How to Steam Milk At Home: DIY Hacks

I probably don’t need to tell you that good coffee and expertly steamed milk is a magical combination. After all, there’s a good reason why we just can’t get enough of cafe lattes, flat whites and all the rest. But do you know how to steam milk at home? What about how to froth milk without a frother?

As a former barista, I’m fully aware of the challenges involved in creating really good steamed milk. I also spend a lot of time reviewing super automatic espresso machines and portafilter machines — many of which have milk frothers that don’t measure up.

In this article I’ll discuss the difference between frothed milk and steamed milk. You’ll get some DIY tips on how to froth milk without a frother. You’ll learn how to steam milk at home by hacking your kitchen utensils, taking them a little beyond their intended purposes. It’s cool stuff, so get ready to have your mind blown!

Steamed Milk: What's the Big Deal?

Let me start by saying it isn’t enough to just heat milk and add it to your pour-over coffee or espresso. A lot more has to happen.

During the steaming process, air is pulled into the milk as it’s heated. High-pressure steam causes the milk fats to expand, creating a foamy consistency.

Proteins in the milk keep the foam stable, while the naturally occurring sugars are caramelized.

The resulting foamed milk is rich and creamy. It blends beautifully with espresso, working to enhance the coffee’s complex flavors and aromas.

If you steam milk for too long, things don’t turn out so well. Once milk is heated beyond 158 degrees Fahrenheit, the proteins start to break down and the milk tastes scorched.

That’s why we should take a moment to show some appreciation to all the great baristas out there who get it right! Some of them have really mastered the use of an espresso machine.

Steaming milk well — so that it has just the right consistency and temperature — is a real skill that takes a lot of practice. Creating beautiful latte art is another thing altogether, and not everyone is able to master it.

Steamed Milk vs Frothed Milk?

I’ve found that people tend to use “frothing” and “steaming” interchangeably. This doesn’t really bother me too much, although I’m sure there are plenty of professional baristas who feel differently.

Is steamed milk the same as frothed milk? Yes! Let me clear this question up for you today.

• Steamed milk can normally only be achieved by using a steam wand. As the steam heats the milk, minimal air is added, which creates fine, silky foam with tiny bubbles … aka microfoam. Thanks to my DIY hacks and milk frother recommendations though, you’ll be able to create the same or similar results without having to own an espresso machine.
• Frothed milk is thicker and foamier, and is created by injecting much more air into the milk. You can use a steam wand to create nice frothy foam, but there are other ways of achieving the same results. We’ll get to those later on.

How to Steam Milk at Home: Choosing the Best Milk

If you’re learning how to steam milk at home, the most important tip I can give you is to always use fresh, cold milk. As milk ages, it becomes more difficult to work with and it just won’t taste as good.

Whole Milk

As I mentioned in my milk foam guide, my preference is for whole milk from a cow. There’s just no escaping the fact that the fat content in whole milk is ideal for creating excellent microfoam. Not only that, it acts as a wonderful flavor carrier for espresso as well.

Nonfat Milk

Some folks will tell you that nonfat milk is ideal for steaming or frothing milk. I disagree: skim milk has less fat but more carbohydrates, making it difficult to achieve stable frothy milk foam.

You might be able to get decent results using nonfat milk, but I find it too watery and unsatisfying. The goal is good foam, not just acceptable.

Plant-Based Alternatives

I’d say you’re better off exploring the possibilities of steaming nondairy milk — aka plant-based alternatives — than wasting your time with nonfat milk.

Soy Milk

Soy Milk is ideal for frothing at home — you’ll get mountains of milk foam, but it does burn at a lower temperature than cow’s milk.

Oat Milk

Oat milk is another non-dairy option to consider. I’ve achieved great frothing results with Oatly, although the oaty taste does tend to overwhelm delicate roasts.

Other popular plant-based alternatives are almond milk, coconut milk, hemp milk, rice milk, cashew milk and pea milk. Of these, coconut milk offers the thickest and creamiest consistency for your home coffee adventures.

How to Make Steamed Milk at Home: Milk Frothers

I admit I used to turn my nose up at stand-alone milk frothers. I dismissed them as infomercial junk for those who didn’t have access to a super automatic espresso machine.

