Thermomix TM7 vs Kenwood Cooking Chef XL – Battle of the Kitchen Titans
- Beatriz
- Sep 20
- 16 min read
For those who love to cook (and bake), the Kenwood Cooking Chef XL is another heavy-hitter often compared with the Thermomix. Unlike Thermomix, the Kenwood Cooking Chef is essentially a stand mixer that can also cook with induction heating. It’s a different beast, targeting serious home chefs and bakers. In this comparison, we’ll see how the Thermomix TM7 stacks up against the Kenwood Cooking Chef XL in key areas like mixing/kneading, cooking functions, usability, and versatility. If you’re weighing a Thermomix vs a Cooking Chef for your kitchen, read on!
When you’re ready to purchase, remember that Thermomix can only be purchased through an official Advisor – Life With Thermomix is here to help you through the process. You’ll be getting a game-changing appliance that will serve you for years.
Upgrade your kitchen today with Thermomix and join thousands of UK and Ireland home cooks who cook smarter, not harder!!
Concept and Design Differences
First, it’s important to note what each machine is:
Thermomix TM7: A compact all-in-one blender/cooker with integrated scale and automated functions. It looks like a high-tech blender with a touchscreen. It specializes in multitasking (chopping while cooking, etc.) in one bowl. Great for making complete dishes.
Kenwood Cooking Chef XL: A stand mixer at heart (think of a KitchenAid style) that Kenwood has outfitted with induction heating in the mixing bowl. It comes with classic mixer tools: a whisk, dough hook, paddle (K-beater), etc., and also a blender jug attachment and a food processor attachment in some packages. It’s large, heavy, and meant to sit on the counter like a pro appliance. It’s ideal for those who bake a lot or want a powerhouse mixer that also cooks.
In short, Thermomix = multi-purpose with focus on chopping/cooking; Kenwood = mixer-first, cooking-second. Now specifics:
1. Mixing, Kneading and Baking Tasks
Kenwood Cooking Chef XL: This machine is exceptional for baking prep. It has a big 6.7 L stainless steel bowl, a 1500W motor dedicated to mixing/kneading, and tools like a dough hook, whisk, and beater. It can knead heavy bread doughs (even 1+ kg of flour) that might strain or not fit in smaller machines. Kenwood mixers are known for handling stiff dough and large batches – it’s like having a small commercial mixer. Whipping a dozen egg whites or mixing cake batter for 3 layers – no problem. Plus, it’s open-top design means you can see and add ingredients easily as it mixes. For a passionate baker, the Kenwood is a dream; it does what Thermomix cannot in terms of physically larger and more effective mixing for certain textures (like very airy whipping).
Thermomix TM7: It can knead dough with its blade (capacity about 500g flour comfortably, making ~2 loaves max). It kneads well for its size – the bread dough results are quite good, but it’s a smaller batch. Whipping egg whites or cream in Thermomix uses the butterfly whisk; it works but generally for up to say 4–6 egg whites (not 12), as the bowl is wide and if too little volume it might not reach, too much volume and it overflows. So for baking quantities or textures, Thermomix is more limited. Also, some bakers find Thermomix’s blade system can’t aerate as much as a proper whisk – e.g., meringue might not get as stiff. Kenwood just physically handles these tasks better thanks to specific attachments and a more powerful geared motor.
Winner (Mixing/Kneading): Kenwood Cooking Chef XL by far. It’s built for mixing tasks. Thermomix is versatile but if you primarily want to do a lot of baking prep, Kenwood has the edge in capacity and results.
2. Cooking & Heating
Thermomix TM7: Heats and stirs autonomously. Can chop and cook simultaneously (e.g., making a curry paste while frying it). Great for liquids, sauces, risottos, custards – anything that benefits from constant stirring and precise temp. Max temp 160°C (in guided modes) but effectively 120°C in manual open pot. It can’t deep fry or do big dry stir-fries, but it covers a lot of cooking methods. It excels at things like soup (blend right in bowl), steaming complete meals, etc.
Kenwood Cooking Chef XL: Has induction heating up to 180°C, which is quite high – it even has a popcorn function because it can get that hot. You can cook directly in its bowl and it has a “stir tool” (basically a gentle mixing attachment) to move food around. Because it’s open-top, you can sauté like in a pot – the Kenwood can actually pan-fry to some extent since you could leave the top open and it reaches high heat. It’s good for, say, browning meat or stir-frying veggies (the machine even suggests using no lid for sauté). It doesn’t chop ingredients for you though – you’d either pre-chop by hand or attach the food processor to chop then add to the bowl.
