MILK FROTHERS VS MILK STEAMERS: A QUICK REVIEW
For people who are new to the world of coffee, cappuccino or espresso, they can feel very confused at many unfamiliar terms, techniques and a wide variety of different related electric appliances. Comparison between milk frothers and milk steamers is among issues that cause confusion the most. The following guide will help you understand the matter clearly.
1. Milk frothing vs steaming
To compare milk frothers and steamers, it is essential that you know what milk frothing and steaming are about first. These are two different process that produce different results
• Steaming: in this process, steamed milk is produced by heating the milk with the steam wand. The process aims to bring out the sweet taste of milk by placing the tip of the steam wand just under the surface and causing milk to spin (not splash) and heat evenly in the pitcher. We stop when milk reaches the ideal temperature. Steamed milk is perfect for lattes. • Frothing: Milk is heated and injected with air in this process to create the foamy texture in the form of small bubbles. For frothing, the steam wand is also used to create vortex but its tip is placed just above the milk surface. We can see frequently see frothed milk in cappuccinos 2. Types of milk frothers and steamers Milk frothers are available in three types, which the later two mostly used. They are stand-alone and popular appliances. The electric type is more expensive but it has additional features (for example temperature control and induction heating) that allow it to steam up milk, make hot froth and cold froth. • Hand pump (manual type) • Handheld (battery-powered) • Electric (automatic, electricity-powered) There are also three main types for milk steamers • For high price: They are usually incorporated into expensive espresso machines as steam wands. • For low price: They are available as stovetop steamers (with Bellman as the post popular brand) or battery-operated, hand-held steam wands for people who just needs steamed milk. …show more content…
• Automatic milk steamers: appliances that can steam a large quantity of milk; however the output quality is less consistent than the first two types.
3. Comparing milk frothers and milk steamers
Actually, the terms milk frother and milk steamer are confusing. There are people who use these terms interchangeably. The main difference lies in the technique to create steamed milk or frothed milk; we can create both with milk frothers and milk steamers (depending on specific models). It is up to personal tastes to prefer steamed milk or frothered milk; there is no right or wrong in it. That makes the task of comparing these appliances very hard to carry out. Also, it is unreasonable, for example, to compare a high quality electric frother with a milk steamer in the form of battery-powered handheld wand.
For the sake of fair comparison, we will have a quick look at a quality electric milk frother and pump espresso machine (automatic type). Here are some basic factors:
Price:
• Milk frother: this appliance in general won’t cost you more than $300. • Espresso machine: it can cost you several thousand USD. Function • Milk frother: it can make cold froth, hot froth and hot milk • Espresso machine: besides handling milk, of course it can make
For people who are new to the world of coffee, cappuccino or espresso, they can feel very confused at many unfamiliar terms, techniques and a wide variety of different related electric appliances. Comparison between milk frothers and milk steamers is among issues that cause confusion the most. The following guide will help you understand the matter clearly.
1. Milk frothing vs steaming
To compare milk frothers and steamers, it is essential that you know what milk frothing and steaming are about first. These are two different process that produce different results
• Steaming: in this process, steamed milk is produced by heating the milk with the steam wand. The process aims to bring out the sweet taste of milk by placing the tip of the steam wand just under the surface and causing milk to spin (not splash) and heat evenly in the pitcher. We stop when milk reaches the ideal temperature. Steamed milk is perfect for lattes. • Frothing: Milk is heated and injected with air in this process to create the foamy texture in the form of small bubbles. For frothing, the steam wand is also used to create vortex but its tip is placed just above the milk surface. We can see frequently see frothed milk in cappuccinos 2. Types of milk frothers and steamers Milk frothers are available in three types, which the later two mostly used. They are stand-alone and popular appliances. The electric type is more expensive but it has additional features (for example temperature control and induction heating) that allow it to steam up milk, make hot froth and cold froth. • Hand pump (manual type) • Handheld (battery-powered) • Electric (automatic, electricity-powered) There are also three main types for milk steamers • For high price: They are usually incorporated into expensive espresso machines as steam wands. • For low price: They are available as stovetop steamers (with Bellman as the post popular brand) or battery-operated, hand-held steam wands for people who just needs steamed milk. …show more content…
• Automatic milk steamers: appliances that can steam a large quantity of milk; however the output quality is less consistent than the first two types.
3. Comparing milk frothers and milk steamers
Actually, the terms milk frother and milk steamer are confusing. There are people who use these terms interchangeably. The main difference lies in the technique to create steamed milk or frothed milk; we can create both with milk frothers and milk steamers (depending on specific models). It is up to personal tastes to prefer steamed milk or frothered milk; there is no right or wrong in it. That makes the task of comparing these appliances very hard to carry out. Also, it is unreasonable, for example, to compare a high quality electric frother with a milk steamer in the form of battery-powered handheld wand.
For the sake of fair comparison, we will have a quick look at a quality electric milk frother and pump espresso machine (automatic type). Here are some basic factors:
Price:
• Milk frother: this appliance in general won’t cost you more than $300. • Espresso machine: it can cost you several thousand USD. Function • Milk frother: it can make cold froth, hot froth and hot milk • Espresso machine: besides handling milk, of course it can make