While you can’t achieve “true” steamed milk without using a steam wand, there’s a lot to be said for milk frothers. You can get fantastic results with these little things. Milk frothers are also easy to clean and often cost very little.

What kind of milk frother is best? Let’s take a look at your options.

Automatic Milk Frothers

With automatic milk frothers, you don’t always have sufficient control over the foaming process. However, some automatic milk frothers produce results that come close to what you’ll get from a steam wand. Here are some great tools to help you learn how to steam milk at home.

AEVO Milk Frothing Machine

Available for $83.99 on Amazon, the AEVO Milk Frothing Steamer is a most popular option.

The AEVO Milk Frothing Steamer is easy to use and does everything automatically. The base is a bit bulky, but it does a great job of quickly heating and frothing milk. Plus, fans of the AEVO claim that they can even make latte art with this thing!

Nespresso Aeroccino3 Milk Frother

Another crowd favorite is the Nespresso Aeroccino3 Milk Frother, which sells for $69.00.

The outer surface of the Nespresso Aeroccino3 has been ribbed for easy handling. The inside has a non-stick surface.

People who buy the Aeroccino3 tend to repurchase one after wearing out their first one with extensive use.

Breville BMF600XL Milk Frother

Sporting over 4,000 five-star reviews, the Breville BMF600XL Milk Frother is available for $159.95. It’s a bit pricier than the other options mentioned here, but also has a more fashionable look that will enhance any kitchen.

While ideal for cappuccinos and lattes, the Breville BMF600XL Milk Frother also does an amazing job with cocoa powder and matcha.

Keep in mind with this and any automatic milk frother that you don’t want to leave it unattended when in use. It has been designed to turn itself off when the desired temperature is achieved, but if the milk bubbles over, you definitely want to be around.

Bodum Bistro Electric Milk Frother

The Bodum Bistro Electric Milk Frother also enjoys a lot of popularity, with nearly 3,000 five-star reviews.

One user even claimed she was a Starbucks regular, yet wasn’t able to detect any difference in the quality of milk foam she could create at home with her Bodum Bistro Electric Milk frother.

Available for $26.31 on Amazon, the Bodum Bistro offers a simpler design with an auto-shutoff feature. It’s definitely worth checking out!

Battery-Operated Milk Frothers

I refer to these hand held milk frothers as “magic wands.” They’re super easy to use and very inexpensive, but they don’t tend to last very long. Because of flimsy design choices, hand held milk frothers break easily.

Powerlix Milk Frother

The PowerLix Milk Frother costs just $9.99 and gets rave reviews. By rave I mean over 46,000 five star reviews!

Zulay Milk Boss Milk Frother

Alternatively, the Zulay Milk Boss Milk Frother is another solid option to consider with over 51,000 five-star reviews. It has the added bonus of coming in a plethora of great colors!

More often than not, Zulay offers a one-dollar-off coupon on Amazon to boot! The price of the Zulay Milk Boss is $19.99 prior to applying the coupon, which is conveniently located on the same page.

With a little practice, you can actually get great results with a hand held electric milk frother. You can also use it for other kitchen whisking jobs. Probably not for making pancakes, but stirring hot chocolate or matcha for sure! The main downside is that you’ll have to heat the milk separately.

Turkish Coffee Pot

I recommend using a stainless steel Turkish coffee pot. It looks like a milk pitcher with a long handle sticking out from the side.

You can heat the milk on the stove, then froth it directly in the pot. Because it mimics a milk pitcher, it’s ideal for creating latte art, if that’s your jam.

Subliminal Stovetop Milk Warmer Pot

Subliminal also makes a really sleek-looking stovetop milk warmer pot. It’s metallic black and includes a convenient cleaning brush.

Available for $39.95, the Subliminal milk warmer pot will add some style to your milk foaming routine.

Zulay Milk Frother Complete Set

Zulay also offers a complete milk frother set that includes both a hand held electric frother and stovetop milk warmer pot.

The Zulay set also comes with some stencils to help you shortcut your way to better latte art. I don’t recommend them, but for $27.99 the set itself is a really good deal. You could always decorate your home with the stencils!

