- Large 9.2-cup capacity
- Three discs for various textures
- Works for more than just baby food
- Takes a long time to puree
- Not good for first foods
- Difficult to use
Bottom Line
Numerous reviewers of baby food makers say they simply don't puree enough volume at a time. The large-capacity Oxo Tot Baby Food Mill seems like a great solution, but ultimately fails to deliver. Owners say it's very difficult to use and doesn't yield a smooth enough puree for younger babies. But on the plus side, it can be used for grown-up foods long after baby is eating solids.
Performance
Does what it's supposed to. Many owners aren't pleased with the results of the Oxo Tot Baby Food Mill. However, it's hard to tell if this has to do with this particular mill or their expectations of a food mill in general; many compare the results to those of an electric food processor. At 9.2 cups, this unit has a larger capacity than any of the baby food makers in our report, and also keeps skins and seeds out of the puree.
Ease Of Use
Not efficient for large batches. Owners find the Oxo Tot Baby Food Mill difficult to use. They say it takes a very long time to yield results -- one reviewer says she made two purees in an hour -- and it creates a lot of waste. A couple of users say the discs are difficult to insert and remove, while others report that foods often slide up the sides instead of staying in the bottom. It's dishwasher-safe, however, so it's relatively easy to care for.
Durability
No moving parts to break. There aren't many issues of durability reported, likely because the Oxo Tot Baby Food Mill is a manual machine without many moving parts. The manufacturer offers a satisfaction guarantee on its site, saying, "We guarantee everything we make! If for any reason you are not satisfied with an Oxo product, return it for replacement or refund." However, we saw no reviews in which this had been done.
Our Sources
1. Amazon.com
Review Credibility: Good Amazon.com doesn't attract much feedback on the Oxo Tot Baby Food Mill and reviews are mixed, averaging 2.9 stars out of 5. Of the 15-plus owners who post comments here, many say the Tot Baby is far more work than they expected and it wastes a lot of food. Several say they prefer to process foods and then strain them rather than use this food mill. Others report that the mill works eventually, but it takes a very long time. While most compare this mill to a food processor or other less manual methods, a few say other food mills perform better.
Review: Oxo Tot Baby Food Mill, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of February 2013
2. BabyGizmo.com
Review Credibility: Good Wecks names the best baby food making tools in three categories: food mills, blenders and all-in-one models. She also explains the best uses for each, noting that mills don't work well for baby's first foods. When it comes to the Oxo Tot Baby Food Mill, Wecks says it has a nice, large bowl for grinding a lot of food and three discs.
Review: Making Baby Food at Home: Gadgets That Get the Job Done, Brandi Wecks, Nov. 7, 2011
3. BabyCenter.com
Review Credibility: Good Balint, a prolific BabyCenter.com reviewer, says all-in-one baby food makers can be very useful. However, she finds that baby food can also be made with simpler tools, including an in-microwave steamer and the Oxo Tot Baby Food Mill. She calls it "the most similar" to the mill she uses in her own kitchen and likes that it comes with different grating discs. Although the Oxo is pricey, she says parents will use it well beyond the months when they make their own baby food.
Review: 3 Cool Tools for DIY Baby Food, Molly Balint, March 2, 2012
4. Parents.com
Review Credibility: Good Parents.com lists 12 widely available baby food makers, offering descriptions of each and a comparison of features. However, authors don't name any best bets. They say the Oxo Tot Baby Food Mill gives you control, and is good for straining out seeds and skins. They also like its large size.
Review: 12 Baby Food Makers, Jessica Hartshorn and Hallie Scheflin, Not dated
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