Review: Tefal Perfectmix Cook Hot & Cold Blender, Much More Than Smoothies

The Tefal Perfectmix Cook Hot & Cold Blender is one of those appliances that initially looks relatively straightforward. It is a blender, after all. But after using it for everything from smoothies to healthier snacks, I quickly realised there is considerably more going on here.

Unlike a conventional blender, the Perfectmix Cook BL83SD can both blend and cook. It has 10 automatic programs, a steam function and Tefal’s Powelix blade system, opening it up to soups, stews, compotes and steamed vegetables as well as the usual smoothies, shakes and desserts.

The cooking functionality is particularly useful if you want an appliance capable of preparing a meal rather than simply processing ingredients. You can make a creamy soup without having to cook everything separately on the stove and then transfer it into a blender.

However, one of my favourite features turned out to be something far less glamorous: cleaning it.

I’ve used plenty of blenders where cleaning around the blades is considerably more frustrating than making the smoothie in the first place. Tefal has addressed this particularly well.

The Perfectmix Cook has a deep-clean function that heats water inside the jug as part of the cleaning process. Tefal says the cycle eliminates 99.99 per cent of bacteria, based on independent laboratory testing.

More importantly for everyday use, the blades can be removed from the mechanism and cleaned separately. Tefal includes a special cleaning brush for getting around them. I found this considerably easier than cleaning other blenders I’ve owned, where you’re often trying to manoeuvre a sponge around sharp blades at the bottom of a jug.

The touchscreen also makes the appliance surprisingly straightforward considering how much it can do. Rather than having to work out speeds, temperatures and cooking times yourself, the automatic programs take care of much of the process.

I would actually recommend using Tefal’s recipes when you’re starting out. They have been designed specifically around the machine, so quantities, programs and cooking methods are already worked out for you. Once you understand how the Perfectmix Cook behaves, it becomes much easier to experiment.

And experiment I did.

I made healthy biscuits using chickpeas and almond butter, which turned out delicious and disappeared particularly quickly thanks to my son, who devoured them. I also made banana, peanut butter and yoghurt slices, which demonstrated that this appliance can be genuinely useful for preparing healthier snacks rather than just drinks and soups.

Smoothies were another success, although I noticed the results were very aerated. Some people will love the lighter, almost whipped texture, but if you prefer a particularly dense smoothie, it is something worth knowing.

There is a generous amount of power here, and the high-speed blending means ingredients are processed quickly. For smoothies and recipes involving nuts, chickpeas or other denser ingredients, that performance is noticeable.

The included steam basket also extends what you can do with the machine. Fish and vegetables can be steamed, while the heating function allows for chunky soups, noodle soups and stews. It makes the Perfectmix Cook considerably more versatile than a conventional premium blender.

Of course, whether you need all of this depends on how you cook. If you only ever make the occasional smoothie, a cheaper blender will do the job. The Tefal Perfectmix Cook makes much more sense for someone who will actually take advantage of its ability to blend, heat, cook and steam.

At $319, it is not an expensive blender, but calling it simply a blender undersells what you’re getting. Its appeal is really in replacing several preparation and cooking steps with one appliance.

For me, though, the clever cleaning system is one of the reasons I would be more likely to keep using it. Kitchen appliances can have dozens of impressive functions, but if they’re painful to clean, they inevitably end up spending more time in the cupboard.

The Tefal Perfectmix Cook avoids much of that frustration. Between the heated self-cleaning function, removable blades and dedicated cleaning brush, Tefal has clearly considered what happens after you’ve finished cooking.

The Tefal Perfectmix Cook is at its best when you venture beyond smoothies. It is powerful, versatile and surprisingly easy to maintain, while Tefal’s dedicated recipes provide a useful starting point for discovering what it can actually do.

And if a blender can convince a child to devour biscuits made from chickpeas and almond butter, that’s not a bad result either.

Rating: 4/5

Pros:

• Excellent heated self-cleaning function, removable blades are easy to clean,
• Highly versatile, useful automatic programs.
• Great for healthy snacks and meals.

Cons:

• Smoothies can be quite aerated, overkill if you only need a basic blender.
• Best results require some familiarity with its programs and reliance on Tefal recipes.