Aldi's Thermomix replica road tested against the real thing

By 9Honey|

It's the great A Current Affair cook-off, featuring one of the modern kitchen's most beloved gadgets – and a new challenger.

Tonight, the Thermomix and Aldi's Budget ThermoCooker were put to the test trying out the same recipes, at the same time.

The financial stake for families is significant, with the Thermomix retailing for more than $2000, compared to $300 for the Aldi equivalent.

Working mums Louise and Kim test them both, with Louise making two lots of garlic chicken risotto, and Kim whipping up banana muffins.

The machines are compared on how they handle ingredients, cooking times, and the all-important taste test.

Perhaps the most glaring point of difference for the more costly Thermomix is the addition of a Cook-Key.

"So this one's got a chip on the side of it that's got recipe books, so there's recipes stored and it guides you how to cook. The Aldi one doesn't have that," Louise tells A Current Affair.

Thermomix battles it out with Aldi's Thermocooker
Louise prepares garlic chicken risotto in both devices. (A Current Affair)

These wireless devices attach to the newer TM5 models and allow users to send and save recipes from an online cooking platform, direct to their device, for real-time instructions.

Louise found the Aldi device less adept at chopping the ingredients, needing a second go to properly mince the garlic.

Both machines weigh ingredients, eliminating the need for measuring cups.

Kim was pleased with how the Aldi machine performed in the early stages.

"I think they look exactly the same, no problems at all," she told ACA.

Louise's risotto turned out a bit "runnier and waterier than a risotto should be" in the Aldi device (Nine)

But adding the dry ingredients - flour and oats - showed the Thermomix edge out ahead by mixing them in better.

The Aldi machine took an extra 10 seconds to complete the job.

Cooked in the machines for the same time, the risotto emerged from the Aldi device "runnier and waterier than a risotto should be", Louise declared.

But she thought if it had been left to cook a little longer, the consistency would have been similar to that of the meal produced by the Thermomix.

Nonetheless, both mums were positive about the result.

"They're the same. My kids would eat both," Kim said of her two lots of muffins.

"I think I'm in a bit of trouble because I think my husband would want me to sell the Thermomix now."

Kim declared her two lots of muffins seemed the same and her kids would be happy to eat both (Nine)