We here at Toproductreview are big-time supporters of parents discovering what works best for their particular lifestyle. There is not one "right way" to parent, but many. This philosophy particularly pertains to deciding what food you want to feed to your baby. We happily embrace the good work and philosophy of Maggie Meade, the creator and writer of The Wholesome Baby Food Guide when it comes to making baby's first foods, "It's important to realize that making homemade baby food is not an "all or nothing" proposition…Your baby's taste buds and tummy will surely thank you for all the fresh and wholesome foods that you prepare for him, but he needs a parent who is relaxed and joyful far more than he needs homemade baby food."
Making your own baby food should be a process that not only provides nourishment for your child, but also a maintains a relaxed and happy atmosphere within your home. With that in mind, let's move forward with the reviews!
Selecting The Right Product For You
It all begins with just how serious you are about making food for your baby. Do you want to produce a lot of food at once to freeze and store for later use or are you more interested in producing your baby's meals one at a time? Are you short on counter top space? Do you want a kitchen tool that extends beyond the life of making pureed food for your baby or do you want a product specifically designed for making baby food? We spent a significant amount of time rigorously testing eight different products that fall on the spectrum of baby food makers. From the all-in-one steamer/blender to a hand crank food mill there are many versions to choose from. You can read about the important features we think truly matter for parents in our article How To Select The Right Baby Food Maker For Your Needs and come to better understand our testing strategy by reading our How We Test article.
You can also read on to find out more about the types of products we tested and which baby food makers earned a special award from BabyGearLab!
Types of Products
All-in-one vs. blender vs. manual food mill
We tested a wide range of baby food making products in order to determine which ones would work best with your lifestyle. From the all-in-one steamers and blenders, to the manual hand-crank food mills, we sought out the best products to aide your journey into making baby food as easy as possible.
The All-In-One Machines
We took a good hard look at three popular products in this category- the Cuisinart BFM-1000 & Bottle Warmer, Beaba Babycook Pro Processor & Steamer, and the Baby Brezza. All-in-one food makers are a great option for parents who are seeking one machine to do everything, thus eliminating the need to steam foods on the stove or roast them in the oven. While effective at steaming and blending foods, these machines tend to take up extra countertop space, are more challenging to clean, and are expensive.
Electric Blenders and Food Mills
We tested three electric blenders and food mills: the BELLA Baby Rocket Blender, theKidco Electric Food Mill, and the Sage Spoonfuls Immersion Blender with Food Processor Attachment. Electric blenders and food mills are a great option for parents who don't feel the need for an all-in-one machine and are willing to cook their foods prior to processing it. These machines have the capacity to make both small and large amounts of food and in general were quite easy to use. We did run into some trouble when it came to grinding coarser and thicker foods in these machines. We were, however, extremely impressed with the capability and versatility of the Sage Spoonfuls Immersion Blender w/Food Processor, so much so, that we gave it our Editor's Choice Award.
Manual Food Mills
We tested two products in this category- the Boon Mush Manual and the Kidalog Food Mill Grinder. We found that manual food mills are excellent products for parents looking to produce food for baby in small quantities. What they lack in flash and power, they offer parents a quick and easy solution to making food on the fly. The one major disadvantage to these machines is the fact that they cannot handle very course or fibrous foods as well as the electric blenders and food mills. This simply boils down to the fact that they are manually operated thus relying on man-power.
For a more in-depth comparison of these products, please see our How To Select The Best Baby Food Maker For Your Needs article.
Criteria for Evaluation
In testing these eight products, we determined the following criteria to be the most important when it came to evaluating their effectiveness: puree quality, ease of use, ease of cleaning, capacity, durability, and portability.
Puree Quality – 30% of total score
Almost all of products we tested produced high quality, fine purees. We were particularly impressed with all of the all-in-one machines and the Sage Spoonfuls immersion blender. All of these products produced the finest purees consistently and without much effort. We did not have to intervene in the food making process with a spatula to scrape bits caught on the sides, nor did we have to adjust recipes by adding extra water to ensure a smooth consistency. We ran into the most trouble with the Boon Mush Manual and the Bella Baby Rocket Blender in this category, as the space between the blades allowed larger pieces of food to go un-blended. While these pieces were small enough to be appropriate for an older child, they are not for an infant taking their first venture into eating solid foods.
