Bellini Intelli Kitchen Master

Love this machine !!! – Bought one about 8 months ago and it's amazing. I joined the Bellini Addicts and Skinnymixers Facebook pages and haven't looked back. I couldn't stand cooking before, now I really enjoy it - thanks to my Bellini. It takes out all the prep. work and standing in the kitchen stirring. My twin sister has a Thermomix and I have made everything she has… Read more

made in her Thermo. The only difference (besides the price) is it doesn't weigh (although I take the jug out and put it on the included scales) nor does it go in reverse, you need to you change the blade, however I just usually use the sharp blade for most things. The only thing it doesn't do is dice/slice food like a food processor - although I just read on the Bellini Addicts Facebook site, there is an adaption coming out in April called the FoodPro that will grate/slice/dice with a see through cover. My Bellini is very easy to clean - I put the jug, lid, and the seal in the dishwasher, I just make sure the pins are dry before I use it again. I read you are not supposed to put the blades in the dishwasher because they corrode, so I just rinse these by hand (very carefully as they are sharp!)

It does the job – I have been using the Kitchen Master for about a year now and have no major complaints. The main reason I got this machine was because we just moved here and was starting from scratch. So I saw this as a good opportunity to buy this machine that does the chopping, blending, mixing, whipping, steaming and all the functions it promises, instead of… Read more

buying separate appliances. In that aspect, it does all the job well. However, if you already have all the necessary appliances that does all these separately, then I don't really see the need to purchase this machine.

Some of the minor complaints - It doesn't do the job so well if you are blending a small amount. I can't seem to get it very fine. Bigger batches are alright. Another area that needs improvement is the manual and recipes. Although I'm aware of the Bellini addicts recipes, I like to use my own recipes. But it's very difficult guessing the timing and speed for some of the functions because of the lack of info in the manual.

Overall, I'm happy with this machine because I didn't have any kitchen appliances to start with.

Glad I didn't buy a Thermomix (yet!) – Like many people I saw a Thermomix in action and loved the idea but couldn't justify the price, plus I needed to know if this style of cooking would suit me. The design of the Intelli bowl and accessories is so close to the Thermomix but obviously not the same quality - you get what you pay for and with my flybys this cost me $80 not $2089! I… Read more

have found it easy to use and the Bellini addicts Facebook page is very helpful in getting started. I'm not a big fan of cooking but this has inspired me to try harder and given me a focus for finding recipes. I've used it for Spaghetti Bolognese, curry, risotto etc. with pretty good results. My favourite things are chopped salads, no peeling the veg and its done in 3 seconds! Its great for chopping onions and garlic, and I find I bake a lot more now, esp banana bread. I wouldn't want to push it too hard with things like dough or ice (unless dropped into spinning blades) as the motor started to smell last time I made pizza dough.

I probably use it about 2 or 3 times a week so I'm quite glad I didn't go for a Thermomix but perhaps if this breaks, I might consider it one day!

Been great – Purchased in June 2014 and find it great multi functional product. It replaced my processor and blender. I like to use it for some of my asian dishes, pork floss and mango pudding. I haven't changed my way of cooking but I like it for particular recipes. So much cheaper than the thermomix and has lasted me a while. If I used it everyday then a… Read more

thermomix might have been worth it but I know that I probably couldn't completely change my way of cooking and throwing things in.

Love it - totally changed the way I cook! – I loved this machine so much I bought another one so I can cook 2 meals at once. I follow all the thermomix recipes, and haven't had to change much at all (just chop a tad longer, or cook a minute longer here and there). I use it for almost all my cooking these days, and have had it for 2 years without an issues. I just can't justify the… Read more

Thermomix price, when this works perfectly fine at a fraction of the price. I know this model is discontinued now, but Harris Scarf sell the new version under the Smith and Nobel name. Highly recommend!!!

