Electric pressure cooker baby food

Easy Homemade Baby Food in your Instant Pot

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Did you know that you can make healthy, nutritious baby food right in your Instant Pot? Instant Pot Baby Food is a cost-effective and low-effort method for cooking nutritious meals for your baby at home.

My little munchkin is now almost eight months old. I started her off with pureed baby food that I made in the instant pot at about 6 months, and now slowly transitioned her to enjoy more textured food.

With my older one 6 years back, there was no instant pot, and I can say for sure that making baby food in the instant pot has saved me so much time.

Instant Pot Baby Food is a fantastic way to offer your baby a variety of nutritious foods while saving both time and money. In this post, I'll share how to make an array of stage 1 baby foods as well as a few ways to combine purees to please your little one's palate. If you're looking for more baby-friendly pressure cooker recipes, check out my post on how to make simple homemade yogurt in your Instant Pot.

Jump to:

Why make Homemade Baby Food?
When to Give Baby Food?
How to Offer Homemade Baby Food?
What kind of veggies and fruits can you include for Stage 1 Baby Food?
How to Use the Instant Pot to Make Baby Food
What bowls can I use in the Instant Pot?
Tips for Pureeing Baby Food
Storing Baby Food
Homemade Instant Pot Baby Food Blends
Other Homemade Instant Pot Baby Food Recipes to Try
What to Avoid When Making Baby Food in Instant Pot
How to thaw and reheat frozen baby food?
Instant Pot Baby Food

Why make Homemade Baby Food?

There are so many reasons to make your baby's food at home in your Instant Pot. Not only will you save money (the price of those jars and pouches can really add up), but you'll be able to control the ingredients that go into your baby's food.

Plus, you'll be surprised at how many servings you can get from just one vegetable or piece of fruit, and if you plan well, you can make a big batch of baby food at a time, which will save you time in the long run.

When to Give Baby Food?

When your baby's pediatrician has given you the green light to begin letting your baby try solid purees it can be both an exciting and overwhelming time.

There's a lot of conflicting information on the web these days about when it's appropriate to begin feeding your baby solid foods and whether you should try baby-led weaning or purees. The most important thing to remember is that your baby is unique. It's best to make a decision that is right for your baby and your family.

If you do decide to follow the traditional route of feeding your baby purees, it's best to begin with thinly pureed vegetables and fruits. These are called stage 1 foods, and they're a great way to offer your baby new tastes and nutrients while teaching them the very early fundamentals of self-feeding.

As I mentioned earlier, I started off my daughter with purees (I did look at baby led weaning, but preferred to start with purees), then quickly transitioned to more textured foods.

How to Offer Homemade Baby Food?

My baby is now 8 months and I have been using the Instant Pot to make baby food. We started by introducing one new food at a time, making sure there are no allergies, then zing a new food every 2 days.

The biggest thing to remember when starting your baby on new foods is that you'll need to start slowly. Not only does this give your baby a chance to learn without overwhelming, but it also helps to identify potential allergens so that you can avoid those foods in the future and come up with an appropriate action plan in case your child would come into contact with those foods in the future.

To start offering your baby new homemade baby foods stage 1, start with one single puree at a time, waiting a minimum of 24-48 hours before trying a new puree. Keep an eye on your baby's skin to identify potential rashes, hives, or other changes that could indicate an allergy. Additionally, it's helpful to notice any changes in your baby's breathing or swelling inside his or her mouth.

When in doubt, contact your pediatrician if you are unsure of whether you're seeing something that could indicate a food allergy.

What kind of veggies and fruits can you include for Stage 1 Baby Food?

There are lots of options to start with when making stage 1 baby food recipes in the Instant Pot. Here are some ideas:

carrot
squash
peas
sweet potato
apple
pear
green beans
broccoli
zucchini
beets
peaches

How to Use the Instant Pot to Make Baby Food

Dice your choice of fruits and veggies into small, uniform pieces.
Pour 1 cup water into your Instant Pot's steel insert, then place a low trivet in the bottom. Place 4 ramekins (or other oven safe bowls) filled with the diced fruits & veggies on the trivet.

If there is space, repeat with a second layer of ramekins. You can also add a separating steamer basket between the 2 layers. Close the lid and set the vent to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. When the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.

Remove the bowls with fruits & veggies carefully. Puree each ramekin separately to the desired consistency, then store as directed.

What bowls can I use in the Instant Pot?

It is recommended to use oven-safe bowls such as these ramekins in the instant pot for pot-in-pot cooking as shown above. I also like to use small steel bowls for cooking in the instant pot.

Learn more about the instant pot pot-in-pot method with this comprehensive guide!

