Showing posts with label cappuccino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cappuccino. Show all posts

2/15/2012

Bodum Shin Bistro 4-Ounce Milk Frother Review

Bodum Shin Bistro 4-Ounce Milk Frother
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have had my Bodum frother for about three years (older model than this one, black plastic top) and have had no problems with it other than my husband hitting the top rim with something and chipping the glass. I smoothed it out with an emery board nail file and it is fine, but that prompted me to look on Amazon to see if they still sold them so that I could order a backup but they are a little pricey now; I think I paid only about $10 for mine.

Many people have criticized this product because the glass broke and it seems many people are using metal spoons with it. To me it is common sense when dealing with a thin glass product such as this to use a plastic utensil if you need one. One of those long handled plastic spoons like you get at an ice cream shop work well. I usually just pour my froth out and wait a few seconds with a couple of little shakes which gets most of it out.
I always heat the milk (or half & half which I use most of the time) in the microwave first right in the beaker, then do the pumping and have had no problems doing it that way. I actually think heated milk froths better and creates a finer froth. Many people are under the false impression that heated milk won't froth but I think this is because most of the instructions on frothing are for espresso machines where it is always suggested to use very cold milk before steaming and frothing. But this is because of the heating factor with the hot steam. You have to use cold milk or you won't have enough time to froth before the milk reaches the ideal temperature. If you used preheated milk it would quickly overheat using hot steam to froth. So I think because of this many people assume that you need cold milk for any kind of frothing.
My Bodum has held up extremely well over the years that I have used it but I am careful with it and never put it in the dishwasher. I always immediately rinse both the wand and beaker, fill with a little warm water and detergent, then pump a few times to disperse the detergent. I then rinse well and air dry. I rarely take it apart to clean. Once in awhile I use a very soft brush to clean the screen.
This little frother is both convenient and stress free, no worrying about timing, or temperature, as with the espresso machine wands. You just pump for as long as you want until you're happy with the volume of your froth, which you can easily see because of the clear glass.
Laura

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bodum Shin Bistro 4-Ounce Milk Frother

Create a smooth and consistent milk foam without electricity. Bodum's Shin Bistro 5-Ounce Milk Frother is easy to use and quickly froths milk. Simply add cold non-fat milk to the fill line before setting the lid in place. Then pull and push the plunger until milk turns to a frothy foam. The volume of milk froth will approximately double. Allow the froth to sit for a minute and thicken. To heat the froth, remove the lid/plunger unit and put the carafe with frothed milk in the microwave on high for 20 seconds. Use a spoon to scoop out the frothy foam and top off favorite coffee drinks. Able to hold up to 5 ounces, the beaker is made of durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass. All parts are dishwasher safe.

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8/22/2011

Delonghi EMK6 Alicia Electric Moka Espresso Coffee Maker Review

Delonghi EMK6 Alicia Electric Moka Espresso Coffee Maker
Average Reviews:

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1/20/06 First reviewed: I received this as a gift and had about twenty wonderful cups of moka from this cute little electric machine, but then one day in the third week of ownership, steam went a'flyin outside of the moka maker instead of into the top chamber. I called customer service and was given a run-around, ugh. I was told that without a receipt I could buy the replacement unit for around $40 plus shipping. She said that most of their products have a 30 or 60 day warranty, which surprised me greatly. Since I'd owned the product for less than 30 days, I figured I was still in the warranty time any way one looked at it, but I was wrong. With no receipt, no exchange from DeLonghi. Well, I tried to use the unit after really tightening the top and bottom together and the escaping steam abated. The next week, the shut off valve on the heating unit started making a terrible noise and the unit wouldn't even start. It would be triggered within a few seconds to shut off, so I had nothing at all brewing. Aha, I regained my smartness finally, and took the item to Bed Bath and Beyond, and they were extremely gracious in having another sent to me because the store didn't have it in stock. I hope that when this replacement arrives in a week or two I'll love it again, but I hope this time it's a more long lasting relationship. I'll recommend that you buy this from Amazon because the price is substantially less but be sure to keep your receipt even if you register the warranty!
UPDATE 2/21/07 The replacement unit has been working flawlessly for a year now and it's used on a daily basis. I'd give it another star!
UPDATE 1/16/09 Another year has almost passed and this is still working great. With proper care, I think it will outlive us all!

