If you want a reliable choice out of a sea of milk frothers, SMEG offers an adorable option in the form of their retro-style milk frother. SMEG has made a name for themselves with their charming, retro-aesthetic appliances that pack all the benefits of modern technology.
Here’s what the SMEG retro-style milk frother has to offer and how it shapes up against its competitors. It’s also the most stylish option in our best milk frothers review.
Review: SMEG 50’s Retro Style Hot and Cold Milk Frother
Design and Build Quality
The SMEG Milk Frother won a 2019 Good Design Award, and for good reason. It combines throwback aesthetics with contemporary functionality and the very latest technology, making it easy to store, use, and maintain while providing a bit of eye candy for your kitchen.
This stout milk frother sits on four solid feet with anti-slip material and weighs almost 4 pounds, so it won’t shake or move while in use. The approximately 7.24 x 5.6-inch base and 9.9-inch height give this frother a low counter profile, making it easy to store.
The removable metal jug swivels on the frother’s base, so you can use it from any direction, and provides steady control for pouring. You’ll also appreciate the 20 oz fluid capacity of this frother (8.5 oz for froth), which makes it well-suited for individual or whole family use.
As one of SMEG’s distinctive 1950’s-inspired appliances, SMEG milk frother is available in several period-typical colors, including cream, and pastel green, blue, and pink. For more modern sensibilities, the frother also comes in black, white, and red.
The chrome and plastic exterior also make it easy to clean. The glossy finish of the plastic adds a low-key shine that compliments the chrome but won’t accumulate unsightly fingerprints.
SMEG’s milk frother also features several user-friendly design choices. The simple knob for selecting between frothing modes includes a light-up start/stop button. The frother shuts off automatically once a program is complete or if it doesn’t receive any further input after 120 seconds, and will play two beeps when a cycle has finished.
Preset Milk Frothing Options
The SMEG Milk Frother comes with 6 pre-set frothing programs to choose from:
- Hot Froth Light
- Hot Froth Dense
- Cold Froth Light
- Cold Froth Dense
- Hot Milk
- Hot Chocolate
It also includes a hot and cold manual setting. Once switched to Manual, the frother disk will gradually increase in speed (and heat, for Manual Hot), until you either hit the stop button or it reaches its limit for safe operation.
The frother also comes with two plastic frothing disks (also called whisks). The Notched Disk produces froth and the Smooth Disk is used for the Hot Milk and Hot Chocolate functions. Both can also be used in the manual setting. They snap into the base magnetically, so they’re easy to attach and use.
Milk Frothing Performance
When it comes to making a perfect froth, you have to choose the right milk first. In general, the SMEG Milk Frother is best suited to dairy milks. Oat milk, soy milk, and almond milk may partially foam up, leaving some plain milk leftover in the carafe, but won’t produce the kind of full-bodied, thick foam you’ll get with dairy milk.
As you would expect, the Light settings create finer, foamier froths and the Dense settings yield thicker, fluffier froth, but the fat content of your milk also matters. Higher fat content leads to bigger, denser froths. However, the SMEG can still produce a froth with a decent body to it from nonfat milk.
Regardless of what milk you choose, the manual recommends using cold milk for the best frothing results.
While the frother does drone while running, it maintains a sound level lower than the average food processor. It takes about 3 minutes to run through a single function.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
The SMEG Milk Frother provides users with clear feedback in the form of the light-up start/stop button, audio feedback when programs end, and the simple dial for selecting frothing cycles. However, the very small and similar-looking symbols on the dial may take some getting used to—expect to find yourself referring to the manual the first few times you use it.
When it comes to cleaning, thanks to the induction heating system, the stainless steel jug and detachable measuring cap (Plastic lid) can be easily washed by hand immediately after use. They are also dishwasher safe. The exterior of the frother can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Value for Money
SMEG appliances may win when it comes to marrying sleek retro aesthetics and versatile modern functionality, but it’s hard to ignore the SMEG Milk Frother’s high price compared to its competitors.
Whether this milk frother will be worth it for you depends on which of those factors you value the most.
