The Best Baby Food Makers

We all want the best for our children—especially where nutrition is concerned. While store-bought baby food is not to be sniffed at, homemade meals offer a healthy, cost-effective alternative. But if you’re not a culinary whizz, don’t stress! A baby food maker can help. These nifty kitchen appliances vary in capability, but most models steam and blend ingredients to make fresh, tasty baby food.Not sure what features to look for? To help you make a smart choice, we’ve come up with a list of the best baby food maker options that make cooking for baby as easy as pie.

Do You Need a Baby Food Maker?

Decided to bypass jars and pouches in favor of homemade grub? In theory it may seem simple, but making food from scratch can be time-consuming (not to mention messy). Fortunately, the best baby food makers streamline the process. These multi-functional appliances have the ability to steam, chop, puree and warm food at the press of a button. On the other hand, if you’re a competent cook and already have a wide array of kitchen gadgets (think: a steamer, immersion blender and food processor), you may not need a baby food maker.

So when should you start introducing solids to baby’s diet? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of baby’s life. Once baby has doubled their birth weight (at around 4 months old) they may be ready to try solid foods. Remember to start slow and introduce ingredients one at a time. A baby food maker can help ease this transition, as you can whip up small batches of fresh, tasty purees in a flash.

Benefits of a Baby Food Maker

While a baby food maker certainly isn’t a necessity, these appliances do offer a lot of benefits to home chefs.

• Cost effective. While baby food makers can be pricey, they can save you money in the long run. How? Store-bought baby food and delivery services are expensive, especially if you opt for organic products. By purchasing fresh, seasonal ingredients and cooking large batches of baby food at home (pop any you won’t use in the freezer) the cost per portion reduces dramatically.

• You control the ingredients. By making baby food at home, you’ll have full control over the ingredients used. This is helpful if you are gradually introducing them to new flavors or if baby has an allergy.

• Greater control over the quality and quantity. With a baby food maker you can serve up the perfect meal every time as you have full control over the settings. Plus, you can reduce waste by figuring out the perfect portion size for your little food connoisseur, and freezing any leftovers.

What to Look for in a Baby Food Maker

Not sure what to look for when choosing a baby food maker? Here are a few key features to keep in mind.

• Easy to clean. Opt for a baby food maker with dishwasher-safe attachments as they’re easier to clean. Models with multiple parts may be harder to clean as food can get stuck in the nooks and crannies.

• Settings. Choose a baby food maker that’s equipped for your family’s needs. Some high-end models can steam cook ingredients to preserve the nutrients, before blending, chopping or mashing them to your desired consistency. If you’re after a simple, budget-friendly device, manual food mashers and grinders work well.

• Efficiency. Short on time? Some baby food makers work faster than others, but many options can prepare food in twenty minutes or less.

• Cost. Baby food makers range in price from around $20 for a basic manual model to $180 for an appliance with all the bells and whistles. Before making a purchase, think about how often you’ll use it.

• Size. Some baby food makers take up a lot of precious countertop space. Our advice? Check the dimensions and weight guidelines before you buy.

Best Baby Food Makers

Ready, steady, cook! Here find eight of the best baby food makers for every need, from manual models to take on the go to multi-functional countertop devices.