Whenever we buy a new kitchen device, the first thing that comes to our mind is performance and longevity. Just like all other appliances, a milk frother is an appliance too, and if you are using it regularly, it will become dirty and will need to be cleaned regularly to maintain performance and meet good hygiene standards.
To brew the perfect classic coffee every time at home, one has to make sure that the frother always remains clean between froths. Dried, stale milk can be tougher to clean out of nooks and crannies, and is a health hazard. Despite the fantastic work the milk frother does, not many of us are fond of spending long periods of time cleaning devices when they haven’t been looked after. A short but thorough cleaning session after each use can go a long in maintaining high standards and the longevity of your milk frother/espresso machine.
The most important thing is that not all milk frothers are cleaned in the same way. Most frothers are manufactured with easy cleaning options like scrubbing brushes, but frothers like the stovetop or electric ones can’t be cleaned with the simple scrubbing technique. To avoid the hassle, here are some cleaning tips to follow based on the type of frother.
How to Clean an Industry Milk Frother
Cleaning a Handheld Milk Frother
Handheld milk frothers are used to make milk froth. They aerate the milk, creating thick foam, and these types of frothers are easy to clean. The fastest way to get a sparkling milk frother is to clean it immediately after using it. All you need to do is to wipe the frother with the help of a soapy sponge and then rinse it off in warm water. Or turn it on in a glass of warm soapy water. The best way to clean the frother is to do it immediately after use, as the dried milk will be easy to clean off.
Is there another way to clean the frother which is also simple?
Step 1: The first thing to do is to turn the milk frother off. If the device runs on electricity, unplug it and let it cool down before starting the cleaning procedure.
Step 2: the second step is to handwash the dirty wand with the whisk under a faucet of warm water. The coil needs to be washed gently as it might break if it is done roughly. If there is any milk residue, use a brush to clean the coil. Limestone deposits on the wand can be eliminated by soaking the whisking part in warm water with lemon juice/ citric acid. Submerging the whisking wand into warm water by keeping it on for several seconds might also help to get rid of the milk residue.
Step 3: Fill a cup or medium-sized glass with warm water along with a few drops of washing up liquid. Dip the wand with the whisk into the soapy water. While in the cup/glass, turn it on/use the pumper to make bubbles to remove the residue. If the handheld frother is an electric one, turn the device on and leave it running for 10-15 seconds, then switch off the machine and remove it from the soapy water. Giving a periodic thorough cleaning using detergent will prevent milk deposits. Sanitizing with detergent also increases the longevity of the device.
Step 4: Fill the glass with pure water and then turn on the frother and dip it once again to clean the detergent. Repeat the process several times, so there is no trace of detergent left on the frother.
Step 5: use a wet cloth to clean the metallic part of the frother. Try to keep the electrical portion of the frother dry as it is where the battery is located. Once the whisk is cleaned, turn the device on to let the whisk dry.
How to Clean a Stand Alone Electric Milk Frother
Step 1: turn off the electric frother. Make sure all the parts are unplugged. Before starting the cleaning procedures, please keep all the items at rest for a while so that they cool down.
Step 2: Before cleaning the frother, separate the carafe from its power base. Disassemble all the other removable parts, like the heating disk and frothing. Both the pitcher and base are not adaptable to the dishwasher. To find out this critical information, check your model. As both of them consist of electrical components, do not submerge them into the dishwasher, instead of doing, so hand washing them is the best option.
Step 3: once the frother and the other parts are cooled, clean them with hot running water and soap.
Step 4: as milk jugs have a non-stick inner coating, and this feature makes the cleaning procedure effortless. If there is any creamy milk deposited at the bottom of the jug, wash it off using a gentle sponge or cloth. It’s best to use non-abrasive detergent in that particular area. If there is any limestone deposit, use citric acid or lemon juice to remove it or a limescale remover spray. If the stain stays even after doing so, scrub it with gentle hands. Please do not use a knife or fork to remove the stains as it will leave a scratch on the surface.
Step 5: Now come the external parts, to clean the exterior use moist cloths to protect it from discoloration and scratches. Never use chemicals or soap as it might lead to rusting of the external surface.
Step 6: wipe all the parts using a dry cloth and make sure that they are not wet before storing.
Step 7: If your electric frother is dishwasher safe, all the hassle will be gone. All you need to do is dismantle the jug, lid, and frothing disk and put them into the machine and press it on.
Cleaning a stovetop/ manual milk frother
Stovetop/manual milk frother is just like the other cutlery and pans. They are usually the most hassle-free products to work with and can be cleaned with little effort. This is because they have no electrical components. Typically dishwasher is enough to clean the manual frothers unless they contain plastic parts. Follow the steps to wash this type of frothers.
Step 1: use rubber gloves to hand wash the frothers. First, remove the plunger and mesh from the jug and it with a warm soapy solution and then soak it under the faucet. This will not only ensure that all the soap bubbles are gone but will also clean the residue of the milk. Right after this procedure, the mesh needs to be dried thoroughly with a dry cotton cloth. If not done so, it might rust as it is made of metal.
Step 2: if there are any limestone deposits, use citric acid or a lemon and vinegar solution. Keep it in the solution for about an hour. Once the residue is washed away, clean it with running water.
Step 3: clean the jug with a soft soapy sponge to clean any milk deposits. For obstinate burnt, immerse it into the solution for 10-15 mins before washing it.
Step 4: once the procedure is done, replace the plunger and wipe all the parts and dry it thoroughly before storage.
Conclusion – How to Clean an Industry Milk Frother
Cleaning is the most crucial part of maintaining milk frother appliances. If it is not done properly, it might reduce longevity, and in the case of products like milk frothers, the performance will deteriorate and the lower hygiene standard will at best ruin the flavor of the milk.
If you are a coffee lover and tend to use the milk frother regularly, then be prepared to wash it off frequently. If you cannot cope with the hassle of cleaning it then perhaps opt for the type of frother that is dishwasher safe.
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