Tommee Tippee Prep Machine – Is it Worth It?
If you are on the lookout for a cost-effective yet easy to use and hassle-free bottle warmer, you’ll come across a few viable choices in the market. But when it comes to baby products, it’s always a good idea to go straight for the best. A good bottle warmer is decided by many factors: your baby’s comfort, the machine’s size and shape, portability, safety, maintenance, and durability are few of them.
In this article, we will delve deep into the world of bottle warmers or prep machines, as they are often called. We will put the Tommee Tippee prep machine under the microscope. Can we deem it the perfect prep machine for your baby? Let’s get to the bottom of it!
Tommee Tippee Prep Machine
Tommee Tippee prep machine is an easy to use and clean electric bottle warmer and sterilizer. Pretty well-known and definitely one among the many top-selling baby bottle makers in the UK. It can be used to heat your baby’s bottles and food jars to the preferred temperature, as well as to rid your baby’s dietary needs off germs and bacteria. Be it breastmilk, formula, or simple baby food, the Tommee Tippee Prep Machine is one of the safest bets when it comes to your bottle warmers and sterilizers. With this machine, you can bid adieu to the added hassle of boiling a pot of water in your oven.
The Tommee Tippee prep machine will take care of your baby’s needs while ensuring that you save up on valuable time as well as energy that is required to manually heat up liquids for mealtime. Simply plug in the machine and set it in a corner of your counter space, and there- you have a fully functional bottle warmer. It takes up little space on your countertop or bedside table, and serves as a savior during the morning rush hour before work.
Is it the perfect prep machine? To answer that, let’s first understand how the Tommee Tippee prep machine works.
How Does Tommee Tippee Prep Machine Work?
With the Tommee Tippee prep machine, you can heat up your baby’s bottles in just about 2 minutes. Simply plug it in, set the preferred temperature, and let it do the job while you tend to your other errands.
The machine does not require your constant attention while at work. What’s more, you can heat up the contents of the bottle, and keep it warm for up to 4 hours. So, if you have been struggling to cope with frequent trips to the stove, this is an effective solution.
You will find a few warning signs on the surface of the Tommee Tippee prep machine, and they will be in the following vertical order: water tank, change filter, water tank too hot, water level too low, and descale. On the side, you will find the reset, clean, and descale buttons.
To assemble it, simply pop in the filter, followed by the white water tank, and close it with the lid. You can see the water level from outside through the transparent panel, and if it dips below the recommended level, the corresponding warning lights will light up. On the top, there is a dial for how many fluid ounces you put in.
To use it, simply uncap the feeding bottle, place it in the holder right below the conical pipe, turn the dialer to the preferred amount of liquid, let it fill up with a little bit of water and get heated in the process, then add your pick of fluid or baby food, shake it with the cap on, uncap it, and place it back on the holder till the bottle is filled and heated up. It’s simple to use and hassle-free. But is it safe? In the next section, we will discuss the safety concerns of the Tommee Tippee prep machine.
Is the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Machine Safe?
The Tommee Tippee prep machine is definitely safe, given you use it properly with all the cautionary measures taken care of. While at use, the feeding bottle and the nozzle/pipe of the prep machine will be extremely hot, so keep it away from your baby’s reach. It is advisable for adults to be careful around the hot steam as well, to avert accidents. Make sure your room is well-ventilated so as to not let the steam or heat accumulate and raise chances of unforeseen events.
It is important to check the plug and socket before use. A damaged plug, chord, or socket can lead to sparks or even more serious accidents. So, make sure you check them thoroughly before plugging them in. As a general rule of thumb, always keep such electric components away from fluid surfaces.
Make sure you use this machine on a flat, stationary, heat-resistant surface. To ascertain further safety of the Tommee Tippee prep machine, replace its filter every 3 months, and always keep the water level above the recommended level.
Always store the Tommee Tippee prep machine in a cool and dry location that is not susceptible to too much sunlight. Periodically descale the machine for mineral deposit removal. Follow the warning signs well, and they should guide you accordingly. This will ensure that the Tommee Tippee prep machine remains safe to use for a prolonged time period.
Parents Feedback
The feedback for the Tommee Tippee prep machine is generally positive. Parents have affirmed that they have been able to use their prep machines for over 2 years after their baby’s birth. Many have agreed to the durability and longevity of the Tommee Tippee prep machine. The general consensus states that if cleaned in a timely and proper manner, the Tommee Tippee prep machine can be used for long without a hitch.
The few complaints of mold or algae being spotted in the water tank or the machine itself mostly stemmed from either over-exposure to sunlight, or a faulty batch of products. The importance of changing the filters periodically has been repeated by many parents. The Tommee Tippee prep machine has been lauded for making feeding time easier, especially during those long nights. Some have complained of the price of the filters that need frequent changing, but there is a general agreement that it is well worth the money, considering the upsides.
