Philips Avent Sterilizer Manual: SCF293 User Guide & Safety Tips

: June 5, 2024
: Philips

The PHILIPS SCF293 Avent Sterilizer and Dryer User Manual is a comprehensive guide for users who have purchased this product. The manual provides important safety tips that must be followed while using the appliance, including the need to read all instructions, not to immerse the cord or plugs in water, and to keep the sterilizer out of reach of children. The manual also provides information on the various parts of the appliance and their functions, along with tips on how to use the sterilizer for sterilizing and drying baby items. Users are advised to clean the items to be sterilized before putting them into the sterilizer and to disassemble all bottle parts completely and place them in the sterilizer with openings pointing down. The manual also includes information on how to assemble the sterilizer and use it for sterilizing and drying baby items. In case of any problems, users are advised to contact Philips customer service. Overall, the PHILIPS SCF293 Avent Sterilizer and Dryer User Manual is a useful guide for users who want to use this product safely and effectively.

PHILIPS SCF293 Avent Sterilizer and Dryer User Manual

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed including the following:

Read all instructions.
To protect against electrical shock do not immerse cord, plugs or appliance in water or other liquid.
Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
Always unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts.
Always unplug the cord of the sterilizer before pouring away water and/or rinsing.
Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner.
The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may cause injuries.
Do not use outdoors.
Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
Extreme caution must be used when moving an appliance containing hot liquids. Always let the appliance cool down before moving, cleaning or storing it.
Always unplug the appliance when not in use.
Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
WHEN IN USE, THE STERILIZER CONTAINS BOILING WATER AND STEAM ESCAPES FROM THE VENT IN THE LID.
Ensure the sterilizer is placed on a firm level surface when in use.
Never move or open the unit when in use.
Always keep out of reach of children.
Never place items on top of the sterilizer.
To stop the sterilizer during the cycle, unplug at the electrical outlet.
Take care when opening as steam can burn.
Do not use chemical sterilizing solutions/tablets or bleach in your steam sterilizer or on products to be sterilized.
Do not use abrasive, antibacterial materials or scourers to clean the sterilizer.
Do not use softened water in the sterilizer.
A short power cord has been provided to prevent the risk of it becoming entangled in or being tripped over. Extension cords may be used if care is exercised in their use.
If an extension cord is used, its electrical rating must be as great as the rating of the appliance and it must not be draped over the edge of the table top where it could be pulled by children or tripped over. The extension cord should be a grounded type 3 wire cord.
Failure to follow de-scaling instructions may cause irreparable damage.
There are no serviceable parts inside the sterilizer. Do not attempt to open, service or repair the sterilizer yourself.
Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY.
Check if the voltage that is indicated on the appliance corresponds to the local voltage before you connect the appliance.
Never turn on the sterilizer before filling water into the water reservoir in Sterilize and Auto mode.
Do not sterilize very small parts which can fall through the holes of the containers
Using homeopathic additives in water can have negative impact on steam, health and can damage plastic parts. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Caution

Never use any accessories or parts from other manufacturers or Philips which are not specifically recommended. If you use such accessories or parts, your warranty becomes invalid.
Use distilled water without any additives.
Do not put bleach or other chemicals in the appliance.
Only sterilize baby feeding products that have been approved for sterilization.
Do not expose the appliance to extreme heat or direct sunlight.
Environmental conditions can influence the function of the appliance e.g. temperature, air pressure, local altitudes (sea level), etc.

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to Philips! To fully benefit from the support that Philips offers, register your product at www.philips.com/welcome.

