There’s a chill in the air and the leaves are falling (or have fallen). That can only mean one thing — why, it’s soup season, of course! There’s nothing more satisfying than holding a hot bowl of deliciously flavored soup on a blustery or chilly day. And there’s never been a better time in human history to make soup at home, because there are so many options that will more or less make the soup for you. (And often can make at least one other thing. Usually more.) Soup makers are full-on trending, which is why we’ve done the research to find the ones for pretty much every type of soup aficionado.
While it’s pretty easy to make soup the traditional way — on the stovetop in a pot or dutch oven — it can take anywhere from six to eight hours to cook using this method. You need to simmer your soup on low heat in order to blend the complex flavors together. The same goes for putting together a batch of soup in your slow cooker. That said, there have been some mighty impressive technological advancements over the past few years, which means that you can now enjoy gallons of delicious homemade soup in just a few minutes of cook time.
What’s a soup maker and why are they popular?
Soup makers are speedy, time-saving gadgets that can be a real lifesaver when it comes to getting a hot bowl of soup on the table. They allow you to create richly flavored soups without the hassle of planning hours ahead or hanging around the house while the soup simmers away on the stove. You can enjoy delicious soup in minutes, even on the coldest days thanks to the best soup makers.
What types of soup makers are there?
Whether you’re a fan of smooth soup, thick soup, creamy soup, chunky soup, or stew, there’s a soup maker out there to fit the bill. Here are some different types of soup makers. (And while you’re in the kitchen, why not whip up a loaf of fresh bread to pair with your soup using one of these top bread makers?)
Multifunction cookers
Some of the most popular (and easiest to use) soup makers are multifunction cookers. This includes models by Instant Pot, Ninja, and others. They are a popular choice as they allow you to not only make soup, but also chili, beans, rice, yogurt, smoothies, slow cook, and more. A single multifunction soup maker will eliminate the need for multiple gadgets, saving you space in your kitchen and putting more money back in your wallet.
Cooking blenders
Cooking blenders are blenders that can heat their contents. This is done either through a heating element within the blender, or simply by friction. This type of soup maker includes options such as the Cuisinart soup maker and Vitamix blender.
Dedicated soup-making devices
Dedicated soup-making devices, sometimes called kettle soup makers, are another very popular category of soup makers. The Drew & Cole Soup Chef, Wonderchef Automatic Soup Maker, Tefal Easy Soup, and Morphy Richards Soup Maker are all excellent and popular options, however, they aren’t easy to source in the United States, so we did not include them on our list of the best soup makers. (Don’t worry, we found other quality picks that are easier to find.) Many of these devices can also be used to make smoothies or homemade nut milk, as an added bonus.
How long does a soup stay warm in a soup maker?
Your soup will stay warm for at least 30 minutes in a soup maker. Most soup makers have a keep warm function that will keep your soup at a safe temperature for a certain period of time. The top soup maker on our list — the Instant Pot Duo — automatically switches to a “warm” setting when it's done cooking, keeping food at a safe temperature for up to 10 hours! This makes it easy to set your soup to cook in the morning so you can enjoy a bowl for lunch or dinner.
Is it okay to put hot water in a soup maker?
No! Don’t ever put boiling water into your soup maker. This could damage the inner body and result in leaks. Allow your soup maker to heat up on its own. It will have its own built-in temperature settings and sensors to help keep everything safe and ensure the unit functions properly.
Can you put uncooked ingredients in a soup maker?
Yes, you can put raw ingredients such as chicken, vegetables, and rice in a soup maker. The soup maker will cook everything thoroughly — you don’t have to worry! The whole point of a soup maker is that it makes it easy for you to make soup, and removing multiple cooking steps is just one way it does that. However, if you want to brown your meat before adding it to a soup maker, that’s perfectly fine. Always follow the soup recipe, and the manufacturer’s instructions for use to ensure the best (and tastiest) fresh soup.
What kinds of soup can I make in a soup maker?
You can make endless variations of soup in a soup maker — tomato soup, coriander soup, chicken soup, potato soup — even cold soup like gazpacho. Many soup makers let you make other foods in addition to soup, including ice cream, frozen drinks, and baby food.
What makes a good soup maker?
In order to find the best soup maker for your needs, you should first consider how much soup you want to cook. Those making soup for families should opt for a model with a larger capacity, while those who are only cooking for one or two can get by with a smaller capacity soup maker. A typical serving size for one person is 13 ounces.
Next, consider the speed of your soup maker. While most modern soup makers have cut soup-making time down from six to eight hours to one hour or less, there are some that can whip up a soup in as little as 10-15 minutes. If being able to enjoy soup in a hurry is important to you, look for a model that cooks in less time. (You can also try chopping the ingredients into smaller pieces, about half an inch or so, which will allow them to cook more quickly.)
Another thing that makes a soup maker a good choice is whether or not it has multiple functions. Some soup makers are better for chunky soups, while others are better for those who prefer a smooth puree. In addition to soup, some make smoothies or plant-based and nut milks, jam, or yogurt — and can even be used as sous vide! A multifunction soup maker will save space in the kitchen while still allowing you to prepare a variety of dishes with ease.
Finally, consider how easy it is to clean your soup maker. Most models have removable inserts that are dishwasher-safe for convenient cleanup. If your soup maker has blades inside, be sure to use a brush or cloth to clean the interior and avoid cutting your hands on the blades.
With the above information in mind, here are eight of the best soup makers for cooking the most delicious, hot soup at home without slaving away in the kitchen all day.
