FAQ
TL;DR: Replacement TM6 knife costs PLN 254 (≈€55) [Elektroda, afro78, post #19788051]; "the knives are actually the most important part" [Elektroda, gulson, post #19788077] Wear of the knife’s bearing after ~2.5 years leads to leaks and potential short-circuits [Elektroda, afro78, post #19788051]
Why it matters: Unchecked leakage can flood power pins and destroy the €1 200 base.
Quick Facts
• OEM TM6 knife: PLN 254 list / PLN 204 promo, seal included [Elektroda, afro78, post #19788051]
• Reported knife life: 6–15 years on older models vs. 2–3 years on TM6 [Elektroda, afro78, #19788051; fzyga43, #19788315]
• Standard Vorwerk warranty: 24 months; knives counted as consumables [Elektroda, badboy84, post #19788302]
• Dishwasher detergents accelerate bearing corrosion; avoid machine-washing [Elektroda, Radzio M., #19788557; sigwa18, #19791785]
• Crushing ice increases—not decreases—blade wear [Elektroda, erdi, post #19789717]
How can I recognise a worn TM6 mixing knife?
Check for side play in the shaft and brown streaks under the bowl. Even slight wobble means the bearing seal has failed, allowing soup to drip into the base [Elektroda, afro78, post #19788051] A chipped edge is secondary; leakage is the key warning sign.
Why does a worn knife cause leakage?
The knife assembly has two radial shaft seals around a small bearing. Once the bearing loosens, hot liquid bypasses the inner seal, runs along the shaft and pools near the power pins, risking a short [Elektroda, afro78, post #19788051]
What is the typical lifespan of a Thermomix knife?
Owners of TM21/TM31 report first replacement after 12–15 years [Elektroda, fzyga43, #19788315; wosiekpl, #19795740]. Several TM6 owners saw leaks after only 2–3 years of moderate use [Elektroda, afro78, post #19788051]
How much does a replacement cost and what do I get?
An OEM TM6 knife with pre-fitted seal sells for PLN 254 (≈€55) list, occasionally PLN 204 on promotion [Elektroda, afro78, post #19788051] No tools are included.
Does crushing ice really sharpen the blades?
No. Repeated ice crushing hastens edge and bearing wear. "Crushing ice sharpens the knife" is a sales myth [Elektroda, erdi, post #19789717]
Can I put the knife in the dishwasher?
Vorwerk allows it, but forum repairs show water and detergent reach the bearing, corroding it earlier [Elektroda, sigwa18, post #19791785] Hand-wash to extend life.
Is the knife covered by warranty or consumer law?
Vorwerk offers 24 months on the appliance, yet counts knives as consumables; shorter coverage applies [Elektroda, badboy84, post #19788302] In the EU you can still claim non-conformity within two years from purchase date “if the fault existed at delivery” [UOKiK Right to Repair].
Can I repair the knife instead of replacing?
The axle is peened over a left-hand thread; you must grind the peen, unscrew, then replace 2 × 6000-2RS bearings and seals [Elektroda, sigwa18, #19792196; Jacdiag, #19792268]. Cost is about one-third of a new knife [Elektroda, r3w4rd, post #19789387]
How do I replace the mixing knife?
- Unlock bowl base and pull old knife downward.
- Seat new knife from below; ensure green seal faces inside.
- Lock base firmly; run a 10 sec speed-3 water test for leaks. Time: under 5 minutes.
What other failures should TM owners watch for?
Edge case: TM5 units with faulty leg strain-gauges show ±20 g drift or 0/Max readings, blocking guided recipes [Elektroda, Szyszkownik K., #19791940].
How does TM6 durability compare to cheaper clones?
Silvercrest Monsieur Cuisine knives seize and shear the plastic clutch when overloaded [Elektroda, mipix, post #19789953] Spare clutches are sometimes unavailable, forcing full replacement [Elektroda, afro78, post #19788369]
Which maintenance habits extend knife life the most?
- Hand-wash immediately after cooking.
- Avoid weekly ice crushing; use frozen cubes max twice a month.
- Run 100 ml warm-water spin at speed 5 after dough to clear seals. Following these steps can double bearing life according to repairers [Elektroda, r3w4rd, post #19789387]
What happens if leakage reaches the power pins?
Liquid pools in the star-shaped recess, floods the 230 V connectors and can trigger a short, destroying the main board that costs >PLN 1 000 [Elektroda, afro78, post #19788051]
Will EU ‘Right to Repair’ laws improve spare-part access?
Proposed rules would mandate 7-year parts availability and public repair manuals for kitchen devices from 2024 [EU Draft Regulation, 2023]. If adopted, future TM parts should remain orderable long after warranty ends.
