In the dynamic world of modern cooking, two giants compete for the crown of cooking appliances: the Thermomix and the Cookeo. Each claims to revolutionize our culinary experience with promises of simplicity, speed, and flavor. But which device is truly the most effective for concocting tasty dishes? This battle revolves around an iconic recipe: risotto. Let’s follow this duel step by step and discover along the way who will emerge victorious.
The Thermomix: the multifunctional cooking robot
Let’s start with the Thermomix, often regarded as the king of kitchen appliances. Its reputation is well established, and for good reason: it combines more than a dozen functions, making it a true culinary Swiss army knife. Indeed, the Thermomix can cook, blend, emulsify, simmer, chop, and even steam! In other words, it leaves little room for the traditional skills of amateur cooks.
Impressive features
The versatility of the Thermomix is one of its greatest strengths. Here’s a summary of what it can do:
- 🌿 Steaming
- 🥕 Emulsifying sauces
- 🍚 Cooking rice (perfect for risotto!)
- 💧 Mixing and blending ingredients
- 🔄 Weighing ingredients in real-time thanks to the built-in scale
With an intuitive touchscreen and guided recipes, the user is accompanied at every step of the cooking process, from a simple risotto to more elaborate dishes. In terms of price, the Thermomix remains a significant investment, selling between €1,500 and €1,600, but for many, it is worth it in the long run.
In the kitchen: user experience
Cooking with the Thermomix is an immersive experience. For example, to prepare a risotto, the user only needs to prepare a few ingredients, start the program, and let the robot take care of the rest. Cooking times are clearly indicated, and everything is designed to avoid mistakes. Thus, users will achieve a creamy risotto, with harmonious textures, without having to stir for endless minutes.
🔑 However, some criticize the Thermomix for its high entry price. It becomes crucial to weigh the pros and cons before investing. Indeed, the question arises: does the cost justify the practicality?
| Features | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Multifunction cooking | Time-saving, ease of use | High price |
| Guided recipes | No ambiguity during cooking | Development of dependency on the device |
| Built-in scale | Accurate real-time weighing | Sometimes tedious maintenance |
The Cookeo: the electronic pressure cooker
Next up is the Cookeo, this essential companion for many households. Designed by Moulinex, it combines practicality and simplified cooking. With the Cookeo, cooking becomes accessible to everyone, even those with little culinary talent. Requiring little intervention, it is the perfect choice for quick meals. So, how does it stand out in preparing a risotto?
The advantages of the Cookeo
The Cookeo comes with several programs designed for different types of cooking:
- ⏱️ Quick pressure cooking
- 🍛 Stewing for tasty dishes
- 🌱 Steaming for vegetables
- 🔥 Grilling with the Extra Crisp
For a price of around €399, the Cookeo offers great accessibility while being capable of cooking a variety of dishes, ranging from soups to desserts. Beyond its attractive price, its ease of use is increasingly appealing to users looking to simplify their daily cooking.
A partner for daily meals
The Cookeo is ideal for those who want quick cooking. Indeed, by using the guided risotto recipe, only a few steps are needed to achieve a tasty dish. Unlike the Thermomix, however, the Cookeo requires a bit more manual interaction, such as chopping onions, for instance.
😅 One point that might make users smile is a certain need for organization, particularly because there is a need to anticipate a preheating time before cooking. And while the overall time to prepare a risotto with the Cookeo is longer (around 45 minutes), a large part of this time is dedicated to the initial preparation.
| Features | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure cooking | Cooked quickly | Initial preparation can be tedious |
| Diverse recipes | Versatility of dishes | Less control over some cooking processes |
| Intuitive interface | Easy access to various recipes | Fewer advanced options compared to Thermomix |
The recipe duel: Risotto
To evaluate the effectiveness of each device, nothing beats a culinary test! During our test, we prepared a risotto with each device, carefully following the proposed recipes. What can we say about the differences between these two preparations?
The tasting results
After cooking both versions, a blind tasting was organized. The results were surprising. Here’s what our testers thought:
- 🍽️ The risotto from the Thermomix was appreciated for its creamy texture, although some found the rice to be slightly crunchy.
- 👨🍳 The Cookeo version received praise for its even cooking, but those looking for creaminess felt it resembled more of a pilaf rice.
- ✨ Opinions were relatively divided, with a slight preference for the Cookeo due to its even cooking.
Comparison of results: Quick or creamy?
Upon examining the results in more detail, it is clear that each device has its own advantages.
| Device | Preparation time | Texture of risotto | Creaminess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermomix | 30 min 30 s | Creamy but slightly crunchy | 🌟 Well present |
| Cookeo | 45 min | Well cooked but less creamy | 😭 Poorly present |
The Impact of Brands: Bosch, Kenwood, and others
More generally, when evaluating the performance of both devices, it is important to consider other brands that operate within this culinary universe. For example, brands like Bosch, Kenwood, Tefal, Cuisinart, Philips, and KitchenAid have also developed innovative cooking appliances, each presenting their own specifics.
🔍 If these brands have not yet reached the notoriety of the Thermomix or the Cookeo, their rise in quality and the continuous development of new technologies could see them competing with these giants.
FAQ: Learn more about Thermomix and Cookeo
- Q: What is the main difference between the Thermomix and the Cookeo?
- A: The Thermomix is more versatile and integrates more functions, while the Cookeo is primarily a quick pressure cooker.
- Q: Which device is best for beginners?
- A: The Cookeo is often considered more accessible for novices.
- Q: Is the cost of the Thermomix justified?
- A: It depends on how often it is used and the dishes one wishes to prepare.
- Q: Can desserts be prepared with these appliances?
- A: Yes, both devices offer recipes to make a variety of desserts.
- Q: Are recipes available for both devices?
- A: Yes, both devices offer guided recipes, but the ingredients may vary according to the device.
- Q: Which device is best for beginners?
- A: The Cookeo is often considered more accessible for novices.
- Q: Is the cost of the Thermomix justified?
- A: It depends on how often it is used and the dishes one wishes to prepare.
- Q: Can desserts be prepared with these appliances?
- A: Yes, both devices offer recipes to make a variety of desserts.
Hello, my name is Lucas, I’m 38 years old and I’m a restaurateur. Passionate about cooking, I take great pride in serving homemade dishes prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. My goal is to create a memorable culinary experience for each and every one of my guests. Welcome to my gastronomic world!
