The Dreo Baristamaker Is My Favorite Professional Grade Milk Frother.
One of the reasons why a coffee shop latte is so special is because it has perfectly creamy milk foam swirling around it. The foam is essential and the latte art is a bonus, although I love admiring the striped coffee heart before I drink it. You may have tried to replicate these trendy drinks at home but failed miserably with clunky steam wands and battery-powered frothing wands. Of course I have. It may seem like it’s time to ditch your homemade microfoam, but wait just a second. There’s one device that can actually do this for those new to making lattes at home (and it’s significantly easier than using a steam wand): the Dreo BaristaMaker . I’ve been testing one for almost six months now, and it’s a foaming wonder.
What is he doing?
The Dreo BaristaMaker is a device specifically designed to make professional-grade frothed milk for baristas at home. Not just foamy milk with big bubbles that burst and fizzle out after sitting for five minutes, but serious microfoam . This type of foam has very small bubbles that retain their composition throughout the entire shelf life of the drink. They are so small and compact that they are barely noticeable; can only be detected by that overall creamy appearance that we associate with latte foam. The photo shows that the foam is not so much bubbling as it is dense and fluffy. (Please note that this appliance does not make coffee – that is your responsibility.)
BaristaMaker consists of two parts. The heavy base houses the motor and digital control panel. The stainless steel container sits right on top and this is where you insert the stirring attachment (a small propeller or round mesh screen) and pour in the milk. Simply make your selection on the digital screen and press start.
What’s special about the Dreo BaristaMaker?
What sets this device apart from the rest is that it solves two problems that I have noticed with other milk frothers: alternative milk frothing and temperature control.
I tried frothing oat and almond milk using steam wands, but then discovered that the temperature was so high that it denatured the proteins in the milk, leaving it watery. Next I turned to the milk frothing wand. You know, the long metal stick with a coiled wire at the end that makes milk vibrate? That one. They work in the same way as whipping heavy cream by hand to create whipped cream. Shaking causes the whites to combine and trap air bubbles, but at a lighter level. It works decently. But the bubbles are usually large and weak, and the milk is cold unless you warm it up first, which is risky (protein denaturation again). I’d rather just pour cold milk into my espresso.
BaristaMaker whips them all up. The machine allows you to select the milk you’re using—regular cow’s milk, half-and-half, oat, coconut, almond, or soy—and heats that specific milk slowly and to the desired temperature to produce a strong and elegant microfoam. . Not only do these presets work like a dream for milk, but you can also get sneaky and choose your own temperature if you need to stir, heat, and froth something else, like hot cocoa or chai latte.
Pros and cons
I prefer this machine based on milk settings and temperature control alone. But there are other benefits too. This machine is good enough to make microfoam, so you can truly become a latte art expert. There is a latte art marker on the inside of the container so you can add enough milk. It has a sharp pointed spout for precise pouring and detailed work while “drawing”.
It’s also one of the best machines I’ve ever used to make cold foam. Cold foam is notoriously difficult to make. Hot foam in cafes is created by steam wands—a combination of heat and strong bubbles from the wand—but cold foam is created solely by stirring. Shaking the milk or using a blender can result in uneven foam and large, awkward bubbles. Once again, the Dreo BaristaMaker excels. It’s as easy to do as any other setting: just insert the mesh attachment, pour in cold milk and press start. The cold foam is luxurious, thick and creamy – the perfect garnish for a cold drink in the spring.
There are few downsides to this car. Overall, the machine is a bit bulky compared to the thin milk frothing wand or steam wand that may already be attached to your espresso machine. At 5.31 inches wide and 9.65 inches tall, it is the size of a personal blender. Secondly, my partner (who uses BaristaMaker at least once a week) had two occasions where the foam was dull. This means it just didn’t foam much. However, he never gives up, so after a few more tries, Dreo always returned to full strength. What this means for longevity, I’m not sure yet. We’ve been using it since the summer and it’s still foaming after about six months.
Is it worth the money?
If you’re (or as a gift for someone you love ) an avid latte drinker, flat white drinker, cappuccino drinker, or the weirdo who eats the scooped foam on top first (that’s me), you’ll simply fall in love with this machine. It’s efficient, fast, quiet (which is a blessing, especially compared to most kitchen appliances), and significantly better than any other milk frother I’ve tried. Even if you prefer your weekly matcha latte, hot cocoa, or warm homemade pumpkin spice latte, this device is worth it.
However, if you’re thinking of the BaristaMaker as a party gimmick, or you don’t have closet space in your home for another appliance, then perhaps your $99.99 would be better spent elsewhere. Plus, if you want to learn latte art, this frothing attachment is a great tool. However, you should know that you will have to provide the pouring skills yourself.