Milk Chillers: Ceres Chill vs Boon Frosh
If you’ve been here for a while, you know my love for a milk chiller. A milk chiller is essentially a “milk pitcher + cooler” for on the go. You’re able to pour milk into the chiller and ice into the second chamber to keep your pumped milk cold while you’re out of the house or traveling. We’re going to dive into more detail on milk chillers, while comparing 2 of the most popular milk chillers currently on the market: with a pretty large difference on price.
why would I need a milk chiller
Typically, when pumping breastmilk, we want to have a means of keeping it cool when we’re away from home or don’t have access to a fridge. Per the CDC, breastmilk can be kept chilled in a cooler for 24 hours before needing consumed, refrigerated, or frozen. There are plenty of “breastmilk coolers” on the market (which I have used and loved too!). These will keep your milk chilled in separate storage bottles with an ice pack. These do a great job keeping your milk chilled, but tend to be bulkier and lead to more dishes since you have to wash all of the pump parts AND storage bottles and lids.
With a milk chiller, you can pour your pumped milk directly into the chilling chamber throughout the day. This cuts down on bottles to wash, but does “pool” your breastmilk, rather than keeping each session separated like a cooler does. If you want to learn more about pooling breastmilk and answer those questions, watch HERE. And yes, pooling milk over a 24 hour period is fine per the CDC.
Regardless, these are both great options for work, travel, pumping on the go, etc.
the anatomy of a milk chiller
To break it down quickly, a milk chiller is basically a different type of “cooler” to use on the go. Both the Ceres Chill and Boon Frosh have a 2 chamber system. This means, they have a smaller “inner chamber” and a larger “outer chamber”. The “inner chamber” can hold ice or a smaller amount of milk and inserts into the “outer chamber”, which holds ice or a larger amount of milk. Both of these chillers are double wall insulated and do a great job keeping breastmilk cold.
the showdown: Ceres Chill or Boon Frosh
Today, we’re comparing 2 of the most popular milk chillers with stats, my experience as a CLC and breastfeeding mom of 5, and this community’s feedback as well. The Ceres Chill Milk Chiller has been out for a few years now, and is such a well rounded company. I have used the CC since my son, Teddy, was born (he’s currently 3). I used it while pumping when he was at daycare, traveling both with and without my baby, as well as general “on the go” moments. The Boon Frosh came out recently and I was able to use for errands without my baby and on a few trips while currently breastfeeding my daughter, Blake. I feel pretty well-versed in the use of these chillers!
Pricing
Boon Frosh: $34.99
Ceres Chill: $68-78 (code COOLKARRIE will get you 15% off!)
The CC is double the price, however, it does store a bit more (read below) and has multiple functions and capabilities that the Frosh does not. However, the Frosh is much more budget friendly for the main purpose (chilling milk).
size/capacity
Boon Frosh: INNER CHAMBER— 10oz | OUTER CHAMBER— 14oz | PRE CHILLED MILK (outer chamber only)— 24oz
Ceres Chill: INNER CHAMBER— 12oz | OUTER CHAMBER — 27oz | PRE CHILLED MILK (outer chamber only)— 34oz
Here is the Boon Frosh inner chamber (left) and Ceres Chill inner chamber (right).
The Ceres Chill has a higher capacity for storing more milk, which is great for some. Some women may not need this large of a capacity, especially for day to day, so the Frosh may be more appealing size-wise just depending on how it’s being used + typical production.
I found that the Ceres Chill was a bit more convenient for long work days or travels where you’re needing to pump often and need more space. On the day to day for quick errands, the Boon Frosh size was nice and realistic. However, I also did just fine using the inner chamber of the CC when out and about too. I do like that both the CC and Boon Frosh have the ability to use for smaller or larger amounts for longer days. I do find it a bit more challenging to fit ice cubes in the inner chamber of the CC versus the boon since the boon has a wider mouth (as pictured here).