Ease of Use – 20% of total score
Most of the products we tested were fairly easy to use. Naturally, the number of parts corresponded with the difficulty of setup and use. All of the blenders and manual hand-crank machines were simple to use and required little effort to assemble. The all-in-one machines required more research to operate properly. We were bothered by the lack of visual representation of steaming times on the Beaba and Cuisinart. These machines base their "steaming time" on how much water is inserted into the steam chamber rather than using a timer. We also found ourselves constantly turning to the manual to determine just how long each particular food needed to be cooked for these particular machines. It would have been helpful for these companies to provide a magnet or laminated guide of steam times so parents are not always flipping through the manuals.
Ease of Cleaning – 20% of total score
Cleaning food off of any surface is difficult, particularly if it is sharp. Extra care needs to be taken when cleaning each of the products we tested (with the exception of the Kidalog, which has no sharp parts). Cleaning the all-in-one products was a bit trickier, as the water chambers cannot be accessed (these need to be cleaned periodically to prevent mineral deposit build-up in order to preserve the longevity of the machine). A lot of the machines had top-rack dishwasher safe parts, which was helpful, but we also found the use of a bottle brush really simplified the hand-washing process.
Capacity – 15% of total score
Capacity is an important component we considered and is typically determined by how the machine was designed to be used. All-in-one machines like the Cuisinart (which has the largest capacity of all the machines), the blenders and the Boon can accommodate anywhere from 1 cup to 4 cups worth of processed food. The exception is the Kidalog, which is intended for single servings and produces approximately 2/3 a cup per serving. We found all quantities yielded really depended on the type and consistency of the food we were milling.
Durability - 10% of total score
No one wants to spend money on a product they cannot use after a few tries, particularly one with inherent design flaws. We took into account the materials each machine is made with, the manufacturer's warranty, and how each product held up when facing different textured foods. Overall, we discovered that with proper maintenance, these machines are meant to last a long time, and likely will. We were especially impressed with the blade system in the Baby Brezza, and how well it tackled every kind of food we put in it.
Portability – 5% of total score
Portability was the least important factor in the overall scoring of these products. Each machine we tested was fairly easy to transport, none were extraordinarily heavy or cumbersome to move from a shelf to the kitchen counter top. Of course, the largest and heaviest of the group was the Cuisinart BFM-1000 & Bottle Warmer, and the lightest, the Kidalog Food Mill. Would we consider taking the Cuisinart to a restaurant? Absolutely not- this would definitely be a time for the Kidalog or Boon to shine. However, we would consider packing up the Brezza for a longer trip if electricity at the destination were available.
Editor's Choice
The Sage Spoonfuls Immersion Blender with Food Processor Attachment rose above the competitors. The puree it produced was near perfect. We did run into a few hiccoughs with some crunchier than desired carrots while using the immersion blender, but overall its compact size, versatility, ease of use, simple cleaning procedure, and the high quality puree it consistently produced impressed us tremendously. The immersion blender enables parents to puree softer foods to a perfect consistency in a matter of seconds. We loved the simplicity of the setup and the lack of parts to worry about. It was especially great to have the blade protected by the metal shield, preventing accidental slices to fingers in the cleaning process. We found the food processor to be equally effective- quickly grinding brown rice or oatmeal to tiny granules, perfect for baby cereals. While the immersion blender is not equipped to handle hard, raw foods, the food processor takes over in this category to finish the job. The Sage Spoonful's company offers a variety of accessories that would be excellent for the parent looking to get everything they need to make and store baby food (please note, these accessories were not tested by BabyGearLab). In short, this product blends like a dream, has a small footprint in your kitchen, and will definitely remain a useful cooking toolwell beyond the time you use it for preparing food for your baby.
