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?

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Yay!!

Dh used to joke that it would go to the back of the cupboard but we’ve had it 2 months and used it at least 3 times a week. I need some more recipes though because nothing can beat 2 potatoes, a leek, an onion and a few carrots. Plus the veg stockpot.

Oh. My. God. Feeling your pain.

But also crying with laughter 😂

I invested in the ninja hand blender after contemplating the soup maker for a while. I'm happy and have been eating lots of beautifully smooth lentil soups!

Ooh I have all those things! Thats tomorrows lunch. Thanks! Do you microwave the potatoes first or is 20 minutes in the soupmaker enough to cook them down?

@IwishIcouldfinishabook , 20 mins in the soup maker should be enough.

@FayCarew the soup was delicious. I chopped the potatoes up small and they cooked fine. I may pop a bit of ginger in it next time, as I think it may be nice!

OK so give me your favourite soup recipe/ ingredients

Also interested in hand blenders. I need a new one!

Saute on mine is really fierce and I don't want to burn onions (or garlic) so for me , onions that I roast and freeze works best .

I use mine loads. I WFH and often don’t have much time for lunch. I prep mine before work, then pop down about 30 min before lunch to switch it on, then I can just grab a bowl of soup quickly

My favourite at the moment is butternut squash and chilli

I saute squash, onion and one red chilli (seeds taken out if you prefer it less hot). Vegetable stock added and if I have it, a dash of creme fraiche or cream at the end

I just had sweet potato, lentil and all the veg left over from dinner last night (purple sprouting broccoli, roast parsnips, cauliflower with cumin and lemon). Plus veg stock. It was nice.

I'm.drooling just reading that.

Absolutely this.

For me it's like the difference between a saucepan and a kettle.

You want to boil water? It's easy! Just get a saucepan, put some water in, set it on the stove, get a steamy room, tend it, remember to turn the heat off.

Versus kettle - put water in kettle, switch it on, go about your day.

UPDATE!!!!!

(Look away now, stick people)

So I bought a soup maker! The Ninja one, as PPs rated it and it does sauteing.

Made some chicken noodle soup today - brilliant! Obvs it was my first go, so need to adjust seasoning etc, but it worked really well. DH and DC yummed it up. I loved that I could just chuck all the ingredients in and press a button.

Soup makers for the win!!! 😁

Do you think an elderly person may find a soup maker easy enough to work with? He loves soup and buys it ready made.

The glass bit is quite heavy, because it has an element at the bottom as well. And you have to be very careful about not getting it wet. It has a self clean cycle though.

I don't think I would recommend it for an elderly person.

I don't think a soup maker alone is worth it.

I have a Tefal Perfectmix which is a blender but can also make soup, and that feels like a good compromise. I think Ninja do a similar one.

It's great on working days to be able to chuck veg in, press cook, go for a 30 min dog walk and come back to hot soup.

Yes @noodlesfortea I bought the Ninja blender type one, and now I am excited about making jam as well 😆 Imagine - just chuck in some strawberries, sugar and pectin, walk away, and come back to jam! None of that tedious checking of temperatures or backs of spoons!