The 5 Best Baby Food Makers of 2023
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- Baby food makers may seem like a big investment, but in the long run, they will save you money compared to buying ready-made baby food.
- Baby food makers give you control over the ingredients and quantities your baby eats, which is important when you’re starting solids.
- Baby food makers are more convenient and easier to use than conventional blenders and food processors for making baby food.
I remember starting out to make baby food with the best of intentions.
I pulled out the blender, the steamer, and the pot. I quickly learned that I could only steam small batches of veggies at a time and that you shouldn’t put hot food in a blender before you cool it! Not to mention that the blender I got for our wedding couldn’t really get the smooth puree consistency I wanted. The immersion blender wasn’t great either.
I was skeptical about baby food makers thinking that they weren’t necessary.
However, when I looked around the kitchen at the pots and dishes everywhere, the blender that wasn’t dishwasher safe, the immersion blender cord covered in food, and my lumpy carrot puree, I knew what to do. I ordered a baby food maker and life with a new baby got a little easier.
We’ve researched the five best baby food makers of 2023 to help you decide whether to make these magical gadgets a part of your weaning routine. You might see baby food makers in a whole new light!
Top Choice: Beaba Babycook
Pros:
- All in one: steams, purees, defrosts, and reheats
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to use
- Long lasting
Cons:
- Price
The Beaba Babycook is one of the most popular baby food makers on the market for a good reason. I used the Babycook for both of my children. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, it does everything you need it to do, and you can use it with one hand!
The Solo 4-in-1 model steam cooks fruit, veggies, fish and raw meat in twenty minutes with an auto shut-off timer, so you don’t have to watch it or worry about overcooking. Once it’s done steaming, the Babycook will blend or puree for you. It lets you choose the consistency, from fine to chunky, so you get just the right texture.
If you’re batch cooking and freezing cubes of food, this Beaba baby food maker helps with that too. Not only does it steam and puree, but it also defrosts and reheats your baby food so that you don’t have to use a microwave.
The best part is that the Babycook is designed for you to do all this with just one hand. Beaba has made sure you can hold your baby with one arm and make baby food with the other. That’s what makes this a registry must-have.
It’s dishwasher safe, so cleanup couldn’t be easier. This new, updated design is available in various colors to match your kitchen decor. It’s sleek, subtle, and won’t take up too much counter space.
- THE ORIGINAL CREATORS OF THE BABY FOOD MAKER Newest model with glass bowl, stainless steel steam basket, & large stainless steel reservoir! All in ONE machine operation – no pots, pans, blenders, stove/ microwave use or clean up. This fast baby food maker steam cooks raw meat, chicken, fish, fruits or veggies to any stage baby food & toddler food in under 20 mins. Our baby food maker not only saves time and money but also ensures that only the ingredients you want are added to your baby’s food.
- 4-IN-1 FUNCTION – steam cook, blend, defrost, reheat healthy food all in one baby food maker. Babycooks elevated steam basket allows true steam cooking, resulting in minimal nutrient loss. Use leftover water as puree stock to help control consistency & texture of the puree when blending. Competitors do not raise food above the water, thus not steam cooking but rather braising the food. When food sits in water it results in greater nutrient loss as it pulls nutrients from the food.
- LARGER CAPACITY – 34 oz steam bowl makes 34 servings of fresh baby food in 15 mins with just one cooking cycle! Bowl has graduation markings for easy measuring. Great for weekly meal preps and then storing baby food in baby food containers. Make any stage baby or toddler food from purees to solids. Add to your list of baby essentials and don’t forget to pair with our BEABA baby food containers, baby bowls, baby spoon and baby food freezer tray.
- AUTO SHUT-OFF TIMER – no need to watch over the machine! Just add food, hit steam and let Babycook do all the work. Babycook will beep 3 x’s when cooking is complete. Healthy homemade baby food in mins! No need to worry about low water notification or unsanitary stagnant water staying in the appliance, Babycook uses all water needed per cooking cycle. This baby food steamer cooking system designed with unique one handed operation so you can hold baby in one hand and make baby food with the other
The Beaba Babycook is on the pricier side of baby food makers, especially if you go for the Neo model, which is glass rather than plastic. However, it’s a bestseller because it works and makes life easier for new parents while saving you money in the long run.
