New video: the Decent milk jug & thermometer
I can finally replace one of my most cringe-worthy videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJOh_SdRKQM
At the time (six years ago), we were still designing the DE1, and all I had to make espresso was a two group E61 machine. The coarse milk foam I made in that video is pretty embarrassing.
The milk jug space is quite crowded, with most products aimed toward the latte artist. I tried to carve out a different space with this, as I was (am) a beginner at such things. I personally really like to measure things, as measurement is the grounding of consistency, and without consistency, you cannot improve your skills. So: the focus of my jug is detailed measurement lines, linear flow rate change on the spout, and easy thermometer use.
I realize that trying to get cafes to use a milk thermometer is a quixotic goal. But damn it, I'm tired of getting too-hot milk in 2nd wave cafes, and too-cold milk in 3rd wave cafes. And both varying 10ºC depending on whether I get my drink in a ceramic or paper cup. But maybe I can convince home baristas to do use one.
A bit of a story about “why” I created these coffee accessories:
- be able to share what I'd learned in my own coffee-journey, starting as an absolute beginner, with a focus on measuring and repeatability
- I'd learn about manufacturing and start to establish supplier relationships
- as well as build out a supply chain, order taking, order fulfilment, tech support and returns-handling infrastructure.
- I knew that if we waited until the DE1 was ready to go to do this, that it'd be too late, and that we'd let people down. All that back-office stuff is important, and not easy to get right, especially in a hurry.
Some lessons I learned:
- suppliers who will do business with you when you're a small business with no past, are not the most reliable people to do business with (really?!?)
- working with suppliers who are exclusively in the coffee accessory business is a good way to get your designs cloned, suddenly appearing in anonymous stores on Amazon
- if you want to work with quality suppliers, you have to impress them, get them to believe that you'll be successful. After all, it's a partnership: they make the product, you find the market for it.
- A lack of respect, treating suppliers not as partners but as servants (aka “you're my bitch”), is the #1 cause of companies complaining about shitty suppliers. Companies who have decades of experience in the industry, where deep respect goes both ways, work with a totally different caliber of suppliers, and don't have those kinds of problems.
- It still amuses me that people think they can simply go to Alibaba.com, send money, and painlessly receive great product shortly thereafter. It usually ends in tears, as it did for me too.
- Our first product, Decent-branded analog milk thermometers, “looked pretty” but had two fatal flaws: they weren't water tight (steam got into the display), and the weld to the temp probe wasn't strong, so the celsius dial tended to spin inside the display.
The milk jugs and thermometers can be purchased here: https://decentespresso.com/milk_jug https://decentespresso.com/milk_thermometer
I hope you enjoy the new video. More coming soon.
-john
AI Summary
The Decent Milk Jug is designed to improve precision in milk frothing for better coffee drinks, particularly lattes and flat whites. The jug includes:
- Precision Measurement Lines: Helps achieve consistent foam-to-milk ratios, crucial for the right taste and latte art.
- Milk Temperature: Milk should not exceed 70°C to avoid bitterness; the jug's thin walls help prevent overheating.
- Thermometer Integration: The jug features a built-in hole to secure a thermometer without using clips, ensuring ease of use.
- Pointed Spout: A precision spout for advanced latte art, offering greater control for skilled baristas.
Key Insights:
- Consistency: The measurement lines ensure you consistently get the right amount of milk and foam.
- Waste Reduction: By getting the right amount of milk, the jug helps prevent wastage, especially in cafes.
- Precision in Latte Art: The pointed spout is designed for detailed, complex patterns in latte art.
- Temperature Control: Keeping milk under 70°C ensures a sweet, fresh flavor and avoids bitterness.
#thermometer #milkjug #videos #howitworks
Updated 2023/04/26