Perhaps I'm missing something but I expect I make more soup than most ( I make it for others who cant get enough of it) but I must confess to never having used a soup maker. I do have 2 razor sharp knives and use them along with a stick blender and a 10ltr pot. That's it, no other tools.
Earlier today I made 9 litres of Roast butternut squash, pepper and broad bean soup .. with crispy bacon, all done in under an hour. It is all in poly bags and in the freezer now.
Can anyone suggest how I might do a similar quantity in the same amount of time ... in a soup maker .. without an oven and frying pan and you must keep the beans intact ? .. Honestly I am interested.