Soup makers

I use a large saucepan and a hand blender. Once had a soup maker and the first time I used it I ended up with boiling soup over me and the kitchen. Took it back and exchanged it for a hand blender. Also you can, if you wish make larger amounts in a saucepan.

I wouldn't be without my soup maker. Couldn't be easier. Just put ingredients in, switch on and 21 minutes later smooth soup is ready or 28 minutes later chunky soup ready. Whichever you prefer. Meanwhile, I go and do something more interesting than standing over a pan.

I can't help imagining my own late gran reading this thread with a mixture of incredulity and derision.

Lovetopaint037 You must have filled it past the Maximum line. They are designed to NOT spill when they boil up. Did you read the instructions?

Anyone thinking of buying one would be thoroughly out off by reading that they boil over dangerously!

They are not meant to make enough soup to last a week for a large family. Six platefuls is the usual size, plenty for one or two people, and they are so easy to use, and only one utensil to wash up, that you can make another batch next day if you need to.

You can be just as creative as with a sauxepan,. The basic capacity is about 500-600 grams of your choice of vegetables and/or meat topped up with vegetable/meat stock or water. Keep the scales beside you and put stuff into them as you chop, empty it into the soupmaker with any herbs or spices, add enough stock or water to reach the max line, and set it going.

The soup I made a few days ago contained a packet of cooked beetroot, an onion and a tin of chopped tomatoes, plus vegetable stock, done on the smooth setting and seasoned to taste when it was cooked. I served it poured over a handful of half-inch cubes of feta cheese, with crusty bread and butter. It was a gorgeous cherry colour.

The kitchen wasn't filled with steam for 45 minutes while it simmered, and I only had the soupmaker to wash - not a large saucepan plus a blender and blade.s

I bought my soup maker after a recommendation from GN. It is wonderful and one of our most used pieces of equipment. No saute function

Marmin

I can't help imagining my own late gran reading this thread with a mixture of incredulity and derision.

Why? Did she make hers over an open fire and stir it with a stick? Even if she did, there is no need to deride progress. Ignore it by all means, but not everyone wants to live in the past, and mocking those who move with the times is uncharitable at best.

Elegran I have an extractor fan and a dishwasher and when I had a soup maker, it had to be handwashed and was fiddly.

I am not against soup makers. I have friends who swear by them, but I found that soup makers did just not work with my careless sloppy way of making soup. They required precision preparation of ingredients, which I know comes naturally to many, but not to me.

If you usually make soup by your preferred pan and blender/slow cooker/ pressure cooker, and you’re happy with that, then a soup maker is unlikely to appeal.
If you don’t usually make soup or you want to make soup in a one operation/no need to watch the pan/or wash multiple utensils method, then a soup maker will be a good idea. It’s not too expensive so even if you only use it for a year you have had your moneys worth.

Exactly, Molly. I got one for my son when he was a student and he loved it. He could make cheap meals quickly and easily. Of course he could have used a saucepan but so what?

Doodledog

Marmin

I can't help imagining my own late gran reading this thread with a mixture of incredulity and derision.

Why? Did she make hers over an open fire and stir it with a stick? Even if she did, there is no need to deride progress. Ignore it by all means, but not everyone wants to live in the past, and mocking those who move with the times is uncharitable at best.

No, she wasn't a witch. I apologise for giving the impression my comment was mocking. I was reflecting how she would not be able to imagine just a thing existing.

I didn’t think she was a witch! 😂. I just thought of the most primitive way you could make soup. If she had moved on from that there is no room for mockery of others moving further along.

I know what you mean though - soup makers, microwaves and so on would have seemed like science fiction not so long ago.

Mollygo

If you usually make soup by your preferred pan and blender/slow cooker/ pressure cooker, and you’re happy with that, then a soup maker is unlikely to appeal.
If you don’t usually make soup or you want to make soup in a one operation/no need to watch the pan/or wash multiple utensils method, then a soup maker will be a good idea. It’s not too expensive so even if you only use it for a year you have had your moneys worth.

I'd bet that is why soup makers exist. Some people fancy them.

