BRIDGETTE SATTLER

November 7, 2013

In the 12 years since it first arrived in Australia thanks to its Perth-based importer, the Thermomix has made a big impact on home kitchens – but some consumers remain unconvinced.

In February this year, the 100,000th Thermomix was sold in Australia.

After encountering her first Thermomix during a visit to her native Poland in 2001, Perth-based Grace Mazur was so impressed with the appliance she decided to start importing them to Australia.

The Thermomix – which manufacturers say can chop, beat, mix, emulsify, mill, knead, blend, cook, stir, steam, weigh, melt and much, much more – is made in Germany and has been available in Europe for 30 years.

Ms Mazur is still managing director of Thermomix Australia and the company’s head office is in Balcatta where Ms Mazur first set up her operation.

Full-time student Claire Piesse owns a Thermomix and is an avid user of her machine.

“When I moved out [of home] my mum helped me … buy a Thermomix because I couldn’t quite afford the $2000 price tag on my own,” Ms Piesse said.

“I think she hoped that it would encourage me to still make decent meals that were quick and easy, rather than live on take away.

“It is so easy to use and the recipes work every time – I love it.”

Victoria Brennan, pictured, works as a consultant for Thermomix Australia, running demonstrations for people interested in buying the machine.

“The demonstration based sales system works really well for the Thermomix, because often people are sceptical about the things we say about it,” Mrs Brennan said.

“When we can show them in person, and they can taste food made in the machine, it makes a big difference.

“The blades are made from Solingen stainless steel, which is the amazingly durable metal used for Samurai swords.”

But Osborne Park resident Nika Engel is a young mother who is not so convinced about the charm of the Thermomix.

“It is a huge amount of money to invest in one kitchen item, especially for young families,” Ms Engel said.

“I have been to the demonstrations, I have seen the convincing sales pitch, but I am still not sold that I would actually put it to good enough use to justify the price.

“I know that I am supposed to be the perfect target audience for the machine, a young mum wanting to make preservative-free food, but the price would have to drop for me to really consider it.”

Another Thermomix sceptic, Kimberley Parrant from Hillarys, actually owns a machine.

“I bought one after being completely convinced at a friend’s demonstration,” Ms Parrant said.

“I have actually only used it twice, because I was already set in my cooking ways and never quite got used to changing it all up and doing everything in the Thermomix.

“It makes me sad to see so much money sitting on my kitchen bench, unused.”

Photography: Bridgette Sattler