The EXPRESS Bottle & Babyfood Warmer ~ Does the Job!
Written: Sep 08 '03 (Updated Aug 05 '04)
Product Rating:
Pros: Accommodates all brands of bottles, and heats bottle liners too.
Cons: An internal thermostat, and an external timer would greatly improve this product.
The Bottom Line: Avent could make a few improvements to this bottle warmer, but it does what it’s supposed to do. It's a durable product that warms bottles fast, and evenly.
marybatson's Full Review: Avent Express Bottle and Babyfood Warmer
Okay, I admit it. I used to be one of those presumptuous, mothers-to-be, who assumed I would be breastfeeding my baby instead of bottle-feeding. My continual attempts to feed my son the natural way failed; thus, I was forced to feed via bottle. I literally became a full-time pumper, and bottle washer! Suffice to say, after weeks of heating refrigerated breast milk on the stove, I broke down and bought a bottle warmer. That was over 2-years ago. While a lot has changed in that time, the EXPRESS Bottle & Babyfood Warmer remains the same. I selected this model because,
1.) I use Avent products, and at the time
2.) Most warmers did NOT accommodate Avent bottles
I live in the desert, where water is precious. We do NOT waste water running the tap to warm ANYTHING. My doctor warned me against microwave warming, so the stovetop became the only viable option for me. I was warming breast milk 10-times a day. It became mind-numbing to stand in front of a pan, and wait for a bottle to hit the right temperature. Plus, I got tired of cleaning all that white junk off my pans. I frequently overheated bottles, so I would have to start over. UGH! When you have a newborn screaming at the top of their lungs because they’re hungry, you want to do anything to speed the process along, especially when it's 2:00 in the morning. After a terrible night of overheating 2 bottles, I went out the next day, and splurged on a bottle warmer. I was thrilled! I was like a kid in a candy-store. It seems silly now, but at the time, I was a sleep-deprived mom who was pleased to know, my stovetop hassles were over.
The EXPRESS Bottle & Babyfood Warmer heats fast, evenly, and it's durable. All you do is pop a bottle in the unit; plug it in, and in 5-minutes, the bottle’s warm. How difficult is that? In all fairness, a pan will warm in the same amount of the time, but I hated leaving the stove unattended; whereas, the bottle warmer seemed safe to me.
I never encountered any mechanical problems the entire time I used this bottle warmer. In the beginning, I was heating 10-bottles a day, so this unit got a workout in my house. I think my success came from reading the instruction manual. I know ~ "geek alert.” Okay, that may be true, but it's also reasonable to say that I quickly learned to keep a timer when warming. I overheated many bottles in the months I served warm milk, because I'd get distracted. What parent doesn’t? As a result, running a timer became apart of my bottle warming routine. If Avent were to add an external timer, this would greatly improve the product. What's more, I almost never used the coolest setting, only when thawing frozen breast milk. I used the 2nd setting when warming disposable bottles. Both were rare occasions. I generally thawed breast milk in the refrigerator, and I used disposable bottles when I was on the go ~ outside the house.
Adding an internal thermostat with an automatic shut-off would also enhance this product. Many have complained about the lack of an ON/OFF switch. I kept the EXPRESS Bottle & Babyfood Warmer on the kitchen counter so the lack of an ON/OFF switch was never an issue to me. Had I kept it at my bedside this would have been a huge inconvenience; although, a power strip would have solved that problem. Whether one turns off a switch, or unplugs the unit, either way this final step must be completed. I cannot tell you how many times I forgot to unplug the bottle warmer. An hour might go by before I realized my mistake. Now that's dangerous!
Description:
The EXPRESS Bottle & Babyfood Warmer services all types of containers, and of differing sizes too. It can warm disposable, oversized, and odd shaped bottles, glass babyfood jars, and tin cans to name a few. It's small, about the size of a large can of tomatoes. Thus, it occupies very little room on the counter, or bedside table. A plastic basket fits on the inside of the warmer, and is removable for larger items. On the front of the unit is a dial control. It has 3-settings, 1,2, and 3, 1 being the coolest. Next to the dial is a power light, which serves 2 purposes.
1.) It indicates the unit is "ON" and working, and
2.) When the water reaches the correct temperature, the power light blinks "ON" and "OFF" to indicate the water is ready.
With a rather lengthy cord, 3-feet long, the unit is very adaptable. For those concerned about décor, the all-white exterior is designed to blend in. In addition, the EXPRESS Bottle & Babyfood Warmer is portable. By that, I mean it's lightweight; it weighs 1-pound, and is compact enough to fit in an overnight bag. We traveled frequently when William was an infant, and this unit made a nifty travel companion. The following items are included in the box:
● The EXPRESS Bottle & Babyfood Warmer
● A babyfood container (which is a 4-ounce reusable bottle with lid)
● A feeding spoon, and
● An instruction guide
Pros
● Accommodates all brands of bottles
● Heats fast and evenly
● Compact and lightweight
● It's durable
● Heats bottle liners without melting the plastic
● The basket can be removed to warm oversized bottles, i.e. Avent Magic
● Grounded 3-prong conductor
Cons
● Overheats
● No ON/OFF switch
Closing Remarks:
When it comes to bottles, Avent is still my 1st choice. I have learned through research that several manufactures have modified their bottle warmers to accommodate the Avent brand. I guess it goes to show... input from customers, can, and does influence manufactures. Avent could make a few improvements to this bottle warmer, which would certainly increase the price. I would be willing to pay for those features. The question is, “Would you?” While writing this review, I debated HOW to rate this product. I was extremely pleased with this warmer, but I also recognize its shortcomings. I've opted to give this product an above average mark, because
1.) It did what it was supposed to do. It warms bottles fast, and evenly.
2.) It accommodates a myriad of bottles types, and sizes.
3.) It warms disposable bottles, bottle liners, and
4.) It saved me from the stovetop hassles.
The FAST, SAFE way to warm bottles and baby food! Just add water to required level, select setting and switch on. Warms bottles or baby food in arou...More at Self Expressions
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