A milk frothing appliance including a water reservoir; a steam generator; a milk frothing device that is fluidly connected to the steam generator; and a hand pump that is fluidly connected to both the water reservoir and the steam generator. The hand pump including a manually operable actuator that is moveable between a first actuator position and a second actuator position, and that upon movement from the first actuator position into the second actuator position causes displacement of fluid from the water reservoir to the steam generator. The actuator is further moveable between a third actuator position and a fourth actuator position.