A heated blender is a good choice if you want to cook and blend soups or compotes in the same jug, with very little input while an automatic programme runs. Choose the capacity to suit your usual portions, then check the minimum and maximum fill levels, how to clean the jug and any precautions for handling hot food. A standard blender requires you to cook ingredients separately; a cooking food processor is worth considering mainly if you’ll also use its other functions.
If you make a few portions of soup or compote, a 1.2 L appliance with automatic programmes could suit your usual cooking habits. Moulinex and Tefal product listings include models of this size; also check the fill markings on the specific model you’re considering.
A large jug can save you having to run another cycle when several people are having the same soup. DOMO offers models with capacities of 2 L and 2.2 L; compare their usable capacity with your portions, and don’t overlook the minimum fill level for smaller batches.
If you switch between smooth soups, chunky dishes, compotes and cold drinks, check the programmes on the exact model. Steaming and manual mode are available on some models, but don’t assume every heated blender has them.
Start with the quantities you actually prepare, then look at the programmes, cleaning requirements and how you’ll handle the hot jug.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare your portions with the MIN and MAX markings in the manual, rather than relying on the jug’s advertised capacity alone. | When several people are having the same soup, I want to avoid making a second batch; around 33% of consumers prioritise the number of portions prepared in one go. |
| Programmes and cleaning | Check which soup and compote programmes are available, then read the cleaning instructions for the blades and lid. | When I use it regularly, I want to keep handling to a minimum without leaving food residue in the appliance; for around 27% of consumers, ease of preparation and cleaning comes before other considerations. |
| Jug and heat | Check the material, whether the jug has insulated walls and the instructions for opening and serving hot food. | When serving hot soup, I want to handle the jug and lid with appropriate care; this is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Additional functions | Check for cold programmes, manual mode or accessories only if you plan to use them. | If I make other recipes too, I want the extra functions to suit the way I cook; around 20% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
A large jug isn’t necessarily practical for a small batch: the manual may specify a minimum fill level. The Moulinex Easy Soup manual says to keep within the MIN and MAX markings.
Estimate your usual portions and check both markings in the manual for the model you’re considering.
A cleaning cycle can help after use, but you should still check for residue around the blades, seal and lid.
Read the care instructions and check whether the blades can be removed on the exact model.
Glass lets you see what’s inside, but can break if dropped. A metal jug is opaque, and how hot its outer wall gets depends, among other things, on its insulation.
Check the material and the instructions for opening the jug. If you’re concerned about heat on the outside, look for insulation that’s explicitly specified for the model.
A multifunction food processor won’t necessarily be better for every task. Que Choisir recommends looking at the different functions rather than assuming it excels at them all.
If you mainly make soups and compotes, first compare what a heated blender can do with the food processor functions you’d actually use.
Moulinex’s French product listings include heated blenders with a capacity of 1.2 L, as well as a Soup&Plus designed for quantities from 0.5 L to 2 L.
DOMO’s product listings for the DO705BL and DO716BL models specify capacities of 2 L and 2.2 L respectively.
Tefal’s French product listings include a 1.2 L heated blender and the 2 L Perfectmix Cook.
Choose a capacity that covers your usual portions while still allowing you to make smaller batches. Que Choisir suggests around 300 ml of soup per person in its guide; then compare the usable capacity with the MIN and MAX levels in the manual for your chosen model.
No. A self-cleaning programme won’t necessarily take care of the blades, seal and lid. Follow the manual and check for any areas where residue may remain after the cycle.
That depends on the model’s design and instructions. Que Choisir says that appliances covered in its guide generally need the lid to be properly closed to work; check the manual before adding anything, and take care when opening the appliance as the contents will be hot.
Check the model-specific instructions for closing the lid, opening the appliance and serving hot food. For an electrical appliance sold in France, the DGCCRF also advises checking for the CE marking where applicable; it notes that this marking is not a certification mark.
Search for the part using the appliance’s exact model number before you buy. Moulinex lists jugs, lids and seals for some ranges; check with the retailer that the part you need fits the model you’ve chosen and is in stock.