Best Baby Food Steamers in UK
Up to 6 months, it is recommended that baby’s feed on breast milk only. But after that, paediatricians advise parents that it’s best to begin feeding your baby with soft textured food. Solid foods are difficult to consume for a baby as they may not be developed enough to chew solid foods properly.
Moreover, soft-textured foods help deliver all the nutrients easily. Many companies have come up with baby food steamers that soften fruits and vegetables until it’s easy to consume. This is a great option for parents looking for a convenient method of preparing baby food that retains its nutritive value and cooks faster.
What is a Baby Food Steamer?
For preserving and retaining all the nutrients in your fruits and vegetables, steaming is an ideal method to cook your food. The working of a steamer is such that heat boils water to a point where it evaporates. The steam produced cooks the food without losing nutrients.
The food doesn’t mix with the water during steaming and hence results in a finely textured puree. Unlike boiling, where the water comes in contact with the food, and leeches out all the nutrients, steaming is the opposite. Along with a blender, baby food steamers are the best kitchen appliance for parents looking for a suitable baby food maker.
Advantages of having a Baby Food Steamer
1. Nutrient preservation
Since Vitamin C and Vitamin B complex is water-soluble, steaming is the best option to preserve them in foods. These nutrients are vital for a baby’s growth and development. Hence it is an advantage to prepare your baby’s food in a baby food steamer.
2. Maintain the food texture
The steaming option in baby food steamers helps to preserve the original texture of the fruits and vegetables. Moreover, it helps to break down the fibrous portion of hard fruits and vegetables. This helps increase the ease of digestion of baby food.
3. Great for purees
You can use the baby food steamer for preparing purees for adults as well. Old people tend to find it difficult to consume hard and fibrous foods after a certain age. Hence this appliance can be used to soften foods that are usually hard for them to chew.
10 Best Baby Food Steamers
1. Philips Avent Combined Baby Food Steamer and Blender
The Combined Baby Food Steamer and Blender by Philips Avent is very easy-to-use and convenient. The steamer comes with a steam technology that releases steam from the bottom of the steamer. This steam then moves upwards, cooking the food uniformly, without letting it boil.
Once your food ingredients have been steamed, detach the jar, turn it upside down and attach it back again to blend the food. The Blade of this Philips baby food steamer blends the food effectively. Whether it is fruits and vegetables or meat, seafood and pulses, the blender does an excellent job in blending the ingredients. Since this baby food steamer is small and compact it can be stored in your kitchen cabinet and won’t take up too much space in your kitchen.
PROS —
- Easy to operate
- Good kit for any kitchen
- Suitable for steaming hard textured meat and poultry
- Product quality is very good
- Jar is sturdy
- Blades are sharp and effective
CONS —
- Small capacity steamer
- Difficult to clean the inside
Quick Verdict
You can purchase the Philips Steamer and Blender if you require a small capacity steamer to cook small portions of food. The Steamer is a good option as it is sturdy and easy to use. The recipe book that comes along with the device is a good guide and will give you ideas for preparing excellent baby food.
2. Tommee Tippee Baby Food Steam Blender
The Tommee Tippee Blender steams and blends food whilst conserving the nutritive value and sensory properties of the food. Since the blender can blend your food according to different consistencies, you can use it to make baby food as per your baby’s stage of development. New parents must note that you can start by preparing very fine consistency baby food and shift towards chunkier baby foods as and when your baby grows.
The blender is easy to use since it has a push button that can be used to select steam or blend option. Moreover, after your food is steamed the unit will automatically begin blending your food. There is no need for you to decant the food in between the steaming and blending phases, thus reducing undesirable clutter on your kitchen countertop.
PROS —
- Easy to use
- Well built
- Blends easily to a range of textures for every weaning stage
- Automatic timer so you can just set and leave, then simply serve or store
CONS —
- Full auto cycle adds excess water to the food due to the steam
- Takes about 6 or 7 minutes to actually produce steam
Quick Verdict
Tommee Tippee Blender is for parents who prefer automatic functioning. After steaming the food, it automatically shifts to blending mode and doesn’t require any manual assistance. Although it takes a bit more time than others to steam the food.
3. Tommee Tippee Quick Cook Baby Food Steamer and Blender
The Tommee Tippee quick cook baby food steamer and blender help parents prepare a nutritious meal for their baby without much strain or clutter. The steamer effectively softens food texture so that babies with underdeveloped teeth and gums can consume the food. By a push of a button, this steamer and blender can make a whole variety of different consistency baby foods as per the growth requirements of the baby.
You can either select the steaming option or the blending option on the appliance by using a single button. Moreover, parents can effectively customise the type of baby food to be prepared by the device according to the stage of baby’s development.
