Soup maker thoughts please

I used to make soup in a large saucepan on the hob but that was before I bought an Instant Pot which doubles as a pressure cooker or a slow cooker - It has been a game changer for soup making.
Personally, I wouldn't bother spending on a soup maker, as someone else commented "just another gadget in the cupboard".

I always start by putting some water in the soup maker and that stops things from sticking.

One tip from experience: red lentils can stick and burn onto the soup maker base, perhaps especially with tomatoey soup. I’ve learned to soak the lentils for a few hours before tipping them into the machine. My soup maker was out of action and in disgrace in the cupboard a copule of times for this! Other than I’ve enjoyed soup maker soup for lunch for years now. I’m definitely in the really love it group.

I’ve had mine for a while and recently found it again at the back of the cupboard! I think it is wonderful for using up vegetables lurking at the bottom of the fridge, add seasonings etc and it all cooks in 15 minutes. I bung in whole peeled garlic bulbs and don’t peel the vegetables, just roughly chopped and then I blend it at the end. If you like it thicker you can add a little cornflower. I also like to add something like butter beans, or lentils when it has finished cooking, tinned I’m afraid. I had some soup left over the other day and froze it. It has now been added to this weeks shepherds pie! So yes, I would recommend, though as others have said, it does take up room, especially as it is obviously not used in the summer months.

I use these containers. I used to buy them from Morrisons but during lockdown I sent away to Addis for them. In fact I use them for everything. Dog treats, stock, coffee ( always worried that I’ll drop a whole jar of coffee).

I freeze mine in the plastic boxes, similar to takeaway boxes, that I buy in packs of 6 in shops like Home Bargains, etc. They are so easy to stack in my freezer.

Noola

Alioop thats an interesting combination, and encourages me to experiment with mine. Its going OK.

Can I ask how you freeze - what kind of containor?

Freezer bags, ice cream tubs, plastic freezer boxes, tubs from shop bought soup -whatever .

I am making one today. I use a large pot on the hob, cut up whatever veggies ( don’t sauté) add red lentils with a tin of tomato 🍅 garlic etc etc .
Cook slowly stir occasionally and bingo. Lovely stew. I batch cook and it Freezes well.
I will add the last of my gammon.
Don’t usually blitz but if I do I use the stick. About 25 minutes cooking time depending on size of chunks.
Straightforward cleaning the pot.
My friend had a soup maker which she used s lot, initially, but it’s been in her cupboard for months now.

I use boxes like those from takeaway meals, except I bought them from -I think it was Costco.

I use old margarine tubs!

Alioop thats an interesting combination, and encourages me to experiment with mine. Its going OK.

Can I ask how you freeze - what kind of containor?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohRD6-BU5a8

Lots of ideas on YouTube

I love my Tefal one I was bought as a Christmas present years ago. I live alone so I make a batch and freeze what I don't use. Carrot and parsnip soup is my favourite, I make some with sweet potato, onion and a cooking apple. My sister wasn't a fan of it though.

Glad to hear of another convert Franbern. I'm just off to pop a nice lentil soup on. 😋

I first read about soup makers on Gransnet. Was very 'sniffy' about them as I had always made soup in a saucepan on the hob, and these days made even easier with hand held blenders at the end. Before that Ihad needed to pour this hot liquid into glass blender.

But, so many people praised them I thought I would give it a go. Only me, so purchased a compact one. Am very much a convert to them now. So very easy, and just one ite to wash up. I take short cuts throughout -use frozen chopped onion, put in different items from vegetable drawer in fridge, use the stock pots, some Lazy Ginger and Lazy Garlic, usually a diced small potato to thicken it (although sometimes use red lentials for this purpose). My partiuclar favourite (this year) is butternut squash, but I purchase the frozen pieces for this. Add some water, turn it on and walk away. twnety five minutes later have delicious soup.

If I am having anyone over for lunch in the winter months, this is my standby, along with a nice crusty roll and butter. Have not found anyone who has not thoroughly enjoyed it and complimented me on making it.

Yes, If I need to make a large amount I will return to large saucepan and hand held blender, but for most of the time I am more than happy with this gadget. Do not try to pack it away it sits on my worktop ready for use. Just to size and shape of a kettle.

Barmeyoldbat

Should be morphine

Wondered about Mr. Hine!

I'm loving my Ninja. It has a sautè setting which takes 5 minutes. You then add other veg, pulses etc. and stock, decide whether you want it chunky or smooth and away you go. It takes 30 minutes, but has a manual setting if you need to add more time.

And I always use frozen onions and a potato, easy!

Love my soup maker. Favourites are mushroom, carrot and pea and ham. So easy and so quick.

Hope you enjoy your soup maker Noola.

Ixion - yes I got one and am pleased.

I checked out Which? and got one they suggested.
'Daewoo 1.6L Family Sized Soup & Smoothie Maker, Ideal for Smooth & Chunky Soup & Smoothies, Led Indicator Lights, Overfill and Overspill Sensors, Stainless Steel, 1000W'
from Amazon

Aha Noola, I have been following this with interest and note that you have finally gone ahead with buying one!
It has raised and answered so many questions that I had - can you tell me, please, what make you chose or where you got yours from?
Thanks!

I’ve also used more celery since I bought a soup maker. Something I never used before but wouldn’t be without. Celery soup is my all time favourite.

I never cook my mushrooms first, I just cut them up with onion, 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, a couple of potatoes, fill up to maximum level, add salt and pepper and a vegetable stock cube. A swirl of cream when served makes a nice touch.

Might not be to everyone’s taste but I fry whole meal bread in olive oil and garlic purée to make croutons to add to my soup. Jamie Oliver did something similar on tv a few years ago. I’ve got to clear out my freezer so I’m going to be throwing all sorts of stuff in my soup maker over the next few weeks. And I’ve got loads of red lentils from my pandemic stock pile( while other people were buying loo roll I was buying lentils and dried soup mix). I tend to add a few dried chives to my soup when it’s cooked also. I went through my herb and stock cupboard the other night. Some stock is way out of date but I reckon it will still be ok. I do have frozen stock in my freezer that’s old but I think that needs to go.