This was definitely one of the better big baby purchases we made, and it paid for itself in the money we saved using it for both our children.
Dimensions: 10″D x 15.55″W x 14.05″H | Wattage: 950 watts
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Best Food Maker with Storage: Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker Deluxe
- AUTOMATICALLY STEAMS & BLENDS HOMEMADE BABY FOOD IN 1 EASY STEP. Just press a button and the Food Maker Deluxe does the rest in as little as 10 minutes! No transfer after cooking required.
- MAKES 3.5 CUPS OF DELICIOUS BABY FOOD. Make healthy purees, mashes & more for every stage of your baby’s development. Choose from 3 settings (Automatic Steam & Blend; Steam only; Blend only)
- PRECISION BLENDING & EASY TO USE & CLEAN. 4 Stainless Steel blades blend with precision. Steam tank is fully accessible for easy cleaning. Bowl & blade are dishwasher-safe. LCD control panel is easy to use. Water tank is removable for easy filling
- 12 PIECE ALL-IN-ONE SYSTEM TO MAKE, STORE & SERVE BABY FOOD. Comes with 3 reusable food pouches and filling funnels for serving and storing baby food; 1 year limited warranty (not valid on purchases shipped outside US); BPA-FREE
Pros:
- Compact
- Affordable
- Reusable food pouches
- Steams food
Cons:
- May need to blend food more than once
A compact and more affordable alternative to the Beaba Babycook, the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker Deluxe does a lot in a little space. Like the Babycook, it both steams and blends to different consistencies.
It has three easy settings: steam and blend, steam only, or blend only. One drawback is that it only allows you to blend food to different consistencies if you watch it carefully. Some parents have found they need to blend food a few times to get a smooth puree. Also, you’ll have to blend carefully to make chunkier meals as you progress with solids.
However, the Baby Brezza food maker also comes with three reusable food pouches, unlike other brands. These are really useful for storing, freezing, and taking your homemade food on the go. In addition, you can buy an additional pack of easy-fill pouches for all your storage and freezing needs.
With a capacity of 3.5 cups, you’ll be able to make a lot of batches of fresh food. That’s quite a from one baby food processor!
Dimensions: 10.25″D x 7.75″W x 9.25″H | Wattage: 450 watts
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Best for Retaining Nutrients: Babymoov Duo Meal Station XL
- Unique system to make delicious food: 3 Cooking trays with steam juicer and 3-speed blender easily programmable for various cook times, allow for preservation of nutrients, vitamins and the natural flavor of the foods
- Large capacity and multifunction save TIME: a 12-cup capacity allows to make up to one week of fresh and nutritious food in just minutes. The steaming bowl and blender can be used simultaneously to save even more time!
- Easy to clean and use: the duo meal station XL is easy to clean as its components can be detached and are dishwasher safe. The intuitive LCD control panel and audio alerts make operating this food Maker a breeze.
- Safe for YOUR baby and your family: the award winning duo meal station XL has been rigorously put to test and approved by moms and dads across the country as well as nutritionists. It is certified BPA, Lead and phthalate free.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Time saving
- Multi-functional
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Price
- Size
The Babymoov Duo Meal Station goes beyond other baby food makers in so many ways! Of course, it’s the priciest item on this list of the best baby food makers, but it also does much more than most.
Suppose you want to make homemade baby food but are concerned about it taking too much time. In that case, the massive twelve-cup capacity of the Babymoov means that you can make up to a week’s worth of meals in one session. Save even more time by steaming on one side of the machine and blending on the other simultaneously!
In addition, the Babymoov helps you retain more nutrients than any other baby food processor. Steam multiple ingredients separately on the three steamer trays. Once your food is steam cooked, pour the retained liquid under the steamer basket into the blender to blend with your ingredients. It’s genius!
For all its pros, the Babymoov Duo Meal Station might seem like it will take up too much space. However, its clever multi-functionality means it can also be used as a bottle warmer and sterilizer. It eliminates the need for those extra appliances to free up more counter space.
- HEALTHY BABY COOK: Baby food steamer and blender with 2 steamer baskets, 3-speed blender easily programmable for various cook times. Preserves nutrients, vitamins the natural flavor of the foods.
- LARGE CAPACITY SAVES TIME Make up to 1 week of fresh and nutritious food in just minutes thanks to this baby food maker and steamer large capacity (9 oz).
