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Core Milk Jug
What to look for when choosing the right milk jug for steamed milk.
Published December 20, 2021
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Jennie Backteman
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
If you want to start making your own coffee at home and are interested in making beverages that are espresso combined with milk such as lattes and cappuccinos, then one of the most important things to buy is a milk jug or pitcher. This is going to be an essential part of your kit and will make it easier for you to make sure that you can achieve the right consistency and texture when you are preparing steamed milk for your favorite drinks. Steaming milk is important to learning how to pour latte art, and it is one of the main skills that every barista needs to learn and should be able to get perfect. While steaming milk to perfection for milk-based espresso drinks might not always be easy to get the hang of at the beginning, using the right milk pitcher will absolutely make it easier, speed up the process, and help you learn these skills over time.
When choosing the best barista frothing pitcher or barista latte art milk jug, there are several different options and features for you to keep in mind when choosing the best one for you. Some of the main things to think about include the design, shape, size, spout type, weight, and even the color of the jug. Whether you simply want to make sure that you have the right equipment for making your favorite coffee drinks at home or want to become a pro at latte art, here’s what you need to know about choosing your milk jug.
What A Milk Jug Should Do
With all the different options that are now available, it can be all too easy to get overwhelmed when choosing the right milk pitcher for your home barista setup. Knowing which basics you should be looking out for is an important step in the process. The first thing to look do is make sure that you get a jug wide enough for a whirlpool effect in the milk during steaming, which will create the microfoam that you will need for drinks like lattes by breaking down any bubbles of air in the milk. Microfoam refers to the foam that you will produce through steaming milk when it is aerated well and heated evenly. When done right, you should get milk that is shiny, silky, and smooth with the right texture for creating latte art designs. Some of the main factors to consider when choosing the right milk jug for making coffee include:
Material
The best coffee pitcher that you should opt for is one that is slightly conical in shape and made with durable stainless steel. You should get a milk pitcher that is designed to capture the majority of the heat that is generated by the steam, promoting the absorption of air into the milk. The material that the milk jug is made for will also influence the strength of the pitcher. Stainless steel is the best option to choose from, but bear in mind the thickness, too. It’s always a wise idea to spend more on a jug that is made from stainless steel that is durable and fairly thick since this will help the milk remain at a consistent temperature during the steaming process. It will heat both the inside and outside of the jug, which makes it easier for you to determine when you have reached the right temperature. For baristas who are uncomfortable with touching a hot jug using just their hands and prefer to use a thermometer to measure the temperature of their milk, you can find stainless steel jugs with a protective coating to cool the outside of the jug on your hands while still capturing the heat inside.
Size and Shape
A barista will usually need pitchers and jugs with various capacities to make steamed milk for different drinks. If you are making espresso-based, milky coffee drinks at home then you will usually only need to get one jug, but the size is important based on how many people you are making coffee for. If you’re making coffee for two to three people in the morning, for example, a larger jug allows you to steam all or most of the milk for all of your drinks at once, saving time. On the other hand, a smaller jug will be a more ideal option for you if you are only making coffee for yourself since anything larger and you will risk wasting a lot of milk. Most milk jugs come in two size options, 12oz, and 20oz, although you can find other sizes available based on your needs.
Once you have determined the milk jug size that you need, it’s important to bear in mind that the pitcher’s shape will also play an important role when it comes to the foaming capacity of the jug. Some jugs have a straighter design while others have a more bell-like shape at the bottom. When deciding on the right shape and size of jug for your needs, the most important factor to consider is the amount of milk that you are going to need for making your coffee. The jug should be neither too empty nor too full, as too empty will lead to difficulties inserting the steam wand into the milk while on the other hand, a jug that isn’t large enough for the milk will lead to spillages and mess.
Spout Type
Another major factor to keep in mind when you are looking for the right milk pitcher for your coffee needs is the spout. This is an important factor to take into consideration if you want to make latte art, as the spout plays an important part in the process of creating latte art. Some jugs don’t have a spout, but these are usually better for making cappuccinos rather than latte art, as they make it harder to get the control that you need to make designs in the coffee.
If you are just getting started with latte art, one of the main things that you’re going to want is a milk jug that makes the process as easy as possible for you. The spout of the jug that you use can make it easier for you to master this skill. For most people, starting out with latte art involves making simple shapes like hearts and tulips. For this type of latte art, a classic spout is the best choice since this will allow the foam to flow from the jug in a more rounded shape. There are many factors to consider regarding the spout that will impact your latte art ability including the width, sharpness, and depth. A wider spout will allow you to quickly pour out more foam, while a sharper, narrower spout is best for intricate designs and finer lines.
Handle
Finally, consider the type of handle on the milk jug and whether or not you want a jug with a handle at all. Some baristas find it easier to use a milk jug without a handle while others find that a handle provides them with more control and flexibility when they are pouring milk and making latte art. If you choose to use a jug without a handle, be sure to get a thermal insulation wrap for around the jug to make it more comfortable to hold and avoid burning your hands and fingers.
How to Steam Milk Using a Milk Pitcher and Steam Wand
Once you have the right milk jug for your home barista requirements, it’s time to get started with learning how to steam milk. Don’t worry if the first few times you try steaming milk turn out with a bit of a mess; this is normal and it can take some practice to get the technique right and achieve the silky smooth, steamed milk with a layer of microfoam that you want.
To create steamed milk, begin by putting the milk into the clean pitcher. Ideally, you should use milk that is as cold as possible and fill it no more than three-quarters of the way since the milk will expand during steaming. Place your pitcher of milk under the steam wand and insert the wand just below the milk’s surface. Turn on the steam wand and keep its tip close to the side of the pitcher, just underneath the surface of the milk, until you create a whirlpool effect or vortex in the milk. Move the pitcher up and down to add air to the milk, breaking down any larger bubbles. Keep steaming until the milk has increased enough in size for the drink that you want to make. For a latte, you will want around one and a half times the original milk volume. Turn off the steam wand and gently tap the pitcher on a hard surface to remove any leftover air bubbles.
If you want to make lattes and cappuccinos at home, a good milk pitcher is an essential piece of kit.
About the author
Jennie Backteman
I´m a ultramarathon runner, landscape designer and a coffee lover.
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