Amazing machine – Amazing machine, has replaced a lot of appliances. Makes the best buttercream icing and custard! Have had lots of winning dinners and cut out a lot of packages foods. The blade can be a little tricky to clean sometimes as sticky foods get stuck under it, would have been great if it came with a little cleaning tool. Have friends who have the thermomix and the bellini does everything the thermo does for a fraction of the price  Show details

Not very sturdy – This has the potential to be a great all rounder in the kitchen. However i have had the jug blade replaced nearly 10 times as it keeps on breaking. Best not to attempt to click open the blade whilst it is warm as the plastic will be soft and then cause breakage.  Show details

Never Use It – Its a great machine, although in a small kitchen i find it very bulky to be sitting on benches for maximum use.. Limited recipes, & does take a while to cook food properly e.g. vegetables. I like the machine but it constantly gets shoved to the back of my cupboard, due to not having bench space and easier to steam veggies in my steamer and cook… Read more

the old fashioned way.

Cleaning it can be quite time consuming esp the lid, and seal. So this also puts me off using it.

Wish I never bought it – Hard to use, limited available recipes. It's just a glorified food processor IMO. Not even a year old and it's already stopped working. It might suit some cooks, perhaps the confident, inventive ones. If it had have come with a big recipe book or even some online, I think it would've been more useful.  Show details

Love it – I absolutely love love love my bellini. I love the new reverse feture and built in scale. As far as I’m concerned it’s as good as the expense competition but the lid can open in a power cut so maybe better lol. Why pay 2 g when this product is less than a quarter of the price and is absolutely just as good. I updated from the last one and passed… Read more

the older model onto my younger daughter who moved out of home with her bf that’s a good model too easy for a young couple to cook healthy meals

Love this machine – I bought this off Facebook market and I must say that I really love it. I cooked different pastas and today a ragù. I like it so much that I think I will buy the newer version of it. I follow the Thermomix recipes and the more I use it I learn about how to cook and for how long.

best kitchen appliance ever – once i downloaded the recipe book from the Facebook group for Bellini Addicts I was set. It is fantastic and so are the recipes. i now make my own peanut butter, butter and many other things that I was buying. It saves me money and time. I made shortbread before Christmas, fabulous and no rubbing in the butter by hand, Bellini does it all. Great… Read more

scones, cake mixes etc. I haven't tried many of the meal recipes but the ones I have are great too.

They say it is a poor mans Thermomix, but why pay $2000 when you can have this?

Great Machine! But it's starting to break :( – I love this machine! Gifted to me Xmas 2015.I work away from home so don't get to it much but the things I've made are amazing! Dips,dough, cacciatore,cottage pie. However past few times I can smell burning out in motor. Contacted Bellini and haven't had reply. Would like a replacement as it is obviously about to blow but I've just seen in this header it's been replaced with new version so I'm sure I'm going to have a battle on my hands...  Show details

Worth buying – This machine has been a real time saver in my kitchen. I use it daily and it has not let me down. I wish it came with an extra jug though - using the one can be time consuming and frustrating. It's easy to clean, not too noisy and I am not ashamed to say I am a Bellini addict!

Rubbish – dont buy one they are rubbish blow up after using it 6 times only not worth the trouble you get what you pay for as the old saying goes your much better buying a machine that is worth more money like a Thermomix well worth every dollar had mine for a while now and you can use it for everything

Worked well to start with but now broken and can't get it fixed – I have had this machine for just 3 years and after a few initial concerns I was able to do most things with it. However, it stopped working some 2 months ago and I can't find anyone to repair it. The motor is working but the blade just does not turn. I have contacted Bellini and the store I bought it from several times and have now been advised… Read more

that Bellini do not offer a repair service after the warranty period has expired and they do not keep spare parts for discontinued items. Very disappointed.

A little scared of it, now love it! – Given this machine for Xmas by my daughter who has one and loves it. I just thought oh no another machine to have to master but I wanted to make her happy so I read the manual, joined Bellini Addicts on Facebook, now love using it. Any problems can usually be sorted by googling, such as the lid being stiff to get on and off, just spray around the… Read more

seal of lid with cooking oil spray. Yes I am a huge fan now and pays for itself (cheap anyway) with less time and effort put into cooking. I actually enjoy cooking more and will try so many more things. Recipe books, hints etc can be found and printed off the net e.g. Bellini Addicts on Facebook. I also read that it was designed in Oz, that made me feel proud!