- EASY TO USE The LCD display and audio alerts make operating the Duo Meal Station a breeze. It is fully programmable and alerts you when done.
- 6-IN-1 DESIGN SAVES SPACE: cooks, blends, warms & defrosts your food and can be used as a bottle warmer/sterilizer to reduce need for separate appliances.
Importantly, all the dishwasher-safe materials are also BPA free. Considering everything this baby food maker can do, from steamer to bottle warmer, you might find it worth the investment.
Also available in smaller Classic and Lite models, which have less capacity.
- VERY SIMPLE & EASY TO USE: Steam cook, blend, reheat, and defrost with the touch of a button. Plus, you can cook and blend simulaneously to save time!
- MAKE HEALTHY & DELICIOUS FOOD: A steam basket divides up the cooking bowl to allow each ingredient to be steamed the right amount of time and preserve nutrients, vitamins, and flavors.
- LARGE CAPACITY SAVES TIME: Make up to one week of fresh and nutritious food in just minutes thanks to its large steaming bowl and blender capacity of over 8 cups (2,000 ml)
- VERY EASY TO CLEAN: Components are removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Dimensions: 10″D x 15.55″W x 14.05″H | Wattage: 950 watts
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Best Baby Food Blender: Nutribullet Baby
- Make fresh, delicious food with wholesome ingredients
- Prepare, store, and freeze for grab-and-go convenience.
- Dishwasher-safe for quick and easy cleanup
- Included: (1) 200 watt motor base, (1) baby, blending blade, (1) 32 ounce (900 milliliter) batch bowl with lid, (1) 12 ounce (355 milliliter) short cup with handles and re-sealable lid, (6) storage cups with date ring lids and storage tray, (1) silicone freezer tray with lid and recipe book
Pros:
- Quick and easy
- Storage cups
- Versatile
- Affordable
Cons:
- Doesn’t steam, reheat, or defrost
Look no further if you’re looking for a powerful baby food blender that will make smoother purees than a standard kitchen blender or a regular immersion blender. Nutribullet has applied the features of its fabulously popular smoothie makers to the Nutribullet Baby baby food making system.
Like its adult counterpart, the Nutribullet Baby pulverizes your ingredients easily and quickly. You can achieve anything from a smooth puree to chunkier textures by pulsing the blender. This makes it ideal for use as your baby progresses with solid food.
Nutribullet Baby is not a baby food maker. It doesn’t steam, reheat, or defrost. You’ll have to cook your ingredients separately and then blend them with this machine. However, you might be okay with washing a few extra pots and pans at less than half the price of some of the best baby food makers.
What’s nice about this food processor is all of the included accessories. It comes with a smaller handled cup for quick single purees and a 32-ounce large capacity bowl for batch cooking. In addition, it includes a set of six storage cups for your homemade baby food. These clever storage containers allow you to twist the top to the date you made the food, so you can always be sure your baby’s food is fresh and safe to eat.
The baby bullet doesn’t make only baby food. When your toddler has moved past the baby food stage, you’ve got a brilliant blender that can make all the same adult smoothies, dips, and soups that Nutribullet is known for.
Dimensions: 5.4″D x 5.2″W x 11″H | Wattage: 200 watts
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Best Low-Tech Baby Food Maker: OXO Tot Food Masher and Baby Food Mill
- Ideal for pureeing adult food for baby consumption
- Creates even consistency and allows liquid to be added as desired
- Lets you scoop out food without need to disassemble
- Includes a lid
Pros:
- Space saving
- Inexpensive
- Portable
Cons:
- Basic
You want to make homemade baby food, but your counter space or your budget won’t allow for all the bells and whistles of a high-tech baby food processor. OXO makes two practical, inexpensive products that make great baby food the old-fashioned way.
The OXO Tot Masher Baby Food Mill is a small, hand-cranked device that lets you mash up cooked and raw food into just the right texture for your toddler. This baby food mill is great for mashing soft fruits, steamed veggies, and combinations of adult foods for the baby who has moved beyond purees.
If your baby has reached the finger food stage and is reaching for everything on your plate, this baby food mill allows you to mash everything to a safe consistency for them.
