Electric soup maker

ncmc

I am wondering if anyone here has used a soup maker, something like this:

http://www.electricshopping.ie/cuisinart-ssb1u-soup-maker.html#.UKt632cRDnk

I would love to make my own soup, but I don’t have a blender or a deep pot to cook it in. I like the look of the convenience of the soup maker, but are they a bit of a gimmick? Would I be better just buying a deep pot and a hand blender? On the advertising bumff, it says that the soup maker browns the onions etc, but the base of the soup maker looks quite small for browning onions. Also, it looks like it wouldn’t make a lot of soup, part of the reason I would want to make my own soup would be to make a big batch and freeze it. Anyone any positive or negative experiences?

Melendez

This post has been deleted.

Alun

Ditto, get a decent deep pot and a hand blender instead. You'll get more use out of each of them than just making soup.

Dizzyblonde

I think they look like a gimmick. Soup is so easy to make and all you need is a large pot and a hand blender. I can't believe the price of those things :eek:

ncmc

Thanks all, I suppose it is a lot of money when you think about it, I think it can be used as a regular blender as well though. I think I saw the Cusinart one for half price somewhere, but can’t remember where.

The only problem is, I had it down as a possible Xmas pressie from my hubby. I don’t think he’s too impressed with getting me a kitchen gadget as it is, I think he’ll really balk at getting me a blender and a pot

Stheno

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

I think they look like a gimmick. Soup is so easy to make and all you need is a large pot and a hand blender. I can't believe the price of those things :eek:

I was going to get one, and then decided it was a gimmick, and it doesn't seem to make much in terms of quantity.

ncmc

Stheno wrote: »

I was going to get one, and then decided it was a gimmick, and it doesn't seem to make much in terms of quantity.

That was one of my worries, 1.4 litres according to the website I posted. I would be hoping to make 2-3 litres at a time and freeze in individual servings to bring in for lunch.

Alun

I'd be pretty sure the pot and a decent hand blender combined would be cheaper than that soup maker gadget, unless you go completely overboard, so I can't see how hubby can complain really.

BTW a hand blender is better suited to this task as well, as pouring hot soup from a pan into a bowl blender is an accident waiting to happen in my experience.

Stheno

ncmc wrote: »

That was one of my worries, 1.4 litres according to the website I posted. I would be hoping to make 2-3 litres at a time and freeze in individual servings to bring in for lunch.

If it was for an xmas present, you could maybe ask him for something like a Le Crueset pot instead?

ncmc

Alun wrote: »

I'd be pretty sure the pot and a decent hand blender combined would be cheaper than that soup maker gadget, unless you go completely overboard, so I can't see how hubby can complain really.

BTW a hand blender is better suited to this task as well, as pouring hot soup from a pan into a bowl blender is an accident waiting to happen in my experience.

Nothing to do with the money Alun, we open gifts in front of my family and I can imagine their faces if he got me a pot and a blender!!! Even though I asked for it, I know he'd be worried they'd think him a sexist pig :D:D

Stheno wrote: »

If it was for an xmas present, you could maybe ask him for something like a Le Crueset pot instead?

That's a good idea actually. I've always wanted a Le Crueset.... God I need to get out more!

Actually, an aditional question, could you make soup in a large cast iron pot, or would a deep stainless steel one be better? Could the blender damage the cast iron?

kylith

ncmc wrote: »

Nothing to do with the money Alun, we open gifts in front of my family and I can imagine their faces if he got me a pot and a blender!!! Even though I asked for it, I know he'd be worried they'd think him a sexist pig :D:D

Jaysus, tell them to get stuffed, and that's what you asked for. One year I got a chainsaw for Christmas, another year I got a pair of pyjamas; all stuff I wanted and had asked for. If necessary take your family aside beforehand and tell them that what comes out of the wrapping paper is exactly what you asked for.

Alun

FYI I was just in Tesco, and happened to see they had a nice 7 litre stainless steel, aluminium based, stock pot with a glass lid for €42.

Personally I'd much rather get something I really wanted than some useless thingamajig that either gets hidden away and forgotten, or sold on eBay the moment Christmas is over