Tips for Pureeing Baby Food

Some purees are thicker and some thin depending on the water content of the fruit or vegetable. For example, sweet potatoes will render a much thicker puree while pureed zucchini is much thinner and more watery.
It is best to add the least amount of water needed when pureeing so that you can add breastmilk or formula or water when serving as needed.
Use a Baby Bullet, small blender, or food processor to blend the veggies and fruits.

Storing Baby Food

You can store your homemade Instant Pot Baby Food in the fridge or freezer. Follow these guidelines for storing baby food safely:

In the fridge: Baby food should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container with a lid. I like to use small glass containers with lids for individual portions. It's easy to see what's inside each container and I can quickly grab a portion of baby food out of the fridge when I'm in a hurry.
In the freezer: Spoon purees into ice cube trays, then cover and freeze for at least 24 hours. When the baby food is frozen, pop the cubes out of your ice tray and place them into zip lock baggies labeled with the type of food and the date the food was cooked. Frozen baby food will stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Homemade Instant Pot Baby Food Blends

You can also play with blending two or more flavors of purees to mix up your baby's meals. Here are some flavor pairings that go well together:

Apple & carrot or butternut squash
Squash and peas or green beans
Pear & zucchini or apple & zucchini
Sweet potato & apple
Beets and butternut squash

Again, you can always add breast milk or formula to your homemade baby food purees for added liquid, fat, and nutrients. You can also add a small amount of unsalted butter to starchy foods like sweet potato & white potato for a little added flavor & fat.

Other Homemade Instant Pot Baby Food Recipes to Try

After working your way through the list above, you can start to play around with different blends, flavors, and textures.

To add a little excitement to your baby's pureed apples, try my 4-ingredient Instant Pot Applesauce recipe.

You can also do potatoes as long as they are boiled to soft, then mashed or whipped with enough liquid to make them smooth. Check out my tutorial for boiling potatoes in the Instant Pot, and try adding a little breast milk or formula to get a smooth consistency.

Tip for making potato baby food: Keep in mind that you should be careful not to over-process your boiled potatoes, or they will turn into a glue-like paste. I recommend mashing them by hand or with an electric hand mixer rather than placing them in a blender or food processor.

Another great option is lentils, but be sure to puree them first before feeding them to your baby. He or she might not be ready for whole lentils even if they are cooked super soft.

Finally, you can also feed your baby pureed soups as long as they are not spicy.

What to Avoid When Making Baby Food in Instant Pot

While it might be tempting to season your baby's food, especially when making purees, it's best to wait until your baby is a little older before introducing any additives other than breast milk, formula, or a little added butter during cooking.

Remember that babies have sensitive tummies and their digestive systems may not be ready to handle things like chili and other spicy substances. Skip the salt & pepper too - they're unnecessary during infancy.

It is also best to avoid sugar and especially honey, as it can cause serious food borne illness in babies under 1 year of age.

How to thaw and reheat frozen baby food?

Take out as many cubes of food that the baby will eat within 1-2 days (do not refreeze thawed food). Thaw then in an airtight container (I prefer glass containers) and let them thaw in the refrigerator.

You can also microwave the food in the container or transfer to a small pan to warm on the stovetop. Make sure to stir the food well and check that the temperature is right before serving to the baby.

Hope you enjoy the benefits of making baby food in your instant pot!

Tried this recipe?Give a rating by clicking the ★ below

Instant Pot Baby Food

Meeta Arora

4.88 from 16 votes

Servings: 10

Calories: 26

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
Ramekins

▢ ½ cup Carrot peeled and diced
▢ ½ cup Squash
▢ ½ cup Green peas frozen
▢ ½ cup Sweet potato peeled and diced
▢ ½ cup Apple diced (you can leave the peel on or remove it)
▢ ½ cup Pear diced (you can leave the peel on or remove it)
▢ ½ cup Green beans trimmed and diced
▢ ½ cup Broccoli diced
▢ ½ cup Zucchini chopped
▢ ½ cup Beets peeled and diced

Pour 1 cup water in the instant pot steel insert. Place a low trivet in the bottom.
Place 3-4 ramekins (or other oven safe bowls) filled with the diced fruits & veggies on the trivet.
If there is space, you can repeat with a second layer of trivets. You can also add a separating steamer basket between the 2 layers.
Close the lid with the vent in sealing position. Press the manual or pressure cook mode on high pressure for 5 minutes. When the Instant Pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally.
Remove the bowls with fruits/veggies carefully. Puree each food separately to your desired consistency, then refrigerate or freeze.

Tips for Pureeing Baby Food

Some purees are thicker and some thin depending on the water content of the fruit or vegetable. For example, sweet potatoes will render a much thicker puree while pureed zucchini is much thinner and more watery.
It is best to add the least amount of water needed when pureeing so that you can add breastmilk or formula or water when serving as needed.
Use a Baby Bullet, small blender, or food processor to blend the veggies and fruits.