Kenwood’s recipe approach: You use the app or manual settings to heat/stir. It has preset programs (for example: one for making curries, one for stews, etc., that cycle through certain temperatures and prompts).
Both have integrated scales, by the way. Thermomix scale is built-in (1g precision). Kenwood’s top model also has an integrated scale that weighs into the bowl (in some versions).
Cooking performance: Kenwood can run at higher heat, which is good for searing. Its stirring is not as continuous (you might have to choose intermittent stir). It’s great that you can use open lid at high heat (Thermomix locks lid above 120°C for safety). If you like more manual control and potentially more Maillard browning, Kenwood offers that. However, Kenwood doesn’t actively chop during cooking – if you need to break down ingredients, you must do it separately. Thermomix’s big advantage is one-pot: toss rough-cut onion in, it chops and then sautés automatically. Kenwood would require you chop onion (either by knife or using its food processor first) then use the cooker.
Winner (Cooking): For integrated cooking tasks (chopping+ cooking, automated stirring), Thermomix TM7 leads – it’s simpler to go from raw to finished dish in one process. For open-lid high-heat cooking and large volume stews, Kenwood might be better – it can do a big stew or sauce and even fry off ingredients nicely due to its high temp and metal bowl. Chefs who want to “cook like on a stove” but with some mixing help will appreciate Kenwood. So this is a split decision based on usage.
3. Ease of Use & Automation
Thermomix TM7: Very automated and user-friendly (as discussed in earlier comparisons). The screen guides you, it sets itself, etc. Great for those who want convenience.
Kenwood Cooking Chef XL: More manual and complex. It has a lot of attachments and settings. There is a small touchscreen interface on the Cooking Chef (not as large as TM7, but it’s a digital control panel). It will display settings and you can select programs. But it’s not showing you recipe steps with ingredient weights – it’s more like selecting a mode (e.g., “Creaming” for cake batter mixing or “Slow Cook”) and then adjusting if needed. The Kenwood also typically requires more assembly (like attaching tools, ensuring the machine head is locked down, etc.).
The Kenwood is a multi-part system: e.g., if a recipe calls to blend something, you might attach the blender jug on top (it comes with a blender jug) and blend, then pour back. Thermomix would just increase speed to blend in same bowl. So Kenwood can involve more steps and using different pieces.
There is an app (Kenwood World) where you can follow recipes and it will tell the machine to set certain temp/speed when you confirm each step. It’s helpful, but you need a tablet/phone next to you. And user feedback is that it’s not as slick or comprehensive as Thermomix’s Cookidoo.
Kenwood’s learning curve is steeper. If you’ve used stand mixers, you’ll adapt to that aspect, but adding the cooking element means you have to plan the process a bit more.
Winner: Thermomix TM7 for ease and automation. Kenwood is powerful but requires more user input and juggling. People who enjoy that manual aspect might not mind, but purely on ease, TM7 is simpler.
4. Versatility
This is an interesting one:
The Thermomix TM7 is versatile across cooking genres – it can make starters, mains, desserts, drinks, all fairly well as a one-stop device. But it is not a heavy-duty mixer for large baking, nor can it do things like grind meat (not recommended, though small amounts it can, but no dedicated grinder attachment).
The Kenwood Cooking Chef XL is versatile in a different way – it’s like a kitchen hub. You can get attachments to turn it into a meat grinder, pasta roller, spiralizer, etc. (Kenwood has a huge ecosystem of attachments that plug into their mixers’ power hubs – e.g., you can mince meat or roll pasta sheets with optional attachments). So, Kenwood can physically do more tasks with add-ons. It’s a true kitchen machine system. However, those attachments cost extra and take space.
With the standard package, Kenwood usually includes a blender jug and sometimes a food processor bowl, so it covers blending and chopping too. But note, using those means you’re treating it like separate appliances (remove mixer bowl, put blender on, etc.).
If you want one machine to replace a stand mixer, a blender, and be a cooking pot: Kenwood does all but with a more component-swapping approach. Thermomix replaces blender, processor (for many tasks), and cooking pot in a unified way but doesn’t mimic a stand mixer for, say, whipping 12 eggs or extruding pasta.
