Self-cleaning frothing appliance

An automated self-cleaning frothing appliance, comprising:

• a housing having a base, a tower extending upwardly from the base, and a canopy extending generally horizontally from an upper portion of the tower and above the base;
• a frothing vessel mounted beneath the canopy, the frothing vessel having an open upper end and an outlet at its lower end;
• a frothing tool extending from the canopy into the frothing vessel, the frothing tool being operatively connected with a drive unit mounted in the housing;
• a first fluid pathway in the housing configured to receive water from a water source and routed to deliver water into the frothing vessel;
• a valve positioned to selectively open and close the outlet to the frothing vessel;
• a valve-opening mechanism attached to the housing configured to selectively open and close the valve;
• a drain positioned beneath the outlet to receive water draining from the outlet;
• a second fluid pathway routed from the drain and configured to deliver water to an external waste water receptacle;
• and
• a controller that is operatively connected with the drive unit, the first fluid pathway and the valve-opening mechanism;
• wherein the base includes a cupholder for a cup to receive frothed liquid from the frothing vessel;
• wherein the drain is located in the cupholder;
• and
• further comprising a cupholder lifting mechanism mounted to the housing and attached to the cupholder that is configured to raise and lower the cupholder relative to the base.