In this quick power-up training we explain how to steam milk using a professional La Marzocco or Sanremo coffee machine. Below you'll find some short videos, followed by a step by step guide and some top tips for milk steaming.
Once you've finished your milk training, try our other online training resources. Learn how to pour a latte-art heart, dialling in your grinder, cleaning your coffee machine and making espresso.
This step by step guide explains how to steam milk and how to achieve different textures for silky lattes and flat whites and frothier cappuccinos.
Add fresh, cold milk to a clean jug.
Purge the steam wand by turning the handle and releasing some steam for 1-2 seconds.
Wipe the steam wand using a microfibre cloth used only for this purpose. Now you're ready to steam your milk.
Hold your jug at a slight angle, tilted towards the steam wand.
Submerge the tip of the steam wand into the milk, following the angle of the jug and spout, then turn the steam handle to fully open the valve and turn on the steam.
Lower the jug so just the tip of the steam wand is in the milk, this adds air into your milk and is called stretching.
Stretch for 1-2 seconds for a latte, 3-4 seconds for cappuccino.
Now that you have air and bubbles in your milk, you need to heat it.
Lift your jug so the steam wand is submerged about half way down the jug, heat the milk to 55-65°C.
Turn off the steam by turning the handle to close the steam valve.
Wipe the wand with your microfibre cloth and briefly turn the steam on again (purge) to remove any remaining milk from the wand.
Purging your steam wand before and after steaming milk is an must for cleanliness and for excellent tasting milk.
Bang the jug on your workbench to pop any big bubbles in the milk.
Swirl the milk around in the jug until glossy and shiny, then pour.
Right Jug: Pick the correct jug for the cup size.
Cold Milk: Keep your milk cold before stretching. Always stretch first while the milk is cold.
Knock: Knock out any big bubbles before you swirl.
Practice: Practice with cold water and a drop of washing up liquid.
Swirl: Swirl the milk around in the jug until glossy and shiny, then pour.
Keep it clean: You must keep the steam wand clean. Purge before and after every steam. Wipe using a clean microfibre cloth which is only used for the steam wand.
Steam Wand: The pipe which the steam comes out of on your coffee machine. This is turned on by turning the knob or handle next to the steam wand - also known as opening the valve.
Purge: Releasing steam for 1-2 seconds to clean the steam wand and remove any remaining milk. Do this before and after every steam.
Stretch: Adding air into the milk to make the milk stretchy and elastic. Stretch for 1-2 seconds for lattes and flat whites, 3-4 seconds for cappuccinos.
Knock: Banging the jug on your workbench (with your hand over the top) to knock out any big bubbles before you swirl.
Roll: After steaming and knocking out the big bubbles, you swirl the milk in the jug until it goes shiny. This is called rolling.
What would you like to learn next?
How to dial in your grinder and pull perfectly extracted shots of espresso.
How to dial in and set your commercial coffee grinder.
A step by step guide on how to steaming milk for lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos.
Get warm and cosy with these delicious winter drinks recipes.
A step by step guide on how to pour a latte-art heart.
Clean machines make tastier coffee. Learn how to clean your espresso machine.
Two lattes, one oat flat white and an Americano. Learn how to tackle multiple hot drinks like a boss.
Brighten up your summer menu with these easy recipes for iced coffees, iced teas frappes and more.
When the temperature rises it's time to stick on a batch of cold brew. Here's how to do it.