Been an awesome companion in my kitchen! – I bought this to see if I could justify the use of a thermomix. Seriously - I didn't really NEED the TM! It has been faultless - made the most delicious foods. Saves me so much money in the long run as welll - and by cooking from scratch, I have even lost a lot of weight! Of course this depends on the type of food you're cooking! Makes the… Read more

most amazing bread.. have done away with the bread making machine.. also got rid of the food processor and steaming pods! Highly recommended for those who cant' afford that outrageous TM price..

Love It and now love cooking – I hardly baked and was never a fan of cooking, so I read some reviews and bought it. Bought it 3 weeks ago and have used it nearly every day. I read the instructions carefully, downloaded the Bellini addicts recipe, joined the Facebooked groups and off I went. As long as you follow the instructions to the recipes carefully, everything just falls… Read more

into place. Easy to use and clean. The scales are great. Highly recommend. Love my Bellini, most importantly my family are very happy.

I just didn't love it – I think that the Bellini Intelli is fantastic value for the money. I didn't like it because I realise that kitchen gadgets just aren't my thing. Give me a big bowl, a wooden spoon and an oven and I'm happy. My mum convinced me to buy it because she absolutely loves hers. I, however, returned mine after 3 days. Some love it and make amazing… Read more

things with it. I recommend if you do buy one, or before you buy one to join the Facebook (FB) page - Bellini Addicts. You will absolutely get a huge amount of support and inspiration there if you're stuck.

CONS:

- You have to follow the recipe (I hate following recipes) both for the food and for the attachments

- You can't just scrape the food out of the jug as it constantly gets stuck on the blade. Though this would be the same as a food processor (which I also hate and don't own one for that reason)

- I found the Intelli and it's different bits and pieces needed a lot of space on the bench so that you can access while you're cooking, which we just don't have

- Many of the recipes you come across are for the Thermomix, so you have to try to convert the Thermo jargon to Bellini jargon. Just added to the confusion for me.

- The steamer was ineffective

- It took 30 mins to cook scrambled eggs

- People from the FB addicts page say they use traditional methods for steaming, cooking rice and scrambling eggs so what is the point of having a machine that is meant to do everything, if it doesn't do everything?

PROS

- Excellent returns policy from Target where I bought it

- Fantastic value for money if gadgets are your thing, and you're happy to follow a recipe

- Excellent support on the FB Bellini Addicts page

- Highly in demand (and currently very hard to get hold of). So if you do purchase one and don't want it but can't return it to the store you are likely to sell it again second hand, very quickly and at a good return

I'm sure with time we might have become good friends, but sometimes you just know when something isn't right, and for us the spark just wasn't there from the beginning so we parted ways (I returned it)! See if you can try one out first before you buy it to see if you gel. :-)

Not perfect, but a good kitchen tool – I could not justify spending $2000 on a Thermomix as I am not one of those people who rely on appliances in the kitchen and I just would not have used it enough. A few friends bought the Bellini and I thought price was reasonable for what I want to use it for, so I gave it a try :) I know people who have Thermomixes and yes, quality is not the… Read more

same of course. There are a few downsides, as sometimes you have to substitute the blades in the process of making something and it doesn't have the in-built scales (a free detached digital scale comes with the Bellini though), but it's easy enough and I would not spend an extra $1700 to have those extras. I made butter so far, a cake, pasta sauce and stock paste. Practice makes perfect, so don't expect everything to come out spot on when you first try! I do agree on food sticking at the bottom sometimes and it's a little fiddly to clean, but taking blades off makes it easier. Will also try to rub some oil at the bottom next time. But overall, I am not disappointed.

