Subtleties of choice: which milk frother is better?

Built-in cappuccino makers

Cappuccino makers built into coffee makers froth milk by mixing it with steam. Therefore, such devices are called steamers (steam translated from English as “steam”).

Automatic steamers

The automatic steamer is equipped with a tube through which the milk is sucked into the tank, where it is mixed with hot steam. The foamed liquid is then poured into a cup. In modern models of coffee machines, this function is implemented in different ways.

There are devices equipped with two pumps. These coffee machines can make espresso and froth milk at the same time. But two-pump coffee machines are very expensive; they are bought for cafes, not for home use.

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In home coffee makers with one boiler, cappuccino and other coffee and milkshakes are prepared in two stages: milk is frothed separately and coffee is brewed.

In theory, it doesn't matter in what order the operations are performed. However, please note that after frothing the milk, the coffee maker must cool slightly. Be sure to drain some hot water from the cappuccino maker to rinse the steamer tube, otherwise dried milk will clog it. Therefore, it is more convenient to first prepare espresso and then froth the milk.

More expensive models are equipped with two boilers. With this design, you don’t need to wait for the coffee maker to cool down; cappuccino is prepared much faster.

Advantages of automatic steamers:

• milk froths quickly, the user does not require any special skills;
• the milk is not preheated;
• Before frothing, milk does not need to be poured into a special container; the cappuccino maker tube can be lowered directly into a cardboard bag.

Disadvantage: every time after frothing milk, the steamer must be washed with hot water, and at least once a week, all parts must be disassembled and washed.

Mechanical steamers

A mechanical steamer froths milk using a special nozzle - a panarello, which is placed on the spout of the steam supply device. Panarello is a rigid tube with steam holes at one end. Before turning on the cappuccino maker, you need to release a little steam.

Expert opinion

Smirnova Ekaterina Anatolevna

7 years of experience in interior design, professional architect

Cold milk is poured into a special metal jug called a pitcher. Pannarello nozzles are immersed in the liquid and steam is released. Foaming takes 30–40 seconds. While frothing the milk, the cappuccino maker heats it up at the same time.

To clean the panarello, just turn it on for 10-15 seconds, immersing it in a container of hot water.

• no need to preheat the milk;
• you can control the foaming process and whip the milk the way you like;
• foaming occurs quickly;
• It is much easier to wash a panarello than an automatic cappuccino maker.

• foaming requires certain skills. You need to learn not to overheat milk, otherwise it will become less tasty;
• You need to froth the milk in a pitcher, or at least in a metal container, so that you can conveniently control the temperature of the liquid with your hand.

Cleaning the cappuccino maker

Place a container of clean drinking water next to the cappuccino maker, and place the silicone water inside this container. Then prepare about 250 ml of hot water.

Complete cleaning of the cappuccino maker looks like this:

• Unscrew the nut from the cappuccino maker;
• Remove it from the steam/water wand;
• Disconnect the hinge part;
• Open the lid, remove the pin and silicone tube;
• Clean all parts of the cappuccino maker under running drinking water;
• Put it back together;
• Install the cappuccino maker on the steam/hot water supply pipe;
• Tighten the nut tightly.

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Autonomous cappuccino makers

If your coffee maker does not have a cappuccino maker, you can purchase a stand-alone device. There are two types of stand-alone milk frothers on the market:

• hand electric beaters;
• frothers with milk container.

Manual electric beaters

A handheld electric whisk is like a miniature mixer. The device runs on batteries. The milk must be heated before frothing. To get good foam, you have to whisk the milk for at least one minute.

Advantages of manual electric whisks:

• devices are cheap;
• The electric whisk does not need to be connected to the network, so you can use it at the dacha or on a picnic.

• they quickly fail;
• devices do not heat milk;
• the foam turns out less tender and elastic than when whipped with a steamer.

Frothers with milk container

With the light hand of the Nestle company, frothers with a milk container are called aerocino: these devices are equipped with Nespresso capsule coffee machines.

The foamer resembles a regular electric kettle. Milk is poured into it and placed on a stand, which is connected to the network using a power cord.

The foamer can be used in one of 3 modes:

• frothing milk while heating it;
• whipping without heating;
• heating without whipping.

When choosing an Aerochino, you should pay attention to what kind of drive it has: mechanical or magnetic. Foamers with a magnetic drive are more reliable, quieter and easier to clean.

• To use the device you do not need any special skills, just select the operating mode;
• Aerocino is convenient not only to froth milk for cappuccino, but also to prepare cocoa or milk chocolate;
• The foamer is compact and can be used at work;
• The device is easy to clean.

The only drawback of the Aerochino compared to a manual electric whisk is the price. However, for those who regularly drink milk drinks, it is more profitable to buy a frother with a container.

Cost of cappuccino maker

Now let's talk about how much a cappuccino maker costs. Prices, of course, will depend on the class of product and the complexity of the device. For example, a manual cappuccino-foamer will be cheaper than any model of foam frothers and coffee machines.

Focus on the following prices:

• Battery-powered hand mini-foamers - from 200 rubles.
• Foam whippers with a container and a mechanical whisk - from 1800 rubles (Gastrorag DK-003).
• Foam whippers with a container and a magnetic whisk - from 4,000 rubles (Melitta Cremio).
• Coffee makers with manual cappuccino makers - from 2,500 (Scarlett SC-037) to 23,000 rubles (Delonghi ECP 31.21/33.21).
• Semi-automatic cappuccino makers - from 22,000 rubles (Philips HD8825 3000 Series).
• Automatic cappuccino makers - from 16,000 rubles (Vitek VT-1514) to 67,000 (Melitta Caffeo Barista).

How to use a cappuccino maker?

A home cappuccino maker is, of course, not an essential item. But if you like to drink coffee in the morning, especially cappuccino with delicate milk foam, then this is exactly what you need to make your morning coffee ritual even more enjoyable and ensure a good mood for the whole day.

Manual cappuccino maker - what is it?

A manual cappuccino maker is an element of a coffee machine designed to heat and emulsify (whip into foam) milk. It is thanks to this functional detail that we obtain milk foam for preparing classic espresso-based drinks: cappuccino, latte, etc.

