Manufacturer Vorwerk warns of “sudden and uncontrolled escape of the food” for certain recipes. The recipes have now been changed, warnings should prevent the problems in the future.
(Photo: Vorwerk)
Dusseldorf As a precaution, Vorwerk-Elektrowerke is warning users of the current Thermomix model TM6 of the dangers of certain uses of the device.
“In rare cases, there may be an application problem with certain recipes – sometimes in connection with an overfilling of the mixing bowl,” said the Wuppertal-based family company in the application warning. Then food could escape “suddenly and uncontrolled” and users of the digital food processor could scald themselves.
The lid of the Thermomix preparation pot has an opening for adding ingredients. The supplied measuring cup also serves as a sealing cap so that no food spills out or too much heat escapes during preparation. Steam can escape at the edges of the measuring cup so that no excess pressure is created during cooking. However, these openings can become clogged with the current model.
Vorwerk warns of increased pressure in the Thermomix
Vorwerk warns that “when certain recipes are used during cooking, ingredients could float, condense and become impermeable to steam. For example, parts of vegetables that foam up during cooking could clog the openings from which the steam pressure normally escapes, Vorwerk explained when asked.
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As a result, increased pressure can build up in the mixing bowl in rare cases. Hot food could suddenly spurt out and scald users. The supplied measuring cup of the Thermomix TM6 is firmly inserted into the lid, with the previous model TM5 the measuring cup was still loose in the lid opening of the mixing bowl, which prevented overpressure. On the other hand, the measuring cup of the TM5 can fall out when users remove the lid. Older generation devices should not use the TM6’s tight-fitting measuring cup.
Vorwerk has adapted the recipes and software of the TM6
Vorwerk therefore advises users of the current model to “use the cooking insert instead of the fixed measuring cup of the TM6” when cooking from 95 degrees Celsius. The cooking insert sits loosely, is permeable to steam and at the same time prevents the food being cooked from splashing out of the mixing bowl.
kitchen hit
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To date, Vorwerk has sold Thermomix devices with digital functions worldwide.
Vorwerk has already adapted recipes in “Guided Cooking” accordingly. With the current software update of the TM6, digital warnings now also appear. Vorwerk plays the voluntary warning in coordination with the state supervisory authorities. Vorwerk said on request that there are currently no legal cases in Germany on the matter.
The manufacturer did not comment specifically on the number of incidents or victims worldwide. These are “rare cases” given the eight million digital Thermomix devices that have been sold globally to date. However, the number also includes the predecessor model TM5, which is not affected by the problems when delivered.
A few years ago, another previous model, the TM31, had problems with a defective sealing ring. Vorwerk wrote to customers of a production batch and replaced the sealing ring free of charge.
Thermomix: “Thermoburn” made headlines in Australia
In Australia, however, the independent sales company Thermomix in Australia (TiA) had not informed its customers, users scalded themselves when hot liquid squirted out. The cases made headlines under the term “thermoburn.”
“In rare cases, there may be an application problem with certain recipes – sometimes in connection with the mixing bowl being overfilled.” Message from Vorwerk
The Australian consumer protection authority ACCC sued on behalf of at least 14 demonstrably injured parties up to the Federal Court of Justice in Melbourne. TiA admitted its omissions and agreed in 2018 to pay a fine of 4.6 million Australian dollars, the equivalent of around 2.9 million euros.
Meanwhile, the Vorwerk Group continues to benefit from the success of the digital food processor, and in 2021, the Thermomix’s 50th anniversary year, achieved record sales of 1.7 billion euros with the device. “We have sold 1.5 million devices worldwide,” said Vorwerk boss Thomas Stoffmehl in an interview with the Handelsblatt in February. However, the global lack of chips is currently slowing down the high demand, causing longer delivery times for the main source of revenue.
More: Vorwerk is selling more Thermomix devices than ever before.