What Does Pulse Mean on a Blender?
The Pulse button on a blender allows you to have precise control over the duration and frequency of blending. As you manually push and release this function, the quick bursts of the blade can crush or chop ingredients. It’s great for recipes that require a light touch, such as grating hard cheeses, making bread crumbs or chopping salsa. Read on to learn how to use the Pulse button for your recipes.
What is a pulse button?
With a Pulse function on your blender, you can customize your blending for any recipe. It allows you to start and stop the blender rapidly for short bursts of speed until you reach your desired consistency. You may find that you’re less likely to over-blend your food when using the Pulse feature.
Do all blenders have a pulse button?
Many blenders, especially newer models, have a Pulse function for quick bursts of blending ingredients. Select KitchenAid® blenders offer the convenience of the Pulse feature in the speed settings. Look for a ‘P’ or Pulse button on the settings of your appliance.
How do I pulse on a blender?
To use the Pulse button on your blender, simply press and hold the button, or hold the dial in the Pulse position depending on your model. Use Pulse for short bursts of blending between a ¼ second to around 2 seconds. As you press and release the setting, the blender can chop and mix your food in small increments so you can better control the texture and avoid over-blending. Learn more on how to use a blender.
when should I use the pulse button on a blender?
Use the Pulse feature on a blender like the KitchenAid® K400 Variable Speed Blender when you want to avoid over-blending for chunkier results like chopped nuts or chunky salsa. It works well for chopping vegetables into smaller pieces, making sweet or savory crumb topping or grinding meat for steak tartare or meatballs.
How long should I use the pulse button?
As a general rule of thumb, use the Pulse setting for ¼ - 2 seconds. If you’re getting close to the texture you want, use it with quick bursts while keeping a watchful eye so you don’t over-blend your ingredients.
What’s the difference between pulse and blend?
The Pulse function allows you to manually start and stop your blender in quick bursts with control. A blend setting will consistently run the blender blade through a programmed cycle or until you stop it. With Pulse, you chop or crush ingredients, while blending continuously mixes or purees your food.
What can I make in a blender using the pulse function?
There are a variety of recipes that can use the Pulse function. Sometimes it may be easier to start pulsing larger, firmer ingredients and then use a specific blend setting tailored to your recipe. For instance, vegetables can be pulsed to prepare them for blending with soup.
It’s also convenient for fine-tuned control over the texture of your recipe. You can avoid over-blending fresh dips and sauces, like salsa or chunky baba ganoush so they don’t turn to liquid. You can also use Pulse when adding ingredients to your blend that you’d like less processed like fresh cilantro in this chilaquiles with spicy beetroot salsa. Consider pulsing nuts for desserts, like hazelnut lovers’ cookies or a crumb topping for your favorite cobbler.
How can I pulse food without a blender?
If you don’t have a food blender, you can pulse foods with a KitchenAid® food processor. Most food processors have a Pulse function to help control the consistency of your recipe. It allows you to keep an eye on your ingredients so they don't become over-processed or accidentally turn into a paste.
Shop KitchenAid® blenders
KitchenAid® blenders come with a variety of capacities and speeds, including the Pulse function, to inspire you to explore recipes and dream up new ones. With the 3-part blending system to take on tough ingredients and settings such as Ice Crush on select models to make smooth iced drinks, the possibilities are endless.
