Chunky-texture soup cooks
If you want lentils and diced vegetables to remain recognisable, look for a named chunky or pieces programme rather than relying on a smooth-soup setting.
Who this choice suits
Batch-cooking households
If you make lentil soup for several people or later meals, compare working capacities before choosing a jug. Morphy Richards positions its 1.6 L model for multiple portions.
Small-kitchen lunch cooks
If you usually make one or two substantial servings, a 1 L model with a chunky setting may suit your routine. Lakeland describes its Compact Soup Maker as suitable for two meal-sized portions.
What matters when buying
Check the texture programme on the exact model before comparing capacity and the tasks its convenience features could save you.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recognisable lentils and vegetables | Look for a chunky or pieces programme and check the exact model’s instructions for whether it blends during that cycle. | I want distinct lentils and vegetable pieces, not a fully blended soup. Around 40% of consumers would put texture retention first. |
| Enough soup per batch | Compare working capacity and the maker’s serving guidance with the portions you normally need. | Making enough for a family meal or later servings matters more to me than having a smaller jug. Batch capacity would be the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Preparation and clean-up | Check for a cleaning programme or pause/add function, and read the model’s ingredient-preparation and care instructions. | I want the cooking routine to involve less active attention and a manageable clean-up. For around 30% of consumers, that convenience would come first. |
Buying pitfalls
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Assuming any soup programme will leave ingredients chunky
A smooth programme may blend the ingredients you want to keep distinct. Tefal says the pieces programme on its My Daily Soup BL542840 does not mix, but programme behaviour needs checking by model.
Find the chunky or pieces setting in the instructions for the soup maker you intend to buy.
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Judging portions by the appliance’s outside size
Working capacity gives you a more useful starting point: Lakeland describes its 1 L Compact Soup Maker as making two meal-sized portions, while Morphy Richards positions its 1.6 L model for multiple portions.
Compare the stated working capacity and serving guidance with your usual meals and plans for leftovers.
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Overfilling the jug or cutting dense vegetables too large
Jug limits and ingredient preparation still matter on a chunky cycle. Morphy Richards advises cutting root vegetables into even pieces of around 1–2 cm.
Follow the chosen model’s fill markers and its instructions for preparing vegetables and adding liquid.
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Treating a cleaning programme as the whole cleaning routine
A cleaning cycle does not replace the care directions for the appliance and its blades.
Use the programme if the model provides one, then follow its instructions for any remaining cleaning and safe blade handling.
Brands to consider
Morphy Richards
Its 1 L compact and 1.6 L larger soup makers give buyers with different portion needs models to compare.
- Morphy Richards lists chunky settings for these models. Its 1.6 L model also lists pause/add, keep-warm and cleaning functions.
- Do not assume a sauté function is included: the brand’s lentil-broth recipe calls for a separate pan when the maker lacks one.
Tefal
The Easy Soup BL841140 is a 1.2 L option with labelled smooth and chunky programmes.
- Tefal also lists keep-warm and easy-clean programmes for the Easy Soup BL841140.
- Check programme behaviour on the exact model; Tefal’s statement that a pieces programme does not mix comes from instructions for the My Daily Soup BL542840.
Lakeland
Its Compact Soup Maker is a 1 L option for cooks who usually need smaller batches.
- Lakeland lists a chunky setting, separate blend function and cleaning function for this model.
- Lakeland describes its working capacity as suitable for two meal-sized portions, which may not cover a larger batch in one cycle.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Common questions
Can I use a chunky programme for lentil soup?
Yes, if the exact soup maker has a suitable chunky or pieces programme. Morphy Richards uses its Chunky setting for a lentil-broth recipe; check the chosen model’s instructions rather than assuming its smooth-soup programme will leave ingredients distinct.
Do I need a sauté function?
No, not to use a chunky soup programme. If you want to sauté ingredients first and the maker has no sauté function, Morphy Richards’ lentil-broth recipe directs cooks to use a separate pan.
How small should I cut vegetables for lentil soup?
Follow the instructions for your soup maker and the vegetables you are using. Morphy Richards advises even pieces of around 1–2 cm for root vegetables; also keep the contents within the chosen model’s fill markers.
Does a cleaning programme remove the need to wash the soup maker?
No. A cleaning programme is one step in caring for a model that provides it; follow that appliance’s directions for any further washing and for handling sharp blades.