There had been a few complaints of the Tommee Tippee prep machine not working, but they have been promptly exchanged by the brand. There have rarely been cases of repeated complaints from a parent who received an exchange for a faulty product. The machine has been lauded for its ease of use and maintenance, and effectiveness. The strategic design, durability, and cost is but a cherry on top. While the loud beeps can be an annoyance, it is always better to be a little peeved than stand the risk of an overheated bottle exploding, or the machine being kept on indefinitely.
General FAQs
1. How long does a Tommee Tippee prep machine last?
It has been confirmed that the Tommee Tippee prep machine can be used for over 6 years, if maintained properly. Note that the more it is used, the lesser its longevity will be. Overexposure to sunlight, or exposure to heat beyond recommended levels can degrade the machine’s effectiveness. Avoid submerging the Tommee Tippee prep machine in water, or tossing it in a dishwasher. Stick to the recommended heating time frames and do not shake the machine too much.
Wait for the bottles to cool before removing it from the machine. Never leave the machine plugged in overnight. To ensure longevity, keep it out of children’s reach, change the filters periodically, clean it regularly, and seek help from the manufacturer’s manual at every turn.
2. How to Set up a Tommee Tippee prep machine?
Set it up on a corner of your countertop or the bedside table, wherever is convenient. Make sure the surface is heat-resistant, dry, flat, and most importantly, stationary. Make sure there is a socket to plug in the Tommee Tippee prep machine when needed, and unplug it as soon as its job is done for the time being.
Keep the machine away from too much sunlight, and make sure the machine does not wobble. Put in the filter, followed by the water tank. Close the lid, and place the preferred feeding bottle on the holder. That’s it!
3. How to Use the Tommee Tippee Prep Machine?
To use a Tommee Tippee prep machine, simply uncap the feeding bottle of your preferred size, place it in the holder right below the conical nozzle, adjust the dialer to the selected amount of liquid, and let the bottle fill up with a little bit of water and get steamed in the process. Then, take it off, add your pick of fluid or baby food, put the lid on, and give it a nice shake.Then, uncap it, and place it back on the holder till it is filled and heated up.
Make sure you keep the machine away from children’s reach, and you should be good to go!
4. How long do Tommee Tippee filters last?
The Tommee Tippee filters’ longevity depends largely on its maintenance. A well-kept machine’s filter will outlast other ones. However, on an average, it is recommended to use the filters every 3 months to ensure safety and hygiene. The filters are easy to assemble, and as for availability, they are widely available across online shopping platforms, for around $10 apiece.
5. How to Change the filter on the Tommee Tippee Prep Machine?
To change the filters, simply empty out the filter by placing a jug on the holder. Now, press on the clean button on the side to clear out the filter. Take it off, when the water level low lights are on. Replace the filter, and remember to take off the sticker off the new filter’s surface before inserting it.
Be on the lookout for a click when you push the filter onto the water tank. Insert it back to the machine, and fill it up with water till the water reaches the recommended levels. Voila, that’s all!
6. How to Clean a Tommee Tippee Prep Machine?
You can refer to the user manual for detailed instructions on how to clean the Tommee Tippee prep machine. It’s quite easy to clean the machine, and it takes roughly 10 minutes. It is recommended to change the filter every 3 months, and the steps for that are easy to follow. Scroll up to know more about how to put in new filters. As for the other parts of the machine, make sure it is unplugged before cleaning them. Do not re-insert the parts when they are wet, to avoid chances of electrocution or similar incidents. Make sure it is cleaned every 4 weeks at least.
7. How to Descale a Tommee Tippee prep machine?
Descaling is meant to remove deposits of calcium and other such minerals in the system that can adversely affect its performance. Be on the lookout for a red warning light every time descaling is required. To descale, simply remove the filter, fill the water tank with 0.5 liters of food-grade white vinegar. place a container under the nozzle, and press the descale button for about 2 seconds. Once the light stops blinking and a beep is heard, the descaling process will be terminated.
8. Can You Use Other Brand Bottles With a Tommee Tippee Prep Machine?
Yes, you may use other brands’ bottles with this machine. However, make sure they fit onto the holder, or are adjusted to fit the holder accordingly. A few brands that fit the holder are Philips Avent bottles, Dr Brown’s bottles, and MAM bottles. Note that it is not recommended to use other brands’ filters for the Tommee Tippee prep machines. This can lead to calcium and carbon residue build-up in the filter.
Conclusion
With that, we come to the end of the Tommee Tippee prep machine review. Make sure you follow all the instructions well, and clean it every four weeks, or more frequently if possible. Be on the lookout for molds or algae, and avoid overexposure to sunlight. Maintain safety protocols, and you should be good to go.
As for whether it is worth it, that’s a definite yes!
Laura is a trained primary teacher who takes a profound liking in interacting with and bringing out the best in children. She is also an ISSA certified pediatrician with an extensive practice of over 12 years. Laura comprehends the needs of infants and now compresses her expertise into writing thorough parenting guides to aid new parents.
