Soup is a comforting and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed all year round. While soup can be served cold, there’s nothing quite like a hot bowl of steaming soup on a chilly day. But heating up soup on the stove or in the microwave can take time. A blender that can heat up soup allows you to make hot soup in minutes with the press of a button.
Blenders That Can Heat Soup
Several blender models on the market offer the ability to heat up liquid contents during the blending process. This allows you to blend and heat soup in one device. Here are some of the best blenders capable of heating soup:
Vitamix Blenders
Many Vitamix blenders have built-in heating technology that friction heats soup as you blend. Several popular Vitamix models with soup heating capability include:
- Vitamix A3500: The Ascent series blender has a built-in Soup program that brings cold soup to steaming hot in under 10 minutes.
- Vitamix 7500: This popular model has variable speed control and the ability to heat soups without transferring to another container.
- Vitamix 5200: The classic Vitamix blender has the power to heat up soup through friction heat while blending.
Blendtec Blenders
Blendtec blenders are also known for advanced heating technology to transform cold soup ingredients into hot soup. Models with soup heating include:
- Blendtec Designer 725: This features pre-programmed soup buttons that heat while blending.
- Blendtec Classic 575: With a 3.8 peak horsepower motor, this efficiently heats up blended soups.
- Blendtec Total Blender: The Wildside jug creates friction heat to heat soups via blending.
Ninja Blenders
Select high-powered Ninja blenders also offer the ability to heat soups with friction heat from the blender blades. Options include:
- Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot Blender: This has a dedicated soup program to heat and blend soup.
- Ninja Chef Countertop Blender: The Total Crushing Technology heats up soup while blending.
- Ninja Mega Kitchen System: The large 72 oz blender pitcher heats soup via blender friction.
Breville Blenders
Breville offers several blender models that can heat soup as you blend, including:
- Breville Soup Maker Pro: This has dedicated soup programs that heat and blend together.
- Breville BSB510XL: The Control Grip blender has the power to heat soup via friction heat.
- Breville Hemisphere Blender: With advanced flow technology, this heats soup quickly while blending.
How Blender Heating Works
Blenders specially designed to heat soups utilize friction heat that’s created from the speed and motion of the blades. As the blender blades whip around at high speeds, they generate heat that warms up the contents of the blender pitcher. Here’s a closer look at how it works:
Friction Heat
The metal blender blades spinning at high velocities create friction as they blend. This generates heat, quickly warming up the soup in the blender pitcher. Powerful motors spinning blades at optimal speeds are key to creating enough friction heat to properly warm soup.
Conduction
The friction heat emanating from the blender blades conducts through the blended soup ingredients, travelling from the bottom to the top of the soup. This evenly distributes the heat for consistent heating.
Rapid Heating
Blenders with heating capabilities are engineered to produce and conduct enough friction heat to rapidly raise the temperature of the contents. Well-designed soup programs can bring cold soup to steaming hot in just 5-10 minutes.
Built-In Sensors
Some blenders have built-in sensors that monitor the temperature of the soup and automatically adjust blending times. Once the optimal serving temperature is reached, the blender turns off. This prevents overheating.
Tips for Heating Soup in a Blender
For the best results when using your blender to make hot soup, keep these tips in mind:
Use Appropriate Cookware
The blender pitcher or jar material impacts heat conduction. Use blender-safe metal, glass, or high-heat plastics designed for hot blending. Avoid crystal cut glass pitchers.
Start With Warm Liquid
Beginning with room temperature or warm broth helps cut down on blending time. Avoid starting with cold, icy liquids which require more friction heat to get piping hot.
Prep Ingredients
Cut vegetables, meats, and other ingredients into smaller pieces before adding to soup. This allows for smoother blending and even heat distribution.
Don’t Overfill
Only fill the blender halfway to two-thirds full. This leaves room for ingredients to move and heat to build up. Overfilling can result in uneven heating.
Use Low Then High Speed
Start blending on low for thicker mixtures, then increase to high speed. Low speed helps incorporate ingredients before friction heat ramps up.
Blend in Batches
For large amounts, blend soup in smaller batches. Allow the blender to rest briefly between batches to prevent overheating.
Stir Well Before Serving
Give blended soup a good stir before pouring into bowls to evenly distribute heat. This prevents hot spots.
Troubleshooting Heated Blender Soup
While blenders designed for soup heating are convenient, you may run into some issues. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Soup not heating up |
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| Soup is splattering |
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| Soup consistency uneven |
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Top Soup Blenders
If you’re looking to purchase a blender capable of heating soup, what are the best options? Based on blender heating performance, features, and ease of use, here are my top recommendations:
| Blender | Heating Feature | Pitcher Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamix A2500 | Built-in soup program | 64 oz | $$$ |
| Blendtec Designer 600 | Preset soup buttons | 90 oz | $$$ |
| Ninja Foodi Cold & Hot | Dedicated soup mode | 72 oz | $$ |
| Breville Soup Maker Pro | Soup auto-programs | 60 oz | $$$ |
| Cuisinart Hurricane | Heat function | 64 oz | $ |
Vitamix and Blendtec models are the gold standard for soup heating performance but come at a premium price point. Ninja and Breville offer advanced soup heating at mid-range pricing. The budget-friendly Cuisinart Hurricane blender can heat basic soups for the lowest cost.
Heating Times for Blender Soup
How long does it take for a blender to heat up soup? Heating times can range from 5 to 15 minutes depending on several factors:
Blender Power
Higher wattage blenders heat up faster. Models with 1,000+ watts can heat soup in 5-10 minutes, while weaker blenders may take 10-15 minutes.
Quantity
Smaller batches take less time to heat than large amounts. A blender will heat 1-2 servings faster than 4-6 servings.
Ingredients
Thicker ingredients like potatoes heat slower than broth. Cream-based soups take longer than broth-based due to their density.
Starting Temperature
Heating times are faster when starting with room temp or warm liquid. Icy cold soups can take twice as long to fully heat.
Design Factors
Container material, preset programs, sensors, and other engineering affect times. Advanced soup-making blenders heat most efficiently.
Blender Soup Recipe Ideas
Once you have a blender that can heat soup, the possibilities are endless for easy homemade soups. Here are a few flavorful soup recipe ideas to try:
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
For a classic creamy soup, blend tomatoes, onion, basil, garlic, cream, and vegetable broth for a restaurant-worthy meal.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Blend broccoli, onions, garlic, potatoes, cheddar cheese, and spices for a hearty cheddar broccoli soup.
Carrot Ginger Soup
For an immune-boosting orange soup, purée carrots, ginger, onion, garlic, broth, and coconut milk.
Cauliflower Leek Soup
Cauliflower, leeks, onions, and savory seasonings blend into a healthy low-carb soup.
Butternut Squash Soup
Blend roasted butternut squash with carrots, ginger, broth, coconut milk, and spices for a creamy fall favorite.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Russet potatoes, broth, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, and scallions replicate all the flavors of a baked potato.
Lentil Soup
Powerful lentils, veggies, broth, and seasonings blend into a protein-packed vegetarian soup.
Beef Stew Soup
For a hearty chunky soup, blend beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, broth, herbs and let it heat for just 5 minutes for perfect chunky texture.
Conclusion
Heating up soup from cold to piping hot in just minutes is possible with the right blender. Models from Vitamix, Blendtec, Ninja, Breville, and more utilize advanced heating technology to transform ingredients into delicious hot soups and stews. With the power of friction heat, you can quickly blend nutrient-packed homemade soups to enjoy all season long. Just add your favorite veggies, protein, seasonings and broth to your high-powered blender and let the heat-blending begin!