Storing Your Homemade Instant Pot Baby Food

In the fridge: Baby food should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container with a lid. I like to use small glass containers with lids for individual portions. It's easy to see what's inside each container and I can quickly grab a portion of baby food out of the fridge when I'm in a hurry.
In the freezer: Spoon purees into ice cube trays, then cover and freeze for at least 24 hours. When the baby food is frozen, pop the cubes out of your ice tray and place them into zip lock baggies labeled with the type of food and the date the food was cooked. Frozen baby food will stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Note: Nutrition facts are for 1 cup of carrots only.

Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Calories: 26kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 44mgPotassium: 205mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 10692IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg

Keyword baby food instant pot recipes, instant pot baby food

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Instant Pot Baby Food (15 Puree or BLW Recipes)

Home » Feeding Style » Baby Food Purees » Stage One » Instant Pot Baby Food (15 Puree or Baby-Led Weaning Recipes)

Instant Pot Baby Food: a quick and nutritious way to make baby food purees or finger foods for baby-led weaning! Up to 6 different baby foods made in 3-minutes! Great for 4 months and up!

Instant Pot Baby Food

Making your own homemade baby food couldn’t be easier with the Instant Pot!

Using this time-saving kitchen tool, we are able to cook 6 different baby food purees or finger foods for baby-led weaning in 3-minutes – with only the touch of a button #mindblown!

If you are looking to save time and money, while making your little one delicious and nutritious baby food – then you are in the right spot!

If you are just starting out making your own homemade baby food – welcome! I’m so happy you are here! On this blog I have everything you need to know to get you started making homemade baby food — from the guide to baby food stages, the ultimate guide to baby food purees and baby-led weaning, 10 best first foods for baby, the best baby food storage and more! Great for 4+ months as well as baby-led weaning!

Instant Pot Baby Food Video

Watch this video to see step-by-step instructions on how to make baby food in your instant pot!

Reasons to Love Using the Instant Pot for Baby Food

great Stage 1 Baby Food
also great for Baby-Led Weaning
small batch cooking
saves time
easy hands-off approach
saves money
can cook multiple fruits and veggies at the same time
can mix and match purees for stage 2 purees

What Fruits and Vegetables Can You Cook for Baby

You can cook almost any fruit or veggie in the instant pot that you would steam on the stovetop. Here are list of my favorites.

Vegetables

sweet potato
carrots
broccoli
zucchini
squash
beets
red pepper
peas
green beans
asparagus

Fruits

apple
pear
peaches (frozen or very firm work best)
mango (frozen or very firm work best)
cherries (frozen work best)

Baby Purees vs. Baby-Led Weaning

Let me be clear here – there is no right or wrong to feed your baby!

Purees are the more traditional way to start feeding baby and include cooking and blending down fruit, veggies and grains into a smooth puree that you feed to your baby. On the other hand, baby-led weaning is a newer concept where you give baby chunks of food and let them feed themselves.

Both feeding techniques are driven by the simple principle of introducing baby to new foods to develop eating skills and expose baby to different flavors and consistencies – they just go about it different ways.

Read: if you want more information check out my Guide How to Make Homemade Baby Food Purees or my Guide on Finger Foods for Baby.

How to Use the Instant Pot to Make Baby Food

Here is a quick step-by-step overview of how to make baby purees or foods for baby-led weaning. You can find more in-depth instructions below.

Prep Instant Pot: pull in the Instant Pot and add the trivet to the bottom.
Prep Produce: peel and chop produce according to directions. Add the prepped produce to separate ramekins. If making a bigger batch of a baby food, you can use a steamer basket.
Water: add in water to the bottom of the instant pot.
Layer: if using ramekins, place 3 ramekins on top of the trivet and then place another layer of 3 ramekins on top of the bottom row.
Cook: lock the lid on tight, place the valve in the sealing position. Selection the Manual High Pressure and set the time for ____ minutes.
Quick Release: Once the timer is up, quick release the pressure, turn off the Instant Pot and remove lid. Let the ramekins cool for a few minutes.
Puree for Baby Puree: transfer the cooked produce to a blender, food processor or larger bowl and puree. Since the produce is very tender, you can also just mash it with the back of a fork.
Strain for Baby-Led Weaning: if you are serving the produce whole for baby-led weaning, you will want to strain out any liquid that is at the bottom of the ramekin.
Eat: serve the puree or store for another meal.

How to Store Baby Food Purees

Here is a quick guide on how to store baby food, for more detailed information, including my favorite storage trays, check out my Best Baby Food Storage post.

REFRIGERATOR

You can store these purees in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Let the puree cool.
Transfer puree to an airtight container and place in the fridge. I like using these smaller 4-oz containers so you can have a single serving at your ready.
If using larger containers, make sure you use a clean spoon to scoop out the amount of puree needed for a feeding, do not warm up the entire container if you don’t plan on feeding it all to baby.

FREEZER

These purees can be frozen for up to 4 months.