The Best Value Award
We discovered the truth in the saying that "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." When the Kidalog Baby Food Mill Grinder arrived from Canada we were a bit skeptical at just how well it would fair up against the stiff competition, and my were we surprised! It turns out the least expensive food mill on the market, is actually one of the very best. Made with durable plastic and stainless steel, this $17 hand-crank mill blew us out of the water with just how well it performed under pressure. We assumed it would leak when dealing with juicy kiwis, it did not. We then expected it to fall apart when facing cubed chicken- not so! Then came the sticky foods like rice and oatmeal- not a problem! We did discover that fruits with skins can tend to "gum up" the metal disk, but with a little finesse, you can make blueberry, grape, and even fresh pear juice. While the Kidalog is not the practical choice for parents looking to produce food en-masse, and can be a bit tricky to clean, this lovely little beige beast won't let you down in a pinch. It is also a handy tool for building upper-arm strength with thicker or more fibrous foods!
Top Pick for Production Lines
When you are out to make a lot of baby food all at once (who wants to have a week supply of sweet potatoes? Mom does!), have some uncommitted counter top space you're willing to sacrifice, and want a machine that can steam and blend, then you have a few options to select from. We spent a lot of time testing three, all-in-one products: The Cuisinart BFM-1000 & Bottle Warmer, the Beaba Babycook Pro Processor & Steamer, and the Baby Brezza. While each product gave a strong showing, the ultimate champion was the Baby Brezza. To begin with, the Beaba was easily the most aesthetically pleasing of the products we tested.
What set the Brezza apart from its competitors was its size, ease of use, quality puree, and lack of burnt fingers and wrists at the end of the testing period. We particularly liked the digital timing feature on this machine, a feature all of the other products lacked. It was super helpful to know precisely how long an item would be steaming in the chamber before it needed to be blended. We found the audible alert when food was finished cooking to be tremendously handy, as busy parents can set the steamer and tend to other issues nearby until the food is done. We were also glad the product is BPA and Phthalate free, has an 18-month limited warranty, and offers functional storage containers for freezing excess food.
Making your own baby food should be a process that not only provides nourishment for your child, but also a maintains a relaxed and happy atmosphere within your home. With that in mind, let's move forward with the reviews!
Selecting The Right Product For You
It all begins with just how serious you are about making food for your baby. Do you want to produce a lot of food at once to freeze and store for later use or are you more interested in producing your baby's meals one at a time? Are you short on counter top space? Do you want a kitchen tool that extends beyond the life of making pureed food for your baby or do you want a product specifically designed for making baby food? We spent a significant amount of time rigorously testing eight different products that fall on the spectrum of baby food makers. From the all-in-one steamer/blender to a hand crank food mill there are many versions to choose from. You can read about the important features we think truly matter for parents in our article How To Select The Right Baby Food Maker For Your Needs and come to better understand our testing strategy by reading our How We Test article.
We put 8 top rated baby food makers through the grinder to find out which is the very best
Credit: Natalie Hale
You can also read on to find out more about the types of products we tested and which baby food makers earned a special award from BabyGearLab!
Types of Products
All-in-one vs. blender vs. manual food mill
We tested a wide range of baby food making products in order to determine which ones would work best with your lifestyle. From the all-in-one steamers and blenders, to the manual hand-crank food mills, we sought out the best products to aide your journey into making baby food as easy as possible.
The All-In-One Machines
We took a good hard look at three popular products in this category- the Cuisinart BFM-1000 & Bottle Warmer, Beaba Babycook Pro Processor & Steamer, and the Baby Brezza. All-in-one food makers are a great option for parents who are seeking one machine to do everything, thus eliminating the need to steam foods on the stove or roast them in the oven. While effective at steaming and blending foods, these machines tend to take up extra countertop space, are more challenging to clean, and are expensive.
The all-in-one machines: Cuisinart, Brezza and the Beaba.
