'Analog Coffee' Is Having a Moment — I Made the Switch to a Stovetop Milk Steamer, Here's What It Taught Me About the Ritual of a Good Latte
Quality manual accessories not only elevate the quality of your coffee, but they give you a chance to make your mornings slower and more intentional
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Sleek design
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Easy to use
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Produces smooth steamed milk
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A separate cost beyond a coffee machine
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Takes longer to use
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Don't pick up your phone in the first hour of waking up, start your day with a little movement to get the blood flowing, and take a moment to pause before your day and work life begin. These are all things we're told to do over and over again — a more intentional, analog morning routine is the basis of a healthier lifestyle. And over the course of this year, I learned that these intentional practices can even translate to moments as small as making your daily cup of joe.
For instance, investing in a proper coffee corner and a quality espresso machine gives you the space and means to focus on the craft of coffee-making and slowing down in the morning. Or you could go one step further and swap your machine for a manual maker, like the Flair 58 Plus 2 machine, for a truly hands-on analog moment. However, it's all so much easier said than done, right? We all want to be the person who wakes up with time to spare and a minute to pause, but consistency is the only way to breed true routine change (yes, even when it comes to coffee making). So, it was time to practice what I preach.
Admittedly, I'm loyal to my semi-automatic espresso machine, but the milk steamer isn't the best. So, I added the Flair Stovetop Wizard milk steamer to my routine as a way to upgrade my beverage, practice my technique, and carve out a dedicated moment to enjoy my coffee in the morning. Here's every thought I had while trying the device and changing up my practice. Is it worth the switch? Let's discuss.
First Impressions While Adding the Wizard to My Routine
The packaging is simple, and the set-up instructions are clear, so you can easily start using the Wizard steamer.
Sleek coffee bar ideas and analog coffee are having a moment in design. Our favorite homeware brands are incorporating chrome espresso cups and saucers in their latest launches, and coffee makers are becoming increasingly stylized. But what does a more intentional coffee routine mean?
Well, for starters, it's about investing in the process — incorporating quality appliances and coffee machine accessories that will yield the best results. And typically, these kinds of appliances take time to learn and get used to; hence the slowing down of it all. Thankfully, the Wizard milk steamer, though more hands-on than a semi-automatic steaming wand, was relatively easy to learn and get used to.
You have to attach a few parts, but the instruction manual is clear. Once it's all set up, you simply fill the container with water and set it on the stove to heat up (it works with basically any stove type). Then, when the pressure gauge shows that it's in the steaming range, you put your milk jug under the wand, turn on the knob, and begin practicing your milk frothing techniques.
Plus, like Flair's other machines, the Wizard steamer is a good-looking piece. The matte black body, curved neck, and wooden handle have an old-school aesthetic that feels elevated and luxurious to use. If we are going to spend more time brewing, why not spend that time with the best designs as well?
The Change to Using the Device Daily
Though waiting for the milk to heat up to a steaming temperature takes a few minutes, I found the process soothing. I had enough time to get started on a little breakfast while I waited. Then my espresso shot was ready to be turned into a latte just as I was ready to sit down and enjoy the morning. This kind of routine is exactly what makes these analog coffee products so rewarding — your time becomes intentional.
And a slow morning wellness routine is easier to build when you start small. Changing little habits like preparing your latte milk in a quality, analog steamer while you brew your espresso shot, make breakfast, or plan your day is like taking a small breath. I found that a little more hands-on purpose at the beginning of the day makes for a more productive start. Perhaps a manual coffee grinder would be the next step to upgrade your coffee-making routine.
All in all, it's an easy device to use as well. It's not as simple as pushing a button on an electric milk frother, but the quality of milk is worth whatever extra effort the Flair Wizard requires.
Is the Flair Wizard Stovetop Steamer Worth Investing In?
It's a huge bonus when the accessories look as good as this.
It was interesting to add an extra coffee appliance to the lineup, especially when my espresso machine (the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic) already has a steaming wand. But if you're truly in pursuit of upgrading your coffee routine, then after you've experimented with the basics, adding things like the Flair Wizard to your process helps elevate the experience. So, yes, for the true coffee connoisseur, the Flair Wizard stovetop steamer is worth the investment.
It might not be something you use every day, especially if you have a busy morning, but it's nice to bring out when you want to slow down and be a bit more analog. And if that's intriguing to you, then there are plenty of other analog coffee products on the market. Below are a few of my current favorites.
Other Analog Coffee Devices
If there is one thing that every coffee nook should have, it's a sense of purpose. These spaces should be tailored to your personal morning routine and how you want to start the day. Adding the Flair Wizard to my lineup has been a wake-up call for bringing intention back to my morning.
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