fine, the seal is a bit of a mix of mainly lemon smell with a reasonably subtle undertone of the other smell still. Lemon smell is fine, has a cleaner smell at least.
I think having a reasonably sensitive smell can be both a blessing and a curse ???
Seems ironic that a small item like a seal could end up taking more time to try and deodorize than cleaning the bowl & lid, that's when the curse, I mean smell kicks in...I will try soaking my lid/seal with cold water & detergent immediately after use, then follow up with hot water & detergent - along with the bowl/blades too of course :)