Rattleware Spouted 16-Ounce Bell Pitcher

Bell Bottom Bulge Really Helps with Microfoam

Having sought the perfect latte for many years, now, and learning all the while, I’ve become convinced that the perfect foam carefully poured is almost as important as having freshly roasted beans. The flavor is in the crema at the surface of a shot. To get it requires beans no more than 10 days from the roaster (and not over-roasted!). To keep the crema and its volatile essence at the surface where our principal taste organ (the nose) can fully sense it does require the perfect foam and a careful pour. Foam must be “microfoam” – i.e., no visible bubbles but, instead, a glossy sheen on the surface so it can float the crema in tact and to the top. After tamping and swirling the foam in the pitcher, it is poured through the crema, keeping the crema floating on the surface.

And, here’s where the Rattler pitcher comes in. First, the spout is a must for the careful pour (or latte art if you are so inclined). Many such pitchers have that. The rounded, bulging bottom,…

Not 40 oz!

While this pitcher seems well-constructed, when I took it out of the box it looked too small to hold 40 ounces. I tested it using a graduated Pyrex measuring cup, and could get at most 34 ounces into it…my actual guess is that it really only holds 32 ounces (I was being conservative when reading the scale on the Pyrex). I find this a little offensive…I mean, it’s not like Rattleware was “just estimating” when they labeled it as “40 oz,” so to be off by 25% seems deliberately misleading. Mine is going back to Amazon tomorrow, and I’ll not be buying Rattleware again.

Update: It appears the listing has been corrected, and it now claims 35oz. and that the size can fluctuate a little. Good that they have responded.

Big Improvement

I started out frothing with a lightweight 12-ounce Krups pitcher but decided to trade up, so to speak, as I became more proficient. For one person, the 20-ounce seemed like overkill, so I opted for this 16-ounce spouted version in case I graduate to “latte art” at some point. This proved to be a very good decision. I don’t know if it’s the shape or the heavier gauge, or both, but I’m definitely getting much more volume with this pitcher. And it fits nicely under the short wand on my Mr. Coffee ECM160. So, if you’re looking for something larger than a 12-ounce but smaller than a 20-ounce pitcher, this is a good choice. I’m very pleased with the performance and quality of this pitcher.

Click to Editorial Reviews