I don't have an espresso machine, therefore, I don't have a steam wand. I'm happy enough right now with the coffee I get from my single-shot moka pot (although I'd be happy to acquire a machine if the price was right), but I'm not happy with the tools I currently have for making milk for a latte (I'm an American...I like lattes...and I use a lot of parenthesis and ellipses).
I have one of those battery-powered "cappuccino" milk frothers, and it makes a lot of very pretty bubbles on the surface of the milk. I also have one of those hand frothers than somewhat resemble a french press -- it does a fairly decent job, except for when I have to heat up the milk.
For that job, I use a microwave.
I must balance two important variables -- do not overheat the milk, and watch that it doesn't climb the glass and spill out (it expands while it's heated). In addition, the once fairly frothy milk, after being heated, has turned into luke-warm milk with a heap of semi-styrofoam on top. Well, not quite that bad, but not nearly as nice as it looked before putting it in the microwave.
Even if I could get the temperature of the milk up, without improving the froth, I would be happier. I would love to hear your suggestions on how to remedy my situation.