How to froth milk using a manual cappuccino maker, what are its main differences from an automatic one and which one is more suitable for home use - you will find the answers to these questions below.

Operating principle of a manual cappuccino maker (panarello)

A cappuccino maker is a special attachment that is attached to the steam wand of a coffee machine. Steam for frothing milk is generated in a separate boiler or using a separate heating element as part of the main boiler (depending on the model of the coffee machine). Pressurized steam is then released into the steam wand.

The container for frothing milk is usually a pitcher - a special jug. It can be steel, porcelain or even plastic. But the most popular among baristas are stainless steel pitchers. Why - read below!

Almost all modern models of carob coffee makers and automatic coffee machines are equipped with a cappuccino maker.

Automatic cappuccino maker

There are also coffee machines with automatic cappuccino makers. Here your role in frothing the milk will be minimal.

This type of cappuccino maker has a tube that is lowered into a container with milk, from where it is drawn into the cappuccino maker due to the pressure difference in the chambers of the device. The finished milk foam is served directly into a cup or glass with the future cappuccino or latte.

How to froth milk with a manual cappuccino maker

To prepare fluffy and thick milk foam for cappuccino, you will need a panarello nozzle, cold milk with a fat content of at least 3.2% and a special whipping jug - pitcher. When purchasing a pitcher, give preference to a container made of stainless steel.

• Pour milk into the pitcher (a little more than the volume that you will add to the future drink)
• Turn on steam mode
• Place the milk pitcher under the cappuccino maker nozzle and plunge it into the liquid at a slight angle. Do not immerse too deep, 5-7 mm is the optimal depth
• The milk frother should create a funnel in the milk.
• Adjust the position of the pitcher so that the process of disappearing large bubbles begins. Our goal is smooth foam, similar to melted ice cream.
• Once the milk has increased significantly in volume (approximately 2x for cappuccino and 1.5x for latte), immerse the nozzle deeper to warm the milk
• Do not overheat the milk, otherwise you risk getting a cappuccino or latte with an unpleasant bitter taste.

How to determine the desired milk temperature?

Time to reveal the secret of the stainless steel pitcher. The optimal milk temperature for making latte or cappuccino is 60-70°C. Hotter milk will cause an unpleasant aftertaste, and at 80°C it will already begin to boil. If you don't have a special thermometer that will show the current temperature, you will have to trust your own feelings.

Expert opinion

Smirnova Ekaterina Anatolevna

7 years of experience in interior design, professional architect

So, the milk has reached the desired temperature when the steel pitcher heats up to such an extent that it is impossible to touch it for more than 2 seconds.

Useful tips from the barista

• If there are a few large bubbles remaining on the surface of the frothed milk, tap the bottom of the jug on the counter several times, rocking the jug in a circular motion.
• Do not fill the pitcher more than half full with milk.
• Once you have prepared the milk foam, immediately pour it into the cup, otherwise the texture of the foam will be destroyed.
• Clean the cappuccino maker after each use, as it is an excellent environment for the growth of lactic bacteria. To do this, simply fill the pitcher with water and start the steam generator, just like when frothing milk.

Which cappuccino maker is better: manual or automatic?

In order to decide which coffee machine model is right for you, answer a few questions regarding your coffee preferences.

• Do you drink more than 3 cups of cappuccino a day?
• Are you choosing a coffee machine for an office or restaurant?
• Are you interested in minimizing the time spent preparing coffee?
• Have you already tried frothing milk with a manual cappuccino maker and did not find a common language with it?

If the answers are positive, the best choice for you will be a coffee machine with an automatic cappuccino maker. Consistent quality of drinks, minimum effort, always delicious latte or cappuccino.

Advantages of a coffee machine with a manual cappuccino maker (panarello):

• Significant savings - coffee machines with a manual cappuccino maker are cheaper.
• Ideal for mastering latte art.
• A coffee machine with a panarello gives more opportunities for coffee experiments and independent creativity.

Milk frothers

In addition, the Kofe.ru online store offers an excellent alternative to both cappuccino makers - separate cappuccino makers or milk frothers. This cappuccino maker is suitable for those coffee lovers who prepare their drink not in an espresso machine, but in a different way, but also love lattes and cappuccinos.

Milk frothers differ in design. The first group is a stationary device that has its own whipping pitcher . Such devices will help you get hot milk, cold milk and hot milk foam. The milk is whipped by a whisk powered by an electric motor.

The second group is devices like a submersible mixer that froth milk directly in a cup. A small spring-ring whisk vibrates and moves, whipping the milk into foam. They are called creamer blenders or simply creamers.

The third group of mechanical foamers are devices that are driven by muscular force.

Electric milk frothers are an ideal choice for those who do not want to master the science of frothing milk themselves, monitor the temperature, and achieve dense, uniform foam. All you have to do is fill the pitcher with the required amount of milk and press the button. After a few seconds, cold or hot milk foam is ready!

Why do you need a cappuccino maker?

Coffee drinks with added milk, or, in other words, coffee-based milkshakes, are an invention of resourceful Italians that have become a classic.
The merit of the representatives of this country, who transformed a bitter, strong drink that was previously not to everyone’s taste, is obvious - giving it a new form and a softer taste, they did a lot to popularize coffee around the world. Today, few people imagine going to coffee or a restaurant without enjoying a portion of a balanced cappuccino or a soft, gentle latte. The thick and sweetish creamy foam that adorns each serving deserves special attention among connoisseurs of such coffee drinks. It is its subtle rich taste that gives cappuccino, lattes and other drinks with a similar preparation method sophistication and charm.

Whatever milk frother you choose, the goals remain the same - you need a device that will efficiently, easily and quickly turn milk into dense, stable and soft foam.

Important! The first thing you should know is that not all milk can be whipped to the consistency you need. Using the wrong milk, even with the best cappuccino maker, you will not achieve any results. Therefore, we advise you to pay attention not only to the rating of cappuccino maker models, but also to the advice regarding the selection of milk - you will find them at the end of this article.

Any cappuccino maker froths milk in one way or another - with a jet of steam, a whisk, or using a magnetic design that is popular today. Below you will find a review of cappuccino makers, where we will talk about the features, advantages, disadvantages, as well as prices of each type of device.