Spoon puree into a freezer storage container (these are my favorite freezer trays and these are my favorite glass storage containers) – do not overfill.
Place the lid on the storage container or cover with a piece of saran wrap and label with date and recipe name.
Place the tray into the freezer and let freeze completely – preferably overnight.
Pop-out the baby food cubes and place in a zip-lock baggie or stasher bag – don’t forget to re-label the baggie or stager bag with the name and date of the puree for future reference.

Label Tip: Don’t forget to label your purees before you place them in the fridge or freezer with the name and date you made them. Take it from me, you will completely forget when and what is in your freezer by the end of the week;).

How to Store for Baby-Led Weaning

REFRIGERATOR

You can store these finger foods in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Let the finger foods cool.
Transfer to an air-tight container and place in the fridge.

FREEZER

Some finger foods can be frozen for up to 4 months. The hardier vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, beets, squash, etc, are super easy to freeze. Tender fruit and veggies such as pears, red peppers, zucchini are a little tougher as they tend to get mushy when frozen. But if you are freezing a bunch of other veggies from this cooking batch, I would give it a try to see what your baby will eat.

Place the produce you want to freeze on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer for 2-4 hours.
Take out the baking sheet and transfer the produce to a zip-lock baggie, stasher bag or air-tight container. Flash freezing the produce will help it from sticking to each other.

Stage 2 Combinations

While these single purees as delicious as is, it’s also super easy to mix and match with other nutrient-dense baby food purees. When baby is ready, give these fun flavor combos a try!

Sweet Potato + Beet + Banana
Broccoli + Pear
Peas + Mango + Avocado
Green Beans + Peas + Banana
Red Pepper + Sweet Potato + Mango
Squash + Peach
Beet + Banana
Asparagus + Avocado
Sweet Potato + Carrot + Mango
Green Beans + Peas + Broccoli
Beet + Carrot + Pear

Adding Spices: if you would like to add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, mild curry powder, cumin, etc, I would add it to the puree while you are mixing together your combination purees, not while coooking. This gives you more flexibility on which spices you can add in.

Tips for Making Baby Food in an Instant Pot

Ramekins: I love these 10oz ramekins as I can easily fit 6 of them in my instant pot at the same time. The size and depth of your brand of Instant Pot and ramekins will determine how many will ultimately fit in there. If you don’t want to invest in a set of ramekins for just this recipe, you can use any bowl or jar labeled as “oven-safe” and some popular brands are Pyrex, CorningWare, Anchor Hocking and canning jars.
Chopping: if you are going to puree your fruit and vegetables, then I would roughly chop them into cubes as you will be able to fit more produce into each ramekin. If you are going to serve as finger foods – then I would slice them into 2-3″ strips. Exceptions: for beets, I would chop into smaller chunks and then once cooked I would either mash with a fork (creating a pancake of sorts) or dice into “pea” size shapes. For zucchini, I would slice into rounds, cook and then before serving cut into “pea” size shapes. I have found that strips of beets and zucchini don’t always hold up as well and can get super mushy.
Blending: since you are making such a small quantity of baby food with this method, I have found that using a food processor or handheld emersion blender work the best to get a smooth puree. You will want to also drain any liquid from the ramekins before transferring them to another bowl or food processor to blend. If the puree is too thick, you can add the liquid back in a little at a time.
Chunky – Stage 3 Puree: since this method makes the produce super tender, you can easily mash the produce with the back of fork for a chunky stage 3 baby puree.

More Baby Food

Sweet Potato for Baby – 6 Delicious Ways
Best Yogurt for Babies (plus, 9 ways to flavor plain yogurt)
9 Best Organic Baby Food Pouches (expert review)
10 Super Starter Baby Food Recipes (plus FREE ebook!)

Tools Needed

Instant Pot
Ramekins
Blender or Food Processor
Freezer Tray
Storage Containers for Fridge
Stasher Bag

Vegetables

1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-3" strips for BLW or cubes for puree
1 1/2 cups carrots, peeled and cut into 2-3" strips for BLW or cubes for puree
1 small zucchini, cut into rounds, peeling is optional
1 1/2 cups squash (butternut, acorn, winter), fresh or frozen works – peeled and cut into 2-3" strips for BLW or cubes for puree
2 medium beets (red or golden), peeled and cut into 2-3" strips for BLW or cubes for puree
1 red pepper, cored and cut into 2-3" strips for BLW or cubes for puree
1 1/2 cups peas, fresh or frozen
1 1/2 cups green beans, fresh or frozen, trimmed and cut into 2-3" strips for BLW or small strips for purees
1 1/2 cups asparagus, fresh or frozen, trimmed and cut into 2-3" strips for BLW or small strips for purees