PROS —
- Steams and blends home-made baby food in minutes
- Suitable for fruit, vegetable, meat, and fish
- Ideal for all stages of weaning
- Automatic timer to set steam and blend timings
- Smart memory function
- Includes a handy weaning recipe guide
CONS —
- Small Capacity
- Expensive
Quick Verdict
Parents who prefer to personalize the method of cooking prior to preparing their baby food can definitely purchase this device. The steamer jug has a capacity of 200g that allows you to prepare elegantly sized portions. It also makes life easier, as it functions automatically and doesn’t need human supervision.
4. Béaba Babycook Solo 4-in-1 Baby Food Processor
Babycook Solo is a 4-in-1 baby food processor with a blender, cooker, steamer and defroster. You can also reheat baby food using this device. To save time and energy, this baby food steamer comes with a large bowl of 1100 ml capacity, that prepares a large amount of food at one go.
The Babycook Solo comes with a lid that helps to prevent splashing of fluids outside the steamer. The Baby Food Steamer by Beaba has a 1 handed opening, removable basket, XL 1100 ml bowl, stainless steel blade, a cookbook, and a single control button.
PROS —
- Comes with a single control button
- Comes with a large bowl that steams, blends, defrosts, and reheats the food
- Food texture can be adjusted to smooth, mixed, lumps or chunky
- Utilizes the collected cooking liquid
CONS —
- The plastic is thin
- Pricey
Quick Verdict
This Baby Food Steamer is for you if your requirement is multidisciplinary. The Babycook Solo Steamer is versatile and can be used for blending, cooking, steaming and defrosting. It helps in preparing foods even for adults as well.
5. Bubos 5-in-1 Smart Baby Food maker with Steamer
Bubos Baby Food Maker is a multifunctional appliance that can steam, blend, chop, warm and sterilize your baby’s food. Along with 5 in 1 advantage, the baby food steamer comes with a timer. You can set the time and return once the food is cooked. Since the steamer comes with an open reservoir the device is rust-resistant.
The device is BPA free and has dishwasher safe parts. It is good in terms of quality. It includes a strainer to remove excess water. Parents must also remember to wash and clean the appliance before use.
PROS —
- It is a 5 in 1 device that includes a steam cooker, blender, chopper, reheat option, and can also defrost
- It is convenient and easy to use
- In terms of safety, it is BPA and lead-free
- Comes with an auto shut-off option after the water tank is out of the water, which prevents the machine from overheating
- Steam tanks can be opened completely for easy cleaning
- Bowl and blade are dishwasher-safe
CONS —
- Water may leak from the bottom
- Noisy
Quick Verdict
If you are a parent that likes your baby food to be divided into portions, this Bubos Baby Food Maker is perfect for you. The steamer is perfect for tiny portions. It provides the perfect sized meals for your little one.
6. Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker
The Philips Avent Healthy Baby Food maker can assist parents to make food that is homemade and that satisfies your baby’s needs. Like the other baby food steamers by Philips, the steamer also contains a technology that releases steam from the bottom of the appliance. The steam then travels upwards uniformly while cooking the food. Once the food is steamed, lift the jar, turn it upside down and attach it back to begin the blending process.
The jar used for steaming and the blade used for blending is dishwasher safe and hence easy to clean. The device is also constructed with a water tank that is easy to clean and refill, allowing you to cook efficiently.
PROS —
- Steam, blend, defrost and reheat meals for your baby
- Finely blends puree
- Cook up to four meals at a time due to the 1000 ml capacity
- Dishwasher safe jars and blade
- Water tank is easy to clean and refill
- Dr. Emma Williams weaning recipes included
CONS —
- Timer knob is inconvenient
- Water tank is difficult to lock in place
Quick Verdict
The Philips 4-in-1 healthy baby food maker also helps you save time and plan. The jar has a 1000-ml capacity, so you can cook around four meals at one go. This baby food steamer is for the parents that work and needs an appliance that saves time and energy.
7. Lictin Baby Food Blender Steamer
Lictin Baby Food Blender Steamer is constructed in such a way that doesn’t require any difficult operations. There is an easy steam button along with a stirring knob. This food blender steamer is also so effective in making baby food of different consistencies. Once the food is steamed, pour the food into the blending bowl and begin the process of blending.
The steamer helps parents reheat or cook the food with the heating rack. Moreover, it comes with a huge water tank as well. The Steamer also comes with an instructions manual, stir bar, and bear ice tray.
PROS —
- Multifunctional Baby Food Maker as it can steam, blend, defrost, and heat
- Comes with an ice tray to help speed up the cooling
- Has a slow and fast mixing option
- Stainless steel blades produce smaller food particles
- For easy operation, the food steamer comes with a simple steam button
- The baby food blender is made of food-grade non-toxic plastic and stainless steel
- Non-slip suction feet and easy to grip handle and a secure locking lid
CONS —
- Smokes up
- Water Leakage Issues
Quick Verdict
Parents who don’t mind shifting the baby food from the steamer to the blender can go for this purchase. The Lictin Baby Food Blender Steamer is multifunctional and easy to use as well.
