Blender Steamer: What It Is, Brands and Choices

Small kitchen appliances today significantly save time and money hostesses, which is especially important for women who have recently become young mothers. Now, using a simple steamer-blender, you can quickly and independently cook any kind of baby and diet food at home. This kitchen unit does not take up much space, but allows you to create real culinary masterpieces. Here's what a blender is, how to use it properly, and which manufacturers make such a device, we will tell in this article.

The blender steamer was originally created specifically for the preparation of baby food, especially in the first year of a child’s life and at the time of complementary feeding. Such a kitchen fixture allows not only at home to prepare healthy mashed potatoes of various kinds for children, but also to cook steamed vegetables in it, which are much more useful than those cooked in water. Some models of the unit can also be used for cooking various sauces for the whole family. As the name implies, this small and compact kitchen fixture allows you not only to cook a variety of products for a couple, but also immediately after cooking can turn them into mashed potatoes of various consistencies. You can also use the functions of the device and separately.

Depending on the specific model of the device, both modes can be activated automatically sequentially one after the other, and can also be activated only by human intervention. The most modern models of steam boilers-blenders allow you to choose the intensity of grinding or set automatically the operating time of the blender. Initially, these kitchen assistants were designed for boiling exclusively fresh or frozen steamed vegetables and their further grinding. Today, some models allow you to cook and fruit, meat and fish dishes.

Like any other type of kitchen utensils, this one has its undoubted advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, before going to the store for a blender steamer, it is necessary to carefully examine its properties and only then decide on the need for such an acquisition. The indisputable advantages of using this technique include the following.

• Compact dimensions. This means that the blender will easily fit even in the smallest kitchen and will not interfere with the execution of ordinary daily activities.
• Easy to operate. This unit has only two functions and several control buttons. In addition, detailed instructions for use are attached to each model.
• Easy to maintain. All that needs to be done after using the device is to rinse its bowl and knives in warm running water.
• Blender steamer easily replaces the whole set of various kitchen utensils - a meat grinder, a separate blender and a double boiler. This means that you do not have to purchase all these devices separately and overpay for them.
• Compact dimensions in combination with lightweight they make it easy to take the device with you almost everywhere and translate it comfortably, which is very important for those who often have to travel.
• Saving time of the woman herself. As is known, this resource is always lacking, especially for those who have recently become parents.
• The possibility of cooking varied, wholesome and tasty food.

This device has its drawbacks.

• Small cup volume. The size of an average ready portion of products makes 200-300 g. For a family, this is not enough, but it is enough for one child.
• Bowl can not be filled more than the specified volume.
• You can not cook and frozen foods in a blender steamer.

Today, many manufacturers of kitchen appliances, as little-known, and with a world name offer buyers this unit of its production. We have compiled a special rating of the best brands of steamers-blenders and their models. Therefore, before making a purchase, we advise you to familiarize yourself with it in order to choose a standing model.

This manufacturer has been on the market for more than 100 years and during this time it has established itself exclusively as a manufacturer of the highest quality and modern household appliances, including those intended for the kitchen. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was one of the first steam cookers-blenders for its production that appeared on the market.

• Philips Avent SCF875 - this is a real unique device "2 in 1". Unlike base units produced by other companies, this one is equipped with an additional defrosting function. Simple and stylish design, ease of management and ease of care - those qualities that make consumers most often choose this particular blender. The device has a bowl capacity of 1 liter, a timer setting time, the entire device can be washed with both hands and in the dishwasher. The big plus is the fact that there is an additional equipment in the form of an airtight container for storing the finished dish, as well as a special book of tips and recipes.

• Avent Philips SCF870 - Another more advanced model of this kitchen appliances. It has an automatic shutdown function when water is completely evaporated. Simple mechanical control, there is a sound alert. The useful volume of the bowl is about 500 ml, the length of the cord is a little less than 75 cm. As an additional package there is a spoon, a measuring cup and detailed instructions for use.

• Philips Avent "4 in 1" - This is one of the most advanced types of modern steamers-blenders. Such a device allows you not only to cook foods for a couple and turn them into mashed potatoes, but you can also heat food in it, and keep it in special containers for a day in a refrigerator. The manufacturer offers customers two replaceable bowls with knives at once, and the container from the kit can be used in a microwave oven.

Another popular model, which came into our review for several reasons:

• large bowl volume;
• ease of use and care;
• bright and stylish design;
• multifunctionality.

