Soup Makers - My Wife Wants One - What should I do?

Cmdr_Bond

Well the obvious answer is buy her what she wants

But seriously, she struggles lifting heavy pans and loves soup, finds shop soups too salty and so thinks this is the ideal solution.

To start with, I only knew of the Cuisinart Soup Maker (here). We then found an almost identical product made by Waring (here)

Both of these seem almost identical - slight difference in overall dimensions and weight, but both 500 Watt Blender / 1000 Watt Motor, hot plate, 4 speed + pulse, high low and simmer with 1.75L jugs.

Both seem to have quite favourable reviews, yet I can't seem to find a comparison between them.

I then, looking on here, stumbled accross one by Morphy Richards (here)

But I cannot find any reviews for it. On the face of it, it seems much more manageable - and as there are only 2 of us, the 1 L capacity isn't a problem. I can't tell whether it "fries/sautes" like the other 2 claim (but I cant see why it wouldn't)

So, does anyone on here have one? If so, what do you think of it? Is it a godsend or just an overpriced blender/kettle.

[edit]
Having looked at them a little, the Cuisinart and the Waring are both ~£120 and the Morphy Richards ~£100.

However, she is persisting in wanting one, I would still like to hear any good/bad points or views from you but it looks like she is interested in the Morphy Richards one, partly because there is a ~33% discount available if we pre-order - taking it down to £64.99 (Special code required from Delia Online here)

pretzelnut

It'll be one of those gadgets you use 7 times a day for a week then it gathers dust in the cupboard.

Making soup isn't that hard, its a pan or 2 and a £3-4 hand blender. And I reckon the gadget will take more time to keep clean as these things usually do.

Save yourself the cash.

alanobrien

Cuisinart is by far the best. These things are essentially blenders with a built in heater and timer. Useful for convenience but a bit of a pain to clean up. We had one for a couple of years and use it several times a week. If your wife struggles with pans then this is a good solution.

libsmum

Hi

I can see why your wife would want one, I love a gadget myself but I have so far restrained from buying one of these as they do seem a prime target for the title of "five minute wonder".
I assume you've checked how many are available, 2nd hand on the A*zon site and that auction site (if there are loads they are obviously a fad) the A*zon site has some great reviews that I usually find really helpful (totally put me off buying an actifry).

A cheap slow cooker and hand blender would do the job just as well and no lifting of heavy pans.

libsmum

The MR one looks good and much more compact for easier storage. lol

consultant31

I make lots of soups and find that making them in a pan and then blending them directly in that same pan is dead easy using my Bamix. Admittedly the Bamix isn't a cheap bit of kit but it's soooo versatile and has replaced almost all my other kitchen gadgets. It chops ice and makes thick cream from skimmed milk too.

Have a look on Amazon at the reviews - oh and bear in mind that you get a 10 year guarantee with it too. I've had one for almost 20 years and it still gives great service as it's been passed on to my daughter now and I got a newer model

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=bamix&!!!!!googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=7530891905&ref=pd_sl_5nr1mzcarv_b

Cmdr_Bond

Thanks for your replies - I too am of the 5 minute wonder persuasion regarding these, however what her indoors wants, she gets.

I have read the reviews for both the Waring and the Cuisinart, and all are favourable although some mention being difficult to clean.

The Morphy Richards one does not have any reviews I can find, but is much more compact. Also, the blade is suspended rather than fixed in the base, which I think would make it easier to clean (although I would just pour hot water and fairy liquid in all of them and give it a whizz).

I may be a mug, but if I have to buy electrical items online, I don't like getting second hand.

With that in mind, not only does the MR seem more suitable size wise, and look easier to clean, it is also £20-£30 cheaper than the other two, and nearly half price with the limited time offer from Delia Online (linked above).

I'm going to be pre-ordering one tomorrow.

Cmdr_Bond

consultant31 wrote: »

I make lots of soups and find that making them in a pan and then blending them directly in that same pan is dead easy using my Bamix. Admittedly the Bamix isn't a cheap bit of kit but it's soooo versatile and has replaced almost all my other kitchen gadgets. It chops ice and makes thick cream from skimmed milk too.

Have a look on Amazon at the reviews - oh and bear in mind that you get a 10 year guarantee with it too. I've had one for almost 20 years and it still gives great service as it's been passed on to my daughter now and I got a newer model

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=bamix&!!!!!googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=7530891905&ref=pd_sl_5nr1mzcarv_b

I know of the baymix, my mum has or had one (not sure which) - the problem with my wife is two fold, not only does she find pans both heavy and awkward to move/pour, she has a tendency to leave things on the stove and fall asleep on the sofa.

Something with the auto timer for her is the better option.

If it were me, I would be getting the baymix or other similar style hand blender.

daska

Can I make a completely different suggestion? Speaking as someone who regularly forgets what she's doing and / or tries to cook the electric kettle...

If you have the space/money then a better option might be an induction hob with timer and a bamix. (three guesses as who uses this solution? ) But you don't have go as far as refitting the kitchen.

For example Lakeland do a portable Kenwood induction hob for £80 with an 120 minute timer and boil-dry protection. (If you don't know Lakeland then just check their reputation by searching other posts on the MSE forum, they are a superb company)

A Bamix and a hand mixer have replaced my conventional food processor, jug blender, chopper etc.

Slinky_Malinky

Totally agree with the suggestion of pan and blender (I love my Bamix too), plus as daska suggested a single induction hob. I got mine from Lidl for £30 and much prefer it to my gas hob. The timer facility has saved me many a burned pan.

Your wife wouldn`t need a really big pan if she only wants to cook small quantities of soup.

I very much doubt the fancy soup makers will have as long a life as a Bamix blender.

However it sounds like your wife is determined to have one, in which case I would be very interested to hear how she gets on with it.

daska

Slinky_Malinky wrote: »

I got mine from Lidl for £30 and much prefer it to my gas hob. The timer facility has saved me many a burned pan.

Let you into a small secret, so did I.

Sorry Cmdr, Lidl only keep them in stock for 1 week a year and I can't remember which week.