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Housekeeping

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Is it worth getting a soup maker?

46 replies

Sockmate123 · 26/11/2024 23:17

Is it a good gadget or a waste of money?


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! Flowers

OP posts:
TotallyTwisted · 26/11/2024 23:19

If you've got a knife, a big pan and a stick blender, then no.

Equalizer · 26/11/2024 23:19

I have one...it was a thoughtful gift. But in reality it has been used once. Soups are generally made on the hob and blended with a stick or in the pressure cooker which has multiple functions.... So on that basis no.

StormingNorman · 26/11/2024 23:21

Total waste of space. I use a small hand blender which works fine.

FarFarWay · 26/11/2024 23:21

A digital pressure cooker makes great soups, but also does a lot more.
I'm not sure what a soup maker does that sets it apart - but have never researched thoroughly. Digital Pressure cookers are the best invention ever (in my opinion).

ProvincialLady24 · 26/11/2024 23:23

TotallyTwisted · 26/11/2024 23:19

If you've got a knife, a big pan and a stick blender, then no.

And a wooden spoon.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 26/11/2024 23:24

I use mine a lot to make soups for my little boy's school lunches. He's tube fed and soups made in it are the perfect consistency for meals for him, I can bung it all in and 20 minutes later I have a batch of soup for the week.

JBJ · 26/11/2024 23:24

I bought one, used it a few times and just couldn't get on with it. Couldn't get soup the right consistency at all. I just pressure cook it now and use a stick blender

Hiddle1976 · 26/11/2024 23:25

Waste of money just get a blender.

CharlotteSometimes1 · 26/11/2024 23:25

Waste of money. I used to rush home from work everyday at lunchtime to let my dogs out and only had 30mins at home. I bought a soup maker with timer function with the idea that I could save time heating something up and come home to a lovely hot fresh soup. I tried and tried, but in order to get the veg to cook it had to be so finely chopped it took ages to prep, which just added time to my morning or the night before, in the end I gave up.

chisanunian · 26/11/2024 23:25

I really ought to make more of an effort with soup. I'm usually restricted to my famous 'Chop It Up, Chuck It All In And Hope For The Best' I make every Boxing Day.

PenguinLove1 · 26/11/2024 23:27

I love mine!

I throw in pack of prechopped veg, stock cube and a hangul of lentils, stick it on at 11.30 when working from home and by 12 i have perfectly cooked healthy soup for lunch plus and extra couple of bowls for the next couple of days - its really helped me have healthy warm lunches really easily

I leave it to work when in a meeting - I wouldnt do that with a pot

pointlesspoints · 26/11/2024 23:29

I use mine most days, it was worth every penny.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 26/11/2024 23:31

A stick blender and a saucepan is enough, and more versatile.

friendconcern · 26/11/2024 23:31

I used to think it wasn’t worth it but I love mine. I use it at least three times a week on average because it does smoothies too, so summer I have smoothies every day and winter I have soup. The kids know how to use it too and it’s much easier and cleaner than doing it the traditional way.

fanaticalfairy · 26/11/2024 23:34

Iike mine, used to think a waste of time as I had a saucepan and a blender.

But you just bung the stuff in and you can walk away from it and it beeps when done.

No need to stir, supervise, no splattered soup droplets, no faffing about with the blender.

It's just easier.

avignon1234 · 26/11/2024 23:36

Agree with OP, you are wasting your time and cupboard space with this one. Everyone has their different ways but I sling it all in the slow cooker, and then blend with a stick processor. Three tips, 1) add cream last, a minute before you blend, otherwise it can curdle 2) if you want a chunky soup, just mash gently in lots of liquid, if at all, not blend 3) frozen peas go a bit rogue in the slow cooker, great if you are blending, but if you want them to keep their form and not be "stewed" as in a ham hock broth, then add them 10 minutes before serving.