How to make cappuccino in a coffee machine?

Many coffee machine users do not know how to make cappuccino in a coffee machine. We will describe for you and clearly show how to do it yourself.

But there is a small nuance: your coffee machine must have a steam function. Without steam, cappuccino will not work, since it is steam that froths the milk.

Another small point: a nozzle called a panarello, also known as a steamer, must be put on the steam spout If there is a steam function, but there is no steam, you will need the help of a specialist.

Panarello is a special attachment for the steam spout in automatic coffee machines and coffee makers. Used to prepare milk foam for drinks such as cappuccino and latte. Do not confuse with automatic cappuccino maker.

A milk frother is usually a plastic container with a built-in mechanism for frothing milk. Cooking using an auto-cappuccino maker is not a complicated matter. They inserted a glass of milk and pressed the button.

Unfortunately, if your coffee machine is not equipped with a special steam spout, you will not be able to make cappuccino. Also, having a steam preparation spout but without a special nozzle (pannarello) you will only get splashes of milk within a radius of one meter and a shock sensation.

Quick table of contents:

• Introduction
• With pannarello attachment
• Semi-automatic
• Full automata
• Foamers
• Cappuccino from capsules?

Let me warn you right away that the only coffee makers suitable for cappuccino are carob coffee makers with a steam nozzle and rare capsule ones. Drip, geyser and other coffee makers do not make cappuccino. What is the difference between a coffee maker and a coffee machine - read on the main page.

Today I will touch on a burning topic - how to make cappuccino in a coffee machine or coffee maker? Or even more accurately, which coffee machine or coffee maker is best suited for cappuccino, lattes and other coffee-based milk drinks.

This question cannot be answered unequivocally. This topic is multifaceted, I will try to give some information within one article, but I immediately warn you that perhaps something will remain behind the scenes and will be covered additionally. In any case, in one way or another I will talk about all current classes of devices for creating cappuccino at home.

If you are specifically interested in an inexpensive option to guarantee a decent cappuccino “at the touch of a button” - the rating of cheap coffee machines with an automatic cappuccino maker is for you

Photo: Mr.TinDC. Licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

In principle, a decent cappuccino can be prepared in almost any coffee machine or coffee maker that has at least a simple steam tube. However, there is some division in the methods of preparation and the labor intensity of the process, depending on the class of devices.

When choosing milk, pay attention to the % fat and protein

But in any case, there are fundamental conditions for a successful result:

1. Milk should be the most protein-rich, preferably 3% or more protein.
2. The milk should be chilled, ideally 3-5 degrees.
3. Milk, after all, must be whole and natural.
4. Tools and utensils must be clean.

Without fulfilling these simple conditions, a normal result, as a rule, cannot be achieved. Since milk is the starting point anyway, check out my special article “best milk for cappuccino.”

Now let's move on to the equipment. I'll start, perhaps, with the most budget option.

Cappuccino in a coffee machine with a manual cappuccino maker (pannarello nozzle)

Coffee machines and coffee makers with a manual cappuccino maker have a separate metal tube from which steam comes out under pressure. There are rare specimens that have only a thin tube with one outlet. As of 2021, there are no such models on sale.

The standard option is a pannarello nozzle, available in both plastic and metal. At its thick end there is a large hole, which significantly increases and expands the steam jet; the operating principle is similar to a spray gun. At the same time, there is a very small air suction hole on top. You can froth milk without Panarello, and professionals prefer a steam tap without Panarello, but it will be very difficult for a beginner.

Examples of equipment with a “simple” tube: Philips Saeco HD 8743 coffee machine, Saeco RI8329 coffee maker. Example of machines with panarello : Philips EP1200, Delonghi ECAM 22.110 coffee machines, Delonghi ECP 31.21/33.21 pump carob coffee maker, Scarlett SC-037 boiler coffee maker.

*Attention, discount:
right now Philips 1200 Series is on sale at the official Philips for only 23,740 rubles. For other current special offers on coffee machines, see the “Promotions” page.

Before starting the process, I strongly recommend releasing the first steam from the steam wand into any container, as it contains a lot of moisture.
There will be literally a few milliliters, but in milk they are superfluous. In addition, this way you clean the steam line. So, how to use a manual cappuccino maker? You pour milk into a separate container (or pitcher, that’s the name of a special stainless steel jug, although no one forbids using anything) halfway maximum, place it under the tube and in a circular motion, better yet, catching the boundary of liquid and foam, move the container, whipping with steam milk.

The panarello nozzle, as a rule, moves; you can tilt it slightly to the side and “blow” steam at an angle to the surface of the milk, creating a circulation, accelerating the funnel - this increases efficiency:

It is important not to boil the milk; what is good about the pitcher is that it is convenient to control the temperature of the milk through it with your hand, simply holding it by the walls. The upper limit is 70 degrees, after which the taste will be distorted. There is no need to lower the panarello to the bottom, this will just lead to overheating of the milk. You can lower the panarello to the bottom only when the volume of foam is already sufficient and the milk has not yet heated to the required temperature.

After finishing whipping, especially if you did it in a pitcher or other large container, it makes sense to hit the bottom on the table a couple of times to remove large parasitic bubbles in the milk mass. Then, using a circular motion of the pitcher, disperse the funnel to evenly distribute the foam in the mass of milk.

Next, use the finished foam and milk as you wish, for cappuccino, latte, latte macchiato, etc.

Coffee machines with automatic cappuccino maker: “semi-automatic milk machines” subtype

An example of this type of coffee machine is Melitta Solo&Perfect Milk

In this version, the device has a special nozzle on the steam supply tube, from which a flexible hose extends, which is lowered directly into a container of milk. It might even be a trivial tetra-pack. You take out a carton of milk, put the hose in there and start the milk flow.

Such systems involve a two-stage preparation of a milk-coffee drink. Coffee is prepared separately, milk with foam is prepared separately. You can choose what to do moving forward. If it’s coffee, then we move the cup with it under the cappuccino maker - the cappuccino is ready.

If you froth the milk first, then move the cup with it under the coffee spout and make espresso - your latte macchiato is ready!