8. Maxkare Baby Food Maker
MaxKare Baby Food Maker saves time and energy of busy parents when it comes to preparing good food for their baby. The appliance can defrost, steam, blend, sterilize and reheat the baby food. Apart from being multifunctional the device is reliable in terms of safety and is very efficient to use.
The device is built to facilitate single hand usage that helps increase the convenience with regards to operating the appliance. Various parts of the appliance and the stirring cup are safe to be cleaned in a dishwasher, thus reducing cleaning hassles.
PROS —
- Intuitive knob Control Panel Interface – simply press one button to steam the food and then press another button to chop it
- Designed with BPA, lead, phthalate-free & FDA approved materials
- The food processor has overheating protection and anti-dry function
- Stirring Cup is Dishwasher Safe
CONS —
- Expensive
- Gets Rusty
Quick Verdict
Maxkare Baby Food Maker is for the once who prefer appliances with a simple user interface. The device is not complicated and hence makes it ideal for customers looking for an easy solution to their baby food needs.
9. BABYMOOV Nutribaby Multi-Function Baby Food Steamer
The Babymoov Nutribaby Baby Food Steamer is multi-functional and can perform the following functions- steaming, processing, blending and sterilization. It does an amazing job of preparing healthy wholesome food for babies.
It has a large capacity that can carry 1500 ml of food. The blending vessel has a capacity of 600 ml. You can warm or sterilize three bottles of baby food in one go.
PROS —
- Bigger capacity
- Five functions
- Comes with two baskets
- Boasts LCD screen
- BPA free
CONS —
- Blades are blunt
- Food Chunks tend to be pushed to one side
Quick Verdict
Customers looking for an appliance with a large holding capacity must definitely go for Babymoov Nutribaby Steamer. It has one of the largest food preparation capacities in the market.
10. Cooks Professional Deluxe Baby Food Steamer
Cooks Professional Deluxe Baby Food Steamer, Blender, Processor and Sterilizer is an excellent device that can be used by parents to prepare home cooked nutritive foods for their little ones. Right from frozen vegetables to tough meat like beef, chicken, pork and seafood, Cooks Professional deluxe can cook a variety of meals and snacks for your baby.
If you like to sterilize your baby’s bottles you can use this appliance accordingly. Since this appliance comes with a sterilizer, you do not have to purchase a sterilizer separately. This helps to save space in your kitchen. This appliance comes with an easy handle grip and secure lock for great functionality.
PROS —
- Multifunctional – Steam, blend, and sterilize all with this versatile food blender
- Non-slip suction feet and an easy-grip handle
- Comes with secure locking lid
- BPA free
- 2-years warranty
CONS —
- Difficult to Clean
- Big in Size
Quick Verdict
When you need to focus on sterilization needs for your baby food, look no further than the Cooks Professional Baby Food Steamer. It saves you time and energy by sterilizing your baby food to prevent undesirable contamination.
How to Choose the Best Baby Food Steamer
1. Size of the Steamer
Based on how the device has constructed the size of the steamer differs. A wise decision for all parents would be to buy an appliance that has a compact design. Steamers with compact designs help to save space in your kitchen.
2. Capacity
Depending on your requirements you can either select a steamer that comes with a small capacity or a large capacity. There are many steamers that come with bifurcated layers to cook various different textured baby food at the same time. Keeping the specifications in mind and your requirements as a priority, select the best steamer as per your capacity needs.
3. Maintenance
Cleaning and maintaining a baby food steamer is a hard task and consumes a lot of time. You would rather spend time with your baby instead of cleaning by purchasing a baby food steamer that comes with dishwasher safe parts.
4. Versatility
When purchasing a baby food steamer, look for steamers that are multifunctional in nature. They could have a range of programs apart from steaming and blending your food like reheating, sterilization, defrosting, warming and cooking. Depending on your requirements you can purchase the ideal baby food steamer with all your required programs.
5. Ease of Use
The Baby Food steamers available in the market are usually simple to use. When looking out for a Steamer, look for features that make it easy for you to shift between functions like steaming to blending, or blending to heating, or defrosting to steaming, and so on. You can purchase steamers that come with an easy user interface and single button options.
Our Advice
Parents all over the world would always prefer to provide their baby with the most nutritious and homemade food available. Therefore, finalising on the perfect baby food steamer is a huge responsibility. Depending on the method of steaming and blending you can make the right choice. After going through the reviews and recommendations given above, you can definitely make wise decisions about which appliance suits your purpose the best. Apart from fulfilling your needs, you have the freedom to purchase a steamer of your favourite colour and design as well.
Laura is a trained primary teacher who takes a profound liking in interacting with and bringing out the best in children. She is also an ISSA certified pediatrician with an extensive practice of over 12 years. Laura comprehends the needs of infants and now compresses her expertise into writing thorough parenting guides to aid new parents.