Putting the Sterilizer Together
Although the iQ24 Sterilizer is relatively easy to assemble and use, it's not necessarily intuitive. In other words, you're probably going to have to read the instruction manual pretty carefully the first time around. After that, it should be a piece of cake. Basically, there is a pot with power cord, a lower basket, a bottle rack, an upper basket (plus a spare upper basket), a lid, measuring cup, and tongs. Two 9-ounce bottles are included, as well, along with nipples, screw rings, and dome caps. The baskets and bottle rack slide onto a central stem, and the bottles and breast pump components are placed in the appropriate baskets or rack. The sterilizer cleverly uses bottle screw rings to separate the baskets and bottle rack, putting the very items to be sterilized to good secondary use! Once the correct amount of water is added and all parts are assembled and loaded (and that's the hardest part, figuring out which basket and bottle parts go where), simply plug the sterilizer body into an electrical outlet, select mode one or two (for six-hour or 24-hour sterilization cycles), and wait six minutes (for either mode). You'll also need to study the information pamphlet for a translation of the various beeps and flashing lights on the display, but generally it will be obvious when the sterilization cycle has begun and ended, and what to do next (feed that baby!).

Dishwasher Basket
As a bonus feature, two baskets can be clipped together to hold small items such as nipples, breast pump parts, pacifiers, etc., for washing in the top rack of your dishwasher prior to sterilization. Keep in mind that Avent items may discolor over time if they are washed in the dishwasher with dirty dishes covered with remnants of strong sauces, such as tomato or curry sauce.

Note: Sterilization is not the same as, nor should it replace, washing! All bottles and breast pump supplies should be washed carefully in mild, soapy water, and rinsed, before sterilizing. Also, for optimal effectiveness of the sterilizer, and to reduce limescale build-up, use distilled water for sterilizing. Regardless of whether you use tap or distilled water, you should de-scale the sterilizer every four weeks or so (read manual for instructions).--Emilie Coulter