Philips Avent SCF271/51 Microwave Steriliser

As a new parent wanting to buy a steriliser for bottles you are faced with a big decision that will either help or hinder your daily life for the next 12 months or so. You want to get it right. So when faced with the shelf full of different sterilisers how on earth do you choose the right one. This was my list of wants when buying a steriliser…

I wanted…

the steriliser to hold a decent number of bottles so that I didn’t have to keep sterilising throughout the day. Minimum of 4.

the sterilisation process to be easy to set up and simple to complete.

the steriliser to be easily cleaned.

the steriliser to be quite compact to store.

the bottles that fit inside to be easy to purchase from local stores.

So with my list of ‘wants’ I visited a store where I knew I would have a number of sterilisers to choose from. This was not going to be an easy task, but I had my list and I was prepared. Looking along the shelf I came across the Philips Avent SCF271/51 Microwave Steriliser. This is where my story begins, as I bought this product and can now pass on my thoughts to you.

Physical description

The steriliser is made of plastic with a clear lid that easily clips down onto the sides of the base, keeping it in place when placing in and removing from the microwave. The clips stop the lid from falling off, so keeping you safe from hot bottles and also making sure that the bottles inside remain clean and sterilised for a decent amount of time. Its look is clean and modern and relatively compact. As a product that is put in the microwave, it obviously needs to fit into a microwave in order to be used, therefore dimensions would be important to mention here. H – 166mm W – 280mm D – 280mm The weight is 740g. It fitted into my microwave without a problem and I think it would fit into most without too much fuss. I think manufacturers must realise that they would be losing a number of potential customers if their product didn’t fit in a standard and smaller microwave. Inside the steriliser there is a rack for putting the bottles onto. There is enough space for 6 bottles. The bottles are easy to stack on the rack along with other items that need sterilising, bottle teats etc. Within the instructions manual there is a diagram that is easy to follow in order to stack the rack without overfilling. Intructions The instructions provided are short and to the point. They tell you most things that you need to know and give written information as well as diagrams. The diagrams are very helpful when you are first loading the bottles etc onto the rack showing you the best place for them all to be for the best results. They have a number of warnings on the instructions about hot water and not using chemicals as well as other important advice. Therefore it is very important to read the instructions so that you sterilise your bottles etc correctly and keep your baby safe as well as learning to use the product carefully and accurately in order to keep you safe.

Acccessories

Tongs – used for taking items out of the steriliser without using your hands and therefore ensuring they remain sterile.

Jug – useful for adding the accurate amount of water to the base of the steriliser unit.

Bottle – a useful addition to your collection of bottles (just in case you forgot to buy some)!

Ease of use

The first time the sterilizer is used you are instructed to do an empty sterilization. Just as with many products the sterilizer needs a thorough clean out and this is the best way to do it for this product.

All items placed into the sterilizer should first be washed and left to dry before being sterilized. The rack inside the sterilizer is removable and in order to place the items in the rack should be removed and items placed into their allocated positions. Using the measuring jug provided add 200 mls of tap water into the base then replace the rack into the base. Replace the lid and clip it on. It is very easy and simple to use and quick as well, very important if you have a screaming baby.

Place the sterilizer into the microwave and follow the instructions as pointed out in the booklet provided.

Sterilisation Time: 2 min at 1100-1850 W, 4 min at 850-1000 W, 6 min at 500-800 W

Check your microwave to see what Wattage it works at and then turn on for the corresponding amount of time.

Once the time has elapsed you should wait 2 minutes before you remove the steriliser from the microwave. When you do take it out there isn’t much room for manoeuvre round the edge of the steriliser so it is useful that the lid has clips to keep it in place and keep you safe from hot water. Place it somewhere out of the reach of small children and on a heat resistant surface. If you leave the bottles as they are inside the steriliser with lid remaining in place the bottles will remain sterilised for 24hrs. Once opened the bottles will remain sterilised for 4hrs or if placed in a fridge they will be sterile for 24hrs.

Cleaning

Once emptied of bottles the water from the base of the steriliser should be poured away into the sink and the steriliser itself should be rinsed and dried. It can then be stored away ready for next time. It you want to you can wash it in the dishwasher. This is very easy to and takes no time at all.

Price

The steriliser is a very reasonable price. It was £22 when I bought it, though now it is available for a much cheaper price from places like Amazon where it is about £12.

Overall

I was very pleased with my purchase and used the steriliser most days. I was pleased with the price of this product as I was using the steriliser only when I was using bottles and as my baby was breastfed this wasn’t as regular. It was also compact enough to store away when not in use leaving me space in my kitchen. When I did need to use it, the steriliser was very quick and simple to use. The instructions for the steriliser were easy to follow and after a couple of goes the stacking of the items on the rack in the right places were also easy to remember. I would recommend this product to new parents and to those who already have children as it is so easy and quick to use, therefore leaving you time to be with your new baby.