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Barista Utensils: Pitchers
The important factors to consider when looking for a coffee milk pitcher.
Published December 17, 2021
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Johan Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
If you want to make your own espresso drinks at home using steamed milk, a milk jug or pitcher is going to be an essential part of your kit. The best barista jug will make it easier for you to achieve the right texture and consistency when it comes to steaming milk and creating the perfect latte art will be a breeze. Steaming milk and pouring latte art are the two key skills that every good barista should be able to perfect. While they are not easy to perfect, particularly at the beginning, you can master these skills over time, and using the right milk pitcher will certainly speed up the process.
There are lots of different features and options for you to consider when choosing the best coffee milk pitcher including the design, color, shape, size, type of spout, weight, and more. If you want to get better at latte art or simply want to make sure that you have the right equipment for your home barista setup, these are some of the most important factors to consider.
Basic Requirements
When choosing a coffee milk pitcher, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the options, so knowing which basics to look out for is important. The first factor to look for is a jug that is wide enough to create that ‘whirlpool’ effect when steaming milk, which is important for creating micro-foam by breaking down the larger bubbles. Micro-foam is a term that is used to refer to the foam that is produced when steaming milk that is evenly heated and well-aerated. It should result in milk that is silky, shiny, and evenly smooth with the perfect texture for creating latte art.
While there are lots of different variables to consider when choosing a barista pitcher, which you can learn more about below, the most important thing to consider when choosing the right one for you is how comfortable you are with it. Whenever you can, shop in person when looking for milk pitchers for sale as this will give you the chance to handle the jug and make sure that you are comfortable with the balance and weight. Read reviews to find out more about factors such as heat control and how much control the barista has over the milk when pouring.
Shape and Size
To make steamed milk, a barista will usually need milk jugs and pitchers with different capacities. Most commonly, these are ½ liter, ¾ liter, and one liter. These measurements refer to the full volume of the milk jug, but in most cases when steaming milk, you will need to only fill the jug to half capacity before it is steamed. Most milk jugs are available in two sizes of 12oz and 20oz. However, if it is required, you can find smaller and larger jugs available to fit your needs.
Along with the size, it’s important to remember that the shape of the pitcher will also play a role when it comes to the milk jug’s foaming capacity. Some have a bell-shaped bottom while others are straighter. The most important thing to consider is the amount of milk that you are going to need to make your perfect coffee. You want to avoid your jug being either too empty or too full. If it’s too full, the milk is going to spill out of the jug while you are steaming it. On the other hand, if it’s too empty, you will struggle to insert the steam wand into the milk.
Material
Ideally, the best coffee milk pitcher should be slightly conical in shape and made from stainless steel. The purpose of this piece of equipment for steaming and frothing milk is to capture most of the heat that is generated by the steam and promote the absorption of air into the milk. The lip of the milk pitcher is also another factor that you should take into consideration since this is essential to creating latte art and making sure that you get the ratio of steamed milk and milk foam right when making a cappuccino.
Along with these characteristics and features, you should also consider the overall strength of the pitcher. While stainless steel is the best material to go for, consider how thick the steel is. A jug that is made using high-quality, fairly thick stainless steel is the best option since this will help the milk remain at a consistent temperature while it is being steamed. Along with heating the inside, the outside of the jug is also heated allowing you to gauge once you have gotten to the right temperature. However, if you are uncomfortable with this, you can use a thermometer and a jug with a Teflon coating designed to protect your fingers.
Spout
The spout of the milk pitcher is another important consideration to make as this will play an important part in a barista latte art milk jug. Whether you want to make hearts, rosettas, tulips, or even come up with your own latte art designs, the spout will be a crucial part of the process. Some models come without a spout, but these make it difficult, if not impossible, to create latte art. If you are just starting out with learning latte art, you will want the jug you choose to make it as easy as possible for you to get the results that you want. Choosing a jug with a good spout will make it easier for you as a beginner to learn and practice your latte art skills.
Most people who want to get into latte art start with some simple shapes like tulips and hearts. A classic spout pitcher is the best choice when you are first starting since this allows the foam to flow out of the jug in a rounded shape. Bear in mind that the depth, sharpness, and width of the spout will all have an impact on the type of latte art that you can create. A wider spout allows you to pour out more foam quickly, while you will need a sharper spout if you want to go slowly and focus on creating latte art with finer lines.
Handle
Whether to get a milk jug with a handle is an option, and this will depend on how you hold the milk jug when you are pouring. Some baristas find that a handle gives them a greater degree of flexibility when they are pouring the milk, making it easier for them to hold the top of the jug leading to better precision and more control. On the other hand, some people prefer to use the jug without a handle when pouring. If this is the case with you, then it will be important for you to wrap the jug with thermal insulation, otherwise, you will burn your hands.
Best Milk Jug Brands to Consider
When it comes to buying a milk jug for your home barista practice, there are some reputable brands that you can’t go wrong with. These include:
Motta Milk Jug
Made with nice welding and thick walls, you can rely on this jug to be durable and highly resistant to any accidents. In fact, it’s more likely to break your counter if you drop it than any damage occurring to the jug itself. It’s a hugely popular brand in the coffee industry and is favored by lots of coffee shops. It comes in a base of thick stainless steel and there are three color options to choose from including classic black or a bright, colorful red. It has a rounded edge for safety and makes it easier to pour out the milk from the side if making a white top cappuccino. It has a long spout which is perfect for latte art if you’re pouring into a tall glass.
Barista Gear Milk Pitcher
Made with S304 stainless steel and a surface treatment of titanium mark, this is a high-quality milk pitcher option with a sharp pouring spout that makes it easy to control the direction of the milk when making latte art. It comes with a handle that fits nicely in the palm of the hand and remains comfortable even when creating intricate latte art designs. It’s eco-friendly and has a unique design, perfect for coffee shops or home baristas. Since it is so easy to use, it’s a great choice for beginners.
Ada Crew Milk Jugs
Rated by many baristas as the best milk pitcher in the world, Ada Crew is a well-known option and a safe bet if you are looking for a good milk pitcher option to get started with when making latte art. It has a large, long handle that allows you to get really good swing control and comes with a spout design that offers a great level of control when creating latte art.
While there are some basic requirements for choosing a milk pitcher, bear in mind that what works for one barista might not always work for you, so take your time to find a jug that is a good fit.
About the author
Johan Hedlund
I´m living in Karlstad, Sweden with my family. Been working the last 25 years with several start ups in the tech industry. Coffee has been an integral part, both professionally and privately. Eager to learn new things and happy to be a member of the era of we community.
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