Some people are in the kitchen, perhaps readying the next meal, washing up from the last meal - they use that time to make soup. They likely don't mind washing a pot and spoon.

I make soup 3-5 times a week - with recipes. I chop my herbs and veg, I measure carefully. I'm not fast. I'm content with methodical.

I usually don't make smooth soup, except tomato from my frozen summer harvest. I saute the onions and garlic, roast off the measured peeled tomatoes (I freeze them peeled), add herbs, boil, puree in blender. Wash out the pot and blender jar. Done. Perhaps a soup maker could be easier, but I don't see how.

I think the majority of people who buy a soup maker love them

That’s exactly the point I made Norah. if you’re happy with the way you do it why buy a soup maker?
If you have people standing around in the kitchen, happy to make soup while they wash up, why buy a soup maker?
If you’ve got time, and you enjoy doing it, then that’s the best way for you to make soup.
One way isn’t better than another, it’s just a matter of personal choice. Probably the people a soup maker is most useful for are those who wouldn’t normally make soup because of the time element.

Everyone seems to assume having a soup maker makes soup making less time consuming and trouble free,

My experience was just the opposite. I found a soup-maker was far too fiddly and time consuming for me.

A soup maker is a neutral domestic appliance. It suits some people but not others. It didn't suit me.

M0nica

Everyone seems to assume having a soup maker makes soup making less time consuming and trouble free,

My experience was just the opposite. I found a soup-maker was far too fiddly and time consuming for me.

A soup maker is a neutral domestic appliance. It suits some people but not others. It didn't suit me.

Agreed. Ideal for some.

And who has worktop space for extraneous appliances?

Same as Ninja ovens, air fryers, Instant Pots, Rice cookers, Pressure cookers. I have pots, spoons and a hob, work well.

Mine’s a Morphy Richards. So simple and makes delicious soups in a very short time.

Ah, but, Norah, I confess I love my little airfryer and my slow cooker, but I fully accept what suits me may not suit others.

I just do not understand why other people cannot accept this. It is interesting to compare different peoples's experiences of different appliances, but none of them are better than the alternative for everyone.

I do sometimes make soups, in a saucepan, but feel the need to point out that Sainsbury's do superb ones. Other supermarkets are available.

M0nica but I fully accept what suits me may not suit others.

Of course, this is fully rational.

When others want me to do as they do, I wonder 'why'?

Nobody is wanting anyone to do as they do, though . If there is any of that it is coming from the 'I can manage with a pot and a stick' side of the pointless fence.

Who cares? If people want a soup maker they can get one, and yes, of course that is why they exist - just as gas and electric cookers exist because people wanted them instead of coal ovens. The OP is thinking of getting one, and just asked for some advice from others who have tried them out. She didn't ask to be told that there is no need to get one, or that they fall into an 'extraneous items' category. That sounds very judgemental to my mind.

Doodledog

Nobody is wanting anyone to do as they do, though . If there is any of that it is coming from the 'I can manage with a pot and a stick' side of the pointless fence.

Who cares? If people want a soup maker they can get one, and yes, of course that is why they exist - just as gas and electric cookers exist because people wanted them instead of coal ovens. The OP is thinking of getting one, and just asked for some advice from others who have tried them out. She didn't ask to be told that there is no need to get one, or that they fall into an 'extraneous items' category. That sounds very judgemental to my mind.

I don't judge such. I expressed all faff appliances are extraneous TO ME - but with mum in my ear, I'll 'watch my words'.
Watched - done!

I'm out!

It's such a daft thing to argue over. If someone wants a soup maker and wants to know which kind to get, why does she need to be told it is pointless?

And what's Obama doing here?

Norah

M0nica but I fully accept what suits me may not suit others.

Of course, this is fully rational.

When others want me to do as they do, I wonder 'why'?

I’ve RTWT and I’m puzzled.
Who has said they want you to do as they do, Norah? I can’t find the reference.
If your way suits you, it’s the best way, for you.
If someone uses a soup maker, that’s the best way for them.
If someone wants to try a soup maker, don’t you think the best people to advise them are those people who already have one and like using it.