General description

PHILIPS-SCF293-Avent-Sterilizer-and-Dryer-FIG.1

A	Lid with grip	J	Tongs
B	Small basket	K	Filter cover
C	Bottom plate for large basket	L	Cord storage
D	Large basket with drip tray	M	Filter
E	Maximum water level indicator	N	Sterilize mode
F	Heating element with water reservoir	O	Auto mode
G	Base unit	P	Dry mode
H	Power cord	Q	On/off button
I	Air outlet	R	Control knob with progress indicator lights

Things to Note

Don’t pour water into the air outlet.
Don’t immerse the base unit in water.
Don’t put any object under the base unit when in use, e.g, towel, cleaning cloth etc.
Use 130 ml/4.5 oz water.
Clean the items to be sterilized before putting them into the sterilizer.
Disassemble all bottle parts completely and place them in sterilizer with openings pointing down to prevent from filling up with water.
Pour out the remaining water from large basket after each use.
Clean the filter every 4 weeks.
Descale the sterilizer every 4 weeks.

Getting to know the settings

Note: Before you sterilize bottles and other items, clean them first. Only place items in the sterilizer which are suitable for sterilizing. Do not sterilize items that are filled with liquid, e.g. a teether with cooling fluid.

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Sterilize mode is for sterilizing baby items�
A sterilizing cycle takes approximately 10 minutes.
Heating up takes approximately 4 minutes and sterilizing takes approximately 6 minutes�
Make sure to pour exactly 130 ml/4�5 oz water directly into the water reservoir of the base �

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Auto mode is for sterilizing and drying baby items in one go�
An auto cycle takes approximately 40 minutes.
When you use the “Auto” mode, the appliance starts sterilizing first and then drying will start automatically. The sterilizing cycle takes approximately 10 minutes, and the drying cycle takes approximately 30 minutes.
Make sure to pour exactly 130 ml/4�5 oz water directly into the water reservoir of the base �

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Dry mode is for drying baby items�
A drying cycle takes approximately 30 minutes.
When you dry baby items, do not add water to the water reservoir of the base�

Before first use

When you use the appliance for the first time, we advise you to let it complete one sterilization process with empty baskets.

Use a clean baby bottle and pour exactly 130 ml/4.5 oz water directly into the water reservoir of the base. Tip: This appliance has been designed to be used with tap water. In case you live in an area with hard water, fast scale build-up may occur. Therefore, it is recommended to use water without minerals such as distilled or purified water to prolong the lifetime of your appliance. For more information on limescale, see section “Descaling”.
Place the large basket on the base.
Place the bottom plate in the large basket.
Place the small basket on the large basket.
Place the lid on top of the small basket.
Put the plug in the wall socket.
Turn the on/off button to “Sterilize” mode. Then press it to switch on the appliance. Caution: The base, the baskets and the lid become hot during or shortly after operation.
- The entire progress indicator lights flash to show the appliance is sterilizing.
- When the sterilization process is finished, the lights go off and the appliance switches off automatically.
- You can turn the on/off button to “Dry” mode to dry the appliance. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the drying cycle.
After the appliance has cooled down completely, remove the lid, the small basket, the bottom plate, the large basket and wipe them dry. Note: When you remove the large basket from the base, be aware of the remaining water on the base drip tray.
Let the appliance cool down completely for approximately 10 minutes before you use it again. Note: The appliance does not work for 10 minutes after a sterilizing cycle. It needs to cool down first.

Preparing for use

Preparing for sterilizing Before you put the items to be sterilized in the sterilizer, clean them thoroughly in the dishwasher or clean them by hand with hot water and liquid dishwashing detergent. Assembling the sterilizer There are several ways to assemble the sterilizer.

With only the small basket on the base to sterilize small items such as soothers.
With only the large basket on the base to sterilize medium-sized items such as breast pump parts, toddler plates or toddler cutlery.
With the large basket and the small basket on the base to sterilize up to six 330 ml/ 11 oz bottles. Place the bottles upside down in the large basket and place the bottle dome caps, screw rings and nipples in the small basket. Note: When you fill the small basket, put screw rings on the bottom, place the nipples and the bottle caps loosely on top of the screw rings. Note: Make sure all parts that need to be sterilized are completely disassembled and place them in the basket with their openings pointing down to prevent them from filling up with water.