Extra tip for usage: When milk in the inner chamber, add a splash of water to your ice cubes in the outer chamber. This helps everything fit as it’s supposed to. Otherwise, getting the inner chamber into the outer chamber with ice can be hard to fit.
keeping chilled
Boon Frosh: Up to 17 hours chilled
Ceres Chill: Up to 20 hours chilled
Both are double walled vacuum sealed.
I did some experimenting a while back and found that though the CC is a longer claimed time of keeping cool, the Boon Frosh actually kept my milk colder. This is because there is less space and a smaller ice/milk ratio. I also take out and add ice as needed if I’m gone for a long period of time. As the ice melts, it disperses the cold into the milk. So even if ice melts, the cold is still in the milk and insulated in the chiller.
Extra Tip for usage: With the CC, if you’re keeping milk in the inner chamber, flip your chiller on its lid so the ice and milk make better contact to chill faster. The Boon Frosh doesn’t have this capability due to the lid design, but the inner chamber sits further in the outer chamber than the CC does, so it makes contact with the ice.
parts & pieces/ CLEANING
Boon Frosh: 3 pieces
Ceres Chill: 5 pieces
Both are dishwasher safe (except outer chamber of CC per their website, but I still do it anyway) and relatively easy to clean. The CC does have just a few extra pieces.
I honestly just throw it all in the dishwasher for both chillers. I’ve done this with my CC for over 3 years and haven’t experienced any issues.
Extra Tip for usage: The CC has multiple capabilities, which we will discuss below!
other capabilities
Boon Frosh: Chill and warm milk for bottles on the go
Ceres Chill: Chill and warm milk for bottles on the go, also able to pump directly into and feed directly from it
The Boon Frosh is able to both chill milk on the go, or warm milk for bottles on the go! You do need a separate bottle to pour the warmed milk in and feed to baby!
The CC has multiple capabilities, which makes it truly so unique! Not only can it chill milk for pumps on the go and warm milk for bottles on the go (just as the boon frosh can); it can do so many other things too. They have different attachments that make it more of an “all in one” system with feedings. You can actually pump directly into the inner chamber, screw a narrow neck bottle nipple on the lid and feed baby a bottle from that, and even use your CC as a water bottle later down the road!
travel
Boon Frosh: TSA friendly, easy to travel
Ceres Chill: TSA friendly, easy to travel
Both are TSA friendly and great for travel as they help keep milk cold for 17 hours (Boon Frosh) and 20 hours (CC).
I have personally traveled with both of these and have had great experiences going though TSA. As we know, TSA allows for breastmilk and/or formula, as well as ice or ice packs as needed through security. There is not a limit of how much you can bring through and you can travel with breastmilk whether or not you have a baby with you. I always screenshot the TSA rules in advance to show them if anyone questions me. All of the times I have traveled with the CC or Frosh, it was a breeze. One of the times, my milk was not even checked— went right through security without even opening it. I just said “it’s breastmilk” and they said “okay that’s fine”. The other times we would let them know my chiller had breastmilk in it and they’d pull it aside. When I got through, they pulled me aside with my milk chiller and had me open it up just enough so that they could hold a vapor strip over top (nothing goes inside the milk). It only took a few seconds and they had me on my way— that’s it!
extra things to note
Boon Frosh: the lid design doesn’t allow for easily taking out and setting down the inner chamber upside down if trying to pour milk/ice in the outer chamber like the CC does. Sometimes I’d just stick it upside down between my legs while I did what I needed to!
Ceres Chill: The CC is obviously a but larger and doesn’t fit into a cupholder or pocket as well as the Boon Frosh. The CC also gets stuck sometimes when trying to unscrew the top.
who’s the winner?
Is there a clear winner? Both are great options to keep your milk cold while out or traveling.
It comes down to space and budget. Ceres Chill offers more space for larger overall volumes. However, the Boon can hold plenty of milk for 1/2 the price. If this is something you’re going to be using daily, or using for travel, or are an oversupplier; the larger capacity may be more appealing. If you’re just using for on the go, quick trips away, days at work, etc; the smaller capacity may not be much of an issue.
GET THE CERES CHILL HERE (COOLKARRIE gets you 15% off)
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