Thermomix, Cooking Chef, Monsieur Cuisine, the robot cookers are multiplying. With their democratization, prices plummet. What are they for ? How do they work? and Is it always worth paying over 1000 for these kitchen clerks?
Versatile and practical, the robot cooker has become a star in our kitchens, its sales benefitting from sustained growth in recent years (+ 7% in 2018/2017 according to GfK). Many models exist today, but the price difference is sometimes gigantic – from 300 to 1400! Here are all the questions to ask yourself before choosing.
Verdict:
Somewhat noisy and equipped with a bowl of only 2.2 liters, the Thermomix TM6 is nonetheless an efficient and easy to handle robot, especially with Cookidoo. Assets that pay dearly.
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| Classic cooking / steam / vacuum / slow – Mixing / Chopping / Grinding / Emulsion / Kneading – Weighing (6 kg max, per gram) – Kettle – Cleaning |
| 2.2 liters |
| 37-120 C (even 160C for specific recipes) |
| 10700 rpm |
| Cooking basket – Steam tray – Measuring cup – Anti-splash cover – Whisk – Spatula |
| Wifi – Cookidoo Service: 36 / year (6 months free) |
| 33x33x32 cm / 7.7 kg |
Technical sheet
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Verdict:
This Kenwood connect model is equipped with an arm that allows you to slice or grate while allowing cooking. It quickly rises in temperature and turns out to be silent. Weak points: the external scale and the little intuitive controls.
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| Classic cooking / steaming – Mixing / Mincing / Grinding / Emulsion / Kneading – Mining / Rapge – Weighing with external scale |
| 2.6 liters |
| 30-180C |
| nc |
| Steam tray – 5 discs for grating / slimming – Chopper – Kneader – Mixer – Emulsifier – Spatula – Bluetooth scale |
| Wireless |
| 29 Ă— 33.5 Ă— 26 cm / 7.3 kg |
Technical sheet
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Verdict:
This robot signed Lidl is rewarded with an excellent quality / price ratio. We can blame him for his size, but for the rest – ease of use, capacity of the bowl, silence … – it is almost flawless.
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| Classic cooking / steaming – Mixing / Mincing / Grinding / Emulsion / Kneading – Weighing (5 kg max, 5 grams prs) – Cleaning |
| 3 liters |
| 37-130C |
| nc |
| Steam pan – Steam pan – Measuring cup – Mix – Spatula |
| Wireless |
| 28x25x49 cm / 9.25kg |
Technical sheet
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What is a food processor for?
It roasts, simmers, kneads, grinds, simmers, sometimes steams on several floors – the basket, the Varoma and the steam tray overlap on the Thermomix These robot cookers are not multi-functional for nothing , therefore. But some are slightly more so than others: the Kenwood KCook Multi Smart also allows you to mince, grate or sear a steak at the bottom of the bowl, once the knives have been removed. The Thermomix TM6 is distinguished by its slow cooking methods, sous vide, etc.
The maximum temperatures are around 120 / 130C, the Thermomix TM6 being able to reach 160C, only from a guided recipe, for safety. The Kenwood KCook Multi Smart even goes up to 180C for frying. Ingredients can also be weighed directly on the robot (Thermomix, Monsieur Cuisine) or from an external scale (KCook Multi Smart), a less practical system.
In general, versatility is a priority criterion, depending on the culinary affinities of each. A robot cooker is not the miracle product however: it needs at least an oven next to it for many recipes, such as pastries and gratins.
The KCook Multi Smart CCL445SI is capable of slicing vegetables. A possibility that is not so widespread for a food processor.What capacity is needed?
The capacity of the tank varies from about 2 liters over 4 liters for the most generous models. Enough to feed four to six people with a single meal, depending on the appetite. Please note that the nominal value is nuanced. For example, Kenwood indicates a capacity of 4.5 liters, limited to 2.6 liters for cooking. Otherwise, it could overflow.
How do we use it?
Some recent models have a good size touch screen (7 inches) coupled with a few buttons or a scroll wheel. However customary touch pads are, navigating through recipes and selecting manual functions – timer, rotation speed, temperature, weighing, etc. or programmed modes does not pose much difficulty.
This is no longer a piece of equipment reserved for high-end robots, since the Lidl Mister Cuisine Connect is similarly equipped, despite its softer price. His microphone also suggests the next arrival of voice control. A small display with a few mechanical keys is a more basic option, chosen by Kenwood for the KCook Multi Smart.
A touchscreen and a push-wheel: the Lidl Monsieur Cuisine Connect adopts controls comparable to those of the Thermomix TM6. A system that turns out to be intuitive.What is the Internet connection for?
Available on some robots, it is not essential, but brings some practical benefits. Connected to Wi-Fi, the Thermomix TM6 gives access to the Cookidoo platform (paid service 36 / year) and its catalog rich in tens of thousands of recipes. The Thermomix website is sort of duplicated on the tablet of the food processor.
Monsieur Cuisine Connect takes up more or less the same principle. Ditto for the KCook Multi Smart – hundreds of recipes not described – not if it is only the interface displayed on the user's smartphone. Please note: WiFi keeps the robot cooker's software up to date.
How is it cleaned?
A self-cleaning function is sometimes available: the robot starts up for a few minutes to degrease the tank, partially filled with water and washing up liquid. Sufficient when the pre-cooked dish was not too messy (soup). The bread dough is likely to stick more and requires elbow grease. Otherwise, most of the elements and accessories are dishwasher safe, but manual dishes are recommended to preserve the behavior of plastics in particular.
Some robots benefit from an automatic pre-cleaning of the tank. Most accessories are dishwasher safe, but sink washing is recommended.It's noisy ?
As soon as a recipe begins, the knives rotate at the bottom of the stainless steel tank, whose metallic constitution promotes the propagation of sound. The noise is bearable during the simmering of a dish (but can end up hitting the system if you stay close), intense during the chopping full of an ingredient, quick operation fortunately. The Thermomix is ​​known to be noisy, the Kenwood robot is more discreet.
Is it bulky?
A robot cooker is built – about 30 cm wide – and weighs not less than ten kilos. It is therefore necessary to provide space on the kitchen worktop. And not far from an electrical outlet, that goes without saying.
Robot cooker: isn't it too expensive?
Judging by the price of a Thermomix TM6 1300 – it's hard to deny it. The recent and impactful arrival of Lidl, a specialist in low prices, should however help to democratize this type of product, which is fairly litigious.
Note that the Thermomix TM5 is no longer manufactured but trades half the price of its successor on the second-hand market. A good deal. The recipe keys are still available, even if the collections are no longer renewed.
