Review: Tokit Omni Cook C2

If there’s one type of gadget I’ll never pass up on testing, it’s a kitchen gadget. Especially if it’s based on efficiency and cutting down cooking time.

This is why the new Tokit Omni Cook C2 smart cooking robot caught my eye and I had to review it. For those who don’t know, it’s the equivalent of the Thermomix, which has been dropped by the same distributor who has brought in the Tokit Omni Cook C2, which is about R14 000 cheaper than a Thermomix, at R19 995.

Introducing the Tokit Omni Cook C2

The Omni Cook C2 is a multifunctional cooker that’s basically 21 appliances in one. The full list of what it does is here:

There are 11 operating modes if you want to use it manually, but for it is recommended you use the app and follow step-by-step instructions, which for example, when cooking, the blades will automatically turn counter clockwise so as to not shred the meat.

Inside the box, you get the main operating unit but apart from the main 2.2L jug and lid, it has accessories such as a scraper, measuring spoons, measuring cup, and whisk. The measuring cup is also used to cover the lid fully when cooking so things don’t splash out.

You can buy a steaming basket separately but this is double layer and allows you to cook three dishes at the same time. I was not supplied with one for my testing.

The machine can pull a lot of power when it’s doing something heat intensive, but it is a 1500W machine. It’s about 7.5kgs heavy, and needs a fair amount of counter top space. it is bigger than an Instant Pot.

So, what makes it a smart cooking robot? It has a touchscreen built into it, you cannot remove it, and it has WiFi. You can sync it to the app that you download on your phone and if you have a Mi Home account, you can also sign into that.

This then lets you browse and save recipes, and most importantly, follow instructions to make various dishes. The unit also has a pre-cleaning mode to help with washing it.

Setting up the Tokit

The unit is heavy, so take care when removing it from the box. You need enough space when placing it on your countertops. This isn’t a device that’s suited to pack away when done like an airfryer because of how heavy it is. Plus it has grips at the base that stays on, so not worth moving around.

The operation manual is very intimidating. It has three pages of what you can and cannot do plus aftercare stuff. I received a demo ahead of my review, so I didn’t sit and read the whole thing. However, you need to know the blades are extremely sharp so take care when handling them.

You need to download the Tokit app and create a user account so you can find and favourite recipes you want to use. You then need to join your WiFi when you first switch it on, so it can sync to everything.

Because it’s owned by Xiaomi, I can appreciate the ease of use in setting up, such as scanning the QR Code on the device to link it immediately to your smartphone. You will then see the recipes show up as you add them to favourites.

There’s also device settings you can choose, such as language, screen brightness, view your own recipes and downloads, set the volume (it gives feedback for each action), and you can choose to disable safety tips (rather do this after using it for a month), choose how many minutes for sleep mode, etc.

If you’ve ever used a smartphone or tablet, it’s not hard to navigate the machine.

Then there’s access to all the manual modes. I think cooking with it will come with practice after using it on automatic mode, but you can use it to blitz and do basic functions that it offers. It’s just the method that comes with following recipes that’s the difficult part.

Following Recipes

As mentioned, you have to get them from the Tokit app. I was told during my demo I could also use the ones from the Thermomix option, and as the ladies were familiar with those ones, and looked at both. But that’s a paid for app service with limited free access.

The recipes are accessible directly on the touchscreen on the right hand side of the device. You follow and swipe for each step, but you can also quickly preview all the steps before hand and swipe back to continue. It’s better to do this to familiarise yourself with the steps so you’re not jumping the gun.

What I loved the most was to weigh the dishes in real time, without messing additional dishes. I just took all my ingredients out ahead of cooking or baking, and measured directly on the Tokit. You simply press the dial to reset the scale after you put each ingredient in. Just make sure you put them in slowly as you can easily go over you can carefully remove depending what it is.

In my experience, the Tokit app still needs to be refined. I made some dishes which I felt were not fully accurate. Because I received the demo and saw how it was operated, I used my discretion for certain things.

Like I cooked the risotto for longer on a higher temperature than if you follow the exact one on the app, which does not result in a perfectly cooked one. I did an extra 6 minutes for 150 degrees and it was the perfect risotto, best I’ve ever made.

I loved the butter chicken I made, it came out beautifully and was done in twenty minutes. I did add my onion to a chopper and blitzed my tomato in the Nutribullet, but in hindsight, I didn’t need to as the machine does that step.

This was such a winning recipe, and one I would highly recommend to make first if anyone is buying the machine. It is called Indian Butter Chicken on the app. I was amazed that the chicken didn’t get chopped up because the blades move counter clockwise.

And I made also made the most delicious keto almond cake. I used it like a mixer and cooked it in my airfryer.

It can get a bit frustrating, to be honest, like when I made mushroom soup and it felt like the mushroom wasn’t fully cooked and it was too runny. I managed to salvage it the next day on the stove by thickening it and cooking it extra.

The main issue here is that this is a new product competing with an existing one, so the quality and availability of the recipes are not the same. I definitely think this needs to be prioritised in South Africa. But from what I understand, they are working on it.

However, if someone buys the unit, they won’t know which ones to avoid because it’s not an obvious thing. And it’s also costly to end up with a dish that doesn’t come across as fully cooked.

All that said, perfecting the Tokit requires practice and hours. The more you use it, the more you understand how it works. And of course, the more confidence you will get in using it on manual mode.

I didn’t have the unit for as long as I would have preferred, as I typically have when reviewing other kitchen gadgets, so unfortunately I couldn’t test it thoroughly. It’s also tough when attending media events and not having time in a shorter review window to go through everything.

To make matters worse, I started keto on 1 July so I felt limited by what I could make, however, I did request the unit in June but alas received it a bit later. That said, I appreciate the short time I had with the Tokit Omni Cook C2.

Final Thoughts

The Tokit is a fantastic kitchen gadget that eliminates a whole lot of other appliances. You will need a demo of the unit ahead of purchasing it so you can understand it a bit better.

It requires trail and error and for those with an open mind who are willing to learn, in order to fully appreciate the efficiency of the gadget. If you’re already thinking “I don’t want to learn to use another gadget”, then rather don’t buy it.

Once you learn and perfect it and find the right recipes, it will be difficult going back to the traditional way of doing things. I embrace efficiency but knowing it comes with a learning curve can be frustrating to others.

The Tokit Omni Cook C2 looks to be a superior option to the Thermomix purely on price alone, in a budget conscious country like South Africa. A saving of R14 000 for an appliance that does the same thing is a big deal. While I don’t know the full details, the original distributor no longer selling the expensive unit but bringing in a more cost-effective one speaks volumes.

At R19 995, it’s not a cheap appliance, but rather see it as an investment in your kitchen. It would make an ideal wedding gift or if you have limited space and want to buy one or two countertop appliances, this is a strong contender.