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Delonghi EMK6 ALICIA Electric Moka Espresso Maker EMK6 Coffee & Tea Makers

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6/14/2011

Aerolatte 5 Milk Frother, Satin Finish Review

Aerolatte 5 Milk Frother, Satin Finish
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I just got the box from Amazon, pulled out my new Aerolatte, removed the protective cover from the battery compartment (yeah, it even comes pre-loaded with a pair of "aerolatte" double A's!), and put about 2 oz of NON-FAT (skim) milk in a glass.
I nuked the milk for about 20 seconds, pulled it from the microwave, stuck the aerolatte in the glass and pushed the switch.
DANG!!
Nearly INSTANT foam. GOBS of it. It formed PEAKS!! You could make small milk-animals out of it.
I really can't believe how well this thing works. The only thing that would ruin it for me is if it simply fell apart after a few uses, but frankly, with a little bit of care, it looks like it'll hold up. We'll see.
But in the meantime, call me Doctor Foam.
-Jonathan SabinUPDATE ***9 MONTHS LATER***
Notwithstanding the complaints of people who claim that their aerolatte lasted about 5 minutes, I just replaced the batteries for the first time since buying it back in January. (Yes, it still works, but I was disappointed that I was no longer able to make foam-animals!)
Well a couple of fresh Duracells later, and I sound like a deranged dentist with this thing in my hand. The "buzz" I had become accustomed to, is now a high-pitched whizzing sound, that actually made my molars uncomfortable.
But I'm back to making some seriously decent foam again!

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Frothing milk has never been easier than when using the Aerolatte, a stylish and convenient hand held frother. Attractively designed with a chrome finish, it operates on two included AA batteries to quickly froth milk, and does not rely on steam. It's small size makes it highly portable and easy to store, and is especially great for frothing individual cups.

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4/20/2011

Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker Review

Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker
Average Reviews:

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Every family in Italy owns one of these machines. Here are a few tips:
1. In Italy this is NOT called an espresso machine, but a Moka machine. An espresso is what you would drink in bar made with a steam or high pressure machine with the crema on top.
2. Smaller size Moka machine tend to make better coffee.
3. Never wash the Moka with detergents, just rinse it under tap water
4. You've gotta use it often for a good coffee.
5. If you haven't use it in a while, make a weak coffee ("lungo") and discard
6. DO NOT put the MOka in the dishwasher.
7. Use drinking water. Avoid tap water especially if very chlorinated
8. Never compress the coffee.
9. For a strong coffee fill the filter with ground coffee and make a small cupola that slightly protrudes beyond the rim. Do not press down.
10. For best coffee, heat at very low heat. It's ok if it takes 10min.
11. As soon as coffee reaches the top, remove from heat
12. Do not let the coffee boil
13. Use good quality coffee, not too strong, medium grind (try Illy for a good commercial brand)
14. Sip while still hot, enjoy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bialetti 6800 Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker

Adding eclectic character to the kitchen stovetop, this polished-aluminum coffee pot features a unique octagon shape that was first designed in Italy in 1933. The unit makes six 2-ounce espresso cups of coffee in just four to five minutes and is extremely simple to use. Just fill the lower chamber with water and the top filter with fine-ground coffee. Then place the pot on the stove and heat until the water boils. Through a pressurizing process, espresso moves to the upper chamber of the pot, ready to be served. Other highlights include a flip-up top with an easy-grip knob, a stay-cool black plastic handle, and a side-pour spout. When finished using the unit, wash it by hand with warm soapy water and rinse clean. Made in Italy, the espresso maker measures 4-1/4 inches wide by 8 inches tall.

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