Why do I need a soup maker?

[Hearmenow23]

I can't cook and am living on tinned soup for lunch. I like the idea of chunky home made soup, and just shoving it all in a soup maker. Will it benefit me? Will it give me chunky soup?

---

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!

Well I absolutely love mine, so much easier than faffing around with blender etc. Mine is the morphy richard’s sauté one and I use it at least once a week in the winter. Go for it you won’t regret it (ps I also used to scoff at who would need such a thing)

This is exactly what I suspected. I have been given a blender/food processor thingy (haven't really looked at it as haven't been a cook). Maybe this can do some of the work, then just heat in the pan??

I use my Instant Pot for soup ( only thing I use the bloody thing for!)
I tend to make thick soups like Ham and lentil, Scotch broth and chicken and barley. Takes about 35 minutes

You don't. I don't have one and I make great soups. Waste of money and planetary resources!

This!

I have one and use it a bit. But it depends on the type of soup you like. Anything meat based isn't that great in it imo. Meat needs to be slow cooked and the soup maker doesn't do slow. You could precook everything first I suppose though, then finish it off in it.

I use it for quick lunches etc in winter especially if I have leftovers. But what I use it for mostly is to make bulk pasta sauces if I manage to find bulk tomatoes and onions etc on offer.

Could I live without it, most definitely. Is it handy at times, definitely.

i dont think you do need a soup maker personally.

This is exactly what I suspected. I have been given a blender/food processor thingy (haven't really looked at it as haven't been a cook). Maybe this can do some of the work, then just heat in the pan??

Wrong way around! You blend the soup after you've cooked it, not before. You can use the food processor to chop stuff first though. Making soup isn't difficult. Just follow a recipe!

Ahhhhh!!! My brain really struggles with recipes, but I'll have to get over it. Can't keep eating ultra processed junk. So I'd cook everything in a pan, then whizz it through...

Honestly, I function really well in every other area of life!!!

What does a soup maker do that a saucepan can't?

What does a soup maker do that a saucepan can't?

Well, yes, that is my question. As a non-cook, I would like to put stuff in, come back after x amount of time, and have hearty soup. They are very expensive on amazon and I'd assumed they did more.

You don't need a soupmaker, as PP have pointed out, you can get exactly the same results with a pan and a blender. If you prefer a chunky soup you probably not even need a blender as long as you do the right prep. However I recently bought a soupmaker and, being strapped for time, I am loving the convenience of just adding the ingredients and getting a nice soup after 30'. I personally find making soup in a pan is much more time consuming and messy. Also as it's relatively small appliance and take less time to cook so it is cheaper than cooking soup on a hob.

I make soup often and have never found it is messy or tricky. I prepare my veg, chop it, saute it in a little oil or butter, add stock and herbs/spices (if using), get it up to boiling point and immediately reduce to a simmer, put the lid on (balancing it so there's a little gap for the steam to get out), leave it to its own devices until it's all cooked, blitz with hand-held blender if I want it smooth, leave it otherwise - all done. The most time-consuming bit is preparing the vegetables, although even that's not usually that onerous, and that's the bit that a soupmaker would not help with. You could buy ready-prepared vegetables, fresh or frozen, if you are happy to pay a premium for the saving in time and faff. This could include onions, soffrito (mix of onion, carrot, celery), butternut squash, sweet potato, probably others.

Heats, cook, stirs, chops, sautees, blends, chops, stops and cools.
No person required post throwing stuff in!

"blitz with hand-held blender if I want it smooth"

This is the bit that it replaces so well. I find hand blenders messy and a pain chasing lumps round the pan and sprays everywhere if you get it wrong
The soup maker is actually whizzes up as it is cooking and makes it so much smoother

Ahhhhh!!! My brain really struggles with recipes, but I'll have to get over it. Can't keep eating ultra processed junk. So I'd cook everything in a pan, then whizz it through...

Yes. There are some very simple soup recipes out there, because soup is often quite a simple thing. E.g. for a smooth vegetable-type soup: fry diced onions gently in butter or olive oil, add other veg and cook for a bit, add some flavourings (herbs/spices), pour in a load of stock, cook until veg is tender. Whizz in a blender (checking for seasoning - soup often tastes bland until you add a bit more salt). Reheat gently, adding a bit more stock/water if too thick, or adding double cream if you want a creamy soup.

Honestly, soup is the easiest thing in the world to make! If you're feeling a bit unsure about how to start, then do a really simple one - start with oil or butter, add a diced onion, let it soften. Then chuck in a tin of chopped tomatoes, a tin of kidney beans, mix it round well, and about a pint of vegetable or chicken stock. Leave it on a low heat with the saucepan lid slightly ajar for about half an hour, then chuck in a handful or two of frozen sweetcorn. Very, very easy, no need to chop anything or use a blender, but it's nicely chunky, and might give you the confidence to try other recipes.

Don't be nervous about it! I make soup at least twice a week, usually based on 'what needs using up', which has led to some interesting meals... But the DC adore my parsnip & apple soup French onion soup is super easy too (Delia explains the process really well), and the only prep you need to do is slice the onions & then mostly leave it alone for a few hours.

@AllProperTeaIsTheft @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g
Thank you both!

I've been making soup for decades and was of the mind... why would I need this.

Oh my goodness, it's fantastic. I've got the Lakeland saute one. The big difference for me is the fact... it doesn't matter how much you use a stick blender in a saucepan, you will never get it as smooth as a soup maker does. It's like you've sieved the soup!
And it does chunky too.

I was a complete sceptic but love it.

You don't

A big pot and a sharp knife will do that.