Kitchen equipment · Frother

Milk frother

A small device that whips air into milk to make foam for cappuccinos, lattes and hot chocolate.

Specialist · Electric · 15 recipes

Photo: Lymantria, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-3.0)

What it is

Either a battery-powered handheld wand with a small spinning whisk on the end, or an electric jug that heats and froths milk at the press of a button using a magnetic whisk. Manual plunger frothers pump air through a mesh. They give foam without an espresso machine's steam wand.

What it’s for: Creating foamed or heated milk for coffee and other drinks.

How to use it

Heat milk if using a handheld wand (jug models heat it themselves).
Fill a tall jug no more than a third full to allow for expansion.
Lower the whisk just under the surface, switch on and move it slightly until foam forms.
Tap the jug to burst large bubbles and pour.

Good to know

Tasks: frothing milk for coffee, making hot chocolate, whisking matcha, blending protein or powdered drinks
Cooking methods: Whipped
Materials: stainless steel, plastic
Care and cleaning: Run the wand briefly in clean water after use; wash the jug's whisk and non-stick interior gently.
Limitations: Small quantities only; plant milks vary in how well they foam.

Safety

Do not immerse the handle or jug base in water.

If you don’t have one

French press / cafetière — Pump warm milk with the plunger for thick foam.
Hand (stick) blender — Froths a larger amount of warm milk.

Equipment guide

How it works: A whisk spinning at high speed, or steam injected under the milk surface, forces air into the milk. Milk proteins coat the air bubbles and stabilise them as foam; warming to about 55–65 °C gives the sweetest taste and a stable foam, while overheating thins it and gives a cooked flavour.

Material	Good	Watch out
Stainless steel	Durable, non-reactive, dishwasher-safe, does not hold smells.	Can scratch non-stick pans; conducts heat, so all-metal handles get hot.
Non-stick (PTFE or ceramic sol-gel coating on aluminium)	Eggs, fish and pancakes release with little fat; easy to clean; forgiving for beginners.	Coatings wear out (ceramic often faster than PTFE); PTFE should not be heated empty or above about 260 °C; poor at building fond; needs non-metal utensils.
Plastic body	Light.	Less durable.

Handheld battery whisk: Quick foam; no heating.
Electric jug frother: Heats and froths at the touch of a button.
Manual plunger frother: Pump a mesh plunger through warm milk.
Steam wand: Part of an espresso machine; best texture for latte art.

Buying guidance

Starting out: An electric jug frother with hot and cold settings.