Thermomix: what have you done?

The Thermomix TM5 is packed with new features to enhance a futuristic cooking experience and make your kitchen easier and more productive to work in.

The new Thermomix. Source: Supplied

"DEVIOUS", "despicable", "angry". They're not usually words you hear associated with cult kitchen appliance Thermomix.

Its marketing slogan touts the Thermomix as the "most advanced on the market today" — but that is now a subject of debate.

Loyal Thermomix users have been whipped up into a frenzy after a new version — the TM5 — hit the shelves, unannounced, on Saturday.

For those unfamiliar with the Thermomix beast, the kitchen appliance is basically a super-high-tech food processor, combining 10 appliances into one unit. It can chop, beat, mix, whip, grind, knead, mince, grate, juice, blend, heat, stir, steam and even weigh food.

The new Thermomix version, which is retailing for a special introductory price of $1989, claims to be "newer, bigger, better and more digitally advanced" than the version before it.

It features innovations such as a colour touchscreen and a guided cooking function, as well as a recipe chip which remembers your meal prep.

But considering the now-outdated TM31 model also retails for nearly $2000, you can understand why people are upset — especially if they bought it the Friday before the new one was released on the Saturday.

The new Thermomix TM5. Source: Supplied

Angry consumers haven't shyed away from venting their frustrations, and have even set up a Change.org petition and a 'Thermomix Unhappy Customers' Facebook page.

Georgina Shelley is one of three people who set up the Facebook page, telling news.com.au that "I actually ordered my Thermomix on August 7 and I didn't receive it until August 21.

"When I got a phone call from my consultant to say it arrived, she told me she'd come and do a demo-delivery, which means it can't be returned because it's been used. Prior to that, I'd had a private one-on-one look at the Thermomix and I asked the consultant then if there were plans for a new model. She said no, not that she'd heard. I placed an order. I had my model for two weeks, then I found out on Saturday they'd released a new model.

"I paid $1939 for my machine and it's now being sold for $250 less. It was a very big investment for our family, and we felt we were buying the best machine on the market at the time. But they knew there was a better machine coming. It also means that we can't hold any demos with our machines anymore, so that after-sales service support is becoming obsolete too.

"None of us are denying that it's a good machine; we're saying we've been denied the right to choose between the new and the old, and we've been kept in the dark. That's why we set up the Facebook page and the petition. Thermomix have just been so deceptive and misleading, they're really just not taking responsibility for what's happened. They're not even saying how much the new model is going to cost after the introductory price offer finishes. So we're sharing information and banding together, becuase they're not listening to us as individuals."

Disgruntled old-Thermomix owners have also flooded the brand's public facebook page with complaints, with many stating that they have taken the matter to the ACCC.

News.com.au have contacted Thermomix and the ACCC for comment and are awaiting response.

"I believe the Company deliberately withheld information from their Consultants to entice people to buy all the old stock at full price. I now own outdated models that are only one month old and suffer subsequent devaluation of my purchase. As a guide there were only 2 Thermomixes for sale on Gumtree a week ago, now there's 300 and the downward pressure that places on resale value is obvious," wrote Lea Fowler, who recently purchased two Thermomix TM31's after being told there were no new models being released.

"I have waited 4 years to purchase the Thermomix but am now so disappointed and angry that it has left a bad taste in my mouth," wrote Sandra Magliulo, who purchased the old model on August 23.

"The fact that I was not advised prior to my purchase about the new model being released is not right from a customer service point of view."

The now-old Thermomix Source: Supplied

"I am absolutely disgusted with the behaviour of thermomix Australia!!" wrote Nathan Bell. "So to prevent this happening next time I'm issuing a warning to all!! In 7 — 10 years time thermomix will issue a new model without warning!!! Making your TM5 obsolete! You have been warned."

The Thermomix was first launched in 2001 in Australia and more than 200,000 units have been sold. Until recently, the cult appliance has had an army of loyal fans singing its praises.

Have you recently purchased a Thermomix machine? How do you feel about the new model? Tell us below.