Fruit

1 medium sweet apple, leave the skin on and cut into 2-3" strips for BLW or peel and cut into cubes for puree
1 medium pear, leave the skin on and cut into 2-3" strips for BLW or peel and cut into cubes for puree
1 1/2 cup peaches, frozen or very firm work best, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 cup mango frozen or very firm work best, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 cup pitted cherries, frozen work best

Base of Instant Pot

1 cup water

Prep Instant Pot: plug in the Instant Pot and add the trivet to the bottom.
Prep Produce: peel and chop produce according to directions. Add the prepped produce into separate ramekins. If making a bigger batch of baby food, you can use a steamer basket.
Water: add in 1 cup of water to the bottom of the instant pot.
Layer: if using ramekins, place 3 ramekins on top of the trivet.
Second Layer: you can either add another row of ramekins or a steamer basket filled with additional food.
Cook: lock the lid on tight and place the valve in the sealing position. Selection Manual High Pressure and set the time for 3 minutes.
Quick Release: Once the timer is up, quick release the pressure, turn off the Instant Pot and remove the lid. Let the ramekins cool for a few minutes until you can safely touch them, they will be hot.
Puree for Baby Puree: using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked produce to a blender, food processor or larger bowl, leaving any liquid in the ramekin. Puree until smooth adding liquid to the puree in small quantities as needed. Since the produce is very tender, you can also just mash it with the back of a fork for a chunkier puree.
Strain for Baby-Led Weaning: if you are serving the produce whole for baby-led weaning, you will want to strain out any liquid that is at the bottom of the ramekin.
Eat: serve the puree or store for another meal.

Age: 4 months and up

Yield: roughly 30-40 ounces depending on how much you add to the ramekins or steamer basket.

Note on Chopping: if you are going to puree your fruit and vegetables, then I would roughly chop them into cubes as you will be able to fit more produce into each ramekin. If you are going to serve as finger foods – then I would slice them into 2-3″ strips. Exceptions: for beets, I would chop into smaller chunks and then once cooked I would either mash with a fork (creating a pancake of sorts) or dice into “pea” size shapes. For zucchini, I would slice into rounds, cook and then before serving cut into “pea” size shapes. I have found that strips of beets and zucchini don’t always hold up as well and can get super mushy.

Note on Ramekins: I love the 10 oz ramekins as I can easily fit 6 of them in my instant pot at the same time. The size and depth of your brand of Instant Pot and ramekins will determine how many will ultimately fit in there. If you don’t want to invest in a set of ramekins for just this recipe, you can use any bowl or jar labeled as “oven-safe” and some popular brands are Pyrex, CorningWare, Anchor Hocking and canning jars. You can also use any steamer basket in the Instant Pot if it fits.

Blending: since you are making such a small quantity of baby food with this method, I have found that using a food processor or handheld emersion blender work the best to get a smooth puree. You will want to also drain any liquid from the ramekins before transferring the produce to another bowl or food processor to blend. If the puree is too thick, you can add the liquid back in a little at a time.

Storage: you can store the purees or the finger foods in the fridge – store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezer – can be frozen for up to 4 months. See post above for more details.

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Multicooker for baby food: selection and reviews

› ›

Publication date: 03/05/2016.

The article was updated on May 12, 2021.

A multicooker is a useful and quite compact device that will allow mom to cook almost any dish from the children's menu. But how to choose the right model?

Photo: depositphotos.com. Author: Jim_Filim.

Contents

Benefits
Varieties
Table of demanded modes
What is important when choosing?
Overview of popular models
Parent reviews

Benefits

Save time. Every mother knows that with the advent of the baby, free time disappears without a trace. The slow cooker allows you to save precious minutes, and even hours, by greatly simplifying the cooking process: just put the products indicated in the recipe in a container, and the device will extinguish or fry them on its own. nine0016
The non-stick container of any modern multicooker is easy to clean: nothing sticks in it, so it is enough to clean the walls and bottom with a soft sponge and wipe the entire surface with a dry towel.
The "Delay start" mode is remarkable in that you can put food into the appliance in advance, and cooking will start at the right time. At this time, you can sleep, go to the shower or play with the child.
The "Auto Keep Warm" feature keeps food warm for as long as you need it without having to reheat dinner. nine0016
Save money and space in the kitchen. A multi-cooker for children with a set of necessary options will eliminate the need to buy a sterilizer, a yogurt maker, a pressure cooker and a bottle warmer.
"Baby food" mode allows you to quickly prepare food for your baby. However, the slow cooker will also provide healthy and tasty food to nursing mothers who are forced to adhere to a rather strict diet.

Varieties

There are two types: regular and pressure cooker. The multi-cooker-pressure cooker has a steam valve that allows you to regulate the pressure and maintain the temperature up to 115 ° C. As a result, the cooking speed is significantly reduced. nine0016
Devices are also divided by operating modes. But, as a rule, the functionality of any multicooker is much wider than can be understood from the labeling of the buttons or a brief technical description on the manufacturer's website.
Today on sale you can find the so-called children's multicookers, and ordinary adults. The differences between them are in the volume of the bowl and power.

