HOW TO STEAM MILK
HOW TO STEAM MILK
You will need:
- an espresso machine with steaming wand or a stovetop milk steamer
- a chilled steaming pitcher
- a thermometer
- cold milk or 1/2 & 1/2
1. Fill your espresso machine or stovetop steamer with water.
2. Turn the machine on, or place the stovetop steamer on a burner to heat the water.
3. Pour cold milk or 1/2 & 1/2 into a chilled steaming pitcher. You may want to store the pitcher in your refrigerator when you’re not using it so it will always be cold.
4. Submerge the head of the steaming wand of your espresso machine or stovetop steamer into the milk.
5. Turn the steam on.
6. Slowly lower the pitcher of milk so the head of the steaming wand just breaks the surface of the milk. Be careful not to lower the pitcher too quickly or the milk will splatter and spray.
7. By keeping the head of the steam wand just at the surface you are introducing small air bubbles to the milk. This is sometimes called foaming, frothing, or stretching the milk.
- If you are making a cappuccino or other drink requiring a large amount of milk foam, continue to stretch the milk as it heats. This will create more milk foam.
- If you are making a latte or other drink that does not require very much milk foam, stretch the milk only for a few seconds. Then submerge the head of the steam wand back into the milk. Tilt the pitcher slightly as the milk heats to create a “whirlpool”. This will cream the foam and help eliminate any large bubbles.
8. Use a quick-reading thermometer to check the temperature of the milk as it heats. The milk is warm enough when the temperature reaches between 140 degrees and 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you do not have a thermometer, lightly touch the side of the pitcher as the milk heats. When the pitcher is almost too hot to touch, the milk should be warm enough. Be careful not to burn yourself.
9. Turn the steam off.
10. Tap the pitcher lightly on a countertop to settle any large air bubbles in the milk. Then swirl the milk briefly inside the pitcher. This will give the milk shine and a creamy texture.
You are now ready to add the steamed milk to your drink.