I think I always said it was 20% slower rather than faster. In my opinion, it is now sized perfectly for the boiler size, and steams at exactly the right rate.
As you say, this mod is a no brainer. It works and looks great, and costs very little compared to other Olympia parts. Since the tip is now easily removable, I've been thinking about an adapter so I can try out other tip sets (like the ones from Rocket):
It seems the Olympia tip is a bit smaller diameter and uses a coarser thread. Perhaps OE will one day offer a custom adapter, so I can use my many Vivaldi/Quickmill tips of various hole number, sizes and angles. Wider angle holes would work better with an Espro or tapered pitcher as well.
samuellaw178 Said:
Actually, I don't think we need a vacuum breaker cap anyway.
I'm not as impressed with the new cap. I like the idea, but it has a few problems: It sprays water drops on the top cover which then evaporate leaving spots that must be cleaned. Also, the vacuum breaker on my cap does not seal completely. This causes a slight hiss and means the heater cycles more often, wearing out the pstat quicker.
In hindsight, I think opening the steam wand was simpler than the top cover cleaning. Good thing about both the wand and cap....it's easy to switch back!
Endo, just curious, what is your pressurestat setting for steamin with the 4 holes 2011 wand?You might have said it somewhere but I couldnt find it in a quick glance. Mine is now at .9-1.1 bar. I used to think 0.6-0.8bar is the best but somehow i cant get good foam with tht.
My pstat is set at 0.75 - 0.90 bar, since this gives me the best shot temperature (with my particular prep routine).
But as you say, it is not ideal for steaming. For that, 1.1 or higher (as you say), works better. I've learned to adapt to the lower pressure to make rather good microfoam, but it takes a LOT of practice. Just for reference, it's harder on my Cremina (even with the new wand), than on my Mini Vvialdi.
This "dual ideal pressure" problem is why they use a thermal breaker gasket on the 2011 machine. It allows you to run at higher boiler pressures for the best steaming but the group head is insulated slightly from the boiler, which also gives the ideal grouphead temperature for shots (the best of both worlds).
Unfortunately, it seems Doug at OE has given up on the PTFE gasket for the older '67s and has instead offered a heat sink (which solves the progressive warming problem , but is no help with the steaming). His first gasket attempts seemed to show too high a temperature drop (even with a very thin PTFE). Another less insulating (but still sealing) material needs to be used perhaps. It seems Olympia went through this gasket excercise as well as they went from the '67, '02 and '11 models.
Endo, just curious, what is your pressurestat setting for steamin with the 4 holes 2011 wand?You might have said it somewhere but I couldnt find it in a quick glance. Mine is now at .9-1.1 bar. I used to think 0.6-0.8bar is the best but somehow i cant get good foam with tht.
Mine is set at .85/1.0. However, as my wand is literally creating tsunami's in the Espro small pitcher, I will either use the larger pitcher with less milk, use another non Espro pitcher I have, OR turn down the pressure a tad. However, I like the temperature i'm getting. it's the FORCE that is causing problems, so perhaps even for 6oz of milk, I need the larger pitcher. I'll get back to y'all on this.
This "dual ideal pressure" problem is why they use a thermal breaker gasket on the 2011 machine. It allows you to run at higher boiler pressures for the best steaming but the group head is insulated slightly from the boiler, which also gives the ideal grouphead temperature for shots (the best of both worlds).
Unfortunately, it seems Doug at OE has given up on the PTFE gasket for the older '67s and has instead offered a heat sink (which solves the progressive warming problem , but is no help with the steaming). His first gasket attempts seemed to show too high a temperature drop (even with a very thin PTFE). Another less insulating (but still sealing) material needs to be used perhaps. It seems Olympia went through this gasket excercise as well as they went from the '67, '02 and '11 models.
I wonder, why wouldn't the 2011 boiler thermal gasket work on 67? They look similar to me. Also, it almost sounds like it would fit according to the OE page. I am a little confused because in another page it says it only fits 2002 till present model (on the individual thermal gasket page).
It's really unfortunate though. I was really hoping for one or to custom make one, but I don't have the the tools or the money to buy the tools for this once-use. I don't mind too high of a temp drop because partial flush could easily get it up to temp. I wonder if putting paper board or something will achieve the similar effect? Lol.
IMAWriter Said:
Mine is set at .85/1.0. However, as my wand is literally creating tsunami's in the Espro small pitcher, I will either use the larger pitcher with less milk, use another non Espro pitcher I have, OR turn down the pressure a tad. However, I like the temperature i'm getting. it's the FORCE that is causing problems, so perhaps even for 6oz of milk, I need the larger pitcher. I'll get back to y'all on this.
Rob, that sounds like your steam wand really does steam more aggressively as compared to the old wand. I normally steam 4-5oz and I think the steam force was just okay from my memory. (could be wrong) I am currently using it as a 2-hole with toothpick. Not elegant but it works fine. Somehow the old wand 1 hole still by far gives the best result among all the options. Hope it works out for ya!
I am dropping another question if you guys don't mind. :P What angle do you guys position your pitcher(and also the wand) to get the best movement in the milk? Do you guys tilt them at all?
Endo Senior Member Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 804 Location: , location, location. Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: machine is < important than... Grinder: !
Posted Sun Feb 19, 2012, 7:58pm Subject: Re: Cremina 2011 Steam Wand
samuellaw178 Said:
I am dropping another question if you guys don't mind. :P What angle do you guys position your pitcher(and also the wand) to get the best movement in the milk? Do you guys tilt them at all?
Depends on the pitcher. I have the wand vertical, and for a straight sided 12 oz pitcher, I start in the middle, then after about 5 seconds I sink the wand and move the tip to the side to get a swirl (wand body in the spout).
Not as much room for error, but I prefer a powerful steaming machine (longer than 20 seconds and I get bored).
Just ordered a new steam wand from OE to fit on my 1986 Cremina. Everyone still happy with the microfoam? How has your method/boiler pressure changed over the course of time working with this newer tip?
Just ordered a new steam wand from OE to fit on my 1986 Cremina. Everyone still happy with the microfoam? How has your method/boiler pressure changed over the course of time working with this newer tip?
I LOVE my wand. I am thinking of plugging 2 holes, as I only use my 12 oz pitcher, and the turbulence is too much! It is WAY easier to clean, and looks better to boot (IMO)
I turned my stat down to reflect .8-9.5. This keeps the group head a little on the cool side, but a quick flush alleviates that. If the machine is on for an hour, no flush necessary. In fact, I insert a cool PF to drop the group head down a wee bit.
Back to the wand. having the tip removable aids cleaning, as a Pallo brush can no be inserted, and the tip soaked in Joe Glo. I wish I could find a 3 hole tip, or even a 2 hole....without having to do any modifications to the wand.
What is the best and neatest way to plug the holes? I too find the new steam wand too powerful and need to plug at least 2 of the 4 holes to slow everything down to give me time to get micro-foam; especially since I only froth tiny quantities of milk for piccolo lattes.
What is the best and neatest way to plug the holes? I too find the new steam wand too powerful and need to plug at least 2 of the 4 holes to slow everything down to give me time to get micro-foam; especially since I only froth tiny quantities of milk for piccolo lattes.
Same here...about 5oz milk for my daughters medium caps. Some guys use toothpicks...new ones, of course. :>D
I would have figured that folks with these machines would be making smaller amounts of milk, due to the smaller shot volumes...thus a 2 hole steam tip.
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