Norpro Glass Froth Master

UPDATE: It's been over a year and the glass still hasn't broken despite the insane amount of times I've smashed it against something else by accident (I'm an EXTREMELY clumsy person). Clearly it's sturdier than I thought before. Below is the original review.---I've always tried to have milk froth in my home-made coffee after having tried it outside, but I never managed to do it right. I tried with those handheld battery-operated mixers or cups with the same system included in their base, and also with my parents' coffee machine which includes a steam-based one, and I rarely, if ever, managed to get a result anything closer to what I wanted.So, I purchased this on a whim, since I was purchasing an AeroPress Espresso Maker and this showed up in the "Frequently Bought Together" section. And I don't think I've ever been so happy with an unexpected purchase. This product works wonders. And now I find myself making a wonderful capuccino every day or even adding froth to just regular cocoa milk. This thing makes delightful hot beverages and cold desserts (or vice versa).I see some people claiming the froth it makes is not good enough, which forces me to conclude they're simply using it wrong. Perhaps they put too much milk in the container, or too little. Or they use the pump wrong. Who knows? My experience tells me that the froth created with this is great (creamy and thick), and while it MIGHT not fool a professional barista, it will look and taste fantastic to everyone else.If I have to find a defect in this is that the glass does look too fragile. Mine hasn't broken, but I'm extremely careful with it. But even though I don't force it it still might break by accident (it WILL break if it falls to the floor, I'm 100% sure). Even so, the container is easily replaceable, and I already have in my home several glass, ceramic or plastic containers of a similar diameter and height. As long as the replacement container isn't taller than the pump, you'll have no problem using it.

I wish I could give this 7 stars for what this contraption is able to produce - a light, airy and abundant froth that will give the most skillful employees in Starbucks a run for their money. I love my cappuccino and to be able to make a better one at home than the best coffee shops with the help of this Norpro frother is so awesome and economical. I have now used this for over a month. After a couple of tries in the beginning I figured how to get the perfect froth every time. Its no rocket science. Use 2% cold milk, fill it to the graduated line and pump for about 30 - 40 times when you will see some froth build up. Then take out the pump and put the glass beaker in the microwave. In about 40-50 seconds the milk heats up and so does the froth from the cold milk. As the froth heats, it will expand, become airy and rise up. Keep an eye on the beaker in the microwave so that you can stop the microwave just as the froth reaches the brim. This heated froth is not only light and airy but also more stable than the one that you achieved by pumping the cold milk. Mix the milk in the fresh brewed coffee and then mix half the froth into the coffee as well. Spoon the rest of the froth over the coffee to get a thick crown (like on a beer). Sprinkle some chocolate/cinnamon/allspice powder and enjoy a perfectly crafted cappuccino and say goodbye to the coffee shops who rip you off. I have even made one in spill-proof steel mug, taken to office and still found a decent froth floating on it after about an hour. I am ordering one more of this frother because the glass beaker is really thin and fragile and as reported by many reviewers, may break if it were to knock against the kitchen sink or tap. That is the only drawback but it should not stop you from buying this otherwise perfect contraption.

I wanted to try an at home milk frother(have never had one)- I got hooked on cafe au laits at my local coffee shop as a cheaper alternative to lattes etc. (just coffee instead of espresso) and decided I wanted to make them at home, too. Well this thing works and I was surprised! Yes, it is a little fragile but just be careful. It washed great- I have been using it daily and rinse with hot water and air dry. Here's how I get best froth, which btw- this is a creamy rich froth (which is what I like) not airy and bubbly foam.-I use 1 or 2% milk-put about half way to max line (I like a 2:1 ratio coffee to milk for my 12oz mug)-pump about 30-40 times (30 seconds) but you can tell when it gets your desired creamy/thickness-put in micro about 30 seconds and it about doubles in size in beaker as it rises-pour over my coffee and I generally have to spoon some of it out it is so thick. I usually don't add sugar but would be great with syrup flavoring in coffee, too.TRY IT- works GREAT and is very reasonably priced and easy to care for- no electric gadgets or parts to clean. Simple and effective.

UPDATE: AUGUST 29, 2013: I've been using this for awhile now and cannot get over how wonderful it it. I did make a discover that I want to share. In my original review, below, I suggested heating the milk first, then pumping/frothing. I tried frothing cold milk and cannot believe what a difference there is. The froth is much thicker than when I first heated it. I've been using skim milk and the froth is unbelievable. So just pour in the amount of milk you need (you'll adjust that level once you get used to how much froth it makes), pump it 20-30 times, then heat in the micro for 25-28 seconds. Watch it closely as it will froth over if you heat it too long. I'm thinking about giving this as a Christmas gift this year. Can't bet the price, and for any coffee drinker, it will make a perfect gift. I hope you enjoy it. And again, don't be frightened off by those reviewers who say the glass breaks easily. Either the manufacturer has made it thinker, or those reviewers are not very careful. I simply rinse it out after using, set it to the back of the counter, and it's fine!ORIGINAL REVIEW: This is the first frother I've owned, so I have nothing to compare it to. After reading other reviews, I figured it sounded like a good one to start with. Like another reviewer said, what the big deal about the glass? It's glass, and yes it will break. However, I can't say that I'm worried about it being particularly delicate. Just be careful!I've been experimenting, since I've never used one before. I used 2% milk, filling to just below the line. I heated it in the micro for 30 seconds, pumped it 20-30 times, being careful to keep my hand over the spout, as some of it will fly out. I then heated it in the micro again for 15 seconds, watching to make sure it didn't "froth" over. (Make sure you take the plunger top off.) It worked GREAT! I don't think you could ask for anything better for $10.50!Personally, I'd say that other reviewers who have complained about the thin glass, being messy, or not working, are very fussy and picky. What do you expect for $10? I'm not a coffee snob, I like the froth in my coffee, and it works great. Stop whining! If you're looking for a quick and easy frother, this is the one you should buy.