But there is a nuance here. After steam is supplied, the machine needs a little time to cool down. As a rule, the foam will not have time to settle. To speed up cooling, you need to drain some hot water through the cappuccino maker (hot water in such machines is dispensed through the same tube on which the cappuccino maker is attached). Thus, in one thing, you will wash it, which is important - dried milk can clog the cappuccino maker, you still need to wash and disassemble it about once a week, but if you don’t wash it after frothing the milk, you will have to do it more often.

There are more expensive devices with two boilers. This is just necessary so that the switch after supplying steam to making coffee is instantaneous. And devices with two pumps can generally froth milk while brewing coffee, but this does not happen in a home classroom, only in a commercial one.

This type of automatic cappuccino maker is good because it is usually cheaper. The downside is that it is not possible to prepare a drink literally “in one click”; you need at least two + moving the cup.

Just a couple of years ago, semi-automatic cappuccino makers for grain coffee machines were common, and even now in the West there is a noticeable percentage of them on the shelves. In our country, semi-automatic cappuccino makers are gradually being replaced by full automatic machines that make cappuccino “in one click.” I’ll say more, for 2021, perhaps only Jura (and only a couple: D60 and E60) and Melitta have such models in the home class of popular brands. Well, they also occur in commercial settings, of course.

Coffee machines with automatic cappuccino maker: subtype “full milk machines”

An example of models of this type: Delonghi ECAM 350.55 and Siemens EQ.6 Plus.

The more expensive type of automatic cappuccino maker is a full machine - you press a button, and the machine consistently froths milk and brews coffee into one cup without having to move it.

Fully automatic cappuccino makers come with a discharge hose, like the semi-automatic ones above, and with a built-in jug.

The jug can be easily removed and stored directly with the milk in the refrigerator. That is, there will be special milk for coffee drinks. You simply take the jug out of the refrigerator and immediately prepare the dairy treat.

The disadvantage of the jug relative to the outlet hose is that you cannot use any vessel, such as a carton of milk, instead of it. In addition, it is easier to break it purely physically. Well, it’s usually a little more difficult to disassemble.

You need to wash any cappuccino maker after disassembling it, be it in the form of a jug or in the form of a tube. It’s just that in the case of a tube, the whipping module itself is usually located in the dispenser spout; you open it and remove the thing from there, which consists of 2-4 parts. The cappuccino maker-jug can consist of either 5 or 6 spare parts. Another thing is that if the model has the function of “quick cleaning of the cappuccino maker” (I usually call this function that way in reviews), any cappuccino maker with disassembly does not need to be cleaned so often, once a week is enough. And sometimes, if you don’t forget about quick cleaning at all, then once every 2 weeks.

There is a nuance, many machines do not know how to make espresso first and then add milk. Even with a screen and touch buttons. Often, the “Cappuccino” key still starts the preparation of milk first, and only then the coffee. It takes two clicks: prepare espresso, and then press the milk foam button.

Recently, the number of coffee machines that can prepare “proper cappuccino”, that is, first brew espresso and then add frothed milk to it, has been steadily growing. Now all major brands have acquired such equipment; I keep a full list of models here. I believe that “proper cappuccino” and cappuccino when coffee is added to milk are radically different; they are actually different drinks. If you are a fan of classic Italian cappuccino and want to prepare it with “one touch,” then you need to choose from this list of models. For 2021, the most affordable machine with “the right cappuccino at one touch” is the Philips Series 5000 LatteGo (with the LatteGo milk jug)

Grain machines with a fully automatic cappuccino maker are the most popular on the market. Almost any grain machine that costs more than 50 thousand rubles will have just such a cappuccino maker, with the exception of some Jura models, because they are, in principle, the most expensive, and they still have semi-automatic milk machines for this money (see above).

If you are looking for the most budget-friendly options for milk vending machines, then this rating is for you. If you are looking for a middle class, with a cut-off of about 60 thousand, where in addition to the auto-apuchinator there are additional buns, more recipes, special cooking modes, etc., then this is the place for you. Adherents of top things go this way.

By the way, there are even carob coffee makers with a built-in automatic cappuccino maker, for example, Vitek VT-1522. Another thing is that the espresso in them is still prepared manually, so the charm of “one press” is seriously blurred after the need to grind the beans and carefully form a coffee tablet in the horn.

*Attention, discount:
right now Philips 5000 LatteGo is on sale in the Player for only 39,611 rubles. For other current special offers on coffee machines, see the “Promotions” page.

*Attention, discount:
right now DeLonghi ECAM 350.55 is on sale in the Player for only 42,900 rubles. For other current special offers on coffee machines, see the “Promotions” page.

For those who already have a coffee machine, but “without steam”

There are separate devices - milk frothers, independent cappuccino makers, they are also called “aerochinos”, which work on the principle of a mechanical mill.

They provide excellent results, they work silently, but a separate device is at least less convenient, and it’s a sin not to use all the capabilities of the machine, in my opinion. However, they can be a great solution for those who already have a coffee maker or coffee machine, but without milk frothing functionality.

Attention: I wrote a separate article about milk frothers, there are more examples and their differences are discussed in more detail.

Aerochinos come in two types: with a magnetic whisk and with a regular one, which is driven by a mechanical shaft. The first ones, magnetic ones, are definitely better. They have several advantages:

• Work quieter
• It is more convenient to clean, since the bowl inside is cast, without protrusions or gaps, while the drive shaft sticks out in the center from the bottom and interferes with wiping the container.
• More reliable. In the sense that all these cappuccino makers are made in China. And I’ve come across reviews where the drive siphons have a shaft gasket inside the housing.

As examples of magnetic beaters: more expensive, with a better name - Delonghi EMFI (but the previous version, the differences are only in design, but a little cheaper - Delonghi EMF2) or Melitta Cremio, more affordable, but also quite good - CASO Fomini Jet:

Color palette of milk frothers (electro-cappuccinatores) Delonghi EMFI

Let me draw your attention to the fact that recently manufacturers have been replacing magnetic cappuccino makers in their product lines with regular ones. At the same time, the model number even increases, as does the price. For example, the Vitek VT-5001 beater, although it received a “+1” in the article, is actually “younger” than the VT-5000, it is mechanically driven. The VT-5000 is almost impossible to find these days, but if you can find it, it’s a good foam frother.