OXO also makes the Tot Food Masher, an ingenious duo of a masher and a ridged, lidded bowl. The masher’s grooves and the bowl’s bottom fit each other, allowing you to get food to the consistency you want much more efficiently than a regular potato masher would.
The masher also fits inside the bowl. Parents rave about tossing the compact masher in a bag and mashing their baby’s food right at the restaurant table.
As with all things made by OXO, these devices are nice to hold and designed with comfort in mind. They’re also easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
Even if you invest in a fancy electronic baby food maker, these gadgets may actually end up being the ones you can’t live without.
- Helps you turn fruit, veggies and more into instant baby food
- Two sets of ridges (on the Masher and in the bowl) work extra efficiently
- Ridges fit together, allowing you to scrape out every bit of food
- Masher comes apart and fits inside the lidded bowl for meals on-the-go
Dimensions: 3.9″D x 6.3″W x 9.1″H
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Recommended Accessories
One reason to invest in a baby food maker is to batch-cook purees and chunkier meals and then freeze them. This saves you loads of time on food prep every week. However, you’ll need some baby food freezer trays to make it worthwhile.
Freezer trays made specifically for baby food are better than standard ice cube trays for several reasons:
- Baby food trays are silicone, making it much easier to pop out frozen food.
- Baby food trays are divided into appropriate portions for baby meals, taking the guesswork out of how much to defrost.
Take a look at some of these baby food freezer trays:
Nuk Homemade Baby Food Flexible Freezer Tray and Lid Set
- Freeze and store your freshly prepared baby food
- Flexible, silicone tray makes it easy to pop out each portion
- Dishwasher-safe and freezer-safe
- Stores (9) 1-ounce portions of food
This tray set from Nuk is apportioned to just the right size for serving purees. Its flexible silicone means it’s easy to pop out your baby food. The lid keeps your food fresh and safe in the freezer and makes it easy to stack and store.
OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers
- Set includes: Six 6 oz. Containers and tray
- Ideal for portioning, storing and freezing large batches of homemade baby food
- Microwave-safe Containers are great for heating food and serving baby on the go
- Airtight, watertight, leak-proof seal prevents spills in freezer or diaper bag
These OXO Tot Baby Blocks take the convenience of batch cooking one step further. These stackable freezer containers have individual lids so your baby food can go from freezer to microwave to dishwasher in one step without having to transfer to other dishes.
The lids are airtight and leak proof, so you can pop your baby’s lunch in your bag without worry. The blocks come with a tray that keeps them upright, steady, and easy to stack in the freezer. Brilliant!
5 Reasons You Need to Buy a Baby Food Maker
At first, a baby food maker might seem like one of those gadgets marketed to new parents that they don’t really need. However, there are many advantages to investing in a baby food maker:
1. Convenience
Of course, you can use a regular blender, food processor, or immersion blender to make your baby’s purees. Remember, though, that those machines don’t steam, defrost, or heat food.
To make baby food using a blender, for example, you’ll also need to get out a pot and a steamer to cook the food first before you can blend it. You’ll need a microwave to reheat your stored food, which may not be appealing.
The advantage of many baby food makers is that they can steam, puree, and reheat for you in one device, which can usually be tossed into the dishwasher. That equals less cleanup, less time in the kitchen, and more time getting on with everything else you need to do.
2. Saves time
The best baby food makers have at least a three to four-cup capacity for cooking and blending food, allowing you to cook larger quantities of food in batches. Batch cooking and freezing baby food mean you can still make your baby’s food without spending time cooking and pureeing every day.
3. Control
Making your own baby food means you control the ingredients and the quantities. This is particularly helpful when you’re weaning and introducing your baby to one new food at a time. Also, if you have concerns about food allergies, making your baby food gives you control and less to worry about.
4. Saves money
Making your baby food saves a lot of money compared to buying jars and pouches, although the initial investment in a baby food maker may seem high.
5. Less waste
Making your baby food means less food waste, especially in the early stages when your baby probably won’t be able to finish a whole jar or pouch.
It’s also better for the environment because you’re not throwing away jars and hard-to-recycle pouches.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Baby Food Maker
Baby food makers vary widely in cost and features. Here are a few things to consider before investing in a baby food maker:
| Size |
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| Capabilities |
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| Ease of cleaning |
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| Materials |
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| Longevity and other uses |
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| Cost |
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