Using the appliance

Sterilizing

The sterilizer’s thorough and chemical-free cleaning will keep its contents sterile for up to 24 hours with the lid on. After sterilization, the water left on the baby items is sterile and will not collect germs.

Pour water directly into the water reservoir of the base (see section “Before first use”).
Assemble the sterilizer (see section “Assembling the sterilizer”) and place the items to be sterilized in it.
Place the lid on top of the small or large basket.
Put the plug in the wall socket.
Turn the on/off button to “Sterilize” mode. Then press it to switch on the appliance. Caution: The base, the baskets and the lid become hot during or shortly after operation. Note: You can switch the appliance off by pressing the power off button.
- All of the progress indicator lights flash to show the appliance is sterilizing.
- When the sterilization process is finished, the lights go off and the appliance switches off automatically.
Remove the lid. Wait until the appliance has cooled down before you remove the lid. Be careful. Hot steam may come out of the sterilizer.
Remove the bottles and other items from the basket. Use the tongs to remove the smaller items. Be careful. The sterilized items may still be hot. Note: Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before you touch the sterilized items.
Unplug the appliance and wait until the appliance has cooled down completely.
Remove the small basket and large basket. Note: When you remove the large basket, be aware of the remaining water on the base drip tray. Note: The drip tray is designed to catch milk or food residue and prevent it from going into the water reservoir of the base. This is to optimize the sterilizing performance and make the heating element easy to clean.
Detach the bottom plate from the large basket. Pour out any remaining water from the large basket drip tray and clean it (see section “Cleaning”).
Pour out any remaining water from the water reservoir and wipe it dry. Note: The appliance does not work for 10 minutes after a sterilizing cycle. It needs to cool down first.

Auto – Sterilizing + Drying

Pour water directly into the water reservoir of the base (see section “Before first use”).
Assemble the sterilizer (see section “Assembling the sterilizer”) and place the items to be sterilized in it. Note: Make sure all the items are completely disassembled and placed in the basket with their openings pointing down for effective drying. Be careful. Hot steam will come out of the sterilizer when drying starts.
Place the lid on top of the small or large basket.
Put the plug in the wall socket.
Turn the on/off button to “Auto” mode. Then press it to switch on the appliance.
- The appliance starts sterilizing first. All of the progress indicator lights flash to show the appliance is sterilizing.
- After that, drying will start automatically. The progress indicator lights flash and go off gradually to show the appliance is drying.
- When the whole process is finished, the lights go off and the appliance switches off automatically. Caution: The base, the baskets and the lid become hot during or shortly after operation.
Remove the lid.
Remove the bottles and other items from the basket. Use the tongs to remove the smaller items. Be careful. The sterilized items may still be hot. Note: Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before you touch the sterilized items. Note: The drying result may vary depending on the ambient temperature, ambient humidity and loading of sterilizer. You can run one more complete drying cycle if necessary.
Unplug the appliance and wait until the appliance has cooled down completely.
Remove the small basket and large basket. Note: When you remove the large basket, be aware of the remaining water on the base drip tray.
Detach the bottom plate from the large basket. Pour out any remaining water from the large basket drip tray and clean it (see section “Cleaning”)

Drying

Assemble the sterilizer (see section “Assembling the sterilizer”) and place the items to be dried in it. Note: Make sure all the items are completely disassembled and placed in the basket with their openings pointing down for effective drying. Be careful. Hot steam will come out of the sterilizer when drying starts.
Place the lid on top of the small or large basket.
Put the plug in the wall socket.
Turn the on/off button to “Dry” mode. Then press it to switch on the appliance.
- Drying will start after about 30 seconds. The appliance warms up to produce warm air to dry items.
- The progress indicator lights flash and go off gradually to show the appliance is drying.
- When the drying process is finished, the lights go off and the appliance switches off automatically. Caution: The base, the baskets and the lid become hot during or shortly after operation.
Remove the lid.
Remove the bottles and other items from the basket. Use the tongs to remove the smaller items. Be careful. The dried items may still be hot. Note: Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before you touch the dried items. Note: The drying result may vary depending on the ambient temperature, ambient humidity and loading of sterilizer. You can run one more complete drying cycle if necessary.
Unplug the appliance and wait until the appliance has cooled down completely

Cleaning

Do not use abrasive or aggressive cleaning agents (e.g. bleach) or a scouring pad to clean this appliance. Never immerse the base and the power cord in water or any other liquid. Note: The sterilizer is not dishwasher-proof. The baskets, the bottom plate and the lid can be cleaned with hot water and liquid dishwashing detergent.

