Milk frother question

[nantucket66]

Hi

I bought myself an Aeropress and a Burr grinder a month or 2 back and have been really chuffed with the results.

Less so with the milk aspect. I bought a basic ikea wand frother. I put an inch of whole milk in a jug (plastic), put it in the microwave for 30 seconds on high, then I use the wand, probably for about 20 seconds on average, I've tried it for less time and for longer too.

I find it whisks too much air into it and the milk is too frothy with too many bubbles. Great coffee with average milk.

I'd really like to get the milk smooth and creamy, can it be done with what I have already or do I need something more sophisticated? Thx

 

[FrenchTart]

My experience with milk frothers is that they kind of suck. I'm not an expert though as I don't tend to make milk-based coffee drinks myself.

For something a little better you could try a Nespresso Aeroccino. I've tried stuff made with the milk from those and they're not bad.

A slightly out there alternative but you could get a cheap espresso machine with a steam wand That said, once you start considering that you almost may as well get a decent entry-level espresso machine (such as a Gaggia Classic).

 

[nantucket66]

I think my long term plan would be to get a decent machine, but not yet. In all honesty I wouldn't know where to start with a proper espresso machine.

I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for in life, but I don't know whether I'd need to spend £200 or £500 or higher to get the right machine. I'd be comfortable paying up to £500 if the results were substantially better than what I get now.

For the time being I'd be happy to spend a bit on a milk frother of some description (there's a Krups one I'd seen for £100.00) and see how it goes.

I'm really pleased with what the Aeropress can do, but I'm sure it's not the be all and end all of coffee makers. I've plenty of other things costing me too much money at the moment so investing in a proper machine will have to wait til next year.

I don't know enough about the frothers to know what to buy or how much to spend!

 

[FrenchTart]

You can make extremely good espresso and be able to froth milk with a bit of faff/modding with a Gaggia Classic and a wand mod. A Classic can be picked up for less than £200 very easily with a bit of patience so it kind of makes the whole decision making process a bit tough.

 

[nantucket66]

Thanks......you're not helping

 

[FrenchTart]

Happy to unhelp

I'm fairly happy with my Classic btw. I've frothed milk decently a little even without the wand mod too.

 

[dl8860]

I get great froth with my nespresso aeroccino. The key is the timing, if you pour immediately as it finishes, you get that smooth 'flat white' texture I really like, whereas if you leave it even as long as 15 seconds, the top stiffens and you get more of a cappuccino. I doubt this is by design, but I'm a big fan

 

[nantucket66]

Got myself a Krups frother yesterday, really pleased. Much better than using a wand, definitely less froth and creamier.

A proper espresso machine is on the cards, but it will have to wait for a few months.