*Shivers*
My previous steriliser, way back when Carson was a tot, was a Tommee Tippee microwave one - very roomy/deep with lots of bits and pieces to stack up.
At the time, I knew no different and was extremely happy with it, but by the time Carson was 6 months old, I must admit I resorted to using the deep container as a cold water steriliser instead - I was simply fed up of the jigsaw puzzle every time I needed do do a sterilising run.
I have never had experience of an electric steriliser and for the extra cost associated with them, I'm unlikely to nip out and buy one just to say I've had a go!
I was very kindly sent a Dr Browns Microwave Steam Steriliser to give a whirl (geddit?!) and review for you guys to get an idea of what to expect with them.
Here are my thoughts...
Contents are interesting as aside from the steriliser itself and tongs, it comes complete with 2x wide neck 240ml baby bottles. I have heard great things about their natural flow feeding system, particularly in the prevention of colic, so I'm really chuffed that you get a couple of bottles to start you off. It also comes with a reservoir tube cleaner for the bottles too - bonus!
Incredibly light! This is not a big, bulky, kitchen-worktop-living item (as I imagine electric steriliser to be). In fact, on the contrary, it's small, compact and neat enough to go in the cupboard along with the casserole dishes. It will fit 4 wide neck or standard neck bottles so size and weight can be deceiving. Especially when you pop it in the microwave - it literally only just fit in. Having said that, my microwave is a pretty small one so I can't see this being a problem for many at all.
Usage instructions are very simple to follow although I personally found the imagery on the back of the box easier to understand than the written instructions.
Once your bottles have been popped into place, simply pour in 180ml of water, pop the lid on and boom! You're ready to go.
Ensure the wattage of your microwave is taken in to account when you're deciding as to how long to sterilise for. Mine is only 700w (like I say, it's a small microwave!) so needed the longest time of 8 minutes to sterilise, followed by the additional 10 minutes to cool.
18 minutes can seem a long time but that is a) my piddly microwave's fault and b) ensuring that the steriliser's content have sufficiently cooled so as not to cause harm to you. You can't really argue with that, in fairness.
I mention the cooling period of 10 minutes as well, particularly as the lid DOES NOT LOCK. So there is a danger of scalding etc if you do not have your wits about you, even after the cooling stage.
There are, however, 4 quite deep ridges to use as the handles which gives for decent, sturdy handling.
This would be my ONLY negative about the steriliser. Having said that, the fact that it comes with 2 of the natural flow feeding system bottles and still only retails at £24.95, I would be more than happy to recommend this item to any new mum or mum-to-be. You can purchase the Dr Brown's Microwave Steam Steriliser for £24.95 from John Lewis.
With massive thanks to Dr Brown's and John Lewis, I have a Microwave Steam Steriliser up for grabs, simply fill in the rafflecopter below and keep your fingers crossed.
Pop on over to their Facebook page and let them know you're entering this competition, I'm sure they'd be thrilled to hear from you!
1. This is open to UK residents
2. Winner has 5 days to acknowledge and respond before another winner will be redrawn
3. All reasonable efforts and channels will be used to attempt contact.
4. Competition closes at midnight 5th May 2014.
All entries are checked so, as tempting as it may be to skim through the Rafflecopter entry, you will be doing yourself out of a genuine chance to win a cracking prize.
So enter genuinely because, as you've probably gathered, I do check guys.
GOOD LUCK!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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DISCAIMER: I was sent this item free of charge for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own and I have not bee paid for this post.
Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com
I have always found my electric steam steriliser worked well for me - I had a Tommee Tippee and would load it up at bedtime and everything would be ready for me in the morning or throughout the day it took about five minutes to clean the bottles followed by 2-3 minutes cooling time.
ReplyDeletei used the tommee tippee microwave steriliser last time and loved it! ill definitely do the same this time round.
ReplyDeleteentering for my sister and I think she used an electric one .. do over night and ready for the morning
ReplyDeleteWe just use boiling water at the moment with Sterilising tablets
ReplyDeleteI used an Avent electric steam steriliser which was easy to use and recommend
ReplyDelete@kimneville2
I prefer microwaving as it suits us as and when
ReplyDeleteI used both an electric and mircowave sterliser. The mircowave one is a lot quicker than the electric one and it is cheaper to buy. Both are good and I have no preference.
ReplyDeleteI used a tomme tippee electrical steriliser but thinking of using microwave this time as will be quicker
ReplyDeleteI use both depending on time
ReplyDeleteMicrowave, it's so much easier and simpler and hassel free.
