Are Baby Food Makers Worth It?

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Buying anything for your baby can be quite overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what you need and what you don’t. This also counts in the feeding category. Although it seems like you only need utensils and a water bottle for your baby, there are many other products you will find once you go out there.

If you’re thinking about making your baby food, one of these products will be a baby food maker. These makers usually have a variety of uses, from pureeing and steaming to even making fruit smoothies. While many new parents say they find food makers useful, others might argue that they’re not worth the purchase. Let’s find out if baby food makers are worth it.

What is a Baby Food Maker?

Like the name implies, a baby food maker is a kitchen appliance that parents use to make baby food. Baby food makers are usually well-sought by parents because they want to be sure of what they’re feeding their babies, and you can never really be sure with store-bought foods. 

Depending on the appliance you purchase, baby food makers can steam or roast the food before pureeing it so that your baby can easily consume it. With these food makers, parents can control what their babies eat, although it can’t be used by everyone and consumes a lot of time.

Are There Baby Food Maker Alternatives?

Yes, there are. Instead of buying an appliance that is only for making baby food, many people prefer to buy a general appliance that can do this and other things in the kitchen.

There are two main types of baby food makers, apart from the appliances. You can either purchase the all-in-one machine that takes care of the entire food-making process or the manual mill which you can use to only steam or roast the food.

Parents that want a hands-off approach when making baby food will prefer the all-in-one machine because it even pre-cooks vegetables. It is highly convenient and time-saving, although expensive to buy. It’s also difficult to clean up these machines and they take up a lot of space.

Manual mills can be uses to steam and roast the ingredients, and then you take care of pureeing it afterward. They are more affordable, although less convenient.

Apart from buying all-in-one machines or manual mills, you can choose to go for other food maker alternatives. 

Food Processor: 

If you have a food processor at home, a baby food maker won’t be worth it. Many parents use a food processor to make baby food instead of looking for a food maker. Food processors can work with different solid foods, even to make baby cereals.

With a food maker, you can puree or chop foods, and depending on the one you purchase, they also have interchangeable disks for slicing, dicing, shredding, and even kneading. 

A food processor will give you enough control over the food, although they can be a bit slow. You can also use them for other cooking activities apart from baby food.

Blender:

Almost every home has a blender, and if yours does too, then it’s a great alternative to a baby food maker. Even if you don’t have a blender, you can purchase one for the entire family. Keep in mind that blenders are more ideal for liquid foods and not solid foods. Blenders can make all sorts of purees for your baby.

They are also way faster than food processors, and since they usually have small sizes, they can be used to make smaller batches for your baby to prevent wastage. You can also use an immersion blender to make baby food.

How Much Do Baby Food Makers Cost?

The price of a baby food maker depends on the special features and characteristics of the appliance, as well as the size, uses, and brand. All in all, it should be easy to find a baby food maker that fits right in your budget.

In the table below, we have explored the top baby food makers, as well as their costs and features, so you can purchase the one that’s right for you. The most expensive item on our list is worth $150, while the most affordable is a manual puree maker. You can set your budget within this range when shopping.

Baby Food MakerFeaturesAverage Price on Amazon
Baby Brezza Glass Baby Food MakerAutomatically steam and clean in one step. Easy to clean and use. Includes three settings. Makes homemade baby food in ten minutes. Stainless steel blade and plastic casing.$125
Cuisinart Baby Food Maker and Bottle WarmerWarms bottle to the desired temperature. Holds up to four cups. Easy to operate with a dial. Holds sheet in place while pouring. Even distribution of steam.$130
Beaba Babycook 4 in 1 Steam Cooker and BlenderPrepares baby food in 15 minutes. 2 food stimulations. Easily detachable and lightweight for storage. Double function for steaming and blending. BPA and Lead-free.$150
Infantino Squeeze Station Baby Food Maker Allows you to create food bags and puree. Highly affordable. Non-slip base. Stores up to 4 ounces of homemade purees. Offers an easy and firm grip.$20
Magic Bullet Baby Bullet System Comes with storage cups, spatula, freezer tray, and more. Dishwashing is allowed. Offers great value for money. Makes baby food in five minutes. Has milling and mixing blades$93

Are Baby Food Makers Worth It?

It’s not necessary to make your baby food in the first place, store-bought food is pretty convenient for many parents. Nothing bad will happen to your baby if you get them store-bought food, although there are many benefits of making baby food with your hands or a machine.

Although baby food makers are worth it, it depends on the different situations. If you’re set on making your baby food at home, although this isn’t compulsory, you still won’t need a specialized baby food maker as long as you have a food processor or blender at home.

If you have the time, you can even make your baby food from scratch by hand and give your little one something healthy to eat. When you look at all the appliances and items you need to buy when you get a new baby, it’s evident that a baby food maker is more of a luxury than a necessity.

So, ask yourself if you need the baby food maker, and if you can’t find room for this appliance in your budget or you know you won’t have time to use it, then it’s not worth it.

On the other hand, if you can afford it without stress and have the time to use it when you buy it, especially if you don’t have a food processor, then the baby food maker will be pretty worth it.

Advantages of Using a Baby Food Maker

  • You can keep track of what your baby is consuming.
  • It offers more nutritional value since nutrients are not lost in the process.
  • It saves money as store-bought baby food is usually expensive.
  • It allows you to give your baby variety.
  • Your baby can eat what the rest of the family is eating.
  • It’s fresh, especially when they eat it immediately after you make it.

Disadvantages of Using a Baby Food Maker

  • It takes time and is not ideal for busy or working parents.
  • It’s not convenient all the time, especially when traveling.
  • It might be bitter because of the lack of sugar you can find in store-bought foods.
  • It spoils easily and needs to be refrigerated. 

Do You Need a Baby Food Maker?

From the guide above, all that’s left is for you to ask yourself if you truly need a baby food maker. If the answer is yes, you can include it in the budget for your baby registry checklist. If not, you can go for high-quality store-bought food, or use a food processor, blender, or even just a manual process to make healthy and yummy meals for your little one.