Key multicooker features for new parents:

"Rice" - allows you to cook pasta, dumplings, pilaf, dumplings, potatoes and vegetables;
"Buckwheat" - suitable for cooking any cereals;
"Steam cooking" - the mode is convenient for heating ready meals;
"Baking" - suitable for browning meat, vegetables or fish;
"Stewing" - can be used for stewing meat and vegetables, preparing children's soups, jelly and baked milk.

Many devices have additional functions for milk cereals, yogurt, baby food, etc.

Table of demanded modes

Mode name	Features	What to cook
Buckwheat		Cereals requiring long cooking time: hard rice, buckwheat, pearl barley, millet. Legumes (peas, beans, chickpeas) - it is better to soak before cooking overnight.
Pilaf	Automatic mode. In the last 10 minutes, crisp frying is activated.	Pilaf, baked potatoes, fried dumplings, as well as cereals that boil quickly: soft rice (for example, arborio), buckwheat, corn grits, etc.
Milk porridge	min., suitable for whole grains) or manual.	Milk porridge made from whole grains of oats, rice, ground barley or corn grits, millet, pureed soups with a short cooking time. nine0084
Steam cooking	Uses a special simmer container. You can cook 2 dishes at the same time.	Vegetables, fish, manti, dumplings and dumplings, steamed eggs.
Baking	Operating temperature 180°C. Suitable for baking and roasting. Operates with the lid open. To get a crust, the pastry is turned over.	Pastries (pies and mannas), fried meat, meatballs, fried potatoes, fried soup. nine0084
Simmering	For long-term simmering at just over 100 °C.	Stews of meat and vegetables, soups that require a long cooking time, jelly.
Soup	Can be combined with steam cooking. Until the water boils, the heating is maximum, then it decreases.	Soups, compotes, minced meat dishes - meatballs, hedgehogs, soup base (if there is no “Baking” mode).
Multicooker	You can set not only the cooking time, but also the temperature. Suitable for experienced housewives and proven recipes. nine0084	All meals, including homemade yoghurts.
Roasting	High temperature to brown.	Fish, meat, cutlets, potatoes.
Simmering	Similar to braising. But with a more complex program designed for long cooking.	Jelly, home-made preparations, baked milk.
Paste	Divided into 2 steps. First, we pour water and wait for the signal from the device, after which we start the products. nine0084	Macaroni, sausages, dumplings, dumplings and other convenience foods.
Reheat	Not to be confused with the reheat mode, which starts automatically when other modes are completed.	Any food that needs to be reheated.

What is important when choosing?

There are a few key things to consider when buying a multicooker.

Bowl capacity. For small portions or baby food, a slow cooker with a bowl of 1 liter is suitable. It is better to entrust the preparation of dishes for a large family to a large device with a bowl of up to 6 liters. Please note: the smaller the vessel, the faster the food is cooked in it. nine0016
Power. Average: 600-800 watts. It depends on the cooking speed. But due to the frequent use of high-power appliances, the electricity bill also increases. Therefore, for baby food, you can take a weak device. Looking to feed the whole family? 650 W will be enough for a company of 4-5 people.
Cooking programs (usually 5-10). For young mothers, it is very important that the steaming and stewing functions are available. It is desirable that a mode suitable for milk porridge be present, as well as the "Baby food" option. nine0016
Additional features. For mothers of infants, the following will be especially useful: delayed start, sterilizer and automatic heating. A slow cooker with such functions will allow you to sterilize and warm the bottles. And thanks to the delayed start, you can take a nap next to the baby while the device prepares your next meal.
Security. A good unit is necessarily equipped with a sealed valve to protect against burns. Choose a slow cooker with a gentle steam release system. nine0016

The kit may also include nice little things: a recipe book, measuring cups and spoons, spatulas, a steamer insert. But the more modes and additional inventory, the higher the cost. Don't forget about it.

Overview of popular models

There are quite a few multicookers for baby food on the market today. Consider the most popular models for moms.

