Thinking of getting a soup maker

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I fancy getting a soup maker but would be interested if anyone already has one.

From what I read, you just add vegetables, stock, turn on and soup ready in about 19 minutes.

It all sounds very good but I'm thinking is it just as easy to make in a saucepan and I'll end up with another gadget stuck in a cupboard.

To be honest it does sound very similar to a pan! Do you make soup often already?

Just use a pan

Love mine! It's a cuisinart. Don't think people appreciate how easy it is to use!!

If you have room, I'd get an Instant Pot pressure cooker instead. It'll do the same as a soup maker, but you can cook other foods in it too.

If you already have a pan and a stick blender it just sounds like a bit of a pointless gadget. How easy are they to clean?

A pot and a stick blender are easy to use, you don’t need an extra gadget that will inevitably become clutter.

I swear by mine, a good buy!

I make a lot of soup and all I need is a big pan, a kettle, a knife, chipping board and sometimes a frying pan. Then if I want a smooth soup I use the blender to purée it.

I would worry about how hot a soup maker would get plus over flowing issues etc.

I always soften and slightly brow. Onion (& celery & peppers) if using. Just chucking in everything raw and adding stock doesn't create the same quality flavours.

You still have to peel the veg and chop some of them so no different from a pan there. As pps said, pointless extra clutter when it's a doddle to make soup in a pan with a stick blender.

Most soups I make involve roasting things before transferring to a big pan for a quick simmer and then it goes in the blender. A soupmaker just sounds a bit pointless when you have other items in your kitchen that work just as well and do more than one job.

I have one and use it all the time. I've got the one that sautés as well. I like the convenience of something plugged in and not on the hob then when it's cooked you just pour like you would a jug. Mine has definitely not become a white elephant in a cupboard.

toasted why is it more convenient to have something plugged in on the worktop rather than on the hob?

van mainly because I can plug it in, walk away and not have to think about it again until it beeps to say "I'm ready".

ah right. I have limited worktop space so always prefer stuff to be on the hob

It depends whether you like cooking and spending time fiddling around:

Perfectly doable if you don’t mind stirring, transferring liquid before blending etc.

The soup machine means you chuck it in, wait for the bleep and it’s ready to eat.

I can toast on the fire or the grill, but I use my toaster.

I can boil water on the job, but I use my kettle.

I can cook on the hob or in the oven, but I use my microwave.

If you have the space, then I think the soup maker is worth it.

Perfectly doable if you don’t mind stirring, transferring liquid before blending etc

I just blend it in the pan, but I can see the advantage of not having to stir it and keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn or boil over.

Is the soup maker easy to clean? Does the 'soup vessel' bit go in the dishwasher?

Reason I ask is that I'm thinking it's a juicer type thing and the number 1 reason people seem to give for not using their juicers is that they're a pain in the arse to clean.

I have one, it’s fantastic. I can plug it in, go off and do something else and don’t have to stir or watch the pot.

Makes great soup and mine (Morphy Richards) is very easy to clean

I use mine a couple of times a week and love it. However, I am unable to lift heavy pans or hold a blender. Can’t chop veg either.

Thank you for all your replies.

Well I've taken the plunge and ordered one. Funnily enough NonaGrey it's a Morphy Richards one.

I've read it's easy to clean too.

I want it so i can just put everything in and leave it to it, and it keeps it warm. I've read the reviews and most people seem happy with it so fingers crossed.

I'm hoping to be making soup on Saturday so I shall see what it's like. I'm actually getting quite excited about it!

Also doesn’t make very much so I make 3 litres in my big soup pan.

I've got the Morphy Richards Sauté and Soup too, love it! I make soup once a week for four portions, and it's so easy to use, and clean.

I have a Morphy Richards one but I tend to use frozen veg because it can go straight in the machine. I put boiling water in it to melt the veg and then it is ready in 21 minutes. I make soup three times a week and will make cauliflower and blue cheese, minted pea, spicy butternut squash, and carrot and ginger.

I literally just said to a colleague that the soup maker is the best thing I've bought in ages I make fairly simple ones in mine but I love it. I wish I had the sauté one though as I had to sauté my veg first for this weeks leek and potato soup. Also it burnt slightly on the bottom but it's the first time I've used a recipe with milk in so that might be why. I find it much easier to use than pan and stick blender.