Keep your Thermomix spotless with these easy cleaning tips for the TM7, TM6, TM5 and TM31. Learn how to remove stains, smells and stubborn food.
Your Thermomix is one of the hardest-working (and expensive!) appliances in your kitchen, so it's worth taking a few minutes after each use to keep it clean.
Not only will regular cleaning keep it looking its best, but it will also help prevent lingering odours, stuck-on food and unnecessary wear over time.
The good news is that cleaning a Thermomix is quick and easy. Whether you own a TM7, TM6, TM5 or even the older TM31, these simple Thermomix cleaning tips will help keep your machine in excellent condition.
Watch the Video!
Let the Pre-Clean Mode Do the Hard Work
One of the best features on newer Thermomix models is the built-in Pre-Clean mode.
Available on the TM7, TM6 and updated TM5 models with Cook-Key, this program does most of the hard work for you.
Simply:
- Half fill the mixing bowl with water.
- Add a small drop of dishwashing liquid.
- Run the Pre-Clean program.
- Rinse the bowl afterwards.
The program includes different cleaning options depending on what you've been cooking, including dough, fat or caramel, and browning, so you can choose the one that best suits your bowl.
Most of the time, this is all you'll need to leave your Thermomix sparkling clean.
No Pre-Clean Mode? Create Your Own
If you have a TM31 or a TM5 without the latest software update, you can achieve a similar result manually.
For everyday cleaning:
- Half fill the bowl with water.
- Add a drop of dishwashing liquid.
- Blend for 10 seconds on Speed 10.
If you've cooked something that leaves stubborn residue, such as cheese sauce, risotto or browned meat, try this instead:
- Half fill the bowl with water.
- Add a drop of dishwashing liquid.
- Heat for 5 minutes at 90-100°C on Speed 3.
- Finish with a couple of quick Turbo bursts before rinsing.
This loosens most baked-on food without needing to scrub.
Don't Forget the Dishwasher
Every removable Thermomix accessory is dishwasher safe, including:
- Mixing bowl
- Lid
- Blade
- Varoma
- Simmering basket
- Measuring cup
The only part that should never go in the dishwasher is the base unit.
If the Pre-Clean mode hasn't quite removed everything, simply pop the accessories into the dishwasher for an even easier clean.
Always Remove the Blade
If there's one Thermomix cleaning tip I recommend above all others, it's this:
Remove the blade every single time you wash your Thermomix.
It's tempting to rinse out the bowl after running the Pre-Clean mode and call it done, but food can easily become trapped underneath the blade.
Over time, this hidden food buildup can start to smell and is often the reason people think their Thermomix bowl has developed an unpleasant odour.
Fortunately, removing the blade only takes a few seconds and allows you to clean every part of the bowl properly.
Use the Right Cleaning Brushes
Some recipes, e.g., cheese sauce and risotto, can leave more stubborn food residue and require a bit more manual attention.
In this instance, here are two cleaning tools I reach for time and time again.
A bowl brush
A round bowl brush makes it much easier to scrub around the curved sides of the mixing bowl and remove stubborn residue.
The official Thermomix bowl brush is ideal, but any similar round bottle brush (even a new toilet brush!) will also work well.
For me, the brush from Thermomix is worth the small investment as the bristles are harder, making cleaning easy.
A blade cleaning brush
A small detail brush is perfect for cleaning underneath the blades where food can collect.
It's also useful for cleaning the small steam vents in the TM7 lid, which can otherwise be difficult to reach.
The one in the photo above is this one from the Thermomix shop. You can also use a straw brush set like this one, which you can buy online or at home stores.
Keep the Base Unit Clean
Unlike the removable accessories, the base unit should simply be wiped clean with a damp kitchen cloth.
The TM7 has a much smoother design, making it especially easy to wipe down.
Older models, including the TM6, TM5 and TM31, have a few extra areas that deserve attention.
Be sure to clean:
- Inside the lid locking arms
- Around the bowl recess
- Around and under the control dial
Sliding a damp cloth into these small spaces helps remove trapped flour, food crumbs and splashes before they build up. You can watch me do this in my YouTube video.
Remove Bad Smells Naturally
If your Thermomix bowl starts to smell, don't panic.
Once you've checked that you've been removing and cleaning the blade properly, a simple lemon clean usually does the trick.
Add:
- Lemon juice or leftover lemon skins
- Water
Then heat for 5 minutes at 90-100°C on Speed 3.
The fresh lemon helps neutralise lingering odours and leaves the bowl smelling fresh again.
Some Thermomix owners also like to use bicarbonate of soda for stubborn smells.
Remove Yellow Stains from the Lid
If you regularly cook curries, you've probably noticed the lid can gradually become stained yellow from spices such as turmeric.
Fortunately, there's an easy fix.
Simply place the lid outside in direct sunshine for an hour or two.
The UV light naturally helps fade the staining and restore the original colour.
Restore the Shine with a Lemon and Eggshell Wash
Over time, the stainless steel bowl can lose a little of its shine, even when it's perfectly clean.
One of my favourite tricks for bringing it back is a lemon and eggshell wash.
I always do this after I make my Thermomix Lemon Curd or Thermomix Lemon Meringue Cupcakes.
You'll need:
- 3-4 eggshells
- Skins from 3-4 lemons
- Water
Chop everything together for about 10 seconds on Speed 8.
Then add water and cook for 30 minutes at 50°C on Speed 1.
Rinse thoroughly afterwards and your bowl should look noticeably brighter and shinier.
Read more detailed instructions for a lemon and eggshell wash here.
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