Milk Jugs for steaming smaller is better.

askthecoffeeguy

The type of milk jug you use makes a lot of difference too -jugs made of thin and 'tiny' material tend to scold the milk - and big jugs are harder to master straight up

I just picked up some small milk jugs from a hospitality supplier in Melbourne (cant remember the brand name, sorry) yesterday - but what I like about them is that they're taller and more narrow around the top than what I'm used to using - so the circulate the milk well and hold its body for longer - which is great in a commercial setting

If too powerful steam is a problem, or if you are just starting out, I recommend when the milk starts to approach correct temperature (which for me is 63C but that might not work for everyone) - start top dial the steam pressure down a bit - so that 'shut off' is a quick flick of  the wrist, and not a slower motion - gives you more control over the finished product!

Also, as a general rule, no matter what size the milk jug, you want to fill it to the point where the base of the spout meets the jug itself - no more, no less - any more and there's not enough room left to wok and or expand  the milk - and any less and you're just as likely to wear it yourself

This also keeps you honest in terms of wastage as I would only ever use a small jug for a single coffee - and the next size up for two coffees, and I'm really reluctant to use anything bigger than 600mls -even in a commercial setting - as its too hard to 'control' the milk - in terms of preventing it from settling and separating, unless you are able to use it all immediately - and once the milk has separated, its history!

P

Kelsey

I've worn my fair share, but fortunately not in the last couple of weeks. My jug holds exactly 500ml to the brim, but I rarely put more than 100ml at a time in there as my BH is the only one drinking it. I've really learned the hard way how to control such a small volume of milk!

beanflying

on 1320404908:

I've worn my fair share, but fortunately not in the last couple of weeks. My jug holds exactly 500ml to the brim, but I rarely put more than 100ml at a time in there as my BH is the only one drinking it. I've really learned the hard way how to control such a small volume of milk!

Definitely time for a smaller jug it will make your life so much easier. 350ml if you can works well as Patt describes above for steaming for a circa 200ml cup. Only time I use big jugs (5-600ml) is when the Izzo is in full flight and your steaming for 2 at a time or 12oz t/aways. Spun this one off from the steam tip one as we didn't have a jug thread - loves good jugs 

shape_shifter

I only use small jugs, I do one coffee at a time, there has only been three of us at once and that was only once so there is no hassle. My jug is 300ml I think, could be 250ml and it helps me produce really silky shiny milk.

Ronin

I have a 600ml jug for 2 coffee's and a 400ml jug for 1 coffee. Both Incasa jugs. I have some spares too, brand new. Might look at selling them

Seeya Latte

My 700 cafelat and the 600 incasa come out rarely now.... The 400ml Incasa gets the bulk of the workload ..... good for 2 lattes at a time Now that I'm 'better' than I was with milk I'm pushing myself to get it right with the 300...but not confident enough to use it as the 'go to' jug just yet

Lacehim

I got 2x300ml jugs from coffeeparts.  perfect.  I was shocked when Tim Adams turned up with the same jug.  If he can get results from it, there is hope for me yet!  :laugh: The 600ml I use for jugs for chia for the mrs, and the 1ltr is for filling up the boiler with water. I also use the 600ml for cleaning flushes from the lusso groups.

Dry_bean.

I've been using 350 ml Motta for a couple of years and found it to be the bee's knee's.

sidoney

This is a timely thread for me to see! I have just recently decided I need a smaller jug. I am currently using one that is about 500ml. The tip about a heavier metal is useful too.

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1322820705:

This is a timely thread for me to see! I have just recently decided I need a smaller jug. I am currently using one that is about 500ml. The tip about a heavier metal is useful too.

I tend favour the 300 or 400 ml jugs I steam individual portions of milk if 2 cups of coffee are made Yes the thicker metal works better for some unexplainable reason Also a nice pouring lip would help me greatly for latte art - that's my next purchase, a good thick milk jug with a proven track record for latte art - any brand suggestions for me ?? - post them up  KK

sidoney

I'm thinking of the Ilsa 300ml as seen on on this coffeparts page: http://www.coffeeparts.com.au/accessories/milk-jugs. It's not as tall as some of the others look which is good for my because the steaming wand on the Silvia doesn't go down into a jug as deep as the one on the SB did, and also the lip and the handle look usable.

Muscles

KK, I use the Metallurgica Motta Europa Milk Jug - 350 ml & Espro Toroid - 355ml. Like you I steam milk individually per coffee regardless of QTY I'm making. The Espro has thicker metal but the Motta has a better tip. Espro would be my pick if were to buy again... Both are available from CP here: http://www.coffeeparts.com.au/accessories/milk-jugs

sidoney

I see the description of the Espro says

Features in the wall and base ensure that milk circulates exactly the way it should, allowing complete control over the quality of milk microfoam.

What's your take on that?