If you can’t resist its old-fashioned charm or already own matching SMEG appliances, this milk frother may be an easily justified purchase. But if you want a milk frother that provides many of the same functions at more affordable prices, you have several alternatives to choose from.
How to Use SMEG Milk Frother
Different functions require different steps in operating the SMEG Milk Frother, but all require the frother to cool off between programs.
For heating and frothing milk, fill the carafe with milk up to the desired amount but not beyond the MAX level. Select your frothing program by twisting the knob for light or thick foam, then hit the start button. Once finished, pour the milk froth into your espresso or coffee to make your specialty drinks.
For making authentic hot chocolate, fill the pitcher with milk, then add your chocolate flakes. Select the hot chocolate program with the knob and hit Start.
If you prefer to use powdered chocolate, select the hot chocolate program immediately after adding the milk. Once the whisk begins to move, gently tap in your powdered chocolate to ensure it doesn’t clump and interfere with the whisk’s rotation. You will have delicious hot chocolates effortlessly.
Favorite Coffee Beverage Recipes
The SMEG Milk Frother can make several kinds of popular hot and cold drinks, including:
Hot Chocolate
Pour your milk into the pitcher, then add your dark chocolate flakes. Shut the lid, twist the knob to the hot chocolate setting, then hit START.
If you’re making hot chocolate with a powdered mix, choose the hot chocolate program before you add it. Adding the powder once the cycle has begun ensures it will be fully incorporated into the milk.
Cappuccino
First, make your desired amount of coffee with an espresso machine. Pour milk into the pitcher and shut the lid. Twist the dial to the Hot Froth Dense program, then press START. Add froth to the prepared cup of coffee, and top with sugar. You can use a Moka pot or Aeropress to prepare your espresso-style base if you don’t have an espresso machine.
Caffe Latte
For a basic caffe latte, add milk to the pitcher. Select the Hot Froth Light or Hot Froth Dense setting, depending on how thick you prefer your froth, and hit START. Once the cycle completes, pour froth over your coffee.
Iced Latte Macchiato
First, pour your desired amount of ready-made coffee over ice. Add sugar or syrup to taste.
Pour cold milk into your frother and select either the Cold Froth Light or Cold Froth Dense setting then hit Start. Top your iced coffee with froth once the cycle finishes. You can also fill a tall glass with the lightly froth cold milk, then add the espresso to the milk. Finally, top the drink with denser cold froth to make a stunning layered drink.
SMEG Milk Frother Alternatives
Two of the SMEG’s competitors stand out as the best alternative milk frothers:
Breville Milk Cafe
The Breville Milk Cafe frother shares SMEG’s stout and unshakeable design with an all-chrome finish, bearing a more modern look. A similar weight makes it easy to move and a lower price makes the Breville Milk Cafe easy on your wallet.
In fact, this frother shares many of the same features and conveniences of the SMEG frother, including auto turn-off and the ability to make hot chocolate.
Notably, the Breville Milk Cafe allows you to adjust the temperature manually, giving you more control over your froth. With a froth capacity of 3-cups, it provides a bit more than the SMEG while keeping a low profile on your countertop. Check our Breville Milk Cafe Review for more details.
Capresso Froth Select Automatic Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker
A dainty frother with an industrial edge, the Capresso Froth Select Automatic Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker keeps cleanup easy with a fully stainless steel body. Weighing only about 1 pound, it runs the risk of being toppled over, but also stores easily in high cabinets.
This frother offers fewer frothing options overall, but excels at hot chocolate, making it a great choice if you have non-coffee drinkers in your home.
With a sizable 16 oz frothing capacity and 20 oz fluid capacity, this frother can serve up drinks for your friends and family just as easily as the SMEG.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the SMEG Milk Frother provides a lot of value for latte-lovers who don’t mind spending a pretty penny. With a responsive design, 6 pre-set programs, and a manual function, the SMEG Milk Frother is easy to get the hang of for first-time users while providing versatility for the more experienced.
If you love SMEG’s throwback aesthetic and don’t mind the price, the SMEG retro-style milk frother will make a fine addition to your home coffee station.
