The aromatic cappuccino drink is only one third composed of espresso. The rest of the cup is filled with milk foam whipped with hot steam. To make this mandatory component of a coffee drink, you need a milk frother for cappuccino. We will tell you about what foaming agents are in our article.
Steam cappuccinators
A frother, frother, or cappuccino machine is a device designed to whip milk, as a result of which it is enriched with oxygen, and milk foam forms on the surface of the liquid. There are two types of such devices:
- steam, that is, cappuccinators using steam to make foam;
- non-steam milk frothers.
The steam milk frother for cappuccino is an automatic device that connects to the coffee machine, and when you turn on the steam supply button, the liquid is whipped directly. On most existing automatic coffee machines, milk foam can be whipped using the following steam cappuccinators:
- a classic milk frother called panarello;
- automatic cappuccino machine with milk intake from any container;
- automatic cappuccino machine-jug with the function of simultaneous supply of foam;
- steam mechanical cappuccino machine.
There are also steam devices that do not connect to coffee machines, but prepare the foam separately, but also in automatic mode. These include an electric steam apparatus with a steam generator and a device resembling a geyser coffee machine in principle, in which the preparation of milk foam takes place on a stove.
Panarello
Paranello externally is a special elongated nozzle that is installed on the steam supply pipe. This device is considered a classic cappuccino machine and is included in the basic package of most automatic coffee machines.
However, such a cappuccino milk frother has one significant drawback. The fact is that when using Panarello, the whipping process must be constantly monitored by holding the container with milk during steam supply. The advantage of the nozzle is the high-quality result of foaming and ease of care. After using the panarello, it is enough to wash it under running water or pour water into a clean container and beat it with steam in the same way as milk.
Automatic Steam Cappuccinators
An automatic cappuccino machine with a milk intake from a separate container is installed in conventional coffee machines in place of a panarello. Using a silicone tube, the right amount of milk is taken from a bag or any other milk container. Then, the process of foaming milk begins in the cappuccino machine, at the end of which the foam is poured into a cup. After that, it will need to be rearranged under the dispenser to dispense a serving of coffee. There are also more modern coffee machines, where the processes of foaming milk and dispensing coffee occur automatically.
A milk cappuccino frother in the form of a jug is installed on the front side of the coffee machine. Beating foam in it occurs automatically when you press only one button to make coffee. Then the coffee machine, also in automatic mode, produces the right amount of foam.
Caring for such whippers is quite simple. In the first case, it is enough to organize the intake of clean water from a separate container and turn on the steam supply button, with the help of which the purification will take place. In the second case, the jug must be periodically removed and washed off the remnants of milk from its walls.
Manual and automatic milk frother without steam
Steam-free milk frothers convert milk into foam in mechanical mode using a special whisk rotating at high speed. Devices of this type include:
- manual milk frother;
- automatic milk frother.
The manual cappuccinator looks like an ordinary mixer or blender, which allows you to quickly get an excellent resistant foam. Due to the rapid rotation of the corolla of a special shape, whipping occurs in a matter of seconds, and the result is a stable and effective foam. It is extremely easy to clean and runs on two batteries.
The electric or automatic milk fryer for cappuccino works on the same principle as the previous device, but not manually, but from the mains. The foamer is equipped with a whisk and a milk heating system and in less than a minute you can get high-quality foam. It is enough to pour milk into it, turn on the button and in a minute get a gorgeous foam, even by the standards of professionals.
Milk frother for cappuccino "Ikea": principle of operation
Several companies offer to buy milk frothers at once. Their devices differ in price and build quality, but for the most part they provide high-quality foam. In Ikea stores, such a cappuccino machine (manual) can be bought for just 99 rubles. How to use it?
Pour milk into a container in which whipping will occur. The liquid should occupy 1/3 of the volume of the cup. Then the milk needs to be warmed to room temperature and, keeping the container at an angle, lower the beater into it. And only now you can turn on the device. Beat for about a minute. When the milk begins to “curl” into the funnel, the frothing can be stopped. The result is a uniform silky foam on top, and milk remains on the bottom. Just what you need to make a cappuccino or latte.
Cappuccino coffee machine: popular models
Several models of coffee machines with different types of built-in milk frothers can be noted. Here are just a few of them:
- coffee machine with a cappuccino machine in the form of panarello - most coffee machines are represented in this category. As an example, Philips Saeco HD 8325 Poemia and Delonghi ESAM 2600 models;
- coffee machine with a milk intake from a separate container - Philips Saeco HD8750 99 Intuita;
- automatic coffee machines with a jug of milk - Delonghi ECAM 22.360.S Magnifica S and Philips HD8828 Series 3100.
It is worth noting that both automatic and manual cappuccinators beat foam equally well. But in the first case, especially when it comes to modern coffee machines, the foaming process occurs with minimal human involvement.