There’s nothing quite like enjoying a warm cup of coffee or French press during the cold winter months. Milk frothers and steamers each have benefits, both help create delicious hot drinks. For those looking for a guide to buying either a milk frother or a steamer, I must say that you are in the right place. Which is best: milk frothers or steamers? What can each do that the other one can’t? People often get confused about both tools and wonder what’s the best way to make foam or froth for their favorite beverages. I will cover all of this in this article with an unbiased comparison. We will be looking at the pros and cons of both types so that you can make an informed buying decision regarding milk frother vs steamer according to your needs and your budget.
What’s a Milk Frother?
In the current market, you can find a lot of useful kitchen appliances for making scrumptious coffee drinks. One of these ubiquitous machines is the milk frother. A milk frother is a common kitchen appliance. It’s used to create foam from milk, which can be used to make lattes, cappuccinos, and other types of coffee. It’s a simple machine that uses steam to mix air into the milk.
The Different Kinds of Frothers:
There are a few different types of milk frothers available for purchase. Which is best?
The original frother was the whisking method or a traditional manual hand-held whisk. This style is effective, but the whisking motion tends to make the milk too foamy, which is not ideal for drinking.
The second type of frother is an immersion wand, a handheld electric device. This style of frother involves submerging an attachment into a cup or pitcher of milk and using a button to create bubbles and foam. This method works well but leaves you without an easy way to clean your apparatus.
The third type of frother is called a steam wand, completely automatic, and is used in most coffee shops. This style of frother is effective, efficient, and easy to clean. You simply place the tip of the wand into the milk and turn on the steam function on your machine. The steam heats up the milk and creates micro-bubbles that help create foam as you slowly pull up on the lever. However, it takes more time than other types of frothers to heat up enough milk to be ready for use.
The last type of frother is an automatic electric device that rotates a whisk inside the container.
The Best Tool for Frothing Milk at Home
Nearly 14,000 Amazon customers have given this portable frother five-star ratings for its low price and ease of use. The whisk attachment is stainless steel and needs two AA batteries to work, which makes it portable but increases the chance of running out mid-frothing. For quick and convenient storage, it comes with a stand that folds up. It’s quiet and nimble, and that’s what reviewers enjoy most (it can froth milk in less than 30 seconds). “My strategy is to do it in quick spurts, lingering on top for no more than one second, and then pressing it down to the bottom till the milk cyclone attempts to leap out of the cup!” a reviewer said in a comment.
Best Choice |
Milk Pro Frother Battery Operated Electric Whisk Beater Foam Maker For Coffee, Latte, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate, Durable Mini Drink Mixer With Stainless Steel Stand Included (Black) |
What’s a Milk Steamer?
A steamer is also a device used to brew espresso-based drinks, but it does not create foam as a frother does. Steaming involves heating water until it boils, then pouring it over ground coffee beans in order to extract their flavor. It’s important not to confuse steaming with boiling because boiling will destroy all of the flavors from the bean before it even has time to be extracted!
Tyes of Milk Steamer:
There are many different types of milk steamers, but only a few are the best for you. The type of steamer that you choose will depend on your daily routine and the level of convenience that you desire.
First, there are electric steamers. They may not be the most practical choice if you want to warm up your coffee or tea because they usually do not have an automatic shut-off function and can be dangerous if left on by accident.
Next, there are microwave steamers. These steamers are perfect for anyone who wants a quick cup of tea or coffee in the morning. All you need is some water and a microwave steamer, and you will have hot tea or coffee in minutes. However, these steamers must be used with caution because they do not stop boiling once it begins, which could lead to burns if touched by mistake.
Finally, there are stovetop steamers. These are very popular in Asian households because they produce a unique flavor when used for steaming tea or rice that cannot be duplicated in any
Benefits of Milk Frothers
- It’s easy to use.
- Saves you time
- You can froth milk right in your cup.
- It’s easy to clean up.
- You can froth other liquids besides milk.
- Portable and inexpensive
- Creates perfectly smooth foam everytime
Benefits of Milk Steamers:
- It can add some flair to your coffee station with its wide array of colors and designs.
- You don’t have to buy another specific tool for steaming milk because it comes with the machine.
Frothed Milk vs Steamed Milk: What’s the Difference?
The difference between steamed and frothed milk comes down to texture. Froth is a creamy, foamy texture and steam refers to hot air bubbles. While both types of milk will come out hot or warm and delicious, they have different consistencies.
Frothing milk involves using hot air bubbles to create a foam texture that is perfect for topping off lattes or other drinks such as cappuccinos and mochas
The Difference: Milk Frother vs Steamer
Frothers are a nice handheld device that allows you to heat and aerate milk to create a nice foam for lattes and cappuccinos. These are great for beginners because they’re small and inexpensive. They are portable and take up less space than steamers, they don’t require as much countertop space, and they’re less expensive than steamers… So if you’re just starting with making lattes at home, then a frother is the way to go! Milk Steamers
On the other hand… if you’re more of an espresso drinker who loves an authentic, micro foam-rich latte with lots of little bubbles throughout and you are looking for something more advanced—with more features—you’ll need to go with a coffee steamer. It comes with an espresso maker, which allows you to steam milk while heating water for your coffee at the same time. This helps create an authentic Italian-style espresso drink as opposed to just using foam.
Can You Make Milk Froth With a Milk Steamer?
The answer is yes: it’s possible to make milk froth with a milk steamer, as long as your steamer has a frother attachment. But is it worth it?
Which is right for you? (Milk Frother vs Steamer)
When one starts to find that morning coffee routine growing mundane, fiddling with a milk frother or steamer can spice things up. If you are looking for something faster and cheaper, than a milk steamer, then go ahead and get yourself one! But if you want something that will produce perfect latte art every time with very little effort required on your end, then maybe consider investing in an electric milk frother instead.
References
https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-milk-frothers.html
https://www.zulaykitchen.com/blogs/kitchen-tips/milk-frother-uses
https://coffeeaffection.com/frothed-vs-steamed-milk/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0958694615001533
https://www.thespruceeats.com/froth-milk-with-steam-wand
https://www.homegrounds.co/frothed-milk-vs-steamed-milk