Manual Milk Frothers

Again, you’ll have to heat the milk separately when using a manual milk frother, but you can get superb results with one of these.

Bodem Latteo Manual Milk Frother

My favorite is the Bodum Latteo Manual Milk Frother, which costs $10.00. It looks just like aFrench press, and to create milk foam you’ll need to be prepared for a workout.

Still, you’ll have control over the consistency of your milk, and the more cappuccinos you prepare, the more impressive your arm muscles will become. Ooh la la!

Ninja Coffee Bar Easy Milk Frother

The Ninja Coffee Bar Easy Milk Frother is slightly narrower than the Bodum Latteo, which means it will take less space in your cupboard.

I never knew that ninjas were into coffee, as I’ve always thought of them as tea drinkers. It’s like they say … you learn something new every day!

Seriously though, a lot of people love the Ninja Coffee Bar Easy Milk Frother. Just don’t be fooled into thinking it’s easy on your arms!

How to Steam Milk Without an Espresso Machine: DIY All the Way Baby!

With a little determination and a positive outlook, you can create foamed milk at home without a milk frother, portafilter machine or super automatic coffeemaker.

Most kitchens have everything you’ll need, but I do recommend investing in a thermometer if you don’t own one.

Milk that’s been scorched isn’t going to do your coffee any favors. Trust me on that one. If you’re all about DIY, consider one of the following methods for how to steam milk at home:

French Press Method

What’s the point of buying a manual milk frother when you already own a French press? While it’s true that a Bodum Latteo resembles a French press, it has been designed so that the plunger moves up and down easily.

That said, I have heard that some French presses can do the job just as well. If it works for you, run with it!

Stovetop Method

Creating frothed milk in a saucepan takes time, but you can get perfectly good results. Remember to warm the milk slowly, and use a thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature.

Use a balloon whisk — the kind you use to beat eggs — and whisk the milk constantly and briskly. Don’t worry, it’ll get easier to create foam as the milk warms up.

Mason Jar Method

You’ll need a microwave for this steamed milk hack. I don’t really like using a microwave because it’s difficult to heat things consistently. Still, many people claim to get excellent results using this method.

Start by putting cold milk in a jar and then shake it like you mean it. At this point you’ll know whether or not you remembered the lid! Once the milk is frothy, remove the lid and put the jar in the microwave. The proteins in the milk will quickly heat and the foam will set.

Do not try shaking hot milk in a jar! It will spew everywhere and you’ll get burned.

Blender Method

Most kitchens have a blender in some shape or form. Frothing milk works well in a blender, so long as you are careful not to send hot milk all over your kitchen.

Simply add the heated milk to your blender. Cover the top with the lid and a dish towel and press go. I recommend starting on the lowest speed setting and moving up from there. I also suggest you start with a smaller amount of milk, so as to avoid a mess.

Alternatively, if you’re using a hand blender, just make sure the vessel you are blending in has tall enough sides to prevent a disaster. A good tall container is a must. Safety first!

Mixer Method

That mixer of yours can be used for far more than making cakes, though having some cake to go along with your coffee would be nice!

To froth milk with a mixer, you’ll want to put your milk in a bowl or measuring cup with tall sides. That will help prevent unnecessary spills or scalding.

Like with a blender, start on the lowest setting and proceed with caution if using hot milk. The safest option is frothing the milk cold and then heating it in the microwave.

Conclusion: Practice Makes – Almost – Perfect

You can create surprisingly good steamed milk at home without an expensive machine, but achieving high-quality milk foam takes a lot of practice.

You’ll need to spend a lot of time honing your technique in order to create good foam that’s stable. One thing I’ve found useful is to transfer the frothed milk to a smaller pitcher before you pour the milk into your designated cup.

As I already mentioned, I’m not a fan of microwaves for heating milk. Your best bet is to heat milk slowly and evenly. That way, the sugars will develop and you’ll end up with sweet, creamy milk that’ll really enhance the taste of your espresso.

How do you steam milk at home? Do you have a secret DIY version that you’re willing to share? As always, I look forward to your comments and suggestions!