We uncover what the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 has to supply on this in-depth evaluate, exploring its design, performance, and efficiency.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Featured picture by Vasileia Fanarioti
Creating professional-grade micro-foam at residence has lengthy been a problem for espresso lovers who wish to replicate the luxurious texture and style present in espresso retailers. Fortuitously, developments in frothing know-how have made it potential to attain café-quality outcomes with out investing in expensive business gear.
On this evaluate, we’ll discover Subminimal’s NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2, inspecting its design, settings, and efficiency. We’ll dive into the unboxing expertise, technical specs, and real-world testing to see if the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 lives as much as its promise of delivering distinctive micro-foam with ease.
Unboxing the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2
Unboxing the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 reveals a well-organized bundle that features every thing you could get began in your microfoam journey:
- The NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 (220V Model)
- {An electrical} base and plug
- Three stream controllers (black, blue, inexperienced)
- Person guide and fast begin information
- A cleansing brush
- Certificates of authenticity
- Entry code for Latte Artwork Grasp Class
Design & Technical Specs
Whenever you first unbox the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2, the system instantly makes an impression with its glossy, fashionable design. The matte end provides a contact of class to its total look. Compact and classy, it measures 12x12x20 cm, so it’s going to match in your kitchen counter with out occupying an excessive amount of area. The system weighs simply 800 grams, giving it a considerable but manageable really feel.
A couple of extra key specs:
- Energy: With 400 watts of energy, this frother packs sufficient punch to create easy, velvety micro-foam in simply minutes.
- Capability: The system can deal with between 100 to 220 ml of milk, excellent for a single serving or a few drinks.
- Water Resistance: Rated IPX-5, the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 is immune to water splashes, making it sturdy and straightforward to wash.
Preliminary Setup
Organising the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 is comparatively easy, although there are just a few steps that require consideration to element. The very first thing you’ll discover is that the system’s impeller is hooked up to the lid, and its alignment is essential for optimum efficiency. To get began, you could make sure the lid is firmly in place—aligning the entrance first earlier than pushing down the again. This alignment immediately impacts the impeller’s place, which in flip impacts the standard of the froth produced.
The included fast begin information is useful, offering clear directions that even these new to exploit frothers can comply with. Nevertheless, it’s price noting {that a} little bit of trial and error could also be crucial, particularly in the event you’re in a rush or unfamiliar with any such gear.
Person Expertise
As soon as the system is about up, utilizing the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 is pretty intuitive. The controls are easy and responsive, and the varied program modes permit for personalization based mostly on the kind of drink you’re making. This system choices vary from minimal aeration for small drinks to extra intense aeration for bigger, foamier drinks.
Throughout operation, the system runs comparatively quietly, which is a plus for early morning espresso routines. The unit beeps and shows “OK” when the microfoam reaches roughly 55°C (130°F), indicating that it’s able to pour. In case you choose your milk hotter, the NanoFoam continues to churn till it reaches round 70°C (158°F), at which level it stops mechanically.
Whereas the operation is mostly easy, there generally is a studying curve, notably when adjusting the impeller top. Turning the knob clockwise lowers the impeller, which may barely scale back aeration—a helpful characteristic for smaller drinks. Conversely, elevating the impeller helps with tougher milk alternate options, although discovering the proper setting might take some experimentation.
Customizing the Expertise
The NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 gives a notable diploma of customization, permitting you to tailor the foaming course of to your particular preferences. The three included stream controllers—black, blue, and inexperienced—play a vital position on this. Every controller adjusts the pace of the vortex, thereby altering the froth’s density.
For normal dairy milk, the black stream controller is often enough, offering a constant, easy micro-foam. Nevertheless, in the event you’re working with plant-based alternate options, you would possibly want to modify to the blue or inexperienced controllers, which provide quicker vortex speeds and extra aggressive aeration.
Testing with Dairy Milk
In terms of conventional dairy milk, the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 delivers on its promise of manufacturing barista-quality micro-foam. Utilizing the black stream controller and the suitable program setting, I discovered the froth to be dense, easy, and constant—superb for lattes and cappuccinos. The system heats the milk effectively, with the temperature reaching a passable degree for many espresso drinks. The ensuing foam was steady, holding its construction properly, which is crucial for creating intricate latte artwork.
Testing with Milk Alternate options
Testing the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 with milk alternate options resembling oat and almond milk yielded combined outcomes. These alternate options sometimes current a problem for many frothers, and the NanoFoamer is not any exception. The blue and inexperienced stream controllers are designed to accommodate the totally different viscosities and foaming properties of plant-based milks, and with the suitable setup, the system can produce respectable foam.
As an example, with oat milk, the blue stream controller supplied a foam that was comparatively easy, although not as dense as what dairy milk achieved. Almond milk, which tends to be tougher, required the inexperienced stream controller for extra aggressive aeration, however even then, the froth was considerably thinner and fewer steady.
Sustaining the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2
I discovered the NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 comparatively simple to wash and keep, due to its considerate design. The included cleansing brush allowed me to achieve all of the small crevices the place milk residue would possibly accumulate. I rinsed the impeller and lid underneath heat water, ensuring to take away any milk residue.
For a extra thorough cleansing, you’ll be able to disassemble the impeller by rigorously eradicating it from the lid. This lets you clear every element individually, guaranteeing that no milk residue is left behind, which might have an effect on the efficiency over time. It’s additionally advisable to periodically examine the stream controllers for any build-up and rinse them totally.
The Takeaway
The NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 is good for residence baristas and occasional lovers who search to create café-quality micro-foam with out the necessity for costly gear. It’s notably suited for many who take pleasure in customizing their espresso expertise, because it gives loads of flexibility with varied program modes and stream controllers.
The NanoFoamer PRO GEN-2 is accessible with plug sorts for EU (220V), UK (220V), and US (120V) markets, and it’s priced at $159 USD.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Journal and a contract copywriter and editor with a major concentrate on the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assist educate individuals about baristas and their work.
Subscribe and Extra!
Out now: It’s the August + September 2024 challenge of Barista Journal! Learn it without cost with our digital version. And for greater than three years’ price of points, go to our digital version archives right here.
You possibly can order a tough copy of the journal by means of our on-line retailer right here, or begin a subscription for one yr or two.
