Principle of operation
Basic principle of operation of the device.
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Electric. Devices powered by electric current — from the mains, batteries or car cigarette lighter (see "Power"). This principle is used by all heaters and heater-sterilizers (see "Type"), as well as sterilizers with ultraviolet processing (see "Sterilization"). Also, electric heaters are often used in devices with steam sterilization, but there is an alternative option — heating in a microwave oven (microwave), it is described below.
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For microwave ovens. Sterilizers with a steam principle of processing (see "Sterilization"), working by heating in a microwave oven (microwave oven). In fact, they are containers made of special materials that do not have any electronic filling. Such models are extremely simple, inexpensive and reliable: there is practically nothing to break in them. On the other hand, to use such a sterilizer, you need a microwave oven itself, and metal objects cannot be processed in it. In addition, if the oven is small and the container is large, it's ok to clarify before buying whether it will fit in the microwave at all.
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Chemical. The principle of operation, used exclusively in sterilizers with cold sterilization (see below): water and a special antibacterial concentrate are poured into the device. At the same time, heating is not required for operation, thanks to which th
...e device can be made very simple and inexpensive; in addition, it works regardless of the power supply, which is very convenient on the road. The disadvantage of chemical models is the need to regularly buy a special tool.
— Electric / for microwave ovens. A sterilizer that can work both from the mains and in the microwave. The container for dishes in such models is usually made removable — if desired, it can be removed from the main unit and installed in the microwave.
— For microwave ovens / chemical. A variety of sterilizers that allow operation both from a microwave oven (microwave oven) and a chemical method. See above for more details on these methods, and their combination makes the device versatile and allows it to be used for both “hot” (steam) and cold (without heating) sterilization. However metal objects cannot be sterilized in microwaves, but a chemical method can be useful just for them.
– Electrical / chemical. Another type of sterilizer that supports both hot and cold processing methods. In this case, heating, if necessary, is carried out due to its own electric heater; unlike using a microwave, this heating allows you to steam sterilize even metal objects. On the other hand, such devices are more complicated and more expensive than the models described above with the principle of operation "for microwave ovens / chemical".Features
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Temperature control. The ability to accurately set the heating temperature at your discretion (in heaters and heater-sterilizers, see "Type"). This function allows you to optimally adjust the device to a particular situation — for example, for a child of different ages, the recommended food temperature will also be different.
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Maintenance of temperature. Warmers with this function are able not only to heat cold baby food to the desired temperature, but also to maintain this temperature. Thus, the parent does not have to feed the child immediately after the end of the heating, fearing that otherwise the food will cool down — you can remove the bottle later, at the most convenient moment.
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Auto power off. Automatic shutdown of the device — usually at the end of the work programme. The meaning and features of this function may be different. So, in the simplest heaters, auto-off allows you to avoid overheating — when the desired temperature is reached, the temperature sensor is triggered. In sterilizers, this feature provides energy savings — the procedure lasts exactly as long as it takes for effective sterilization, and less. In addition, auto-off can be triggered when there is not enough water in the steam sterilizer tank — this prevents overheating and damage to the device itself. Anyway, this feature provides additional convenience, and sometimes
...security when using the device.
— Display. The presence in the device of its own display. Usually, this is the simplest black and white LCD screen. However, such a screen can display a wide variety of information: temperature (actual and/or planned), selected programme, operating time (set or remaining), timer settings, water level, antibacterial agent remaining (in chemical sterilizers), battery charge and much more. Specific features depend on the model of the device, however, the display anyway makes the operation more convenient and informative.
— Timer. Most often, this refers to the delay start timer used in appliances with a heater function (see "Type"). This function allows you to "charge" the device in advance and set the start time so that the heating ends at the right time — for example, so that a bottle of warm milk is already waiting for you when you return from a walk at home.
— Ready indicator. An indicator signaling the achievement of the desired temperature or the end of the sterilization programme. Usually uses a light signal — for example, the light is on during heating and goes out when it ends.Power consumption
Rated power consumed by the device during operation.
This parameter is specified for models that support mains power (see above). At the same time, even the most powerful and high consumption sterilizers and heaters consume only about 1 kW — a normal home outlet provides such power without any problems. Therefore, this indicator is relevant mainly for those who fundamentally care about maximizing energy savings.