It comes down to what you make:
If you’re an all-round cook but moderate volumes, Thermomix’s integrated versatility is great.
If you’re an avid baker or like making homemade sausages, pasta, etc., Kenwood with attachments is extremely versatile in that domain.
Winner: Tie, depends on usage. Thermomix is versatile in guided cooking and multi-course meal prep. Kenwood is versatile as a kitchen power unit with attachments, especially leaning toward baking and prep.
5. Clean-up
Thermomix TM7: One bowl to clean for most tasks. Nonstick coated heating element means usually easy clean, plus the self-clean mode. All parts dishwasher safe (bowl, lid, Varoma, etc.). It’s straightforward. However, if you did something like whip cream, sometimes the butterfly whisk and lid get a lot of splatter, but still not hard to clean.
Kenwood Cooking Chef: The mixing bowl and tools are generally dishwasher safe (bowl definitely is, tools depend on coating – stainless ones are). But because you may use multiple parts (mixing bowl, then blender, then maybe food processor, etc.), you could have more items to wash per recipe. The mixer attachments (whisk, etc.) can be large and a bit cumbersome to hand-wash, but not too bad. Also, the Kenwood has more crevices around the machine head (like batter can splash on the machine if you’re not careful, since it’s open top). The Thermomix is closed during use, so it doesn’t splatter your counter; Kenwood might if mixing fast with an open bowl (though it has splash guards).
Also, Kenwood’s induction base on the mixer – the bowl connection area – you need to keep that clean and dry (similar to Thermomix base contacts).
In general, Thermomix tends to involve cleaning just one main thing per recipe and containing mess, whereas Kenwood might involve a bit more cleanup if multiple attachments are used.
Winner: Thermomix TM7 likely easier cleanup for most cases.
6. Cost
Thermomix TM7: ~£1349.
Kenwood Cooking Chef XL: around £1200 for the top model (sometimes a bit less on sale). There are variants: e.g., the Kenwood KCL95 model with all attachments can be ~£1300. So price is similar. Kenwood often includes blender/processor attachments; Thermomix includes its Varoma and basic kit.
Attachments: Kenwood attachments cost extra (meat grinder ~£90, pasta roller ~£100, etc.). Thermomix optional attachments (cutter ~£80). Kenwood could become more expensive if you buy a lot of extras, but they are optional and spread out.
Warranty:
Thermomix 2 years (with paid extension available).
Kenwood usually 2 years on the machine, and bowl tools etc.. Some promotions might extend it. (Kenwood’s stand mixers typically have 5-year motor warranty in some regions, need to check exact for Cooking Chef in UK; possibly standard 2 year with option to extend).
Kenwood being a known brand, you can often find parts or service via many centers (and lots of online spare parts availability because of its popularity in professional circles).
Winner: Both are pricy. There’s no clear winner; the cost difference is minor. If you factor attachments, Thermomix might actually be cheaper if you’re not buying extras, because Kenwood you might end up buying more pieces to achieve the same range of functions (but if you never need those, then no difference).
Verdict: Thermomix TM7 or Kenwood Cooking Chef XL?
Choose Thermomix TM7 if:
You want a compact, do-it-all gadget that guides you through recipes.
You value automation, ease, and the ability to make complete meals with minimal babysitting.
Your cooking includes lots of chopping, soups, sauces, and everyday dishes, and you don’t often need to make huge batches.
You do bake, but mostly small to moderate batches, and you’re fine with the limitations (Thermomix can knead a loaf or two at a time, whip 4 egg whites, etc. – enough for most home needs).
You’re excited by the smart features and recipe ecosystem, and you prefer an appliance that essentially replaces you at the stove for many tasks.
Choose Kenwood Cooking Chef XL if:
You are a serious baker or cook who often makes large batches, heavy doughs, or elaborate multi-component recipes. If you want the power of a stand mixer (whipping, kneading in big quantities) plus the ability to cook in the same machine, Kenwood delivers that.
You already have or intend to get attachments for things like meat grinding, pasta making – the Kenwood can be the central unit for all those tasks (Thermomix can’t grind large quantities of meat properly or shape pasta).
