How to boil milk for a cup of coffee without a pot?
Kettle sounds reasonable, but it's difficult to clean it after use.
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1Do you have a microwave?– Duncan JonesCommented Feb 2, 2015 at 13:58
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1A microwave is best. If you use a kettle or a little immersion coil you will never get the milk off it.– RedSonjaCommented Feb 2, 2015 at 14:56
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1@Minnow In local cafes they never use water (e.g. Starbucks, Nero, Eat), but only hot milk.– kenorbCommented Feb 3, 2015 at 17:30
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1I done learned something today. Guess what I'm going to try tomorrow!– MinnowCommented Feb 4, 2015 at 2:06
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1@Duncan: nope, not true - I'm in the UK and most of the coffee I drink, apart from cappucinno is what's called Americano - black with a dash of milk or cream. A common choice in order to avoid all that unhealthy milk...– BambooCommented Feb 4, 2015 at 16:35
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4 Answers
Microwave is your best bet. If it exploded last time, it might have been the container. First, get a new container and test that it's microwave safe. Add your milk and a few coffee grounds to create a non-uniform volume so it won't get superheated. Nuke until boiling.
If you don't want to go the microwave route, I can think of an alternative but it takes a while and won't technically boil the milk but it will get it pretty close. Put your milk in a container and place that inside a larger container (like a cup inside a big measuring bowl). Boil water through your favorite means and pour it into the large container. Stir a bit and wait for the heat transfer. Repeat with fresh boiling water until the milk is hot enough. I use this to heat frozen breast milk - not to boiling, of course - and it works but it's tedious. Microwave is still the way to go for a daily routine.
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2I microwave mine all the time. I also take a balloon whisk, put it in the milk and roll the whisk between my hands, frothing the milk up really well.– Jason D.Commented Feb 3, 2015 at 1:26
My favourite method, in absence of microwave, is to place your mug directly onto electric oven stove.
For example to make a coffee, add instant coffee and pour into your mug boiled water (e.g. kettle) to warm your mug (1/3, 2/3 or optional), pour the milk (other rest), place the mug on the stove and set the heat to minimum power (otherwise your mug could break of heat) and relax. It's a bit slower method, but having your whole mug hot, your coffee stay warm for longer.
See example:
Or if you don't have electric oven, buy a alcohol stove (such as Zelph Starlyte Stove).
Or create your own. Here are the instructions:
Super Cat Alcohol Stove
Find or buy some small cheap food in aluminium can, e.g. cat food.
Empty the container (by giving to your neighbour's cat if you don't have) and make some small holes as below.
Add some fuel or alcohol (e.g. spiritus) and set on fire (on some safe ground).
Source: Super Cat Alcohol Stove at Frontage Roads
See also:
- Zelph Starlyte alcohol stove at backpackinglight forum
Try powdered milk. Boil the water in the microwave in a cup, then add the powdered milk afterward. Usually, powdered milk has a poor taste only when drinking it straight. When used as an ingredient or mixing there is usually no poor taste.
answered Feb 7, 2015 at 22:46
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Does it dissolve well? As good as Coffee-mate or as bad as flour in water?– GreenCommented Feb 11, 2016 at 8:34
If your office is cool enough to have a small kitchen then just use that.
Bring your own kitchen. I don't recommend an electric coil or a mini gas stove. A gas burner in a small office is just asking for a fire, and you WILL burn yourself plugging and unplugging a small electric stove. Your best bet is a single burner induction cooker. Its bulky and noisy, but if it was placed in a small desk outside the work area, or even under yours, then its ok. Its essentially a mini kitchen.
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That's two answers. As the microwave answer has already been given, I've removed it.– Chenmunka ♦Commented Nov 21 at 19:03