Koffee_Kosmo

Thanks for the info Does anyone know - What brand of jugs are favoured by competition latte art contestants? Also ? - Why are those Allesi jugs so expensive I have made an executive decision - I am going to treat myself to a nice jug for Christmas KK

askthecoffeeguy

man some of those jugs on coffe parts are seriously expensive - I mean are they THAT much better than the less expensive versions? I suppose hardier materials means thicker walls and better heat retention (and less likelihood of scolding the milk) - but how viable are they in a commercial setting? p

Muscles

Sidoney, the cross-sectional base of the Espro is like a very muted and rounded "w" With this jug I can produce excellent micro-foam every time and do it hands on or hands free. For hands free I have the spout against a wall of the jug - not in the center and sit the jug on the drip tray. The bell-shaped bottom with the center dimple makes texturing childs play  :thumb:

sidoney

Thanks - I might give that one a go then, sounds interesting.

sidoney

Well I've had this Espro Toroid jug a few days now and I've been struggling with it. I suppose it doesn't help that I have a new (second hand) machine, too. The technique is not the same as the standard type jug, I've learned. I have done lots of looking up to figure out how to get this thing working properly. So I have had to throw what I knew out, to some extent, and do some things differently. In the meantime, working out optimum steaming techniques for the Silvia. I think I'm *finally* heading in the right direction now, phew! I guess I'm not going to use it as a gravy jug after all. Not for now anyway. I feel like I'm getting a balance of jug technique and Silvia technique and general steaming technique. The KK technique description was helpful too although you aren't supposed to whirlpool these apparently but get the toroid running. Having owned it now, would I have picked it had I known what I know now? Naaahhh, I'd have gone for a more standard design of jug I think. I feel like the shape of it restricts me somewhat in what I can do, and that I've lost some control. Also the narrow top restricts movement of the jug while steaming and my view into it and of what's happening in there. Ask me again in three months when I get it all sorted out better, am more used to it, and have more control over the different elements of steaming.

Dry_bean.

on 1323387491:

Well I've had this Espro Toroid jug a few days now and I've been struggling with it. I suppose it doesn't help that I have a new (second hand) machine, too. The technique is not the same as the standard type jug, I've learned. I have done lots of looking up to figure out how to get this thing working properly. So I have had to throw what I knew out, to some extent, and do some things differently. In the meantime, working out optimum steaming techniques for the Silvia. I think I'm *finally* heading in the right direction now, phew! I guess I'm not going to use it as a gravy jug after all. Not for now anyway. I feel like I'm getting a balance of jug technique and Silvia technique and general steaming technique. The KK technique description was helpful too although you aren't supposed to whirlpool these apparently but get the toroid running. Having owned it now, would I have picked it had I known what I know now? Naaahhh, I'd have gone for a more standard design of jug I think. I feel like the shape of it restricts me somewhat in what I can do, and that I've lost some control. Also the narrow top restricts movement of the jug while steaming and my view into it and of what's happening in there. Ask me again in three months when I get it all sorted out better, am more used to it, and have more control over the different elements of steaming.

Practice Sidoney, it'll come. Was it the 355ml jug you bought?

sidoney

Yes it was. I've had a few frustrating moments but I feel like I'm getting there now.

shape_shifter

Well gives me hope, I'm buying one of the 355ml Espro jugs as well

Muscles

First couple of uses had me stumped too but with practise it all came good. Only real tips I could offer would be fill the jug to just below the base of the spout and position steam wand straight down about 1cm off the wall of the jug. Lower the jug until you hit the sweet spot and the torroid gets going. I am lucky with the length of the steam arm on the BDB in that it allows me to simply rest the jug on the drip tray and start the steaming. I slowly raise/angle slightly the steam arm and then let go of it to position cups and start the shot. Oh, and I did also find that putting milk in the jug and placing it in the fridge for a few minutes did provide for much more froth - something I am not a fan of but the wife and mother in-law enjoy a lot. Hope that helps in some way...

Dry_bean.

on 1323393526:

Well gives me hope, I'm buying one of the 355ml Espro jugs as well

Should be the bee's knee's, they look like a very nice jug.

shape_shifter

Order placed for jug from Matt/E61 Thanks for the tips Muscles, especially since we have the same machine

Ronin

on 1322821073:

I tend favour the 300 or 400 ml jugs I steam individual portions of milk if 2 cups of coffee are made Yes the thicker metal works better for some unexplainable reason Also a nice pouring lip would help me greatly for latte art - that's my next purchase, a good thick milk jug with a proven track record for latte art - any brand suggestions for me ?? - post them up  KK

Hi KK I've had some good results with the Incasa jugs and know a few barista who swear by then. A narrower spout can make pouring more defined art easier. 5 Senses supply them and are pretty cheap. Some barista use the ones Bombora supply, very similar to my eyes.

sidoney

Update on my experience with the Espro jug. It's all good now. I have it worked out. I don't think I'll ever get latte art going though - I just don't have enough fine control in my hands, nothing to do with the jug. Never mind. I have the mouthfeel and the sweetness of the steamed milk and so on so that'll do.

shape_shifter

Yah good news, I can't wait to try mine

Dry_bean.

on 1323727092:

Update on my experience with the Espro jug. It's all good now. I have it worked out. I don't think I'll ever get latte art going though - I just don't have enough fine control in my hands, nothing to do with the jug. Never mind. I have the mouthfeel and the sweetness of the steamed milk and so on so that'll do.

Great stuff, pleased to hear you have it sorted. I know the feeling re art, I'm a bit the same.

shape_shifter

I love my Espro jug, anyone want meringue  ^-^

GeekKopi

Resurrecting an old thread here. Yes I personally steam milk better with a smaller jug. The jug I mostly use is a 450ml motta knock off. It's thick gauge stainless and goes perfectly with my 2 hole steam tip on my VBM Jnr. Perfect for 2 lattes. I'm also pretty good at steaming milk in a 1 litre jug but this was with a 5 hole steam tip on a commercial machine. I then split the milk in smaller jugs for pouring. Here's a quick video where I just steamed some milk with awesome microfaom for a flat white - all done hands free.

Koffee_Kosmo

That's pretty much the method I created several years ago Have a look at my blog and posts in many coffee forums to verify This is the blog link and don't forget to click on the video - http://koffeekosmo.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/koffee-komo-method-to-creating-great.html KK