Steamer-blender: what it is, brands and choices

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

The steamer-blender 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 the introduction of complementary foods. Such a kitchen device allows you not only to prepare healthy purees of various types for children at home, but also to cook steamed vegetables in it, which are much more useful than those boiled in water. Some models of the machine can also be used for cooking various sauces for the whole family. As the name implies, this small and compact kitchen appliance not only allows you to steam a variety of foods, but can also turn them into mashed potatoes of various consistencies immediately after cooking. You can also use the functions of the device and separately.

Depending on the specific model of the device, both modes can be turned on automatically sequentially one after the other, or they can only be activated by human intervention. The most modern models of steamers-blenders allow you to choose the intensity of chopping or set your own automatically the blender operating time. Initially, these kitchen helpers were designed for steaming fresh or frozen vegetables exclusively and then chopping them. Today, some models also allow you to cook fruit, meat and fish dishes.

Like any other type of kitchen utensil, this one has its undeniable pros and cons. Therefore, before you go to the store for a steamer-blender, you need to carefully study its properties and only then make a decision about the need for such an acquisition. The indisputable advantages of using this technique include the following.

• Compact dimensions. This means that the steamer-blender will easily fit into even the smallest kitchen and will not interfere with your daily activities.
• Easy to operate. This unit has only two functions and a few 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.
• Steamer-blender easily replaces a 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 combined with light weight allow you to easily take the device with you almost everywhere and translate it with comfort, which is very important for those who often have to travel.
• Saving time for the woman herself. It is this resource that, as you know, is always lacking, especially for those who have recently become a parent.
• Possibility of cooking varied, healthy and tasty food.

This device also has its drawbacks.

• Small bowl volume. The size of an average ready-made portion of food is 200-300 g. This is not enough for a family, but enough for one child.
• The bowl must not be filled more than the indicated volume.
• Do not cook frozen food in a double boiler-blender.

Today, many manufacturers of kitchen appliances, both little-known and world-famous, offer customers this unit of their own production. We have compiled a special rating of the best brands of steamer-blenders and their models. Therefore, before making a purchase, we advise you to familiarize yourself with it in order to choose a worthwhile model.

This manufacturer has existed on the market for over 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 his steamer-blenders that were one of the first to appear on the market.

• Philips Avent SCF875 Is a truly unique 2-in-1 fixture. Unlike basic units manufactured by other companies, this one is equipped with an additional defrosting function. Simple and stylish design, ease of operation and ease of maintenance are the qualities that make consumers most often choose this particular steamer-blender. The device has a bowl capacity of 1 liter, a timer for setting the time, the entire device can be washed both by hand and in the dishwasher.A big plus is that there is an additional equipment in the form of an airtight container for storing ready meals, as well as a special book of tips and recipes.

• Avent Philips SCF870 Is another more advanced model of this kitchen appliance. Has an automatic shutdown function when the water is completely evaporated. Simple mechanical control, there is an audible warning. 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 set, there is a spoon, a measuring cup and detailed instructions for use.

• Philips Avent 4-in-1 Is one of the most advanced types of modern steamer-blenders. Such a device allows not only to cook steamed food and turn them into mashed potatoes, but it is also possible to reheat food in it, and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours in special containers. The manufacturer offers customers two interchangeable bowls with knives at once, and the container from the set can also be used in a microwave oven.

Another popular model, which was included in our review for several reasons at once:

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

Thanks to the special knives in the lid of the steamer-blender, you can immediately grind the food, and they will themselves fall into the bowl for further cooking. The time and simplicity of preparing children's dishes is simplified even more - after all, even a knife is no longer required for the hostess. You can easily grind food using the lid of the unit itself. It is also important that such a device has a low price.

This model of small kitchen appliances differs from all previous ones in the following characteristics.

• Minimal functionality and equipment. The device can only be used as a steamer and a regular blender. There are no additional functions in the form of heating or defrosting food, as well as additional equipment.
• Simple and stylish design - easy mechanical operation. The device is ideal for those people who are not familiar with modern household appliances.
• The compact size of the entire device and the small useful volume of the bowl allow you to cook just as much food at a time as the child will eat at a time.

Under this brand name goes on sale today two different models of this device at once.

• Standard steamer-blender Beaba Babycook. This is a typical appliance with a removable bowl that allows you to steam food and grind it immediately after cooking. Has a stylish and modern design, as well as simple and convenient operation.

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

• Beaba Solo is another model of this electric kitchen utensil. Has a stylish and bright modern design. The set includes a welding bowl and a protective mesh. The control is mechanical, there is a special function of protection against overheating when water boils off. In such a device, you can not only steam and grind food, but also warm them up and defrost them.

This is another popular and well-known manufacturer of small household appliances in the world market. He offers his customers the BH 7400 steamer-blender. This appliance is simple, reliable and durable in use. Simple and mechanical control allows you to quickly figure out its correct use. The bowl has a capacity of 400 ml, which is an average of two servings of prepared food for a child. The minimalistic design and affordable cost make such a device a welcome purchase for many new mothers. And the available defrosting function is a nice added bonus.

Another popular steamer-blender with simple mechanical controls. The weight of the device is 2 kg, the length of the cord 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 for performing its direct functions - cooking food with steam 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 assortment of this brand includes several types of steamers-blenders at once. But the KBS-8131 model is especially popular with buyers. Replaceable knife and bowl are made of safe and reliable materials. The device has one operating mode, and the type of control is mechanical. The manufacturer has equipped the unit with an indication of the start and end of the operating 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 budget model that does an excellent job with its main function - steaming food and their further chopping. The replaceable parts of the device are dishwasher safe.

But going to the store for a new purchase, you should rely 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 figures, the faster the food will be cooked and the less electricity will be consumed.
• Useful bowl capacity. It is she who shows the real volume of prepared food. The older the child or the more children in the family, the higher this indicator should be.
• Knife and bowl type and dishwasher safe. These metrics are very important. It is better to choose models in which these parts are removable and machine washable. So the young mother will have even more free time.

Also, before buying, you should carefully inspect the blender steamer and make sure that the body and all parts are intact. If there is even the slightest damage, the purchase should be discarded. Such a device may not only be short-lived in use, but also unsafe. When choosing a steamer-blender for home use, it is best to study the range in the manufacturer's branded stores. Here, there is more choice and prices are lower, and there is also no risk of buying a cheap fake.

Each model of the steamer-blender must be accompanied by a special instruction on the correct use of the appliance. Some manufacturers also publish in it recipes for dishes that can be cooked in this unit.Before using it, it is important to carefully study the manufacturer's insert and strictly follow its recommendations. But there is a general operating principle for all models:

• put chopped food in a steamer bowl;
• fill the tank with the required amount of water recommended by the manufacturer;
• close the lid valve to securely fix the bowl;
• set the required operating time;
• turn on the steamer mode;
• after the beep, switch the mode to the "blender" function;
• wait again for the end of the operating mode;
• disconnect the device from the power supply;
• remove the bowl from the body of the steamer-blender;
• transfer the finished puree to a separate container;
• remove the knives and rinse them together with the bowl.

For information on how to properly use your steamer-blender, see the following video.