I have owned one of these frothers for many years. It makes the whole frothing process simple and reliable, and it does a stellar job - better than most espresso machines. My son has developed a taste for frothed soy milk and that's child's play for this frother so we ordered him one for Christmas. He is now convinced that, with the right technique and practice, he will be able to froth tap water! I suspect that might be overly optimistic but when it comes to frothing, this thing is amazing. Read some of the other reviews regarding the use of a microwave to obtain perfect froth for hot drinks. There is just one drawback to this product and that is the glass beaker which WILL break eventually. Fortunately they are not expensive to replace. I also bought my son a stainless steel frother - just in case. I have no experience with them but my stainless, double-walled Frieling French press is fabulous.

I had used a french press in the past to make froth and it had worked just fine, but since the press belonged to my roommate and she moved out (with the french press!), I needed to find an alternative.I really like the fact the the container is made of glass and plastic so I can warm it in the microwave, but as others have said the glass is very very thin! I mostly hand wash the frother for convenience, so the milk doesn't crust on it, but I have run it through the dishwasher a couple of times.Just like I did yesterday; however, to my dismay this morning, when I went to retrieve it from the dishwasher I found the the glass had cracked. :(I had placed it on the top rack with nothing else around it (to make sure nothing bumped it during the wash) and it still broke, I think probably just from the heat of the water.I just order another one of these, not because I am particularly impressed, but because I think it's fine for the price and because I haven't really found a flawless alternative in it's price range.UPDATE 02/19/2014After breaking two beakers in less than 4 months, I've decided no more. The price was good, but I guess you get what you pay for. I found the product to be somewhat effective, but milk often seeped out of the top and the pouring spout and because the mesh disk is not super snug inside the beaker, it didn't froth as much as I'd like. Also, the glass is just too too thin. The first beaker broke in the dishwasher - I think just from the heat - and the second I literally just tapped against the edge of the sink and it cracked. Eventually the crack grew and the glass broke.I don't think the glass needs to be that thin. It's very impractical especially considering the vigorous movements needed to froth. Norpro ... it's a no-no from me. Sorry.

Had a similar product from Bodum. The glass vessel broke. That was about a year ago. I happened to have some off-brand stainless steel coffee mug thing that the Bodum plunger fit into nicely, so I'd been using that to do my frothing until last week, when the mesh screen on the Bodum plunger finally gave out. I saw this frother on the 'Zon at a much lower price than the Bodum, so I pulled the trigger. It works okay, but really not as nicely as the Bodum did. Seems to be made with somewhat lower quality materials as well. After washing the glass beaker thing in the dishwasher twice, the writing on the outside showing the maximum fill level has already washed off.Anyway, it's not a bad frother and for the price, I suppose it's perhaps worth buying, but you should know that what you are getting is overall okay, but not as nice as the Bodum.

I purchased a Keurig coffee maker recently. While it isn't an espresso maker, I still can make a frou frou cup of coffee by adding warm frothed milk. This frother works exactly as everyone else has described. It takes my skim milk and whips it up into thick frothy yumminess. I love it.The glass container is not as flimsy as some reviewers would have you believe. It is not as thick as an Anchor glass measuring cup, but it's as thick as some drinking glasses. With so many reviewers cautioning on how fragile the glass is,I was expecting something I would have to treat quite gingerly. This is not at all the case.I've only had it a couple or three weeks, but I use it probably 4 times a week if not more. I add cold skim milk filling to the line indicated. I froth the milk for however long it takes to fill 2/3 full - not longer than 15 - 20 seconds, if that long. I then pop it in the microwave for ~60 seconds and watch the milk rise up in the container. While the milk is warming, I wash out the pump portion. I lay it out to dry on a drying mat. I then go back to watching the milk rise up in case it overflows. Some mornings it take almost all 60 seconds to warm, and others it takes about 40 seconds. I just watch to make sure it doesn't overflow and make a mess of my microwave. Then I pour the warmed frothy milk into my mug and enjoy. After I take my first sip of coffee I wash out the glass portion, rinsing well. I dry standing up, putting a paper towel inside to wick moisture. I would not dry it upside down for fear of it tipping over and breaking. Other than that, I have not treated this especially delicately.This is a very good value for the money. I would recommend it to anyone.***Update*** March 2016; frother still going strong. My boys are now Juniors in high school and use the frother too. Even with their teenager handling, the frother has not broken or chipped. Great purchase. Would purchase all over again.