More examples of mechanically driven electric cappuccino machines: Oursson MF2005, Clatronic MS 3654, VES V-FS24, Gastrorag DK-003

Cappuccino in a capsule coffee machine

Do you find even automatic cappuccino makers too demanding, or do you want a “fully automatic” option for less? If you plan to consume no more than 2-3 cups of coffee per day, take a closer look at capsule coffee makers.

Among them there are affordable machines that prepare milk and coffee drinks from capsules in literally two clicks. Dolce Gusto uses powdered milk, Tassimo uses sterilized concentrate. Both systems for preparing milk drinks use two capsules one after another, respectively, the final price is doubled compared to black coffee. Hand on heart, the final product is, of course, inferior.

But Nespresso systems make dairy treats, like automatic grain coffee machines or using an autonomous beater - an Aerochino. But such equipment costs accordingly.

Examples of capsule models: with a milk jug - Nespresso Lattissima, with an aerocino - Delonghi EN85 RAE/LAE/WAE or premium KitchenAid 5KES0504. There are also very rare examples - capsule machines with a manual panarello cappuccino maker: the Nespresso Maestria line (Delonghi EN 450). But in the latter cases, I don’t even know how one can justify such a ridiculous price.

*Attention, discount:
right now Delonghi EN 560 is on sale at a promotion in M.Video for only 22,490 rubles. For other current special offers on coffee machines, see the “Promotions” page.

PS By the way, check out the selection of current promotions and special offers, which I try to update daily. There you can often find full cappuccino machines at a very “delicious” price, with big discounts.

Preparing one cup of cappuccino

If you intend to make one cup of cappuccino, then it is better to pour the milk into the same cup from which you will drink coffee. You will need milk with a fat content of at least 3.5%, since experiments with lower fat content give the same result: just warmed milk without foam.

We recommend 3.5% fat content from the manufacturer Parmalat, Taste Villas (this is not an advertisement), try it and you will understand the difference yourself. It is advisable that the milk comes from the refrigerator.

Fill the cup a third full with milk, maybe a little less, maybe a little more.

Before you start frothing milk, you must turn on the steam function. If you don't know how to do this, read the instruction manual for your coffee machine.

Next, place some empty container under the steam spout and open the steam tap or press the button. Water will come out first, then after some time dry steam should come out, don’t be afraid, there’s nothing terrible, although the sounds will be terrifying.

When dry steam starts, cover the steam for a while and place your glass one-third full of milk. The pannarello attachment should be partially submerged in the milk.

Now open the steam tap again and the milk will start frothing. Then it’s a matter of taste, you will clearly see when the foam reaches the required condition.

Through experimentation you will find your own version of milk readiness.

Expert opinion

Smirnova Ekaterina Anatolevna

7 years of experience in interior design, professional architect

Next, turn off the steam function, place the cup under the coffee spouts and press the treasured button that you usually press. The resulting foam is filled with brown coffee drink. The cappuccino is ready.

How to serve and drink cappuccino

In continental Europe, cappuccino is traditionally drunk in the morning, mainly at breakfast, with a croissant, white toast or other pastries. In Italy, it is even considered bad manners to drink this coffee cocktail after 11 o’clock in the afternoon and/or have something substantial, like meat or a hot dish - with all the Italians’ love for coffee, they prefer espresso after lunch.

Americans drink cappuccino throughout the day and are not averse to finishing off a hearty meal with it.

As already mentioned, a classic cappuccino is served in a preheated coffee glass or porcelain cup with a volume of 150-180 ml, but in fast foods and coffee shops like Starbucks there are portions up to 600 ml in volume.

Portrait on a cup of cappuccino, it’s even a pity to drink this

Making several cups of cappuccino

If you have guests or you just have a large family, then the previous method is quite problematic. Substituting each cup of milk under steam and then under coffee is a rather long process. It can be avoided using a simple method. Take a large glass, preferably a metal one made of stainless steel; the pros call it a pitcher.

A milk pitcher is a special metal container with a narrowed spout for mechanically foaming milk using a panarello.

Fill the pitcher halfway with milk and do everything the same as in the previous method. But already with a large volume of milk.

Then just have time to press coffee preparation and add milk to taste. If you want, add milk to the cup before making coffee, or while making coffee, or after.

As you please. Experiment and you will get a delicious cappuccino, no worse than in a cafe.

Making cappuccino in a coffee machine (video)

Main types and their characteristics

There are several types of milk frothers available on the market. They differ in internal structure and principle of operation. You can choose primitive devices and models with a more complex configuration.

Hand beaters

The manual system consists of a metal or plastic tube with a hole to release steam. After boiling, the liquid from the reservoir is sent to the nozzle. Then the milk is brought to a state of foam, and the intensity of foaming is regulated by a person. This option is not suitable for beginner baristas, but professionals often choose it to create unusual drinks.

Hand beaters are powered by mechanical force or batteries.

Automatic (steam)

The devices allow you to get high-quality foam by pressing the appropriate button, after which the device will independently make coffee with milk without moving the cup.

Automatic models are produced with a discharge hose, similar to semi-automatic machines. They are distinguished by their high cost and ease of use.

Semi-automatic

Semi-automatic products are a lightweight nozzle on a steam wand, to which a flexible hose is attached for immersion in a container of milk. Coffee preparation is carried out in 2 stages. Initially, foam is formed, and then the drink. Depending on the type of final product, the algorithm of actions may differ. In addition, there are semi-automatic machines that prepare coffee and foam in parallel.

Semi-automatic cappuccino makers - a lightweight nozzle on a steam wand.

Mechanical

Such devices froth milk due to mechanical action. Vigorous movements of the whisk can create a foam. In most cases, the equipment does not have a separate reservoir. Milk is poured into a cup, after which foam is made from it.

The popularity of manual models is due to the following advantages:

1. Ease of maintenance.
2. Ease of obtaining foam.
3. Possibility of adding any amount of milk.

Presses

This category includes small metal pitchers similar to a French press. The presence of a double mesh helps to quickly whip up the foam, but requires some skills. Milk can be heated on the stove, provided that the press is made of metal. Hot product is poured into products with a plastic body.

