You’ll be surprised to see that most of these are probably in your kitchen already.

Read through our list and then visit our article How to Puree & Store Homemade Baby Food for simple, step by step instructions on pureeing and making homemade baby food.

Further down the page, you’ll see a useful list of food processors, blenders and stick mixers.

Tools and Gadgets For Making Homemade Baby Food

You don’t need to go out and buy expensive or fancy equipment and you don’t need a “baby food maker” machine either. Of course, if you have been looking for a great reason (excuse) to get a super food processor or machine, then you certainly have it now!

Blender and/or Food Processor: Pureeing, blending, mashing

Stick Mixer: Pureeing smaller jobs or “on-the-go” meals

Grinder: Pureeing smaller jobs or “on-the-go” meals

Ice Cube Trays (or Storage Containers for freezing): Freezing food cubes

Freezer bags: Storing the frozen food cubes from the ice tray.

Strainer/Colander: Holding and draining cooked fruits and vegetables

Small Holed Strainer or Fine Mesh Strainer: Pushing more textured foods through to make a more fine and smooth purée (Good for separating green bean and pea skins from purée)

Steamer Basket: Steaming fruits and vegetable

Masher: Mashing vegetables and fruits when baby gradates to a thicker or more chunky texture (i.e. Potato Masher)

Sharpie or Permanent Marker: Label freezer bags with food cube type and date prepared and frozen

Yes!! The above items are ALL you will need. Easy Peasy.

NOTE: For every type of machine you may use to puree, the secret seems to be in how much food you put in the container baskets to begin with. No appliance will do a good job if over stuffed. Fill the containers less than half way full and add a scant amount of liquid to begin with.

Read our Blender or Food Processor page to learn about these tools and Homemade Baby Food be sure to read our notes below

Food Processors for Making Homemade Baby Food

Cuisinart DLC-2A Mini Prep Plus

This little processor is our favorite and is HIGHLY recommended by wholesomebabyfood.com. It even does grains and coffee.

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: work bowl may be made of polycarbonate although BPA free versions are now available in the 3 cup model and some 4 cup models.

Kitchen-Aid 3-c. Chef’s Chopper Mini Food Processor

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: work bowl made of polycarbonate

Cuisinart Premier Series Prep 11 Plus Food Processor

Chop ice, mince fish, blend carrots, mix breads or emulsify any food you want. We love Cuisinart products and if you have the money, this is a great kitchen tool you’ll use for a long time.

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: work bowl made of polycarbonate

KitchenAid 12-c. Food Processor, Empire Red

With this food processor’s multi-purpose blade, you can chop, mince, blend, mix or emulsify foods quickly and easily. A nice investment.

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: work bowl made of polycarbonate

Hamilton Beach 70595 Big Mouth 14-Cup Food Processor

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: work bowl made of SAN

Why do I like the food processor for homemade baby food?

In my experience, the food processor is much better at making fine or thick (not chunky) purees than a blender is. Also, as being cheap (frugal) is on of my hallmarks, the food processor will enable you to get more use of it. The food processor will do several tasks that the blender will not; tasks such as kneading dough, slicing veggies & grinding grains etc.

Blenders for Making Homemade Baby Food

Oster Classic Beehive Blender – Glass

I got this little lovely for Christmas 2007. One day I was too lazy to mash & wanted to test this out so in went my roasted acorn squash. 3 pulses and my beautiful roasted acorn squash was turned into baby food. One problem – we don’t have any babies eating thin purees anymore. This thing ROCKS.

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: work bowl made of glass

Vita-Mix 5200

Now this blender is truly a classic that does it all reliably and faithfully but sadly, not too cheaply. The price of the Vita-Mix is the only negative with the 5200 basic model running $449.00 when purchased via the VIta-Mix website. If you have the means, this blender is definately for you!

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: work bowl made of Tritan Copolyester (considered BPA free)

The Magic Bullet

Many parents who make homemade baby food swear by this blender!

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: work bowl made of polycarbonate

Oster 6684 12-Speed Blender

Another fantastic blender from Oster. Glass jar and 12 speeds, you can’t go wrong.

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: work bowl made of glass

Why do I like the blender for homemade baby food?

Actually, I have never been keen on using a blender for baby food. This may be due to the fact that our old blender was really really lame. It was barely able to mush fruits, yogurt & ice cream into a smoothie. Also, we are not enamored with blenders because not many blenders are able to multi-task as well as food processors. However, we know many parents who swear by their blenders for making homemade baby food. We do love the Oster blender – it pulverizes ice in no time at all too.

Stick Mixers

Cuisinart Stick/Immersion Hand Blender

A great little stick blender at a great price too. Does dips and sauces or a quick smoothie.

Stage “1” Stage “2” – will do chunks but you must pay attention as you blend.

Note: stainless steel blending stick

Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender – Whisk & Chopper

This hand blender is a bit more advanced than the one above and, it comes with attachments for chunky and fluffy foods. Use the whisk to make real whipped cream in a snap and the chopper to chop walnuts and soon enough, you’re on your way to a fresh ice cream sundae. Oh right, forgot we were discussing baby food 🙂

Stage “1” Stage “2” Stage “3”

Note: stainless steel blending stick

KitchenAid Stick Blender

Stage “1” Stage “2” – will do chunks but you must pay attention as you blend.

Note: stainless steel blending stick

Why do I like the immersion blender for homemade baby food?

In my experience, the immersion blender is great for sauces, dips and quick smoothies. On a personal note, the hand/immersion blender is not as quick as the food processor or blender. We have many parents tell us that they love the immersion blender for its ability to make thin purees and it’s easy to clean.