Thanks to the special knives in the lid of the double boiler-blender, you can immediately grind food, and they themselves will fall into the bowl for further preparation. The time and simplicity of preparing children's dishes is simplified even more - after all, even the hostess now does not need a knife. You can easily grind foods using the cover of the unit itself. It is also important that such a device has a low price.

This model is a small kitchen appliances differs from all previous by the following characteristics.

• Minimum functionality and equipment. The device can be used exclusively as a double boiler and a conventional blender. There are no additional functions in the form of heating or defrosting food, as well as additional configuration here.
• Simple and stylish design - easy mechanical control. The device is ideal for those people who are not familiar with modern appliances.
• The compact size of the entire appliance and a small useful volume of the bowl allow you to prepare exactly as much food as a child eats at a time.

Under this brand on sale today immediately two different models of this device.

• Standard double boiler blender Beaba Babycook. This is a typical device that has a removable bowl and allows you to cook foods for a couple and grind them immediately after cooking. It has a stylish and modern design, as well as simple and convenient control.

• Beaba Babycook Plus is already more modern and improved model. Here are just two bowls, which are located on the sides. They can simultaneously cook food and grind them. The main advantage of such a device is that it can prepare healthy and tasty food not only for one baby, but for the whole family at once.

• Beaba Solo is another model of this kitchen electric utensil. It has a stylish and bright modern design. Included are a provarion bowl and safety net. Mechanical control, there is a special function of protection against overheating when boiling water. In this device, you can not only steam and chop products, but also heat them up, as well as defrost them.

This is another popular and well-known manufacturer of small household appliances in the global market. He offers his customers a BH 7400 steamer-blender. This device is simple, reliable and durable to use. Simple and mechanical control allows you to quickly understand its proper use. The capacity of the bowl is 400 ml, which is an average of two servings of ready-made food for a child. The minimalistic design and affordable cost make such a device a desirable purchase for many young mothers. And the defrost function available is a nice added bonus.

Another popular steamer-blender with simple mechanical control. The device weight is 2 kg, the cord length is 75 cm. The manufacturer includes a spatula for mixing products, as well as a special measuring cup for pouring water into the tank. The power of the device is 400 W and it is intended only to perform its direct functions - cooking for a couple and its further grinding. The body is made of heavy-duty plastic. And the legs have a rubberized coating, which makes using the device not only simple, but also as safe as possible.

The range of this brand presents several types of steamers-blenders. But the model KBS-8131 is especially popular with customers. The replaceable knife and bowl are made of safe and reliable materials. The device has one mode of operation, and the control type is mechanical. The manufacturer has equipped the unit with an indication of the activation and completion of the operation mode. The model does not have any additional functions, and as an additional set there is a special paddle for mixing products.This is a simple and low-end model that does an excellent job with its main function - steaming food products and their further grinding. Replaceable parts of the device can be washed in the dishwasher.

But going to the store for a new acquisition, It is worth relying not only on the reviews of the owners of such equipment, but also on other points.

• The power of the device and its class of energy consumption. The higher these indicators, the faster the food will be prepared and the less electricity will be consumed.
• Useful capacity of the bowl. It shows the real volume of prepared food. The older the child or the more children in the family, the higher this indicator should be.
• Type of knives and bowls, as well as the possibility of washing them in the dishwasher. These indicators are very important. It is better to choose models in which these parts are removable and washable in a typewriter. So the young mother will have even more free time.

Also, before buying you should carefully inspect the steam cooker-blender and ensure the integrity of the body and all parts. In the presence of even the slightest damage from the purchase should be abandoned. Such a device may not only be short-lived in use, but also unsafe. Choosing a blender steamer for home use, it is best to explore the range in the manufacturer's retail stores. Here and the choice is more and the prices are lower, and there is also no risk to get a cheap fake.

Each model of steam cooker-blender must be accompanied by a special instruction on the correct use of the device. Some manufacturers have additionally published recipes of dishes that can be prepared in this unit. Before using it is important to carefully examine the manufacturer's insert and strictly follow its recommendations. But there is a general principle of operation for all models:

• put chopped products in the steamer;
• fill the tank with the required amount of water recommended by the manufacturer;
• close the valve of the lid to secure the bowl;
• set the required work time;
• enable steamer operation mode;
• after the beep, switch the mode to the “blender” function;
• wait until the end of the mode of operation;
• disconnect the device from the power supply;
• remove the bowl from the steam cooker-blender;
• shift the finished puree in a separate container;
• remove the knives and rinse them with the bowl.

To learn how to properly use a blender steamer, see the following video.