Presses are small metal jugs.

Which cappuccino maker is better: automatic

Which coffee machine model should you prefer - with a manual or automatic cappuccino maker?

The fundamental difference between an automatic cappuccino maker and a manual one is that the machine allows you to prepare coffee and milk drinks with minimal human intervention. In semi-automatic versions, you still have to switch the cup from the coffee dispenser to the milk dispenser.

But even in them, the process of preparing milk for the drink occurs without your participation. In automatic versions you don't even have to move the cups.

The milk is poured into a special jug, from where the machine “takes” it as needed, adds it to the coffee and dispenses the finished drink. There are models in which the cappuccino maker tube is lowered directly into the milk bag.

What influences the choice of the type of cappuccino maker?

For catering establishments where there is a high level of staff turnover, it is better to choose a device with an automatic cappuccino maker. This will help maintain consistent quality of drinks.

For signature and small coffee shops, a coffee machine with a manual cappuccino maker is often chosen. It allows you to prepare different types of foam - dense and silky or fluffy and airy. You can independently adjust the density and height of the frothed milk. Therefore, a manual cappuccino maker provides more opportunities for coffee creativity.

A manual cappuccino maker is also suitable for home use to prepare drinks to your liking. If you couldn’t get comfortable with manually frothing milk, then you can buy an automatic coffee machine, in which you only have to press buttons.

An important point for those who love beautiful patterns on foam - only a manual cappuccino maker is suitable for latte art, since it whips up the foam of the desired thickness.

Do you do everything according to the instructions, but the desired foam does not form? Try changing the type of milk. To obtain a good foam, you need a product with a high protein content and 3-4% fat content.

Useful tips for making cappuccino

Making delicious coffee is an art that requires special knowledge. To ensure that your skills are at least a little closer to ideal, use the recommendations. If you are making cappuccino, you should not try to replace the foam with milk. From this, your drink will no longer be called cappuccino. Only after the foam has been laid should you add sugar and, if desired, additional ingredients.

The more complex and expensive the device, the more maintenance it needs.

If your additional ingredients are rum and liqueur, then they must be added before laying out the foam. If you want to make a truly delicious cappuccino, then it is better to use natural milk. Powdered milk will be inappropriate, as the foam will be much fluffier. When purchasing cream or milk for cappuccino. You should pay attention to their fat content. The average indicator for milk is a percentage of at least 2-4. And if cream is used as an ingredient, then the indicator should be at least 20 percent.

Having examined why a manual cappuccino maker is needed, we can draw conclusions about how indispensable it is in making coffee.

After it became known what a cappuccino maker is and why we need it, it became clear that it was impossible to do without it. This tool is indispensable for making cappuccino. Such a device cannot be replaced by any other, because compared to them it has too many advantages. If you want to control the cooking process, then you need to use a manual cappuccino maker. But remember that using it requires skill. If you want simple and convenient use, then it is better to purchase an automatic coffee machine. With just the press of one button, your magical drink will be prepared independently. Prepare your coffee correctly to experience all its beauty. Let making coffee become your favorite pastime, because such technologies allow you to turn cooking into an exciting process.

To obtain good foam, you need milk with a high protein content and 3-4% fat content.

Why do you need a milk frother and which cappuccino maker is better to choose for your home?

Thanks to home appliances, we can quickly and conveniently prepare food to eat tasty and healthy. Today it is fashionable to use a cappuccino maker, but few people know all the nuances of choosing the best appliance for the home.

This article will give you the knowledge to find the best milk frother and use it correctly. Together with the cappuccino maker, you will easily prepare not only espresso, but also macchiato, moccacino, flat white, con leche, frappe, cappuccino, latte.

The drink is covered with delicious milk foam, you can’t help but fall in love with it. At the end of the article there is a rating of manufacturers.

Rules for choosing milk

To make cappuccino, you need to use natural, pasteurized or whole milk. It must contain at least 3% protein.

You need to use natural milk.

Foaming milk with a low fat concentration is problematic because the result is a dry consistency. If the whole product is used, the foam becomes creamy and suitable for lattes.

What is a milk frother?

Milk frothers, also called cappuccino makers, are becoming increasingly popular. These names are synonyms. Milk is poured into this machine. It functions like this: it processes milk, enriching it with oxygen. A light thick foam appears.

There are manual stainless steel devices that whip milk froth mechanically, due to the rotation of a spring. The second type is more advanced automatic cappuccino makers that work with a coffee machine, which use a spray bottle to saturate milk with heated steam.

A cappuccino machine is a milk frother for making coffee.

Electric foamer

There are devices operating from the electrical network, intended exclusively for milk. The principle of their operation is to work independently from the coffee machine.

If you don’t have a coffee maker at home, and espresso is prepared in a geyser device, you can whip up the foam by pouring milk into a separate electric container. With the help of a rotating whisk, after 2 minutes you get a fluffy, dense consistency that is no different from that prepared in a coffee machine.

The disadvantage of such a device is its high cost - about 150 - 200 dollars if you buy the original model from European manufacturers.

How does a cappuccino maker work?

Autonomous cappuccino maker

Expert opinion

Smirnova Ekaterina Anatolevna

7 years of experience in interior design, professional architect

Autonomous frothers form milk foam and are an independent device that does not require connection to a coffee machine. An automatic cappuccino maker is a stainless steel container with a spring installed.

The working part is driven by an electric motor. The spring rotates and the milk froths.

There are automatic models that warm and do not warm milk.

A simple type of autonomous cappuccino maker is a hand mixer. The milk is whipped by quickly working with a whisk, the liquid is saturated with oxygen.

A manual beater is an inexpensive solution; you can choose a model with a battery or with a wire for connection to the network. In any case, this compact device will be useful in the kitchen and will not require complex care.

Steam cappuccino maker for coffee machine

The milk frother in some models of coffee machines is installed in place of the panarello. When the device is activated, milk flows through the tube and the frother creates foam. Then it goes into a cup of drink.

Today, coffee machines are offered that include a cappuccino maker. There are models that have a built-in foaming agent.