Always unplug the appliance and let it cool down before you clean it.
Clean the base with a moist cloth.
Detach the bottom plate from the large basket. Pour out any remaining water from the large basket drip tray. Note: Water accumulates on the large basket drip tray after each sterilizing cycle. Pour out the remaining water from the large basket after each use.
Clean the lid, the small basket, the bottom plate and the large basket in hot water with some liquid dishwashing detergent. Note: After cleaning, store the sterilizer in a clean and dry place.

Cleaning the filter

Detach the filter cover from the base.
Take out the filter and clean it under tap water.
Let the filter air dry thoroughly. Put it back on the base and close the filter cover. Note: Clean the filter at least every 4 weeks to ensure that it continues to filter effectively

Descaling

The sterilization process is extremely important to ensure the most hygienic standards for your baby. Limescale deposits can slow down the sterilization cycle and even impair its effectiveness. Limescale is the hard and chalky deposit. Depending on the water type in your area, limescale can have different appearances ranging from snow white looking powder to brownish stains. The harder the water, the faster scale builds up. It builds up in appliances as the residue of minerals naturally contained in water, which fail to evaporate when water is heated. Although it is not harmful as such, it is unsightly, hard to clean and can impair the operation of appliances or damage their components if allowed to build up. Descale the sterilizer at least every 4 weeks to ensure it works efficiently

Pour 90 ml/3 oz of white vinegar (5% acetic acid) and 30 ml/1 oz of water into the water reservoir.
Place the small basket on the base. Place the lid on top of the small basket.
Turn the on/off button to “Sterilize” mode. Then press it to switch on the appliance. Note: Place the small basket on the base to prevent hot liquid from splashing out.
Let the appliance operate for 5 minutes, and then switch it off. Press the on/off button to switch off the appliance. 5 min
Empty the water reservoir and rinse it thoroughly. If you still see traces of scale, remove it by sponge. Rinse again and wipe the base with a damp cloth.
Rinse the small basket and lid as well to remove vinegar solution. Note: You can also use citric acid based descalers. Note: Do not use other types of descalers.

Ordering accessories

To buy accessories or spare parts, visit www.philips.com or go to your Philips dealer. You can also contact the Philips Consumer Care Center in your country (see the worldwide guarantee leaflet for contact details).

Disposal

Your product is designed and manufactured with high quality materials and components, which can be recycled and reused. For recycling information, please contact your local waste management facilities or visit www.recycle.philips.com.

Assistance

For assistance visit our website: www.philips.com/Avent or call 1-800-54-Avent (1-800-542-8368).

Warranty

FULL TWO-YEAR WARRANTY Philips North America LLC (USA) and Philips Electronics Ltd (CANADA) warrant each new Philips Avent product, model SCF293, against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of two years from the date of purchase, and agree to repair or replace any defective product without charge. IMPORTANT: This warranty does not cover damage resulting from accident, misuse or abuse, lack of reasonable care, or the affixing of any attachment not provided with the product. NO RESPONSIBILITY IS ASSUMED FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. In order to obtain warranty service, simply call 1-800-54 Avent. Note: This appliance needs to be descaled regularly for optimal performance. If you do not do this, the appliance may eventually stop working. In this case, repair is NOT covered by your warranty. Manufactured for: Philips Personal Health A division of Philips North America LLC P.O. Box 10313, Stamford, CT 06904, USA In Canada imported by: Philips Electronics Ltd 281 Hillmount Road, Markham, ON L6C 2S3

Troubleshooting

This chapter summarizes the most common problems you could encounter with the appliance. If you are unable to resolve the problem with the information below, contact the Consumer Care Center in your country.