You don’t mind a bit of hands-on control and you’re comfortable with more traditional cooking techniques. The Kenwood will support your skills rather than automate them. (For instance, you might sear meat in the Kenwood bowl while stirring occasionally, much like using a pot, just with some assistance).
You often cook for a crowd or do meal prepping in big volumes – the larger capacity is a huge plus.
In many cases, it’s not that one is outright “better” – they are different tools. Some passionate cooks actually have both: using the Thermomix for sauces, purees, and quick tasks, and the Kenwood for baking and large-scale prep. But for one-machine-only, think about your primary use.
If you’re looking for convenience and broad cooking help, Thermomix TM7 is generally the more recommended one (especially for families who want to simplify weeknight cooking). If you’re looking for a powerhouse to complement your cooking skills (and especially if you bake a lot), the Kenwood Cooking Chef XL could be more satisfying.
Either way, these are two of the most advanced kitchen machines available – they both carry a premium price but also premium performance. Choose the one that aligns with your cooking habits, and it will become an invaluable kitchen companion.
FAQ (Thermomix vs Kenwood Cooking Chef)
Q: Can the Kenwood Cooking Chef XL chop vegetables or do I need to pre-cut everything?
A: The Kenwood Cooking Chef XL itself (the main bowl with stirrer) does not chop vegetables like a food processor or blender would. You either need to pre-cut ingredients by hand, or use the attachments that come with or are sold for the Kenwood. Many Cooking Chef bundles include a food processor attachment – this is a separate bowl and blades that you attach on top of the machine, which can slice, shred, or chop veggies (similar to a standalone food processor). Also, a blender jug attachment is often included, which can purée or blend ingredients to a liquid. However, these are separate processes: you would chop in the processor, then transfer to the main bowl to cook, for example. By contrast, the Thermomix has an integrated high-speed blade in its main bowl, so it can chop and then immediately cook in the same vessel. So with the Kenwood, expect an extra step: e.g., to make a soup, you might use the food processor to chop onions/carrots, then put main bowl on, add oil and those chopped veggies to sauté. It’s a bit more cleaning (food processor parts + main bowl), whereas Thermomix would do it in one. But the Kenwood’s food processor attachment is very capable – it can handle large quantities quickly. Just remember to factor in that workflow.
Q: Which machine takes up more counter space – Thermomix TM7 or Kenwood Cooking Chef?
A: The Kenwood Cooking Chef XL is significantly larger and heavier than the Thermomix TM7. The Kenwood has a classic stand mixer footprint: a broad base and a tall head that lifts up. It needs space not just for its body, but also clearance above to add ingredients or attach accessories. Its bowl is large (6.7L), and storing the various attachments (whisk, dough hook, etc.) also takes space. The Thermomix TM7 has a smaller footprint – it’s more compact, about the size of a food processor or blender unit. It’s shorter and narrower than the Kenwood. Thermomix also doesn’t have extra attachments (aside from maybe the Varoma steamer you place on top when using it, but you can store that away when not in use). The TM7 and Kenwood are both meant to live on the counter due to weight (TM7 ~8 kg, Kenwood ~10+ kg), but TM7 is easier to tuck into a corner. So if you’re tight on space, Thermomix TM7 is the friendlier choice. The Kenwood demands a dedicated area – think of it like having a semi-professional mixer on your counter. Also, when you factor in using attachments (blender jug sticking up, etc.), Kenwood can temporarily use even more space while in operation. In summary: Thermomix is more compact and self-contained, whereas Kenwood is larger and has more separate pieces.
Q: Is the Thermomix powerful enough for heavy doughs or should I get the Kenwood for that?
A: The Thermomix TM7 can handle bread and pizza dough but in moderation. It has a dedicated kneading mode that does a great job for up to around 500 g of flour (which yields maybe 2 standard loaves or a dozen bread rolls). Its motor is strong and the kneading motion is effective for gluten development on that scale. However, if you try to push beyond the recommended capacity (e.g., double that amount), the Thermomix may struggle – the motor will strain and the dough might climb up the blades. For very heavy or stiff doughs (like a bagel or brioche dough, which are low hydration or butter-rich), Thermomix can do it but only a small batch and you might smell the motor working hard after several minutes. Kenwood Cooking Chef XL is built for heavy doughs, no question. It can easily knead 1-1.5 kg of flour worth of dough, and its bowl is large enough that the dough has space to develop. If you bake frequently in large quantities (say you routinely make 3-4 loaves at a time or big batches of pizza dough), the Kenwood will not only handle it better, but it will also likely last longer under that kind of load because it’s designed with that use-case in mind (it’s basically a commercial-grade mixer in some aspects). Many artisan bread enthusiasts prefer a stand mixer for that reason. So, if your main question is about heavy dough capacity, the answer is: for occasional home baking and smaller batches, Thermomix is fine; for frequent or large-volume bread baking, the Kenwood is the safer bet. Some users actually use both – they’ll do quick or smaller doughs in Thermomix (for convenience), but break out the Kenwood for the holiday baking marathon or big batches.
