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Thank you Emma. I am going to try this. Similarly I have not wanted to invest in a milk steamer.

A french press also works. Rather than shaking a closed container, give the press and few good pumps and the milk froths very quickly.

Would it work with almond milk? I don't do dairy in the mornings...

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i don't use a microwave, would this work the same shaking/pumping the milk and then heating it on the stove? or heating the milk first then shaking? I am in search of a good stove top milk frother/heater.

Exactly SydneyBristow! I need a microwave alternative!

Milk holds excellent bubbles. I think any heated milk will allow this. I would just do the opposite. Warm the milk on the stove, put in a jar with a lid and shake. I remember heating baby bottles for my mom and major foam happening when i shook them.

SydneyBristow and shantell:
One of the big enemies of foam is time; heating on the stove might take too much time and your foam will flatten out. Shaking the hot milk might work, but I'm pretty sure it'd be messy and un-fun, since the jar would be hot, and the steam would make it ooze when you opened it.
The french press method would probably work just fine with pre-heated milk.

I personally like cold milk foam, so I just skip the microwave. (I also happen to have a home espresso machine with a steam wand, so hot isn't a problem, either).

You can foam milk sans microwave w/a whisk. Heat it gently on the stove and then whisk the hell out of it. If you can alternate arms it counts as a workout.

I do have a micro and I can't wait to try this trick!

For $1.99 I purchased a battery operated milk frother from IKEA. Works great.

this would be perfect for me! i have an espresso machine but don't always want to clean the wand and milk container just for 1 serving of milk!!

What a great idea!!

I sometimes do this on the stove with an immersion blender too.

I have the Aerolatter frother and I love it. But I have to admit that I bought it because Nigella Lawson recommends it and I have a huge girl crush on her! Here it is at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-Milk-Frother-Satin-Finish/dp/B0002KZUNK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1257803518&sr=8-1

I also recommend the aerolatte one - works very well.

sinnela - I just tried it with almond milk and it worked just fine! Probably not QUITE as foamy as regular milk...but I might just not have shaken it long enough (I got lazy). (:

AWESOME tip!

I hope it can work with soy milk, which is my substitute for all things dairy.

I also have the IKEA frother and love it to death. It was so cheap and works perfectly, but I like knowing about this technique.

I'll add that fresher milk makes more and better froth. If your milk isn't giving you the foam you crave, maybe it's a little old.

i just tried this with disappointing results. my milk was a week past its best before date though so slowdown is probably right.

will try again with fresh milk!

Just have to second the french press recommendation. We have two presses. We make coffee in one and foam milk in the other. Just heat the milk on the stove or in the microwave, then pour it into the press and push down the plunger. Then pump the plunger up and down about ten times and you have amazing milk foam!

The only problem with this method (and also the jar method) is that it doesn't cause the same chemical reaction that steaming does, so the milk doesn't come out as sweet. But at least it's foamy!

I guess I'm just too low-tech. I pull out the whisk and have at it.

I'm usually not woken up enough in the mornings to think about this, but I'll give it a try tomorrow. I drink strong Indian-like milk tea in the mornings.

Also try this $15 portable milk frother: http://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-Milk-Frother-Satin-Finish/dp/B0002KZUNK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1257873684&sr=8-2

It has great reviews on Amazon.com and I've bought it for gifts a few times!

If you use a wisk, twirl it between your two palms. Beats the heck out of using one hand/arm at a time.

I have the IKEA milk frother, too. $1.99 and works great -- just heat the milk on the stove and go at it.

Dhm - was the pun intentional? Using a whisk between your two palms BEATS the heck out of using one hand... :o) Ha!

I've never found a problem with using one hand at a time, but I whip up whipped cream by hand all the time, so I guess my arms are just used to it by now.

I love just shaking milk or cream container and pouring it cold over coffee...

This is a great tip - we just saved major $$$ becoz now we won't buy the milk steamer. Thank you...

Anyone have any suggestions for someone who does not have a microwave? Cause this sounds like such a great idea!