With this method, milk foam can be obtained by pressing a button. The first and second cases imply the same principle of operation of the cappuccino maker.

Some modern coffee machines have automatic rinsing of the milk frothing tank.

Manual cappuccino maker: our conclusion

1. Device for frothing milk with manual process control.
2. You need to get used to working with it.
3. A manual cappuccino maker opens up more opportunities for independent creativity.
4. Coffee machines with it are cheaper.
5. Suitable for latte art.
6. An automatic cappuccino maker allows you to minimize the human factor, but costs more.
7. There is a mini mixer for frothing milk directly in the cup - cheap and practical.

What kind of cappuccino maker is in your coffee machine and how satisfied are you with it?

Milk frother rating

Oursson

Gastrorag

Nespresso

Lattemento

Bialetti

Melitta

The foamer from Germany MELITTA Cremio is sold in red, black, gray housing, has a 2-year warranty and a power of 600 W. There is a compartment for the wire, power is supplied through the mains.

The liquid reservoir is removable. The bowl is made of stainless steel, and the body is made of plastic.

The device automatically turns off and is protected from overheating. Includes 3 foaming nozzles, non-stick coating inside.

The device operates in cold and hot foam mode and heats up the liquid. You can heat 400 ml of liquid at a time or generate foam from 200 ml of milk.

The beater costs 5,000 rubles.

We hope that our review will help you better understand cappuccino makers. Use the foam whipper with pleasure and treat yourself, your loved ones, and your friends with delicious holiday drinks with milk foam. As you can see, you can get a delicious cocktail with or without a coffee machine. Bon appetit.

Comparison table of the presented models

Below you will find tables of previously described models, which are popular among latte and cappuccino lovers.

What types of milk frothers for coffee are there?

This device has its own varieties, which differ from each other and have their own characteristics. Before purchasing, you need to carefully read all the nuances in order to make the right choice.

Manual

This type is the most common and often used in coffee makers. The operating principle of such a device is outrageously simple:

• Water vapor is formed inside the device, which, due to the pressure exerted on it, flies out through a specially installed tube.
• This is how it disperses the milk, saturating it with air.
• If we take the latest models, they have a special function that allows you to control the steam supply.
• Depending on the drink, making foam is much easier.

This is the most common type of cappuccino maker installed in coffee makers.

This option is most suitable for advanced coffee machine users. This option is not suitable for beginners, as it will not be very convenient and familiar. The entire process of frothing milk must be controlled by a person, so the taste of the drink will depend entirely on you. This is what allows you to make the most delicious coffee.

In more advanced models, it is possible to regulate the degree of steam supply, thereby simplifying the production of foam for different drinks.

Mechanical

This coffee milk frother will be a great addition to your kitchen. No matter what additional functions your model has, having such a device will never hurt, and at some points it will be very useful.

Its use does not require any special effort. Sometimes, its use will be much simpler than a large coffee machine.

Buying a foam frother is a very good addition to a simple coffee maker, even if it already has a built-in cappuccino maker.

Auto

These models are the most modernized. They are more functional and also easier to use.

To make yourself a drink, you just need to press one button. The device itself prepares all the ingredients.

All you have to do is keep track of the replenishment of the compartments. And also wash the device after use.

The most expensive and advanced models of coffee makers with cappuccino makers. To prepare a drink, just one press of the desired button is enough.

Milk is stored in a container. If necessary, you can take it out and store it in the refrigerator. If the model is expensive and advanced, then you can control the density and amount of foam, which greatly simplifies the work.

Semi-automatic

These coffee makers prepare coffee in two stages. The first is to prepare the espresso itself.

The milk or cream is then heated, frothed, and then added to the drink. There is no compartment for adding milk.

And it is served using a special tube from an external container. Such cappuccino makers cannot regulate the density of the foam.

Also, such a device requires careful and careful care.

Expert opinion

Smirnova Ekaterina Anatolevna

7 years of experience in interior design, professional architect

These coffee makers make cappuccino in two stages: they prepare and pour espresso, and then heat, froth and pour milk or cream.

What is a cappuccino machine and what is it for?

There are a large number of varieties of these devices. And they all have their own characteristics. However, what they all have in common is that they are designed to release steam, which is used to whip up dairy products.

A cappuccino maker is a device for removing excess steam from a coffee machine, which can be used to froth milk or cream.

This device has its own history. A drink like cappuccino was invented in Italy after one gourmet decided to add milk foam to coffee. This happened after he noticed that when milk was poured sharply, foam formed, which was very pleasant to the taste. This is how the idea arose to froth milk and then add it to coffee. But it so happened that the consistency of the milk did not allow the foam to be stable. After this, the monks began to whip cream instead of milk, and to maintain the temperature, they decided to heat it before carrying out manipulations.

Cappuccino first appeared in Italy, where they decided to add whipped milk foam to coffee.

Typically, such an item is supplied with the coffee maker, but if desired, they can be purchased separately. Its use has its advantages.

• As a rule, when purchasing a device, the kit comes with additional attachments that greatly simplify the work.
• When using it, the milk not only froths, but also heats up.
• If you get the hang of it, this won't take you much time, and the taste will be delicious.
• Making suitable foam using such a device is very simple. Using a whisk or shaker will not have this effect.

A milk frother is a milk frother for coffee.

Correct use of the cappuccino maker

At first glance, it seems that there is nothing complicated in using such a device, and it does not require any special care. But actually it is not.

After each use, this device should be wiped with a cloth, otherwise the remaining drops of milk will simply dry on the device and it will not be easy to get rid of it. It may also happen that the milk remains inside the tube itself.

To avoid such mishaps, release some steam into the air. This will remove dust and also help get rid of milk drops.

You can use it to independently regulate the degree of milk froth.

There is nothing difficult in correct use if you follow the order of certain actions. To begin, prepare a special container for milk and add water to the coffee machine compartment, turning on the steam function.

The number of coffee machine manufacturers is constantly growing, which can be confusing when purchasing.

Next, you need to fill the prepared container with milk. Then bring it to the cappuccino maker tube so that it drops approximately 1 cm into the liquid.

There is a little tip for frothing milk faster and better. To do this, you need to tilt the container so that the flow of steam that comes out of the tube swirls the milk.