FarFarWay · 26/11/2024 23:37

How is a soup maker different from the Soup setting on a Digital pressure cooker? I notice that some are saying the veg don't always cook thoroughly... which has never happened with my pressure cooker.
Love as well the Delay Timer, Keep Warm and Quick Reheat functions.
(Not meaning to sound like an ad, but I am a huge fan.)

Rubberducksallround · 26/11/2024 23:37

Big fan here!
I work from home and struggle to eat healthy lunches and in winter I want something hot but don't have time to cook. With the soup maker I roughly chop whatever veg I'm using, chuck it in, set it off and walk away. It's ready in 20mins but it stays hot until I'm ready to eat it. So convenient and quick. Use mine at least a couple of times a week.

mumda · 26/11/2024 23:39

I bought one and used it maybe twice. I have made soup since in a pan but mostly because I want to make a large volume of soup.

friendconcern · 26/11/2024 23:39

friendconcern · 26/11/2024 23:31

I used to think it wasn’t worth it but I love mine. I use it at least three times a week on average because it does smoothies too, so summer I have smoothies every day and winter I have soup. The kids know how to use it too and it’s much easier and cleaner than doing it the traditional way.

I’ve missed the window of opportunity to edit this post, so replying to myself after reading other replies.

Mine chops and sautes, then you choose what consistency of soup you want and leave it to it. It then keeps it warm till you want to eat it. Then it has a clean function.

I have a pressure cooker too (love a kitchen gadget) but it’s much more effort to use than a soup maker.

Themagicwishingchair · 26/11/2024 23:40

Got one as a present and put it in the back of the cupboard for a good year. Saw someone on tv using one. Dug it out, used it, never looked back! So easy! Love it.

nottoplan · 26/11/2024 23:41

Yes , I love my soup maker , I used to make soup on the hob then blend with a stick blender or actual blender but my soup maker does both the cooking and the blending or you can leave it as a chunky soup should you wish .

today I peeled and roughly chopped an onion , two potatoes , and about 6 carrots , chucked it in to the soup maker together with hand full of coriander, two stock cubes , turmeric , and some water and left it to work , 28 mins later I had had my bath , washed and dried my hair , sorted out my clothes for the next 3 days at work , put the washing away and washed and sorted another load , then I came downstairs ran the soup maker on fine blend and put the soup into lidded cups for my lunch at work

if it was just on the hob I wouldn’t have left it to get everything else done
plus it makes great soup

cleaning it is easy just warm water some fairy and then a good rinse

I think , like most kitchen gadgets , if you have to put it away after each use it may be more faff but I keep mine out in my utility room and use it straight away where it stands , it’s about the footprint of a kettle but slightly taller ( cuisinart )

I have had mine for about 8 years and can say it is throughly tried and tested and whilst I don’t use it every day I use it regularly enough to make it worth while having it , It can be used to cook other things like risotto as well but I don’t tend to do that

friendconcern · 26/11/2024 23:41

FarFarWay · 26/11/2024 23:37

How is a soup maker different from the Soup setting on a Digital pressure cooker? I notice that some are saying the veg don't always cook thoroughly... which has never happened with my pressure cooker.
Love as well the Delay Timer, Keep Warm and Quick Reheat functions.
(Not meaning to sound like an ad, but I am a huge fan.)

It doesn’t chop so it’s more faffy, it doesn’t blend, so consistency isn’t as good. You have to make larger quantities (or you would in my pressure cooker). It also takes longer.

bouncydog · 27/11/2024 08:03

Just use a large pan and spend the money on a good stick blender instead! Recommend the Kenwood stick blender with various attachments including the potato masher/ricer. DH’s is 12 years old and still going strong!

EveryDayisFriday · 27/11/2024 08:07

I love mine, makes delicious soup whilst I'm wfh. I only have a £10 2nd hand morphy richards one from FB marketplace. I have hand blenders and a pressure cooker but the soup maker cooks and blends it all in 20 mins without supervision.

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