Before switching on
Unplug the machine while assembling it. Check the gasket, blade unit and jar base for correct seating. Cut hard ingredients into small, reasonably even pieces. Never exceed the fill line, and use less than the maximum when a mixture will foam.
Use the right sequence
For smoothies, add liquid first, soft items second and harder pieces last. For spice paste, add only enough water to keep ingredients moving. Lock the lid, place one hand lightly on it and start at the lowest useful speed.
- Use Pulse to break up ingredients without prolonged heating
- Stop if the contents stop circulating
- Unplug before using a spatula
- Never reach into a connected jar
Control heat and duty cycle
A household blender is not designed to run forever. A common manufacturer guideline is no more than about two minutes of continuous operation followed by at least one minute of rest, but your own manual takes priority.
If you smell hot insulation, hear an abnormal scraping sound or the motor slows sharply, switch off immediately. Unplug, reduce the load and let the machine cool.
Hot liquids need special care
Steam expands inside a sealed jar and can force the lid off. Unless the manufacturer explicitly approves hot blending, let cooked ingredients cool first. Never assume that a glass jar alone makes hot blending safe.