Philips HD3060. The model is distinguished by a small bowl (only 2 liters) and low power (330 W). There are cooking modes: scrambled eggs, cereals, pastries and yogurts. This children's multicooker also has a delayed start function, manual operation, cooking time adjustment, automatic food heating, touch control. Two protection systems are installed: from network failures and blocking from children. The kit includes: inner removable lid, carrying handle, cups for yogurt. nine0016
Redmond RMC-01. Compact device of low power, equipped with a two-liter capacity. Of the additions useful for parents: the “Sterilizer” function and a book with children's recipes, spoons for liquid food.
Marta MT-1960. More suitable for those who plan to cook for the whole family. The device has a power of 700 watts. And it has modes of stewing, baking, frying. But it also allows you to cook healthy children's food, as there is a double boiler mode and cooking various cereals.
Redmond RMC-011. This model is an electric pressure cooker that can cook almost any baby food in minutes. Specifications: 2L bowl, 350W power, monochrome LCD display. Of the features: the device can be connected to a car cigarette lighter. A great option for those who like to travel with children. There are functions of delayed start and auto-heating. The number - 7 basic modes - includes: stewing, cooking soup, baby food and yogurt. nine0016

Parents' comments

Sergey Morkovnikov, Novosibirsk. I bought my wife a Philips multicooker. A bit pricey in my opinion, but my wife is very happy with it. Says baby mode replaces both sterilizer and bottle warmer. I know what he cooks in it for himself and for the child. And I prefer well-done food with a generous addition of butter. Lena Nevzorova, Kirov. I bought a multicooker from Redmond - and I'm not overjoyed! Saves a lot of time, many modes, but it is very easy to figure out what's what. Previously, I cooked only for the child, but now for everyone. We took it with us several times when we went to another city - you can connect it in the car to warm it up. Very comfortable and not too expensive! nine0003

Tatyana Popova, Achinsk. I bought Martha 1960, but I rarely cook: I don’t really like the taste of such food. If you fry the meat - then to a crust, and pasta is easier to cook in a saucepan. Yes, and I buy either ready-made mashed potatoes for my child, or I cook meat and vegetables in water. Absolute waste of money in my opinion.

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Author: Ekaterina Zaitseva

Choosing a pressure cooker: everything you need to know about modern models, manufacturers and prices

People no longer want to spend a lot of time cooking - they want to find a faster way to cook their favorite meals. Life is fleeting and flows through our fingers while we earn money and spend short hours of leisure - and when cooking takes up the lion's share of the time, the only free time in the day is to lie down and relax. Technique adapts to our needs, and in order to reduce the time we spend on cooking, pressure cookers were invented. nine0003

It's interesting

In fact, people have long been looking for a way to cook food faster, but everything rested on an elementary law of physics: the boiling point of water cannot exceed its capabilities, 100 ° C - and that's it. In order for the food to cook faster, this temperature needs to be somehow increased, but the maximum that can be achieved is to increase the fire and speed up the approach of the moment of boiling water, and then all that remains is to obey the standard course of things: meat is cooked for an hour, beets for an hour and a half, potatoes for about 20 minutes. And at this time you have to be in the kitchen and make sure that the water does not flood the stove. Slow cookers do a great job with the second problem, giving you more freedom while cooking, but they can't make food cook faster than the boiling point allows. nine0003

And yet, it would be strange if a person did not come up with something to increase his comfort - imagine, for the first time this was done in the distant XVII century. The quick-witted Frenchman Denis Papin was the first to bypass the physicist, who quickly found application for new discoveries in the field of the influence of atmospheric pressure on the boiling point. And the influence is the most direct - the higher the pressure, the higher the boiling point becomes. All that remained to be done was to create an airtight vessel in which pressure would rise during heating. nine0003

The pressure cooker is a modern and fast tool for preparing healthy food. Extreme pressure and high temperatures reduce typical cooking times by up to 70% while saving approximately 50% energy. Gentle handling of ingredients retains most of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients, making food healthy and tasty. Practical tool: pressure cookers are ideal for cooking almost all types of food - from vegetables, meat and fish to grains, bean porridges, soups, and stews. Even preparing special dietary or baby food is not difficult. The pressure cooker also impresses with its ease of use and safety. Simply put, this is an indispensable all-rounder in your kitchen. nine0003

How fast is she?

The difference in cooking time is really impressive - dishes cook 3-5 times faster than in a saucepan over a fire. If the chicken in the pan is cooked for about 40-45 minutes, then the pressure cooker will cope with it in 15 minutes. You will cook the toughest beef, which can be cooked for several hours, in less than an hour, and the vegetables will be completely ready while you drink your morning coffee .

Another reason to love the pressure cooker

For some reason, one of the most common fears about the pressure cooker is its effect on the amount of nutrients that it allegedly destroys by quick cooking. These fears for a pressure cooker are even offensive, because it retains vitamins many times better than the usual cooking, which oxidizes food due to oxygen and literally “digests” vitamins by prolonged heat treatment. The pressure cooker is sealed, so the chances of oxygen getting into it are equal to zero, and the food retains many useful substances. In addition, the taste of food does not fade as it does when cooked in a saucepan. nine0003

What can she do?

