Because I was never much of a cook to begin with, I don't use fancy tools or gadgets. For making baby food purees I boil with a large sauce pan, steam with a steamer basket, and saute with a 12 inch skillet. As soon as I found out I was pregnant with my second child I bought myself an immersion blender, but it isn't necessary, with my first child all I had was a blender for purees. And for freezing all the purees, I use ice cube trays. That's it!