Are soup makers worth it? If so, how do you use yours?

[Geebray]

I want to get more healthy and I like soups, but I want to start making my own rather than buying processed ones. Is a soup maker worth it? Or is it just another kitchen gimmick?

What sort of recipes do you use for yours, if you have one?

---

MNHQ Update
Searching for a soup maker that'll take the stress out of making your favourite soup at home? Our guide to the best soup makers is up to date with a wide range of options tried and tested options. We hope it’s helpful!

I wouldn't bother personally. I make a lot of soups. They're so easy and all you need is a cheap hand blender.

I can't answer on my account, I don't have one. But my mum uses hers about 5 x a week, I think what she likes about it is she can chuck everything in and just leave it and go out. If she's not back in time to eat it she just reheats what she wants.

Myself and DD3 go to hers for lunch twice a week and always have soup, my DD calls it "nanny soup" (despite the fact she does lots of different kinds) 😂

Yes - definitely worth it!! I absolutely love mine and it has been a life changer...cook time is just under 20 mins and can roughly chop everything so prep is a doddle too. My go- to's are tomato, carrot and butternut soup. I do often roast the veg first for depth of flavour but there is no need. If the recipe calls for coconut milk/cream, or a cheese, I stir these in at the end, once the soup has stopped cooking.

I have one. DH uses it 3 times a week in the winter. He makes tomato and lentil soup, winter vegetable soup with carrots, swede, potato and onion and leak and potato soup. It takes 20 mins from start to finish. He has them for his lunches.

I’ve got one but don’t use it. I think a pan and a hand blender are just as good.

I keep forgetting to use mine, but it is good when I do. Mine makes a very loud noise at the end until you turn off, so couldn't go out and leave it.

One of mine sautes the veg first, which is handy.

I just use the Instant Pot and a hand blender. I do have a high-powered blender, too, but it makes some soups weirdly frothy or gummy.

Slow cooker and a hand blender would do the job and be more versatile

We have a soup maker, it's been a big win in our house. So much so that when the first one packed up we bought another. It's so nice to come in, set it off, do the washing up and a quick tidy whilst it's doing its thing then sit down to some lovely homemade soup.

Thank you everyone! Also for the recipes, yummy. Just what I need to increase my veggie intake.

I've had 2, both top of the range.
The Morphy Richards simply stopped working after a month.
The Lakeland cracked 2 days before the guarantee expired.
Both via Amazon, so both refunded.

They were really a gimmick, a saucepan & hand blender work just as well & in the same time.

Same as a saucepan then 😉

OP spend your money on a hand blender if you don't already have one.

I make soup at home but couldn't be arsed with a soup maker. Let's be honest prepping veg for soup isn't that time consuming and for me it's part of the pleasure of cooking.

Love mine. I don't use recipes! I know I can use a pan and stick blender but then I have to check thst it's not boiling over or turned down too low. With the maker i can just throw everything in and go kff and do other stuff. I have the sort that looks like a kettle (Morphy Richards Compact), no saute function.

I use mine a lot. I also use it as a blender for smoothies and what have you. I don’t really use a recipe, just throw in the veg that needs using up!

What type of seasonings do you all use in your soups?

Sherry, Marsala......

Knorr stock pots.

I have neither the time nor the inclination to be fancy.

Yes! I have the Ninja soup maker. It’s fab. I have become a sort of human dustbin though as “past-its-best” lurking in the bottom of the fridge gets chucked in with a stock cube, sometime with some left over cooked chicken, and bob’s your uncle. So it has cut down on waste too.

A particular fave is lentil & tomato.

The Ninja has a self clean function too.

@Georgyporky I would never have thought of using sherry to season, but will now as for Marsala, as in 'Garam Marsala'? what are the accompanying soups you use Marsala and Sherry seasonings for?

@HollyKnight You're kind of exactly where I am. Problem is it makes them all taste the same. I'd love something that makes my soups taste really different , like posh restaurant soup.

I didn’t like mine. I prefer the veg to be roasted or fried beforehand or it tastes weird, so by the time I’ve done that I might as well use the pan.

I had a basic one but found it didn't cook long enough for me so when it blended, some of the veg wasn't quite soft enough. And once the cooking cycle was finished, the machine wouldn't cook any longer.

As pps have said, a saucepan and stick blender are all you need.

I use mine about 3 times a week.
So easy and quick.
I can rough chop veg or chuck in frozen.
Mine is the Tower

curry powder / cumin / turmeric. Or fresh herbs. Or sherry as a PP said.