Problem	Solution
When should I descale my sterilizer?	When you use the sterilizer, you may

notice that there are small spots ranging from snow white to brownish appearing on the heating plate This is a sign that your sterilizer should be descaled In any case, the sterilizer should be descaled at least every 4 weeks to ensure that it continues to work effectively.
Why is the sterilizing time so short?| You did not add enough water for sterilizing Pour exactly 130 ml/45 oz water directly into the water reservoir of the base
Why is there still much water remaining on the heating plate after sterilizing?| The heating plate may be blocked by the limescale The sterilizer should be descaled at least every 4 weeks See section “Descaling”
Why is there a burning smell and burnt mark on the base?| You may not have poured out the remaining water from the large basket drip tray regularly Water accumulates on the large basket drip tray after each sterilizing cycle Pour out any remaining water from the large basket after each use

Detach the bottom plate from the large basket Pour out
any remaining water from the large basket drip tray Clean the bottom plate and the large basket in hot water with liquid dishwashing detergent

The items may not have been cleaned thoroughly before sterilizing Before you put the items to be sterilized in the sterilizer, clean them thoroughly in the dishwasher or by hand with hot water and liquid dishwashing detergent

Coating is peeling off from the heating plate. Does it affect the function?| It does not affect the function of the sterilizer. Make sure you do not use any abrasive or aggressive cleaning agents (e.g� bleach) or a scouring pad to clean the heating plate
Why does the sterilizer stop working?| The heating plate may be blocked by the limescale The sterilizer should be descaled at least every 4 weeks See section “Descaling”
The items are still wet after drying| The items may still be wet due to different reasons:

Ambient temperature or humidity
Loading of sterilizer
The items stack together too closely

Make sure hot air is able to circulate around the items to ensure effective drying. You can run one more complete drying cycle if necessary

SPECIFICATION

Product Specifications	Description
Brand	Philips Avent
Model	SCF293
Type	Sterilizer and Dryer
Usage	For sterilizing and drying baby items
Safety Features	Various safety tips provided in the manual, including not

immersing cord or plugs in water, keeping sterilizer out of reach of children, and not using abrasive or antibacterial materials to clean the sterilizer
Parts| Lid with grip, small basket, bottom plate for large basket, large basket with drip tray, maximum water level indicator, heating element with water reservoir, base unit, power cord, air outlet, tongs, filter cover, cord storage, filter, on/off button, and control knob with progress indicator lights
Modes| Sterilize mode, Auto mode, and Dry mode
Sterilize Mode| For sterilizing baby items, takes approximately 10 minutes, heating up takes approximately 4 minutes and sterilizing takes approximately 6 minutes, requires 130 ml/4.5 oz water
Auto Mode| For sterilizing and drying baby items in one go, takes approximately 40 minutes, sterilizing cycle takes approximately 10 minutes and drying cycle takes approximately 30 minutes, requires 130 ml/4.5 oz water
Dry Mode| For drying baby items, takes approximately 30 minutes, no water required
Cleaning| Items to be sterilized should be cleaned before putting them into the sterilizer, filter should be cleaned every 4 weeks, and sterilizer should be descaled every 4 weeks
Accessories| Only use accessories or parts recommended by the manufacturer, do not use bleach or other chemicals in the appliance, and only sterilize baby feeding products that have been approved for sterilization

FAQS

Do you need to dry the steam drops?

If you are using the items right away there is no need to dry them because the water is considered sterile. If you are going to put them away then yes the items need to be dry. The CDC says they need to be AIR dried so germs are not transferred to the baby bottles and whatnot from whatever would be used to dry them.

could i use this to sterilize my hygeia enjoye breast pump??

The problem is not the sterilizer but the breast pump material. But I am almost sure that you can

How to clean the sterilizer?

