Blender settings explained: How to get the perfect blend every time

Modern blenders are versatile kitchen appliances, capable of creating everything from silky smoothies and soups to crushed ice for your evening cocktail. But with that versatility comes a range of blender buttons and options that can quickly leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Understanding these blender settings is the key to taking control and choosing the right option for your recipes. Learn how to get the best out of your blender—every time—with the tips below. 

Understanding your blender’s basic settings

Unboxing a new blender often raises questions: How does a blender work? Which blender settings are right for this recipe? What is the high-speed blender button, anyway? 

The first step is to understand your specific blender model, as there are two main types of blenders:

1. Programmable blenders have preset options for specific recipes, like smoothies or soup, to simplify the process.

2. Manual blenders rely on speed settings or dials, giving you greater control to adjust the power as needed.

Beyond these, many blenders come with settings for specific textures, helping you achieve everything from the smoothest sauce to the chunkiest salsa.

Common blender settings and their functions

Beyond the basic slow, medium, and high-speed settings, you’ll find even more specialized options. 

Pulse: For quick, controlled bursts

A common blender setting, pulse delivers short bursts of power to maintain some texture in your final blend. It’s also ideal for softening up particularly tough ingredients before moving on to a different setting with your blade. 

So, what is the pulse button in blender cooking useful for? Quite a few recipes: 

● Chunky salsas with fresh tomatoes and onions

● Chopped vegetables, nuts, or herbs

● Softening frozen fruits before liquifying them

Ultimately, pulse keeps whole ingredients intact, allowing for precise control without over-processing your blend.

Puree: Smooth and even blending

If pulse is about texture, then puree is about smoothness. This setting runs the blender at a high, steady speed to achieve a thick-yet-creamy consistency that’s perfect for: 

● Making velvety tomato sauce

● Blending dippable hummus

● Pureeing cooked vegetables for soups or baby food

Use the puree setting when you’re aiming for richer sauces, dips, and hearty soups.

Ice crush: Handling frozen ingredients

As the name suggests, “ice crush” is designed to tackle ice and similar hard or frozen ingredients. This makes it an ideal setting for:

● Preparing icy cocktails like margaritas or daiquiris 

● Crushing ice for snow cones

● Blending iced smoothies with frozen fruits

Not all blenders are equipped to handle hard ingredients like ice, so be sure to check your manual to avoid damaging your blades.

Liquify: Perfect for soups and smoothies

Whereas purees retain a thicker texture, the “liquify” setting aims to transform solids into a completely drinkable consistency. This makes it ideal for:

● Blending fresh fruit smoothies

● Creating creamy soups, such as pumpkin or tomato

● Mixing chunk-free sauces and salad dressings

Liquify ensures all ingredients are fully emulsified—excellent for creating a silky texture that’s easy to sip or pour.

How to choose the right setting for different recipes

After learning how to change blender settings, you’ll also need to learn how to match them to your recipe. Here’s a quick cheat sheet to help: 

● Soups and sauces – Start with the “Pulse” setting to break up large ingredients. Switch to another setting for the final run—either “Puree” for thicker sauces or “Liquify” for lighter soups.

● Smoothies and shakes – If using ice or frozen ingredients, start with “Ice Crush” to break them down. Then, finish with “Liquify” until the mixture reaches a uniform, drinkable consistency.

● Salsas and dips – To hit that sweet spot between saucy and chunky, stick to the “Pulse” setting. Monitor your mix after each pulse until it reaches your desired texture.

If your blender doesn’t have these exact settings, switch between pulses and running at high speeds to achieve similar results. It may require some experimentation, but with a little practice, you’ll get the texture just right in no time.

Tips for getting the most out of your blender’s settings

Blenders are certainly versatile tools, but as with any tool, knowing how to use it can make all the difference. To maximize the effectiveness of your blender, keep the following tips in mind: 

● Always add liquid ingredients first—especially if you’re creating soups or smoothies. This helps prevent clogs and results in smoother blends.

● Be careful when blending hot ingredients. While most machines can tolerate it, heat can create steam or pressure, possibly knocking off the lid and leading to burns or messes.

● Avoid overfilling the blender. Aim to keep the jug less than halfway full, particularly for thicker mixtures and purees. 

As always, double-check your manufacturer’s instruction booklet for specific guidance and tips.

Achieve the perfect blend every time with Breville

Whether you’re whipping up dips, smoothies, or anything in between, a blender is a powerful tool that can easily elevate your home cooking. Mastering its settings is just the start of unlocking all the delicious possibilities it offers.

Of course, having the right blender makes all the difference, too.

Breville’s Super Q™ blender, for example, combines a powerful motor with preprogrammed settings, like soup and smoothie. It effortlessly handles any ingredient and delivers perfect results with a single touch.

Explore the Super Q™ and Breville’s other high-performance blenders to find the ideal match for your kitchen.

 

Sources: 

1. Breville. The Super Q Instruction Book. https://assets.breville.com/Instruction-Booklets/ANZ/BBL920_instruction_manual.pdf

2. Big Time Kitchen. A List of All Blender Settings. https://bigtimekitchen.com/blender-settings-list/