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  Show and Tell: Milk Frother

  Posted by Alyssa, mechanical engineering - November 18, 2011

  At Speck Design we revel in the process of transforming a concept into a physical product that makes its way into the marketplace.  We also appreciate the design features of products we use on a daily basis.  As part of our weekly show-and-tell blog series, we talk about some of our favorite everyday products, sharing insight into likeable features, how the product stands out compared to similar products, and which improvements could be made to the product from a design, engineering, and user experience stand point.
  
  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Coffee wakes me up and helps me start off on the right foot every morning, but topping it off with some Nesprosso frothed milk takes it to a whole new level.  Kitchen appliances are some of the most interesting products in every aspect: design, engineering, size, and quality.  My Nespresso milk frother is the perfect combination of these qualities, because it has an elegant design but is also extremely functional.

  PRODUCT: Nespresso Aeroccino Plus 3192 Milk Frother
  
  DESCRIPTION: A stainless steel automatic milk frother with magnetic whisking attachments.  The cylindrical-shaped frother contains a magnet that spins underneath the milk chamber, which in turn spins the whisk attachment.  The frother comes with two attachments – one for producing both hot and cold milk froth, and one for creating steamed milk.  With the simple push of a button, you can choose the temperature and level of “frothiness” of the milk.  Once the milk is fully frothed or steamed, the Nespresso Aeroccino automatically stops.
  
  LIKEABLE FEATURES: The best thing about the Aeroccino is that is makes the most delightful, “frothiest froth” imaginable.  It is also incredibly easy and intuitive to use because there is only one button, and it has a built-in LED that turns red for hot froth and blue for cold froth.  The idea of using magnetic whisks to froth the milk is extremely clever and makes cleaning a breeze.  The frother also has an elegant appearance, but this doesn’t compromise its functionality.  Unlike a lot of kitchen appliances, when in use, the milk frother is very quiet.  At first I thought it would be a complicated appliance (like my parents’ milk frother, which is a nightmare to operate and clean) but when I figured out how the Aerocinno works, it was so practical.  It only takes about 20 seconds to create creamy milk froth, and I’m quickly on my way to work with a delicious latte in hand.  
  
  IMPROVEMENTS: The only thing I would improve on this masterpiece is that it is limited to frothing milk.  The magnetic whisk design could also be incorporated into other kitchen appliances.  For example, perhaps someone could make an egg-whisker for soufflés or a mixer for bread dough’s using the magnetic concept.  Nowadays the key to a successful appliance is the ability to have multiple functions, and I have to recognize that, for now, my Nespresso frother is limited to just whisking milk.