Then gradually turn on the steam supply, increasing the power, if such a function is available. To ensure even whipping, raise and lower the container evenly.

Beat until the container reaches the desired consistency. Be careful not to let the milk boil.

To be precise, the ideal temperature should be 65 degrees.

After all the manipulations, the foam for your coffee is ready. You can safely add it to your drink and enjoy delicious coffee.

Criteria for choosing cappuccino makers

When choosing a milk frothing device, you need to consider:

1. Price. The category of the cheapest models includes hand-held products (mixers). They perform their functions efficiently, but require physical human participation.
2. Presence of heating function. If you like hot coffee, you need to buy models with built-in spirals for heating milk.
3. Ease of maintenance. In this regard, manual cappuccino makers are superior to other types. Caring for them comes down to rinsing the metal nozzle.
4. Availability of additional functions. Modern automatic models are equipped with displays and buttons for changing operating settings.

Types of devices

Milk frothers for cappuccino have different designs and can be equipped with an additional heating function. The simplest devices cost only a couple of hundred rubles, but they are not very convenient to use. More expensive devices prepare milk foam automatically.

Manual cappuccino makers

They are small electric whisks. The handle in which the motor is located has one power button. A whipping spring is attached to the end of a long metal rod; it is immersed 2 cm in the liquid. A manual cappuccino maker differs from an automatic one in the absence of heating: the milk must first be brought to the desired temperature on the stove or in the microwave.

Don't miss: How to make cappuccino at home

Such mixers operate on batteries, and they will have to be changed frequently, because you only need to whip 100 ml of milk for 1-2 minutes. Suitable for infrequent use.

Presses

Metal jugs with a piston, reminiscent of a French press. Thanks to the double mesh, it can be whipped quite quickly, but you will have to work with your hands. Milk can be heated on the stove directly in the press if it is made of metal. Hot milk is poured into a cheaper plastic container.

Automatic

Jugs of various sizes with the ability to heat and whip, powered by electricity. A whisk is fixed at the bottom of the bowl, and a heating element is located under it. In many models, the jug is located on a stand, like an electric kettle. If the bowl is removable, it can be washed in the dishwasher.

The case can be plastic or metal; the choice between these options is a matter of taste. The inner bowl is made of stainless steel, sometimes supplemented with a non-stick coating for easy care of the device.

There are 2 types of foamers: with a mechanical and magnetic whisk. Devices with a mechanical drive are cheaper, but magnetic ones operate silently, break less often and are easier to clean.

Most devices operate in three modes:

• heat;
• whipping;
• simultaneous beating and heating.

They often come with 2 attachments: for cappuccino (thick foam) and latte (more airy foam).

Read more: What is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?

An electric milk frother for cappuccino is a universal device in which you can make not only milk foam, but also cold cocktails, mulled wine, cocoa and hot chocolate.

An automatic cappuccino maker is better than a manual one, because to get milk froth you just need to add milk and select the appropriate program. Most models have an auto shut-off feature.

Which cappuccino maker to choose, types of models

There are four types of cappuccino makers:

• coffee machines with manual cappuccino makers;
• cappuccino makers - semi-automatic;
• cappuccino machines - automatic machines;
• separate machines are foam beaters.

Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Coffee machines with manual cappuccino makers

Small coffee shops purchase inexpensive coffee machines with manual cappuccino makers for their needs. For example, the Saeko coffee machine froths milk and at the same time heats it thanks to a powerful jet of hot air.

This is a convenient and good cappuccino maker; it froths milk quickly and, with the correct tilt of the bowl of milk, allows you to vary the quality of the foam. The steam supply tap is equipped with a nozzle in the form of a plastic tube, but experienced baristas do not use it, since washing the tube after each whisking process slows down the work, and beginners will need it just in time.

Semi-automatic cappuccino makers

Good and high-quality coffee machines with semi-automatic preparation of foam, for example from the German brand Krups, cappuccino or latte can be made by pressing a couple of buttons. If you choose a cappuccino maker of this type, you must take into account that they do not have their own container for milk, so you must have a special reservoir, it is called a pitcher.

This is a metal mug with a spout for pouring milk into a cup of coffee. You first need to press a button to brew a shot of coffee, and then press the corresponding button to froth the milk. Many people place the cappuccino maker directly in the milk carton to avoid dirtying the dishes, but out of respect for the drink, use a pitcher. It looks aesthetically pleasing.

The disadvantages of semi-automatic machines include particularly careful care of the spare parts of the machine. To a greater extent, this applies to the parts of the cappuccino maker. Careful attitude and timely removal of milk residues will ensure long-term operation of the equipment.

The next disadvantage is that you are not able to control the quality of the foam. The machine does this according to factory algorithms; your only task is to carefully transfer the foam into the cup. But this disadvantage can also be turned into an advantage when using the machine in novice hands.

If you have not yet felt the state of the airy foam manually, then this function of the machine will make your efforts easier. The advantage of such devices is the price. It is significantly lower than that of fully automatic equipment.

Automatic cappuccino makers

These coffee machines are indispensable when there is a large flow of visitors. They allow you to prepare the desired drink with one click. They usually have a built-in container where milk should be added. Some models have an external milk jug, which is very convenient. You can detach the milk container and put it in the refrigerator, and take it out if necessary.

The disadvantage of automatic cappuccino makers is no different from the previous version. It is necessary to carefully monitor and clean the steam tap after each immersion in milk so as not to clog the tube. The ability to regulate foam is not provided in popular models, but in higher class coffee makers such a function exists. Accordingly, the price increases significantly.

Foamers

If you are the happy owner of a coffee maker, but without a cappuccino maker, then you can choose a manual cappuccino maker. They come with a milk tank and miniature hand mixers without a vessel. The first option is a metal cup, inside of which there are mechanical or magnetic blades. After pouring the milk directly into it, you turn on the device and whisk to the desired consistency.

You should immerse a hand mixer in a bowl of milk and while whisking you will see the milk transform into foam. The mini device runs on batteries, so you can take it with you without tangled wires or searching for an electrical outlet. Cleaning the whisk is as easy as cleaning the first frother.