Soup maker thoughts please

I have one but only used it a few times. I just didn’t get on with it.

Several people who have never tried a soup maker are saying they wouldn't use one. Frankly, I don't see that as very helpful - there are three alternatives, tried one and love it, tried one and couldn't get on with it, or haven't tried one so have no opinion one way or the other.

I am on the love-it side. It takes up the same amount of space on the worktop as an upright kettle .You can make a smooth soup in 21 minutes, using one utensil, or a chunky soup in 28 minutes. My Morphy Richards makes 6 servings at a time. I eat one, keep one in the fridge for next day, and fill two containers with two servings in each for the freezer. There is usually a choice of three of four varieties in there at any time.

The jug and beaters are best washed immediately (but not submerged in water) before the residue has a chance to dry on. That can be a pain, but it is worth it.

Inciidentally, Marigold also make a vegetable stock cube which isn't vegan - I don't know what the difference is, but just saying.

My husband once made a soup which consisted largely of Brussels Sprouts. The end result was a very unappealing greeny/brown sludge which tasted awful. None of the rest of the family would touch it, but he refused to admit how bad it was and ate the rest himself - let's just say the after-effects smelled even worse than the soup itself!

My favourite soup is leek and potato, but I usually do mixed vegetable, and throw any vegetable I have in apart from Brussels sprouts

Casdon, I made a 'Christmas soup' the other day with vegetables I'd bought in case we had to stay at home on Christmas Day.

I included, for the first time in a soup, quite a large number of Brussels sprouts as well as anything else in the veg drawer, and home-made stock.
It was delicious. The taste of sprouts wasn't overpowering.
Of course, if you don't like sprouts, then it wouldn't be so delicious! 🙂

The stock was ham stock and the ham had been cooked in cider.

I did consider getting one, but I make very big pots of soup at a time, not only for our own house, but for the elderly in-laws and sometimes son and his family too. Because of that, I just make it in my Ninja now.

We use the Boullion powder too sometimes but often just water, depending on what soup we're making. Also use homemade stock when we have it.

Noola

So helpful, thank you.
I think I will give it a go.

Suggestions for good veg to put in?
Also the stock - I will, I guess, use stock cubes, but don't want it too salty. Any help on this please?

I like this stock, which I get from Sainsbury's, they probably do it elsewhere too. It’s low salt and definitely adds flavour.
My favourite soup is leek and potato, but I usually do mixed vegetable, and throw any vegetable I have in apart from Brussels sprouts.

I like my soup smooth too, I use the stock pots, vegetable ones are tasty, for something a little special I swirl some single cream in or grate some Parmesan on top. Butternut squash is our favourite soup.

I’ve had mine for 7 years - it’s this one:
Morphy Richards Saute and Soup Maker 501014

Stock cubes are fine - it won’t be too salty.

Pressure cooker every time in our house. No need for fancy stock cubes either, just a little salt and black pepper, once cooked, just a hand blender to liquidise.......job done!

We use ours quite often. It's useful because it turns itself off while I wander off and forget about it till the alarm goes off. Makes about four portions for us, so we often freeze two.

I love my soup maker. It’s a Tefal one abs sautés as well. You can put anything in - just cut into chunks - so any leftovers in the fridge can also be added. I like my soup smooth rather than chunky. So I sauté my onions and peppers in mine first, add the stock I’m going to use and then the chopped veg etc. it takes just 20 mins. I then transfer to a large container and then clean the soup maker straight away - it’s easier to clean and doesn’t take long. The soup is still hot and there’s plenty for a couple of days. Serve with crusty bread …. Mmm 😋
I often buy the stew packs in supermarkets and add to them.

So helpful, thank you.
I think I will give it a go.

Suggestions for good veg to put in?
Also the stock - I will, I guess, use stock cubes, but don't want it too salty. Any help on this please?

I've had my soupmaker for 2 years and use it often. Just put whatever veg you want to use, add stock and set for either smooth or chunky. Done in 20 mins, no stirring, blending or keeping a watch on it.
I live alone and it makes enough for 4-6 portions, depending whether i put the minimum or maximum amount of stock.

They are great if you live on your own, because you won’t have piles of vegetables to make into soup, a soup maker will make two portions at a time. I don’t like cooking, but do want to eat healthily so I like mine because it saves on faff and washing up. I cut the vegetables into large chunks, add liquid and seasoning, switch it on, and half an hour later the soup is done and ready to eat, no separate blender, no saucepan, no watching it, no messing about stirring it. It doesn’t take much room in the cupboard, it’s like a large kettle, all in one.

I have a Tefal soup maker and love it, so simple to use up left over bits of veg, add an onion, a couple of cloves of garlic, season with salt, black pepper and a few chilli flakes and leave it to it. Best soup ever.
Mushroom is another favourite.

I bought a new Samsung Microwave when my old Panasonic gave up the ghost, the new one is magic, so many functions.

I don’t like my air fryer though. I also sold my slow cooker and pressure cooker.

Yes I’ve had one for a few years now. It’s convenient in as much that you just throw the ingredients in and you can leave it while you get on with other stuff and can even leave it to do it’s thing if you need to go out. My only gripe is it’s another gadget to accommodate in the kitchen.

Slow cooker or hob does the job perfectly.

Never found the need for such a gadget myself and make delicious soup courtesy pressure cooker and good stock embellished with whatever vegetables are available.

Callistemon21

Now, do you mean turnip or swede, Calendargirl?

Are you a West Country girl?

No, definitely turnip.

My DH got them from a farmer friend, think he feeds his sheep with them.

Baa!

And no, am not a West Country girl!

Now, do you mean turnip or swede, Calendargirl?

Are you a West Country girl?

P.S.

Did turnip soup in slow cooker the other day.

Turnip, potato, leek, carrot, onion, garlic, ham stock.

Delicious.

I bought my soup maker from Aldi. I think it’s great for making a quick batch of soup when I don’t have time /want to fiddle around with roasting or frying off veg first. It makes enough for four bowls of soup. Compact enough to go in the cupboard.

I have one and it's easy to use and it will blend as well, but if I'm making a lot eg more than about 3 or 4 portions, I still do it on the hob.