What blender makes hot soups?
Making hot soups in a blender can be a quick and easy way to whip up a nutritious meal. However, not all blenders are well-suited for handling hot ingredients. The best blenders for making hot soups are powerful models that can heat up ingredients while blending them to a smooth consistency.
Blending vs Cooking
First, let’s clarify the difference between blending and cooking. Blending is the process of mixing ingredients together into a uniform texture. Blending alone does not actually cook or heat up ingredients significantly. On the other hand, cooking applies prolonged heat to ingredients to change their texture and flavor through chemical reactions.
When making hot soup in a blender, the blender itself does not cook the ingredients. However, the heat from any hot liquid ingredients can be transferred to other ingredients during the blending process. So a blender makes hot soup by blending hot liquid with other ingredients, not by actually cooking them.
Recommended Features for Blending Hot Soups
To properly blend hot soups, a blender needs the following features:
- Powerful motor – At least 500 watts or more of power to heat up and puree tough ingredients quickly.
- Well-sealed lid – Prevents hot liquid from escaping during blending.
- Vented lid – Allows steam to escape while blending hot ingredients.
- Durable pitcher – Withstands transfer of heat from hot liquids during blending.
- Thermal carafe – Insulated pitcher retains heat so soups stay hot after blending.
Best Blender Models for Hot Soups
Here are some top-rated blender models well-suited for making hot soups:
| Blender | Power | Pitcher | Carafe | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamix 5200 | 2 peak HP | 64 oz plastic | No | 4.7 / 5 |
| Blendtec Total Blender | 3.8 peak HP | 90 oz plastic | No | 4.6 / 5 |
| Ninja BN801 | 2.25 peak HP | 72 oz plastic | Yes, double-walled | 4.7 / 5 |
| Instant Pot Ace Nova | 1,400W | 64 oz stainless steel | Yes, double-walled | 4.5 / 5 |
Vitamix 5200
The Vitamix 5200 is a popular high-performance blender renowned for making silky smooth soups and sauces. Its 2 peak horsepower motor provides plenty of power to puree tough ingredients rapidly. The BPA-free 64 oz plastic pitcher is durable enough to withstand hot liquids during blending. While it lacks a thermal carafe, the Vitamix 5200 excels at quickly heating up cold ingredients into piping hot soups.
Blendtec Total Blender
Blendtec is known for its “will it blend?” videos showing the blender pureeing seemingly unblendable objects. This brute blending power makes it great for handling hot soups. The Total Blender has a 3.8 peak horsepower motor and sturdy BPA-free 90 oz pitcher. The pitcher’s flat bottom and wings help circulate ingredients for fast, even blending. Like the Vitamix, the Total Blender quickly heats up ingredients but lacks a thermal carafe.
Ninja BN801 Professional Blender
The Ninja BN801 is an affordable alternative with excellent performance. Its 2.25 peak horsepower can quickly create hot soups and smoothies. The 72 oz plastic pitcher is plenty for most recipes. Unique to the Ninja BN801 is the double-walled 72 oz thermal carafe for retaining heat after blending. This makes the Ninja stand out for making hot soups you can drink straight from the blender.
Instant Pot Ace Nova Blender
The Instant Pot Ace Nova blender combines the cooking ability of Instant Pot with high-powered blending. Its 1,400W motor and stainless steel pitcher can heat ingredients up to 140°F-175°F to cook soups as they blend. The 64 oz double-walled stainless steel carafe keeps soups piping hot for hours after blending. With 8 smart programs, the Ace Nova takes the guesswork out of making perfect hot soups and more.
Tips for Making Hot Soups in a Blender
Follow these tips when using your blender to make hot soups:
- Start with hot liquid like broth or milk – This provides initial heat for blending.
- Cut solid ingredients into 1-inch chunks before adding to blender.
- Fill blender jar no more than halfway when blending hot liquids.
- Use tamper to push ingredients into blades as needed.
- Start on low speed to pull ingredients toward blades, then go high.
- Blend in batches for large volumes or thick ingredients.
- Let pressure release before removing lid after blending hot soup.
- Transfer to thermal carafe or serve immediately after blending.
Cleaning Your Blender After Making Hot Soup
Proper cleaning keeps your blender running smoothly for many batches of hot soup. Here are some cleaning tips:
- Unplug blender and let cool before cleaning.
- Remove pitcher from base and rinse with hot water.
- Use bottle brush to scrub inside pitcher and lid.
- Place pitcher and lid on top rack of dishwasher.
- Wipe down outside of pitcher and base with soft cloth.
- Run cleaning cycle with lemon juice or vinegar for stubborn stains.
- Dry all parts thoroughly before reassembling.
Conclusion
A good blender is indispensable for making quick, healthy homemade soups. Models like the Vitamix 5200, Blendtec Total Blender, Ninja BN801, and Instant Pot Ace Nova have the power, capacity, and features to create delicious hot soups. Their strong motors and durable pitchers can withstand high temperatures from hot ingredients. Thermal carafes on certain models keep blended soups hot for hours. Follow proper usage and cleaning techniques, and your blender will be churning out bowl after bowl of hot delicious soups in no time!
