Making baby food can be a daunting and messy experience for parents.
Beyond choosing fresh and nutritious ingredients, parents also have to do some prepping in order to make it palatable to their toddlers. Because they can’t eat solid food, parents have to boil or mash the food to keep it soft and smooth for their gums.
That's why every parent should consider having a blender for making baby food. That’s because it's the best tool for mixing liquids or soft solids. And yet, oftentimes, your regular kitchen countertop blender becomes the default blender to use for making baby smoothies.
This is fine if you plan to make large batches of baby food. But for single servings, it’s too big and bulky for that. You’re better off using a small and compact blender for preparing meals.
Generally, all types of blenders can be used for making baby food. You can have an immersion, a personal blender, a countertop blender, or even one you purchased for making protein shakes. But there are some types that are more convenient to use than others.
For instance, an immersion blender is much handier to use than a full-size blender for small portions. It's also portable and easy to clean.
But there are those who like a countertop blender because it offers more versatility. Also, when the toddler grows up, you don’t want to be stuck with a baby food blender that you’ll no longer find any use for.
Whether you choose one type or the other, there are some non-negotiable features that a blender for baby food should have.
It should be easy to use. When you’re a frazzled parent of a hungry toddler, the last thing you need is to have to figure out how to use the blender. A baby food blender should therefore have easy-to-use buttons that do a lot of prepping tasks, like chopping and shredding. They should also be easy to maintain and clean.
They should be non-toxic. The plastic material that's commonly used for the jars and accessories should be free from BPA, lead, and PFOA. These chemicals are dangerous to human health and when they’re present in kitchenware, they tend to leach into the food. And you don’t want that to happen when making baby food.
The blender should also be portable and lightweight. This is extremely useful when you travel with your baby. You can make baby food without resorting to bringing along a bulky and heavy countertop blender.
Here are my top recommendations for the best blenders for baby food.
The Best Blenders for Baby Food
- Braun Immersion Hand Blender & Baby Food Maker
- Ninja 400-Watt Blender/Food Processor
- Baby Food Maker | Baby Food Processor Blender Grinder Steamer
- Magic Bullet Baby Bullet Baby Care System
- Baby Food Maker | Baby Food Immersion Blender & Food Processor
1. Braun Immersion Hand Blender & Baby Food Maker
This is marketed as a baby food blender but it also functions well as a hand blender for grown-up smoothies or drinks. When your kid has outgrown the toddler stage, you can use this stick blender for making soups and sauces.
It has two speed controls and the blades can reach 12500 RPM. It comes with an extra milling blade that helps finely chop and evenly blend veggies and fruits into smooth purees. The manufacturer says that its unique bell-shaped design and its blade position will eliminate splashing.
It's made from stainless steel while the handle is slip-proof and ergonomically designed to make it comfortable for one-hand holding. Accessories include a flexible freezer tray, a 20-oz BPA free plastic blending beaker, and a rubber spatula. This blender comes with an electric cord.
Pros
- Easy cleaning; it does not have a spring action head that tends to trap food at the base of the blade assembly
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Not for crushing ice
- Silicon tray accessory is soft and may need getting used to
2. Ninja 400-Watt Blender/Food Processor, 400W
This is a versatile blender that can be used to prepare meals for a toddler or a grown up. You can use this to blend, chop, mince or puree fruits for baby food; blend smoothies; or crush ice for your margaritas.
It’s also easy to use and features a large one-touch pulsing button for extra power in grinding stubborn ice. It comes with a 16 ounce (2 cups) chopper bowl and a 48 ounce (6 cups) pitcher which have their own storage lids. These jars have no-slip bases and splash guards to reduce spillage when blending. These removable accessories are also dishwasher friendly.
Pros
- Blades are very sharp, easily cuts through food
- Low noise level
Cons
- Blades are very sharp, may cause accidents if carelessly handled during cleaning
- Some complaints about the unreliability of the product warranty
3. Baby Food Maker | Baby Food Processor Blender Grinder Steamer
This product is specifically designed for moms and their toddlers. It features a Sterilizing function, as well as a Self-Cleaning function, so that mothers can just focus on prepping the meals.
