Eparé Electric Milk Frother | Cappuccino Latte Coffee Foam Maker

Product Description

The Eparé handheld electric milk frother enables you to create rich foams for a delicate final touch, in a push of a button. In order to clean it, simply dip the stainless steel whisk into hot soapy water, operate briefly, rinse well, and briefly operate again to spin dry. Feel free to froth your hot, cold, skim, whole, and soy milks, or your favorite cocktails. The electric milk frother requires two AA alkaline batteries.



(Batteries not included)



Suitable Uses: Frothing Milk Cappuccino Maker Foam Creator Espresso Cocktail Mixer Latte Machine






CUSTOMER REVIEW



My wife's caramel macchiato obsession is no longer breaking the bank, thanks to this little gadget. First of all, for those who say it won't stir, it's not a stirrer, it's meant to whip air into the milk. Raise it up until the spring at the end is just barely at the top of the milk. Don't go too high, or you're getting splattered. You'll know when it's right, the milk will almost instantly start to increase in volume.



Here's how you make one of those caramel things for a lot less than five bucks. The first thing you should do is order the real caramel syrup. Some of the stores will sell it to you in the bottle if you ask, or you can order it. Get caramel syrup and caramel sauce. Spend the money, you'll be glad you did. I also get vanilla, but that's up to you-some people don't need it. She likes hers extra sweet, so this recipe uses splenda.



Fill a 16 ounce cup about half way up with milk, stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds. While that's going, fire up the Keurig, and brew the smallest cup you can (4 oz is perfect). Now go back to the microwave, remove the milk, add 1 and 1/2 pumps of caramel (we use sugar free) syrup, and 1/2 pump of vanilla, also sugar free. Add three Splenda packets (I told you she likes it sweet). Back in the microwave for 40 seconds it goes.



Now get out your shiny new frother, and foam the milk. It should come up to about 2/3rds full. This only takes a few seconds.

Dump the coffee straight down the middle

Top with whipped topping (if desired)

pour on caramel drizzle, and you've just made your first one!



Build quality is decent, and it really does spin fast enough to foam the milk

De'Longhi BAR32 Retro 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Edit 2/24/2012: I wrote this review several years ago. The machine broke down after a year or so, and I put off replacing it. However, I've wanted to start making espresso again and so, remembering how much I liked this one, I picked up another one.



It's pretty much just how I remember it, and the instructions I wrote below still work. There are a couple of things I've noticed, though. First, the maker no longer comes with sample E.S.E pods. That was disappointing. Also, the bottom of the filter handle (where the coffee comes out of) is plastic - if you use a hand-held tamper, make sure you don't press too hard and damage the pour spouts.



Also, I've moved from the Midwest to the East Coast, and it's still nice to have good espresso and capuccino in your own house.



Otherwise, it's still a sold four-star machine.



Original review:Despairing of ever finding decent espresso in the Midwest, I finally broke down and decided to get a home espresso machine. I had worked as a barrista, and had sipped espresso in Italy, so I had some idea of how it should taste.



Being relatively poor, I wanted a machine that would deliver a decent espresso, at a decent price. Though I was willing to consider a system with proprietary coffee pods (K-cups, Tassimo, etc), it would have to be cheap enough that I wouldn't mind shelling out the extra bucks for the coffee itself. And I also wanted to make sure that it was pump-driven, not steam-driven.



After checking reviews and looking around, I finally settled on the DeLonghi BAR32. It's a pump-driven maker, not steam driven, so it's not scorching the grounds as it brews. And it comes with a single and a double espresso filter.



The DeLonghi uses either ground espresso, or E.S.E. espresso pods. The E.S.E. pods are not proprietary - any company can make them. The DeLonghi comes with a package of 18 Illy pods (retail - $12). The pods are convenient, but still expensive.



I've had the espresso maker for several days, and I'm happy with it so far. With the pods, it pulls a good single espresso with a satisfactory crema. Sugar floats on top of the crema for about 2-3 seconds, and it has a nice golden color. The espresso tastes very smooth.



Pulling a good single espresso, either with the pods or loose coffee, is pretty easy. Use the pods as a good judge of how tightly to pack the grounds in the filter. Use a level, loosely packed scoop of coffee for a single shot.



Pulling a good double, on the other hand, still eludes me. The best I've come up with is to use 2 scoops, 3/4 full and loosely packed, and pressed looser than for a single. Even then, it still dribbles out slowly, with a less-than-satisfactory (though present) crema.



The steam wand works very well. I've made several excellent cappuccinos and lattes with it. It's a little cramped to use, so I pull mine to the edge of the counter so that I can get a good mug under it. I steam straight into the mug of milk, and then add the espresso. Make sure to blow some steam through it to clear out condensation before putting it in your milk. Start with the steam wand nearly submerged in the milk, and then slowly pull it out (lower the mug) until you hear a gentle "sipping" sound. That means that it's frothing. If you see noticeable bubbles on top of the milk, that means you've pulled it out too far - dip it back in slowly and you should be able to whip the bubbles into froth. Once the froth is just below the level you want it, submerge the wand back into the milk to finish heating it. Listen again - once the milk starts to sound "hollow," it's nearly hot enough. Let it go for a few more seconds, then shut off the steam, and remove the mug. The wand will drip a bit, so put it over the drip tray or an empty mug.



Making espresso is fairly easy. Turn the machine to "Heat" to start heating the water and priming the pump. Make sure the filter holder is screwed into the machine. Once the "Hot" light comes on, run an espresso cycle without coffee into the cup you'll use - pulling espresso into a cold cup will ruin the flavor. Fill the cup half-way with hot water, and turn the machine back to "Heat." Empty and quickly dry the espresso cup. Put the E.S.E. pod or ground espresso into the filter (tamp down the loose espresso) and twist it into the machine. Turn the machine on, and wait until you've got your cup of espresso. A single espresso should be 30-40ml, or 1-1.5oz. I used a measuring cup to see what that looked like in my demitasse cups.



Looking back over what I've written, I suppose I do make it look a little complicated. And it is a little bit more complicated that popping the K-cup into the machine, and hitting "Go." But it really is pretty easy, and less than 5 minutes pass between "You know, I could go for a cappuccino," and "Man, that's a tasty cappuccino."



Pros:



- Inexpensive



- Good pressure



- Easy to make a good single shot of espresso



- Uses pods or loose grounds



- 2 dials + 0 buttons = easy to use



- Outstanding steam wand



- 32oz water reservoir lets you make 3 or 4 cappuccinos, or 6 to 8 espressos, without refilling



- Built-in tamper means one less part to lose



- Pre-heat cycle helps make good espresso



Cons:



- Hard to make a good double espresso (might just be me)



- Steam wand leaks slightly (usually at the start of a brewing cycle - I just keep mine over the drip tray)



In the end, the machine makes a good espresso, especially for the price, but remember that you're not going to be running a coffee shop with it. I definitely recommend it for anybody who wants to make their own espresso, but wants to do it for under $200.

Ovente KG83B 1.5L Glass Electric Kettle, Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I selected this model because it listed 1100 watt power usage and it is lower than other models yet reviews say it is quick heating, and it certainly is. The power cord is substantially heavy, the shut off when water reaches a full rolling boil works well with an audible click and the blue charming glow light for the water goes off when the pot automatically shuts down. I use pot this to heat water for French Press coffee making and the all glass contact with water is completely clean. You can click or lift the top up if you don't want the mesh filter to touch the water when filling or pouring if you are a real purist. The pot has no smells on first use or thereafter. It deserves the 5 stars more so than much more expensive pots.