This is how to clean your Microwave Steam Sterilizer:

Let the sterilizer cool down before you clean it.
Never use scouring pads, abrasive cleaning agents or aggressive liquids to clean the sterilizer.
Clean the lid, the basket and the base in hot water with some liquid soap or in the dishwasher.
Note: To prevent scale from building up clean the parts after each use.
After cleaning, dry all parts properly.

Can it fit 8 oz Dr. Brown bottles for sterilization?

Yes 8oz bottles fit perfectly

Can it be used with avent glass bottles?

Philips Avent Microwave steam sterilizer is compatible with all Philips Avent bottles.

Does it dries the bottles ?

No, it doesn’t dry them and if left for a long time in the unit, they will gather condensation in them. Best to get a drying rack for your bottles.

What is the extra white plastic piece this comes with? It’s shaped kind of like a U.

It’s for you to hold the item you want to get out of the sterilizer. Cause its very hot when you open it and so not to use your hand.

Can this be used with stainless steel bottles?

Metal can go in the microwave, it’s very thin metal that can’t (think tinfoil, or plates with tiny bits of metal). The inside of your microwave is actually surrounded by a big sheet of metal. Metal causes the waves in the microwave to bounce off of it, keeping them inside of the microwave and heating up the food. If you put a stainless steel pan filled with water with a cover inside the microwave and turn it on, nothing is going to blow up, but the water will not heat up either. The stainless steel will just cause the waves to bounce off of it.

Can this be used to sterilize other bottles like the Medela baby bottles?

It seems like anything you can fit inside the container would be able to be sterilized.

Can this be used to sterilize jewelry?

No, this unit is not meant to sterilize jewelry.

What items can be sterilized in the Philips Avent Sterilizer and Dryer?

Only baby-feeding products that have been approved for sterilization should be sterilized in the Philips Avent Sterilizer and Dryer.

How long does a sterilizing cycle take in the Sterilize mode?

A sterilizing cycle takes approximately 10 minutes in the Sterilize mode.

Can I use chemical sterilizing solutions or bleach in the steam sterilizer or on products to be sterilized?

No, you should not use chemical sterilizing solutions or bleach in the steam sterilizer or on products to be sterilized.

How often should I clean the filter in the sterilizer?

The filter should be cleaned every 4 weeks.

Can I use softened water in the sterilizer?

No, you should not use softened water in the sterilizer.

How often should I descale the sterilizer?

The sterilizer should be descaled every 4 weeks.

Can I use accessories or parts from other manufacturers or Philips that are not specifically recommended?

No, you should only use accessories or parts that are specifically recommended by Philips to avoid invalidating your warranty.

How long does a drying cycle take in the Dry mode?

A drying cycle takes approximately 30 minutes in the Dry mode.

Can I sterilize items that are filled with liquid?

No, you should not sterilize items that are filled with liquid, such as a teether with cooling fluid.

Can I use tap water to fill the water reservoir of the base unit?

Yes, you can use tap water. However, if you live in an area with hard water, it is recommended to use water without minerals such as distilled or purified water to prolong the lifetime of your appliance.

How do I assemble the sterilizer?

There are several ways to assemble the sterilizer, including with only the small basket on the base to sterilize small items such as soothers, or with only the large basket on the base to sterilize medium-sized items such as breast pump parts, toddler plates, or toddler cutlery.

Where is it made?

The Philips Avent Advanced Sterilizer SCF291/00 is made in China.

Can you adjust the time? Does it sterilize and dry automatically?

No, the Philips Avent Advanced Electric Steam Sterilizer, SCF291/00 does not have a dry function.

Can you use Como Tomo silicone bottles with this?

If they are the same size as regular bottles they should fit. We use nuk 10oz bottles with this and it works fine.

Can you use other brands of bottles or does it have to be Avent?

It is made specifically to fit Avent bottles, but it will fit anything close to that size. The bottles may fall over if the opening isn’t as wide.