Soup is simple—flavored liquid in a pot. Technically all you need is a heat-proof vessel and heat, but if you want to make soups that shine, see the handful of kitchen tools that will make it easier.
More interested in recipes than in equipment? Check out chill-chasing fall soups, fresh spring soups, chilled summer soups, and warming winter soups.
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Large, Heavy Pots
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A good pot is the absolute number one key essential most important piece of equipment you need when making soup. While heavy pots are a drag to move around the kitchen, they are great when making soups. They hold heat, allow you to maintain steady simmers and gentle boils, and will keep soup warm for a nice long time.
Any wide-mouth large, heavy pot works. Our favorite is an enameled cast iron pot from Le Creuset. The iron holds heat remarkably well while the enameled surface is non-reactive, smooth, and (bonus prize) comes is lovely colors.
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Blender
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You need a good blender to make creamy or puréed soups. When you blend soups, do so in batches, let the blender run for 2 or 3 minutes for each batch (this will seem like a long time), and keep a kitchen towel over the lid to protect yourself from any heat-pressured created splatters.
This blender has a wide base, which helps soups purée evenly quickly, and a good motor. Some blenders have many more speeds, but we've never found that more than a decent "on" and "off" were necessary.
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Immersion Blenders/Hand Blenders
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Immersion blenders/hand blenders are a quick and easy way to blend soups right in the pot.
Note: Cordless immersion blenders may sound like a good idea, but they tend to lack power.
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Soup Ladle
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Sure, a teacup would work for serving soup, but a large soup ladle makes the job easier. Look for a ladle with a large scoop and a long handle.