Blender-cooker: what is it, brands and choice

Small kitchen appliances today significantly save time and money for housewives, which is especially true for women who have recently become young mothers. Now, using a simple 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 this steam blender is, how to use it correctly and which manufacturers produce such a device, we will tell in this article.

A double 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 feeding. Such a kitchen appliance 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 appliance not only allows you to cook a variety of products for a couple, but immediately after cooking can turn them into mashed potatoes of different consistencies. You can also use the functions of the device individually.

Depending on the specific model of the device, both modes can be switched on automatically sequentially one after another, and can only be activated by human intervention. The most modern models of blender steamers allow you to choose the grinding intensity or set the blender's operating time automatically. Initially, these kitchen assistants were intended for steaming exclusively fresh or frozen vegetables for a couple and their further grinding. Today, some models allow you to cook fruit, meat and fish dishes.

Like any other type of kitchen utensil, this one has its undoubted advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, before you go to the store for a double blender, you must carefully study its properties and only then decide on the need for such an acquisition. The indisputable advantages of using such a technique include the following.

• Compact dimensions. This means that a blender-steamer can easily fit even in the smallest kitchen and will not interfere with the performance of ordinary everyday tasks.
• 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 appliance 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. And this means that you do not have to purchase all of these devices separately and overpay for them.
• Compact dimensions combined with light weight they 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 of the woman herself. This resource, as you know, is always lacking, especially for those who have recently become a parent.
• A variety of cooking optionshealthy and delicious food.

This device also has its drawbacks.

• A small volume of the bowl. The size of the average finished portion of food is 200-300 g. This is not enough for a family, but enough for one child.
• The bowl cannot be filled more than the indicated volume.
• You can’t cook frozen foods in a blender.

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

This manufacturer has existed on the market for more than 100 years and during this time he has established himself 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-blenders of its production that appeared on sale.

• Philips Avent SCF875 - This is a truly unique 2-in-1 device. Unlike the basic units of other companies, this one is equipped with an additional defrost function. Simple and stylish design, ease of operation and ease of maintenance are the qualities that make consumers most likely choose this particular blender. The device has a 1 liter bowl capacity, a timer for setting the time, the entire device can be washed both by hand and in the dishwasher.A big plus is the fact that there is an additional complete set in the form of a sealed 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 the water evaporates completely. Simple mechanical control, there is a sound alert. The useful volume of the bowl is about 500 ml, the length of the cord is slightly less than 75 cm. As an additional equipment, here comes a spoon, measuring cup and detailed instructions for use.

• Philips Avent 4 in 1 - This is one of the most advanced types of modern blender steamers. Such a device allows not only steaming foods and turning them into mashed potatoes, but you can also heat food in it and store it in special containers in the refrigerator for 24 hours. The manufacturer offers customers two replaceable bowls with knives at once, and the container from the set can also be used in the microwave.

Another popular model, which fell into our review at once for several reasons:

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

Thanks to special knives in the lid of the blender, you can immediately grind the products, and they themselves will fall into the bowl for further cooking. 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 products 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.

• Minimum functionality and equipment. The device can be used exclusively as a double boiler 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 control. The device is ideal for those people who are not familiar with modern appliances.
• The compact size of the entire appliance and the small useful volume of the bowl allow you to cook exactly as much food at a time as the child eats at a time.

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

• Standard double boiler-blender Beaba Babycook. This is a typical appliance that has a removable bowl and allows you to steam food and grind them immediately after cooking. It has a stylish and modern design, as well as simple and convenient controls.

• Beaba Babycook Plus is already a more modern and advanced model. There are two bowls at once, which are located on the sides. In them, you can simultaneously cook products 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. It has a stylish and bright modern design. Included are a bowl of penetration and a protective mesh. Mechanical control, there is a special function of protection against overheating when boiling water. In such a device, you can not only steam and grind products, but also heat them and defrost them.

This is another popular and well-known manufacturer of small household appliances in the world market. It offers its customers a BH 7400 blender-steamer. This appliance 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 prepared food for the child. The minimalistic design and affordable cost make such a device a welcome purchase for many young mothers. And the available defrost function is a nice additional bonus.

Another popular blender with simple mechanical control. The weight of the device is 2 kg, the cord length is 75 cm. In the kit, 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 food for a couple and its further grinding. The case 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.

In the assortment of this brand, several types of blender steamers are presented at once. But the KBS-8131 model is especially popular with customers. The interchangeable knife and bowl are made of safe and reliable materials. The device has one operating mode, and the control type is mechanical. The manufacturer equipped the unit with an indication of the inclusion and completion of the operating mode. The model does not have any additional functions, and as an additional equipment there is a special spatula for mixing products. This is a simple and low-cost model that perfectly copes with its main function - steaming products and their further grinding. Replaceable parts can be washed in a dishwasher.

But going to the store for a new purchase, you should rely not only on the feedback of the owners of such equipment, but also on other points.

• The power of the device and its energy consumption class. The higher these indicators, the faster the food will cook and the less electricity will be consumed.
• Useful bowl capacity. It is she who shows the real volume of finished food. The older the child or the more children in the family, the higher should be this indicator.
• The type of knives and bowls, as well as the ability to wash them in the dishwasher. These indicators 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 the integrity of the body and all parts. In the presence of even the slightest damage, the acquisition should be abandoned. Such a device can be not only short-lived in use, but also unsafe. When choosing a blender-blender for home use, it is best to study the assortment in the manufacturer's branded stores. Here, the choice is bigger and the prices are lower, and there is no risk of buying a cheap fake.

Each model of a double boiler-blender must be accompanied by special instructions for the proper use of the device. Some manufacturers in it additionally published recipes for dishes that can be prepared in this unit. Before starting use, it is important to carefully study the manufacturer's insert and clearly follow its recommendations. But there is a general operating principle for all models:

• put crushed products in a double bowl;
• pour the required amount of water recommended by the manufacturer into the tank;
• close the lid valve to securely fix the bowl;
• set the necessary time;
• turn on the steamer operation mode;
• after the sound signal 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 blender;
• shift the finished mashed potatoes into a separate container;
• remove the knives and rinse them with the bowl.

See how to use a blender in a proper way in the next video.