Credit: Natalie Hale
Electric Blenders and Food Mills
We tested three electric blenders and food mills: the BELLA Baby Rocket Blender, theKidco Electric Food Mill, and the Sage Spoonfuls Immersion Blender with Food Processor Attachment. Electric blenders and food mills are a great option for parents who don't feel the need for an all-in-one machine and are willing to cook their foods prior to processing it. These machines have the capacity to make both small and large amounts of food and in general were quite easy to use. We did run into some trouble when it came to grinding coarser and thicker foods in these machines. We were, however, extremely impressed with the capability and versatility of the Sage Spoonfuls Immersion Blender w/Food Processor, so much so, that we gave it our Editor's Choice Award.
The Blenders/food mills: the BELLA Baby Rocket Blender, the Sage Spoonfuls Immersion Blender w/ Food Processor Attachment, and the Kidco Electric Food Mill.
Credit: Natalie Hale
Manual Food Mills
We tested two products in this category- the Boon Mush Manual and the Kidalog Food Mill Grinder. We found that manual food mills are excellent products for parents looking to produce food for baby in small quantities. What they lack in flash and power, they offer parents a quick and easy solution to making food on the fly. The one major disadvantage to these machines is the fact that they cannot handle very course or fibrous foods as well as the electric blenders and food mills. This simply boils down to the fact that they are manually operated thus relying on man-power.
The Manual Food Mills- The Boon Mush Manual and the Kidalog Baby Food Mill Grinder.
Credit: Natalie Hale
For a more in-depth comparison of these products, please see our How To Select The Best Baby Food Maker For Your Needs article.
Criteria for Evaluation
In testing these eight products, we determined the following criteria to be the most important when it came to evaluating their effectiveness: puree quality, ease of use, ease of cleaning, capacity, durability, and portability.
Puree Quality – 30% of total score
Reheated sweet potatoes in the Brezza's storage containers following 25 minutes of steaming with the plastic lids on (removed for the photo).
Credit: Natalie Hale
Ease of Use – 20% of total score
Most of the products we tested were fairly easy to use. Naturally, the number of parts corresponded with the difficulty of setup and use. All of the blenders and manual hand-crank machines were simple to use and required little effort to assemble. The all-in-one machines required more research to operate properly. We were bothered by the lack of visual representation of steaming times on the Beaba and Cuisinart. These machines base their "steaming time" on how much water is inserted into the steam chamber rather than using a timer. We also found ourselves constantly turning to the manual to determine just how long each particular food needed to be cooked for these particular machines. It would have been helpful for these companies to provide a magnet or laminated guide of steam times so parents are not always flipping through the manuals.
Ease of Cleaning – 20% of total score
Cleaning food off of any surface is difficult, particularly if it is sharp. Extra care needs to be taken when cleaning each of the products we tested (with the exception of the Kidalog, which has no sharp parts). Cleaning the all-in-one products was a bit trickier, as the water chambers cannot be accessed (these need to be cleaned periodically to prevent mineral deposit build-up in order to preserve the longevity of the machine). A lot of the machines had top-rack dishwasher safe parts, which was helpful, but we also found the use of a bottle brush really simplified the hand-washing process.
Cleaning the Brezza bowl and blade is easy. The machine comes apart quickly and with a good sponge, parents can quickly clean up messes. We did run into a little trouble with the holes in the blades, but it was nothing a little extra elbow grease couldn't take care of. Be sure to put your Brezza to soak right after you use it if you cannot clean it right away- allowing food to crust on there dulls the blade and making cleaning it an absolute pain.
Credit: Natalie Hale
Capacity – 15% of total score
Capacity is an important component we considered and is typically determined by how the machine was designed to be used. All-in-one machines like the Cuisinart (which has the largest capacity of all the machines), the blenders and the Boon can accommodate anywhere from 1 cup to 4 cups worth of processed food. The exception is the Kidalog, which is intended for single servings and produces approximately 2/3 a cup per serving. We found all quantities yielded really depended on the type and consistency of the food we were milling.
The Brezza instruction booklet has instructions that indicate approximately how much of a type of food should be steamed and blended at a time. Here we have 1.75 cups of fresh, washed, organic blueberries.
