When shopping around for Nespresso machines or milk frothers, you might have come across the name Aeroccino, which is Nespresso’s milk frother.
If you’re looking for definitive guide on Aeroccino, what it is and if it’s worth your money, look no further. I’ll include everything I know about it in this post.
What Exactly Is Aeroccino?
Aeroccino is Nespresso’s dedicated milk frother, designed to be bundled with their machines or sold on its own. It comes in two different models: the Aeroccino3 and the Aeroccino 4. The main difference between these two models is that the Aeroccino3 has a single selection of hot froth or cold froth with an interchangeable whisk to customize the froth density. While the Aeroccino 4 allows you to select from different densities for hot or cold froth, without the need to change the whisk.
What’s The Difference?
Other differences are in the design. Aeroccino 4 is stainless steel built, has a ceramic coating and is dishwasher safe. Aeroccino 3 is the older version, has plastic exterior with teflon nonstick coating and it is not dishwasher safe.
You can read full detailed comparison between the aeroccino 3 and 4 here.
Updated Aeroccino 4 Design:
Nespresso has released a new updated design for the Aeroccino 4. It serves the same functionality and features, but the buttons have moved from the bottom base to the bottom of the jug. It is still dishwasher safe.
Is Aeroccino the Same as Any Milk Frother?
While Aeroccino is Nespresso’s own milk frother, it isn’t necessarily better or worse than other milk frothers. All milk frothers serve the same purpose eventually, to heat and froth milk (or create cold foam, too).
There are many different types of milk frothers out there, each suited for different needs. Some may focus on speed and convenience, while others might be more focused on creating fine-textured froth or even heating up milk to different adjustable temperatures.
So when it comes to choosing the right milk frother for you, it’s important to consider your own needs and preferences. Do you need a fast and easy way to make frothed milk? Or do you want more control over the texture of your milk and are willing to pay more in return for more features? Whatever it is, there is likely a milk frother out there that can meet your needs.
If I have a Nespresso Machine, Do I Have to Buy An Aeroccino?
If you bought a standalone Nespresso machine, whether it’s an OriginalLine or Vertuo, and now decided you want a milk frother to go with it. Do you have to buy an Aeroccino or buy any other frother?
The short answer is no, you don’t necessarily have to buy an Aeroccino. There are many other great milk frothers out there to choose from. Your Nespresso will make the coffee and your chosen frother will make the froth separately.
So whether you’re looking for something fast and easy like the Aeroccino, or perhaps something customizable like the Breville Milk Cafe, or a more budget-friendly option like one of the many generic frothers available now on the market. They all will serve the purpose of heating and frothing milk. But I want you to keep ‘after sale’ service in mind, too. If you go for a reputable brand like Nespresso or Breville, you’re also getting great customer service and warranty that you can count on. I’m not saying other brands, or generic brands, don’t offer the same quality of service because I don’t have any first hand experience with them like I have with Nespresso, but I do want to remind you to keep this point in mind when purchasing a frother.
Can Aeroccino Froth Almond Milk, Coconut Milk or Other types of Milk Alternatives?
While Aeroccino is designed to froth cow’s milk and other dairy milks, it can also be used to froth other types of milk such as almond milk or coconut milk.
However, keep in mind that the texture may not be exactly the same as using a traditional dairy-based milk. For example, you may find that it’s harder to create dense foam from non-dairy milks. And depending on the type of milk alternative you’re using.
So to answer your question, YES, it does froth any type of milk including the popular almond milk and others, but your results will vary greatly from brand to brand. And you won’t get the same result as dairy milk.
Can Aeroccino Be Used for Hot Chocolate?
If you ask Nespresso, they’ll advise against adding any ingredients to your Aeroccino, either syrups or powders. But from experience, I can tell you otherwise.
Yes, Aeroccino can be used to make hot chocolate. Some things to keep in mind when making a hot chocolate with Aeroccino include:
- Only use powdered chocolate. Syrups could be too heavy for the Aeroccino to handle.
- After you’ve made your hot chocolate, wash your Aeroccino immediately. Or at least fill it with water to soak.
The reason Nespresso tells you not to add any ingredients to the frother is because over time, the sugars can stick to the coating or create build-up around the whisk, causing it not to work anymore or create burnt froth. Which is why I am tell you to wash the frother immediately after use, to avoid that from happening.
If you want a safer way to add ingredients to a frother, you have better options than the Aeroccino. Either Breville Milk Cafe, which is designed to have ingredients added, or Nespresso’s Barista Recipe Maker, which I personally find too expensive for what it is, but you can have a look either way!
What Is The Difference Between Aeroccino And Barista Recipe Maker?
Nespresso has a third milk frother in their line of products called the Barista Recipe Maker and it’s a techy and advanced version of the Aeroccino.
The main difference is that the Aeroccino just heats and froths the milk, while the Barista Recipe Maker allows you to add ingredients like powders, syrups or chocolate directly into your frothed milk.
The other big difference is the recipe selection. Aeroccino 4 for example has preset buttons for froth densities, and that’s as far as it goes. While the Barista Recipe Maker takes it one step further and allows you to program your own personalized recipes or follow recipes already programmed in it by Nespresso. Using the LCD display on it, you can follow steps to create different coffee recipes.
In Conclusion
Aeroccino is a great milk frother for those looking for an easy to use, compact and affordable option. It’s perfect if you want to make lattes or cappuccinos at home without having to go through the hassle of using a full-blown espresso machine.
While it doesn’t create the same dense foam as traditional dairy milk, Aeroccino can still be used to froth almond milk, coconut milk and other types of non-dairy milks quite easily. Just keep in mind that results will vary and you’ll have to experiment until you find a result that you like.
Aeroccino can also be used to make hot chocolate, but I advise against adding any ingredients besides powdered chocolate because over time they could build up in the frother and cause it not work anymore. Just keep in mind that this is something Nespresso does not recommend, but I am sharing from my own experience. As long as you keep your frother clean and never let the milk dry inside, nothing should go wrong!