Foods in the pressure cooker can be stewed, boiled and even steamed. Everything that you are used to cooking in the oven, double boiler or in a saucepan can be trusted with a pressure cooker - and it will do it brilliantly. Cook light soups in it in just a few minutes, stew meat and poultry, desserts, fish and seafood, steam vegetables - in a word, it is ready to take on almost all the dishes that form the basis of your diet. She does not like only products that foam, splash and clog her working valve during cooking - compotes from apples and lingonberries, rhubarb, cereal cereals, pasta. nine0003

Choosing a pressure cooker

First of all, we pay attention to the material. Usually pressure cookers are made of either stainless steel or aluminum, and sometimes a combination of these metals. In general, it is not recommended to purchase aluminum food appliances, this material quickly loses its attractive appearance due to a gray coating. In addition, foods with high acidity cannot be cooked in them, since in this case aluminum is released into food, which adversely affects the taste and usefulness of dishes. nine0003

All self-respecting manufacturers produce pressure cookers made of stainless steel or similar alloys. This material does not oxidize foods, preserves their natural taste regardless of the level of acidity, and evenly heats the bottom of the pressure cooker, so that the dishes do not burn.

There are electric and mechanical pressure cookers. Electric ones work like multicookers from the mains, while mechanical ones need to be put on the stove, like a regular pan. It is more comfortable to use an electric pressure cooker, the whole process of heat treatment of food takes place without your participation: you press the “start” button and for a while you can get rid of the thought that you are cooking something, and without a twinge of conscience go to visit or go to the store . You can also delay the start of cooking the dish - put vegetables in the morning, come home in the afternoon - and a hot vegetable dish awaits you there. Convenient, of course. But mechanical pressure cookers take up less space and are less likely to break. nine0003

Review of the best European pressure cookers

Choosing the right pressure cooker is key to minimizing the chance of breakage. We will review the best pressure cookers from reliable companies with a worldwide reputation, which are used throughout Europe in both professional and home kitchens.

WMF

The German company WMF has been famous for its high-quality stainless steel for decades, and a series of collections of mechanical pressure cookers is 100% created from this material. Thanks to the special TransTherm bottom, the pressure cooker is suitable for all types of cooking surfaces: gas, electric, induction and glass-ceramic hobs. The internal coating of the pressure cooker is made of WMF's own development - high-tech material Cromargan®. In addition, the pressure cooker has energy-saving properties. Also, there are no remarks about the design of the collections, this is WMF: smooth steel, shining glossy surface, all models are ergonomic, the details are impeccable. nine0003

WMF Perfect Pro

WMF's Perfect Pro pressure cooker series never ceases to amaze with its dynamic design and strikingly concise black handle. Modern production technologies convince with ease and practicality of application. The multifunctional refractory "All-In-One" handle is equipped with a special regulator, with which you can independently choose the necessary program for cooking. Also, pressure cookers have a high level of safety due to the refractory handle and a well-thought-out system for the release of hot steam - avoiding gross errors in operation, you will never get burned. The handle is completely removable and washable under running water, while the bowl and lid are dishwasher safe. Among the functions of this collection, it is worth noting a special measuring scale placed on the inner surface of the pressure cooker. It is useful in cases where you need to measure the exact amount of liquid. nine0003

Popular pressure cookers WMF Perfect Pro

WMF Perfect Plus

WMF's Perfect Plus series of pressure cookers is the perfect combination of modern technology and trendy design. The operation process is extremely simple. The red rings on the hob indicator show the two cooking levels. All technology is placed in the handle, where you can easily select the desired program and cooking time. A special reliable system for the release of excess steam will ensure the safe opening of the lid, protecting you from burns. The applied measuring scale on the inner coating serves for more precise filling and dosing of the pan. Easy to clean, the handle is completely removable and washable under running water, and the container itself and the lid can be washed in the dishwasher

Popular pressure cookers WMF Perfect Plus

WMF Perfect

A timeless classic that has been part of the extensive WMF range for many years. The Perfect series is a great combination of modern technology and classic design, proven over many years on the market. Classic design and high technology of the German brand are harmoniously intertwined here. All functions are defined in the knob, where you can select the desired cooking mode. Also, pressure cookers have a high level of safety due to the refractory handle and a well-thought-out system for the release of hot steam - avoiding gross errors in operation, you will never get burned. Among the functions of this collection, it is worth noting a special measuring scale placed on the inner surface of the pressure cooker. It is useful in cases where you need to measure the exact amount of liquid. Easy to clean, the handle is completely removable and washable under running water, and the container itself and the lid can be washed in the dishwasher

Popular pressure cookers WMF Perfect

WMF Perfect Ultra

All functions of the WMF Perfect Ultra pressure cookers are built into the removable lid handle. The timer built into the handle monitors the duration of cooking and notifies you with a signal about the end of the process. The multifunctional "All-In-One" handle is equipped with a special regulator, with which you can independently choose the necessary program for cooking. The multifunctional refractory "All-In-One" handle is equipped with a special regulator, with which you can independently choose the necessary program for cooking. A special automatic system for the release of excess steam is absolutely reliable and safe.