Q: Do I still need a stand mixer if I have a Thermomix TM7?
A: It depends on what and how much you bake. The Thermomix TM7 can perform many tasks of a stand mixer: it can knead dough, whip cream, beat egg whites (with the butterfly whisk), and mix cake batter. For a lot of casual bakers, this is sufficient – they find they don’t use their old mixer much after getting a Thermomix, unless they need to do two things at once. However, there are scenarios where a stand mixer (like a Kenwood or KitchenAid) might still be preferable:
Very large or multiple batches: If you want to whip up frosting for a big cake and need a lot, a stand mixer’s larger bowl is useful. Or if you want to knead a double batch of bread dough.
Certain textures: For example, whipping small amounts of egg whites (1-2 whites) – a stand mixer or hand mixer might do that better; Thermomix might be too large to catch that small amount. Conversely, whipping a very large amount (say for angel food cake), a stand mixer bowl might accommodate volume growth better.
Aeration: Stand mixers with proper whisk attachments can sometimes incorporate air more gently and effectively for things like sponge cakes. Thermomix tends to be very vigorous, which is fine most of the time, but it’s not designed for, say, slowly folding in ingredients – you would do that by hand outside the machine.
That said, many Thermomix users do give up their stand mixers, because the Thermomix covers 80-90% of typical home baking prep. If you are an avid baker (the kind who makes macarons, meringues, multi-tiered cakes regularly), you might still appreciate a stand mixer’s performance and capacity. If you’re more of an occasional baker (cookies, brownies, the odd loaf of bread), Thermomix will handle it and you likely don’t need a separate mixer. So, gauge based on your baking intensity.
Q: Which machine is better for everyday cooking if I’m not very experienced – Thermomix TM7 or Kenwood?
A: For everyday cooking, especially if you’re not very confident or experienced, the Thermomix TM7 is generally better suited. It’s designed to guide you through recipes and automate processes, so it almost guarantees good results even for beginners. You can throw ingredients in and the Thermomix figures out the rest (with a guided recipe). It’s like having training wheels – perfect for someone who might not know cooking techniques. Plus, it cleans easier and demands less manual intervention, so it’s not intimidating. The Kenwood Cooking Chef, while an amazing machine, is a bit more of a chef’s tool. It expects you to know what you want to do: you set temperatures, you choose attachments, and you control the process more. It doesn’t walk you through recipes on the machine (the app helps but it’s not as integrated as Thermomix). If you’re not experienced, the Kenwood could feel overwhelming or you might not utilize it fully. It shines in the hands of someone who has some cooking/baking knowledge and can leverage its capabilities. So for everyday meals – chopping onions, making soup, steaming fish and veg, mixing a sauce – the Thermomix simplifies all that. Therefore, if you’re looking for something to make daily cooking foolproof and fast with minimal skill required, Thermomix TM7 is the better choice.
👉 Ready to take the next step? Book a Free Demo: Curious how Thermomix TM7 can fit into your routine? Book a free Thermomix demo to see meal prep in action. You’ll get tips on batch cooking and time-saving tricks tailored to your needs – and maybe even some tasty make-ahead meal ideas to try! 🚀
When you’re ready to purchase, remember that Thermomix can only be purchased through an official Advisor – Life With Thermomix is here to help you through the process. You’ll be getting a game-changing appliance that will serve you for years.
Upgrade your kitchen today with Thermomix and join thousands of UK and Ireland home cooks who cook smarter, not harder. Contact Life With Thermomix to Book a Demo, ask questions, and get personal guidance on ordering your Thermomix. We’re here to ensure you choose the right Thermomix for you and get cooking like a pro in no time!
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