On the path to making great lattes, you must answer the question, “What size frothing pitcher do I need?” It’s just another of those smaller, fiddly questions that are easy to ignore when you start making espresso.
But as you start perfecting your craft and learning to make more kinds of drink, knowing everything from what size milk frothing pitcher you need to what kind of spout it should have becomes all the more important.
Let’s take a look at the types of pitchers and which ones will best suit your needs.
What is a frothing pitcher?
A frothing pitcher, also known as a milk jug, is the container especially designed for holding the milk you need to heat up and froth for a variety of coffee drinks. It works just the same with dairy and non-dairy milk and is always made of a heat resistant material. They feature a spout to of course make pouring easier, but also to help you create latte art.
Technically you can froth in any container, but that runs the risk of accidents if the vessel isn’t heat safe as well as spillage if there’s no spout. It’s also simply more efficient to have a dedicated jug for frothing if you’re making espresso drinks regularly.
Understanding frothing pitcher sizes
Milk jug dimensions come in a handful of standard sizes, each with their own purposes. So let’s run through some of the basics.
Common frothing pitcher sizes and their uses
There are three main sizes of milk jug to choose from:
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12 oz (350ml): Best for single cappuccinos or small lattes. Ideal for home users with smaller espresso machines.
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20 oz (600ml): The most versatile size, perfect for standard lattes and flat whites.
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32 oz (1L): Ideal for multiple drinks at once, commonly used in professional settings.
How Much Milk Should You Froth?
How much milk you need will depend on the type of coffee drink you’re making and how many drinks you’re making at once. In general, you’ll always want to leave at least a third of the pitcher empty to give the milk room to expand. If you don’t, you can end up with a real mess on your hands when the pitcher overflows. Too little milk means it’s very easy for the milk to scald.
If you’re making a single espresso shot, here’s how much milk you should be using for some of the most popular types of drinks:
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Latte: 8 oz. heated to 140–150°F
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Cappuccino: 4 oz. heated to 140–150°F
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Cortado: 2 oz. milk heated to 130–140°F
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Flat white: 4 oz. milk heated to 140–150°F
What size frothing pitcher do I need for latte art?
If you’re interested in doing more than just pouring your frothed milk into a mug and calling it a day, then you’ll need to think more carefully about milk jug sizes. That’s because latte art requires a little more milk and a more specific spout to create professional-quality latte art.
Larger pitchers, meaning 20–32 ounces, can be tempting if you’re used to making lots of drinks at once. They do allow for a little more flexibility, which is why they can be great for beginners. But if you’re starting to up your game and work on creating more intricate patterns, then smaller 12-ounce pitchers are what can give you more control. They also require a little more precision, luckily, Pesado’s precision milk jugs fit the bill perfectly.
What size frothing pitcher do I need? How to choose:
Once you’re ready to get a pitcher for milk frothing, there are a few more differences to remember when choosing the right one for you.
Stainless steel is king
You’ll notice pretty quickly that nearly every professional-quality milk frothing pitcher is made from stainless steel, and that’s no accident. Stainless steel is the industry standard because when you’re working with the high heat a steam wand can produce, you want to make sure the vessel you’re using can withstand the temperatures.
Glass can shatter, and lightweight aluminum and plastic pitchers don’t heat evenly. Plus plastic pitchers can leech chemicals into your food when heated (which is also why you should never microwave plastic).
Choose the right frothing pitcher spout
Milk jugs come with two kinds of spouts: sharp and rounded. Rounded spouts are great for general frothing and steaming, and if all you want to do is make great coffee drinks, then they’re all you need.
But if you’re ready to dive into the world of latte art, then a sharp spout is where it’s at. The sharp spout allows for more precision to make more creative and elaborate designs in your microfoam.
Handle vs. handleless designs
Milk jugs also come in varieties with a handle and without, but does that really matter? Ultimately, not really.
It mostly comes down to a matter of preference. Handled pitchers obviously offer a better grip and help keep your hand farther from the heat.
Handleless pitchers are a little better for more advanced baristas because of the freedom of movement they provide, but truthfully, you can make great latte art with either one.
Find the best quality frothing pitcher with Pesado
Pesado’s milk frothing pitchers were designed with the espresso enthusiast in mind. That’s why they’re made from high-quality stainless steel and feature a comfortable ergonomic design and spout shapes that are great for helping you make the latte art of your dreams. Get a Pesado milk jug and start brewing pro lattes today.
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Durable, premium materials for long-lasting use.
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Ergonomic design for better control and precision.
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Optimized spout shapes for perfect latte art execution.
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Let’s link to this: https://pesado.com.au/collections/milk-jug-1
