For myself I can't see the point of a soup maker Minty, I like the chopping up of the veg I find it very soothing, and relaxing, and I can still get on with chores while it cooks, and the only washing up I have is my knife, chopping board, and pan - and the "outboard motor" if I blend it smooth. Still it doesn't do for us all to be the same, as long as we are all enjoying the soup at the end of the day it doesn't matter one jot how it got into the bowl!