Not what you want – I got this for my birthday. I was so excited. It was returned a few weeks later. I made lemon curd a few times, brilliant taste but food stuck to the bottom. Made spaghetti sauce once, puréed it to the point of glue and stuck to the bottom, was not edible, literally tasted like vomit. Made pizza dough, too much pressure, caught fire in back of… Read more

machine. Was overwhelmed with all the attachments, mostly made with plastic and the instruction manual was not very helpful.

I did not get a replacement. Good product in theory, unfortunately I did not get a good one.

I have two! – Why waste $2000+ on a machine when the Bellini can do it for a lot less. Yes, there are a few differences from a Thermomix, but certainly not worth over $1500 worth of differences. People complaining about problems should join up with some of the Thermomix pages on Facebook. I've seen so many machines having to go back for repair. At least with Target, just take it back to the store and get it replaced. No waiting for repairs!

A kitchen toy to buy if you want to play – Yes, it's literally a toy: the plastic parts looks like it will not last long. Build quality is just medium. Opening and closing the lid needs some real effort and I bet 10 out of 10 will find it hard to open/close the lid. Cannot turn off the mixer while steaming, so you will have to live with the toy mixing water inside when it's steaming - this… Read more

comes with some level of noise too. On the good side, you can do a lot with it. A plus for me is that it has a 37 degree temperature level to grow the yeast for making bread. Overall it is virtually worth the money compared with buying the crazy expensive Thermomix, but don't expect things to go as perfect as you may think. If you can live with lower kitchen standards, it probably works for you.

Worked well for a year then broke – This Machine was handy for chopping veggies in a few seconds, making smooth soups, making healthy smoothies. But now anything liquid leaks out of the bottom making a mess and wasting ingredients. The seal and blades are fine, I think the problem is in the locking mechanism no longer holding tight?

Does what it says – I decided to get this after my blender broke, not so much that I wanted to have an all-in-one cooking machine (like a Thermomix). However, it has been a bonus in many ways. I have not explored all that it can do yet but I've enjoyed its ability to chop (onions especially!), mince, knead, stir and blend. With it, I have been able to do a few… Read more

things that I haven't been able to before with just a blender or a food processor. I would have given it 5 stars if the capacity was more than 2L!

BLOODY AMAZING! – i really wanted the thermomix but the expensive price tag had put me away from it, i had tried a ThermoBlend by Kogan and what an experience, i had to replace that 4 times in the space of 4 months! i was looking around and i found the Bellini, the reviews seemed okay and it was on special so i thought id give it a go! i tell you what i have not… Read more

looked back on this decision! i was expecting a similar experience to the Kogan Brand appliance i had previously had but this was the opposite! i use this everyday! im trying to eat a wider range of foods and eat healthier and this has enabled me to do so with the range of things it does, its changed how i cook! ive had this for quite a long time now and i have not had to return it! im reading the negative reviews about this and seriously, if you will complain about it lacking in certain areas then buy a thermomix! dont be fooled by the bad reviews! the only downside to this machine is the lid has to be on properly for it to work which can get tough if you put the rubber ring on the wrong way but after a few uses its brilliant!

For the low price i paid i couldnt be any happier! this has replaced my blender and food processor in my kitchen! im super happy and i hope it lasts!

this has made my life so much easier – With severe food allergies in the family i spend a lot of time cooking. I read so many online reviews before buying. All of the poor reviews are from people who don't know how to use the machine. Not surprising really, the instructions leave a lot to be desired, but look the bellini addicts up on Facebook. They have full instruction books and… Read more

recipe books etc for free! This machine is amazing, chop whole carrots, whip cream in 16 seconds, make nut milk, cake batter,; I just made the most amazing fried rice. I have used this daily for 6 months and can't recommend highly enough.

It's magic it's so easy – First time I used the machine I cooked rice, I could not get over the end result the rice was seperated not at all like the rice cooker. Made bread was a little disappointed not very light. I have made Chicken Cacciatore and Beef Stroganoff very pleasing. Looking forward to trying other recipes.