Credit: Natalie Hale
Durability - 10% of total score
No one wants to spend money on a product they cannot use after a few tries, particularly one with inherent design flaws. We took into account the materials each machine is made with, the manufacturer's warranty, and how each product held up when facing different textured foods. Overall, we discovered that with proper maintenance, these machines are meant to last a long time, and likely will. We were especially impressed with the blade system in the Baby Brezza, and how well it tackled every kind of food we put in it.
Portability – 5% of total score
The Kidalog fits into a diaper bag nicely.
Credit: Natalie Hale
Editor's Choice
The Sage Spoonfuls Immersion Blender with Food Processor Attachment rose above the competitors. The puree it produced was near perfect. We did run into a few hiccoughs with some crunchier than desired carrots while using the immersion blender, but overall its compact size, versatility, ease of use, simple cleaning procedure, and the high quality puree it consistently produced impressed us tremendously. The immersion blender enables parents to puree softer foods to a perfect consistency in a matter of seconds. We loved the simplicity of the setup and the lack of parts to worry about. It was especially great to have the blade protected by the metal shield, preventing accidental slices to fingers in the cleaning process. We found the food processor to be equally effective- quickly grinding brown rice or oatmeal to tiny granules, perfect for baby cereals. While the immersion blender is not equipped to handle hard, raw foods, the food processor takes over in this category to finish the job. The Sage Spoonful's company offers a variety of accessories that would be excellent for the parent looking to get everything they need to make and store baby food (please note, these accessories were not tested by BabyGearLab). In short, this product blends like a dream, has a small footprint in your kitchen, and will definitely remain a useful cooking toolwell beyond the time you use it for preparing food for your baby.
Sage Spoonfuls with all included accessories from the basic package.
Credit: Micah James
The Best Value Award
We discovered the truth in the saying that "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." When the Kidalog Baby Food Mill Grinder arrived from Canada we were a bit skeptical at just how well it would fair up against the stiff competition, and my were we surprised! It turns out the least expensive food mill on the market, is actually one of the very best. Made with durable plastic and stainless steel, this $17 hand-crank mill blew us out of the water with just how well it performed under pressure. We assumed it would leak when dealing with juicy kiwis, it did not. We then expected it to fall apart when facing cubed chicken- not so! Then came the sticky foods like rice and oatmeal- not a problem! We did discover that fruits with skins can tend to "gum up" the metal disk, but with a little finesse, you can make blueberry, grape, and even fresh pear juice. While the Kidalog is not the practical choice for parents looking to produce food en-masse, and can be a bit tricky to clean, this lovely little beige beast won't let you down in a pinch. It is also a handy tool for building upper-arm strength with thicker or more fibrous foods!
Kidalog Baby Food Mill Grinder, the winner of our Best Value Award.
Credit: Micah James
Top Pick for Production Lines
When you are out to make a lot of baby food all at once (who wants to have a week supply of sweet potatoes? Mom does!), have some uncommitted counter top space you're willing to sacrifice, and want a machine that can steam and blend, then you have a few options to select from. We spent a lot of time testing three, all-in-one products: The Cuisinart BFM-1000 & Bottle Warmer, the Beaba Babycook Pro Processor & Steamer, and the Baby Brezza. While each product gave a strong showing, the ultimate champion was the Baby Brezza. To begin with, the Beaba was easily the most aesthetically pleasing of the products we tested.
The Baby Brezza Elite with all included accessories, including storage containers, reheating basket, spatula, and extra drive shaft gaskets.
Credit: Micah James
The upgraded model, the Baby Brezza Elite, includes a digital timer feature. This is a nice-to-have addition that allowed us to know precisely how much time was left in the steam cycle before we needed to begin blending.
Credit: Natalie Hale
That is really good and useful post, would love to read more blogs from you. Thank you from sharing it with us and keep posting
ReplyDeleteI really want to have it, going to keep the design and will show it to my jeweler. Hope that he will be able to make one like this for me
ReplyDelete