The Avent EXPRESS Microwave Steam Sterilizer was a GODSEND!
Written: Nov 29 '03 (Updated Aug 05 '04)
Product Rating:
Pros: Safe, speedy sterilization that’s as easy as 1-2-3.
Cons: Steam will burn if cooling time is interrupted.
The Bottom Line: This sterilizer was INVALUABLE to me when my son was an infant. Recommended for anyone looking to save time & money cleaning bottles, especially parents of preemies & multiples.
marybatson's Full Review: Avent Express Microwave Steam Sterilizer
As many know, I was unable to nurse, so I pumped 3-times a day in order to provide breast milk for my son. As a result, I became a full-time pumper and bottle washer! No joke… I was boiling 18 bottles day, until I got my hands on the EXPRESS Microwave Steam Sterilizer by Avent. I know… many of you are shaking your head, and thinking, “What a waste of money. Thirty-bucks for a sterilizer?” That might be a lot of money for some to spend on a superfluous item such as a sterilizer, but for me, it was a godsend.
I am NOT a clean freak who sterilizes everything my son touches. I bought the EXPRESS Microwave Steam Sterilizer to save time, and money. After a brief, and horrible stint with stovetop sterilizing, I began to use the dishwasher to clean my son’s bottles. Oh, and I mean USE. Sometimes I ran the dishwasher 3-times a day JUST to clean bottles. I live in the desert, where water is precious. We pay handsomely for every drop that passes through our pipes. When I saw the sterilizer sitting on the shelf at Target, I snagged it.
1.) It requires a small amount of water, and
2.) It sanitizes in less than 10-minutes.
I thought to myself, “How can I go wrong?”
This appliance is user friendly, so to speak.
1.) There is NO way to confuse the stacking order: the base, the bottle rack, and the lid. There is no other way to put the thing together.
2.) Loading can be confusing if the instructions are not followed. Keep the manual handy, as the loading order for large bottles, differs from the 4-ounce size.
3.) Add the proper amount of water to the base every time. Do not skimp on the water, as it could cause the unit to burn. Do not over-fill it either, as the unit may not produce enough steam to work.
That said ~ it’s really quite simple to use. Pour 7-ounces of water in the base, load the rack, and pop it in the microwave. In 4 or 5 minutes it’s done. Of course, it depends on the wattage of your microwave. Smaller microwaves may require more time, but that’s all there is to it. I learned the hard way to wait before taking the sterilizer out of the microwave. It’s HOT! VERY hot! Plus, any steam that’s emitted can burn. The contents inside the unit will remain sterile for up to 3-hours given that the lid remains closed. Once the cooling time has passed, 2-minutes or so, remove the lid carefully. There will be lots of condensation on the bottles, similar to the dishwasher before the drying cycle begins. Place all the bits and pieces on a drying rack, or hand-dry them.
When my son was a newborn, I used the EXPRESS Microwave Steam Sterilizer at least 4-times a day. I cleaned bottles, nipples, the breast pump, and pacifiers. Later on, I used the sterilizer on some of his toys, and toddler spouts. Be careful, not all toys are dishwasher safe. If it’s top-drawer dishwasher safe, than it’s probably sterilizer safe. We took many trips when William was an infant, and this unit made traveling easy. It provided a safe place to store the breast pump, and it worked in every hotel microwave we encountered. I don’t recall exactly when I stopped using the sterilizer. It was probably sometime after Will was eating table foods. At any rate, this sterilizer was seriously tested in our home. I never had any problems, except the occasional burn to my hand when I opened the lid too early. Bad mommy, bad!
Description:
The EXPRESS Microwave Steam Sterilizer does exactly what its name implies. It kills germs by using heat from steam, which is generated in the microwave. It is made of hard plastic and consists of 3 easy-to-use parts. There are holes in the bottle rack so steam will rise and disinfect the contents. Also, on the edge of the rack are clips, so the dome caps can be secured. The unit works with all types of bottles, not just the Avent brand. 7-ounces of water will sanitize 4 bottles in 4 minutes. It is approximately the diameter of a small dinner plate, and the height of a standard coffee cup, so, it’s fairly compact. The EXPRESS Microwave Steam Sterilizer is lightweight; less than 2 pounds, and it is easy to carry. There is a handle on top of the lid, but it is not recommended for carrying. It is designed for removing the lid only. The following items are included in the box:
● The EXPRESS Microwave Steam Sterilizer
● TWO, 9-ounce reusable bottles with newborn nipples, and
● An instruction guide
Pros
● Accommodates all brands of bottles
● Sterilizes bottles, nipples, breast pumps, pacifiers, & hard plastic toys
● Works fast
● Easy to use
● It's durable
● Safer than stovetop sterilizing
● Dishwasher safe, (top rack only)
● Great for families without dishwashers
● Great for multiples & preemies
Cons
● Steam will burn if lid is removed before cooling time
● Condensation
Closing Remarks:
As one who did double-duty in the bottle-washing department, I can honestly say the EXPRESS Microwave Steam Sterilizer is worth its weight in gold. I shutter to think what might have been had I had twins, or triplets. I probably would not have pumped, but I still would have had a multitude of bottles to clean. I have NO doubt this sterilizer could handle such a task. Some might complain about the price of the sterilizer, but considering two, 9-ounce bottles come with the unit, it may seem more reasonable knowing they retail for $4.00 a piece. The EXPRESS Microwave Steam Sterilizer turned out to be one of the BEST purchases I made the year my son was born. That's saying a lot considering HOW many things first-time parents need for newborns. I will happily recommend it to anyone.
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