ReplyDeleteI've no experience of sterilizing baby stuff, I was lucky that I found it easy to breastfeed. I think I could have fed the whole street. But I think this looks great; cheap, quick, easy to store, and easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteMicrowave as its much more simpler and easier to use and quicker too.
ReplyDeleteI had a very long gap between my last 2 children, 13 years to be precise so microwave sterilising method was new to me having used both soak and electric methods previously. I have to say I find the microwave method so much easier, fuss free and I thoroughly trust it. The only problem I have found with it is it doesn't fir in every microwave which caused quite a problem on a recent caravan holiday! @nanajaxc
ReplyDeletemicrowave streriliser,easier
ReplyDeleteThe Microwave steriliser, it's so convenient, quick and easy !
ReplyDeletemicrowaving is so quick and easy
ReplyDeleteI prefer the microwave steamer as it is much quicker and easier
ReplyDeleteas i breast feeder i never needed a sterilising method, but my sister who is expecting her 1st has been recomended a microwave streiliser!
ReplyDeleteElectrical but only because its what I am used to
ReplyDeleteI prefer microwave sterilisers as I find them easier
ReplyDeleteBeing pregnant with my 1st (due July eek!) ive had tons of advice coming at me but my sister recommended a microwave steriliser, she said hers was so much easier :)
ReplyDeletemicrowave sterilisers is easy to use and literally at a push of button.
ReplyDeleteMicrowave Steriliser seems to work best for us
ReplyDeleteelectric steriliser
ReplyDeleteI have always used an electric sterilizer with my son but with baby number 2 on the way and due in less than 7 weeks I may look into other methods as ive heard alot of people say microwave sterilizers are fab and quicker! x
ReplyDeleteI had the Tommee tipper box microwave sterilizer which was amazing and took with me on holiday as easy to transport
ReplyDeleteI use the tommee tippee microwave steriliser x
ReplyDeleteI think microwave is best
ReplyDeleteLove Microwave sterilisers I used as Avent one previously but it got a funny smell so currently using the good old pot and asda sterilising tablets my daughter is 18 Months but still like to make sure all her bottles dummys are germ free :-)
ReplyDeleteBeen using microwave one .x
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Microwave x
ReplyDeleteChloe @ bethbear2011.blogspot.co.uk
Im using two water filled ones but this would be great as I have twins and need lots of clean bottles :-D
ReplyDeleteRachel white
Sterilising tablets and water
ReplyDeletemicrowave is quick and easy
ReplyDeletei used the electric steamer before, always seemed to work for me, never tried a microwave one though
ReplyDeletemicrowave is quicker and easier
ReplyDeleteWith my first son I had an Avent Electric Steam Steriliser... with my next two an Avent Microwave Steriliser.. much quicker, takes up less room, far more convenient and when not in use can easily fit away in a cupboard! xx
ReplyDeleteBoiling water and milton
ReplyDeletethe microwave method is good for us
ReplyDeletethe microwave method works best for me
ReplyDeletethe microwave method is so much better
ReplyDeleteMicrowaving, sterilising is a pain
ReplyDeleteI don't have any children but would love to win this prize for charity, to go to Romania.
ReplyDeleteAvent Microwaving sterilizer. its so easy
ReplyDeleteI used the avent microwave steraliser with my first son and found it very affective and intend to buy a microwave steravlier for my baby boy whose due in june
ReplyDeleteAvent Microwaving sterilizer is conveniently easy!
ReplyDelete@ukireland
I've been using an electric but it is more work than you think, I've had to de-scale a lot, the lid dosen't fit well and the inside is all bending. If I did it again I would use a Micowaving one.
ReplyDeleteMicrowave is quick and simple!
ReplyDeleteWith my previous children I always used an electric steam steriliser and found it really effective. Since then, a lot of my friends have used microwave sterilisers and have highly recommended them, so now I am expecting again, I may well invest in a microwave steriliser
ReplyDeleteMicrowave steriliser!
ReplyDeleteI used an electric one last time, found it to be one of our worst buys. Will be using a microwave one 2nd time round
ReplyDeleteA microwave one :)
ReplyDeletePhillips Advent Microwave Steriliser! Fantastic
ReplyDeleteI have only ever used an electric one so that is my preferred method :)
ReplyDeletemicrowave steriliser
ReplyDeleteI usually boil water with sterilising tablets as it is cheaper
ReplyDeleteI use a steam steriliser
ReplyDelete@catrionanation
a steam one! :) x
ReplyDeleteMicrowave steriliser :)
ReplyDelete