Why Is Food Burning or Sticking in My Soup Maker?
If ingredients are sticking to the base or burning during the cooking cycle, this is almost always related to ingredient preparation or liquid levels, rather than a product fault.
Morphy Richards soup makers are fitted with a thermal safety sensor in the base. If food becomes too thick, sticks, or stops circulating, the appliance may automatically shut off to protect the motor and heating element.
This is a normal safety feature designed to prevent overheating and internal damage.
🔎 Why Does This Happen?
Food is most likely to burn or stick if:
Insufficient liquid is added
Liquid is added after solid ingredients
Starchy foods (potatoes, lentils, rice) are used without enough stock
Tinned tomatoes or purées are added without dilution
Milk or cream is added too early in the cycle
Heavier ingredients sink and sit directly on the hotplate
The appliance is overfilled
Because some ingredients contain natural starches and sugars, they can catch on the heated base if not properly suspended in liquid.
✅ How to Prevent Food Burning
Follow these best-practice steps to ensure smooth cooking and blending:
1️⃣ Always Add Hot Liquid First
Add at least half a cup of hot stock or water to the jug before adding solid ingredients.
This prevents heavier items from sitting directly on the heating plate.
2️⃣ Maintain Correct Fill Levels
Do not fill below the minimum line
Do not exceed the maximum line
Ensure ingredients are fully submerged before starting a programme
Too little liquid is the most common cause of burning and mid-cycle cut-outs.
3️⃣ Be Careful with Starchy or Thick Ingredients
If using:
Potatoes
Lentils
Split peas
Rice
Tinned tomatoes
Thick purées
You should:
Add extra stock or water
Stir briefly before starting
Avoid placing thick ingredients directly on the base
Consider par-boiling very dense root vegetables
Tinned tomatoes are already reduced and concentrated, which can thicken very quickly when heated. Fresh tomatoes release liquid gradually and circulate more effectively.
4️⃣ Add Dairy at the End
Milk, cream, and cheese should be added after the cooking cycle, then briefly blended.
Adding dairy too early can increase thickness and trigger the safety sensor.
5️⃣ Use a Small Amount of Oil (Optional)
When cooking very starchy recipes, adding a small amount of oil at the start can help reduce sticking.
⚠️ Why Did My Soup Maker Cut Out?
If the appliance stopped mid-cycle, the base sensor likely detected overheating due to thick or sticking ingredients.
This is not a fault.
The safety cut-out is designed to:
Protect internal components
Prevent overheating
Ensure safe operation
If you are unsure whether the unit is functioning correctly, you can test it by running a Smooth cycle using water only.
If it completes the cycle with water, the appliance is working correctly.
🧼 How to Clean Burnt-on Food
If burning has occurred, follow these steps:
Allow the appliance to cool completely.
Add a few drops of washing-up liquid.
Fill with boiling water up to the minimum mark.
Let it soak for 15 minutes.
Run the blend function for a few seconds.
Empty and rinse.
For stubborn marks:
Use a soft scouring pad in circular motions.
Avoid metal scouring pads unless absolutely necessary.
Do not immerse the base unit in water.
Regular cleaning helps maintain heating performance and prevents residue build-up.
🛠 When Should I Contact Support?
Food burning is rarely caused by a manufacturing fault.
However, please contact our Customer Support team if:
The appliance cuts out when running with water only
The display shows an error code that does not reset
The unit will not restart after cooling
✔ Key Takeaway
In nearly all cases, food burning on the base is caused by liquid ratios and ingredient layering, not a defective appliance.
Adding hot liquid first, maintaining proper fill levels, and preparing ingredients correctly will ensure smooth cooking, blending, and consistent results.