It can steam, blend, reheat and defrost baby food. The manufacturer says that its unique steaming cycle will lock in the nutrients and flavors of veggies, fruit, and cooked meat.
It has a modern touch screen control panel that’s easy to use. You can pick from a wide selection of meal consistency for your baby food with just a simple touch.
It’s small, portable, and is CPSC approved. It’s also BPA, phthalate, and lead-free. The container is also dishwasher friendly.
This blender comes with 6 reusable food pouches and a 100% money back guarantee.
Pros
- Sterilizes itself
- Great customer aftersales service; the founder personally replies to the comments and complaints on its product page
Cons
- Self cleaning function isn’t really all that great; most users prefer rinsing it under running water.
- Some comments about how the clear and white plastic pieces stain easily.
4. Magic Bullet Baby Bullet Baby Care System
This blender promises to make a week’s worth (around 8 cups) of baby food in just 5 minutes.
Made from BPA-free plastic, this blender grinds, chop, mills, and blends fruits and vegetables. Because it’s designed for baby food, it only has a single speed.
You can make and store baby food in batches because this blender comes with a 6 date dial storage cups. This date feature allows you to organize your baby’s feeding schedules efficiently. Blend your baby food, store it in these cups, and place it in the fridge to keep it fresh.
Other accessories include a batch bowl, a baby blend blade, a milling blade, a spatual, an easy pop silicone batch tray, and a pocket nutritionist.
This product is UL-listed and built to North American electrical standards. It also comes with a one year warranty.
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Storage containers are mom freindly
Cons
- Not for meat and ice
- Freezer tray lid does not seal tightly
5. Sage Spoonfuls Baby Food Maker | Baby Food Immersion Blender & Food Processor, 250W
This baby food maker system consists of an immersion blender and a food processor. You can use this to make a single serving or prep a large quantity of baby food.
It has stainless steel blades and its plastic parts are food grade and BPA, Phthalate, Lead and PVC free. The removable parts are also dishwasher friendly.
Lightweight and portable, it is also easy to use. You can use this blender for pureeing fruits, veggies, cooked chicken and fish, and even nuts.
Pros
- Chops up cooked meat well
- Quiet when in use
Cons
- The container is not sealed so liquid can spill out from the top
- Blender needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet
Buyers Guide to Picking the Right Blender for Baby Food
Weaning your baby off the bottle can be a stress-free process if you have the right blender for baby food. Not only will you be able to introduce them to fresh and nutritious solid food, but you will also be able to save money on expensive formula milk.
Here’s what you should look out for when picking a blender.
Motor
Baby blender motors tend to stay between the 200W-500W range. Because they are less powerful motors, they tend to be quieter and are ideal for blending liquids and soft fruits and vegetables. Look for a motor that’s durable and able to withstand frequent usage. You’d probably be blending food three times a day and a motor should be able to perform well for at least a year or so.
If you want something more powerful, you can choose a standard countertop blender. So, by the time your toddler is weaned off from baby food, the blender can transition into an all-around appliance for blending meat, grinding tough fruits and veggies, or blending smoothies.
Blade Assembly
Check how the blades are stacked up in the blender. Are they sharp enough to cut tough portions of fruits and vegetables? Can they be removed for easy cleaning? Are they designed in a way that reduces food jamming along the base? No matter how powerful a blender’s motor is, if it has substandard blades, it won’ t last for a year.
Features
Do you want something that can also steam food? Or do you want something that just blends efficiently. Some baby blenders can mash meat for the baby. If you want a lot of features that make food prepping easy for a toddler, then pick a blender that’s also designed as a baby food processor.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Pick a blender that’s easy to clean. If it has a lot of removable parts, check if it’s dishwasher friendly. If it isn’t, check if cleaning it is as quick and easy as wiping it with a clean cloth.
Warranty
Check the warranty if its reliable. Baby blenders tend to have 1 year warranty. That’s more than enough time for your toddler to be weaned away from breast milk.
Also make sure that the warranty covers the whole blender and not just the motor.
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