When exploring the question: what is the best value handheld milk frother? it is important to consider what the frother is used for and by whom? If the company making a good quality milk frother throw in free sweeteners of a relevant type that would have an irresistible draw and benefit to the would be owner then they may well produce the best value handheld.
What is a Handheld Milk Frother?
A handheld milk frother is a tool for churning milky foam for use in Italian style beverages like cappuccinos and lattes. Classed as budget milk frothers they are mostly far more affordable than electric steamers and espresso machines that use steaming wands to froth milk. They do not warm milk for you, instead a blade whisks already warmed milk (sometimes cold milk) at high speed injecting air into the milk, creating micro bubbles until the milk becomes creamy froth.
Who is Likely to use a Handheld Milk Frother?
The budget conscious coffee lover, aspiring barrister or coffee loving traveler, is likely to use a hand held milk frother. The handheld milk frother simply allows you to heat some milk, pour in a glass, press the on button, create milk froth and pour on to hot instant coffee for a decent replica of a bistro style cappuccino or latte.
If your milk frother is of a high standard the foam comparison with a steam wand found coupled with a serious espresso machine will be fractional.
For aspiring baristas owning a handheld milk frother is a great way to practice your latte art if the hand held frothing device creates thick enough milk froth.
What Makes the Best Hand Held Milk Frothers?
The best devices for creating creamy froth should have powerful motors of 2000 RPM under the surface, have trustworthy waterproof casing, stainless steel shafts for a long life, food safe polycarbonate impellers (internal propellors) be lightweight and easily cleanable. Extra nuances should be that the frother looks good on your counter top and boasts long battery life; in short they should work well while looking good doing it.
The Best Value Handheld Mik Frother
Subminimal: The Sweetener
I already touched upon how aspiring baristas can use a good quality hand held milk frother for practicing latte art. While perusing many models and brands while researching handheld milk frothers I cam across a brand called Subminimal. Subminimal, offer a free video course in latte art for any customer who buys their hand held devices.
Incredibly, this course is taught by world champion latte artist, Lance Hendrick. Starting with practice techniques, the video chapters include: learning the basics, creating simple hearts, rosettas to winged tulips. The whole class is taught using their hand held milk frother: NanoFoamer.
Another unique sweeter from Subminimal is the wall mount included in the box.
Subminimal: The Handheld
The Nano foamer V2 and Nano foamer rechargeable version are powerful handheld milk frothers made from brushed stainless steel and poly carbonate. Sonically welded seams make sure the construction is durable and water tight. Weighing 104 g and 135 g respectively, they’re lightweight to hold. Plus, with motor speeds of 3k rpm and 4 k rpm respectively, under the surface, these frothers are fast and powerful, whipping up creamy foam in under 30 seconds. Both models come with two speeds for finer bubbles and less dense foam more suitable for lattes.
A stylish looking hood means both models are highly portable making them useful for travel, camping or rooms without kitchens with less space.
How to use The Subminimal Nanofoam
Select the nano screen with finer holes or wider holes for bigger foam and click into place. Make sure your milk is about 56 degrees, then dip the wand into the center for 4 or 5 seconds injecting the milk with air. Make sure your pitcher is half full of milk. Slant the wand and move the impeller towards the edge of the pitcher.
Make sure your batteries a fully charged so the frother is spinning as fast as possible. Within several seconds the sound will die as milk turns to foam suitable for lattes or cappuccinos. Please note the rechargeable version can be charged by USB.
In Conclusion
The Nanofoam models whip up froth barely distinguishable from espresso machines with steam wands you’d find in your favorite bistro. Choose from a fast rechargeable model or a AAA powered model for foam in a jiffy.
With sweetners like a free course from two time champion of the Coffee Fest Latte Art World Championship, Lance Hedrick and an easy to use wall mount Subminimal have created handheld milk frother bundles that are hard to better. Well constructed and made of robust materials promise a device that won’t fail any time soon. The Subminimal range certainly has a case for being the best value handheld milk brothers, though if I see any rival bundles I’ll let you know.
