HomeBaristaVancouver2010 Senior Member Joined: 3 Apr 2010 Posts: 4 Location: Vancouver Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Sun Apr 4, 2010, 1:02pm Subject: Steam Wand Extension for Delonghi EC155
Hi All, I am new to home espresso making but I have been drinking espresso-based drinks all over Vancouver for many years. Since I am just getting into coffee at home I purchased a very affordable but fairly capable espresso machine in the Delonghi EC155. I am not happy about some things about it so I am working towards modifying it or finding ways to bypass its shortcomings.
I've already got a stainless steel tamper and it makes a huge difference to the quality of the outcome but I am having a terrible time trying to steam milk smooth and velvety with good microfoam for a latte.
If you know this maker, you know that it comes with a small black tip on the stainless steel steam wand. The black tip is one of the kinds that is very good for injecting lots of air into the steam near the surface of the milk, which will make large, light bubbly froth for a cappuccino.
It is easy to unscrew the black plastic tip, though, and my amazement the stainless steel wand is actually threaded, which means that it should be fairly easy to screw on an extending wand that will solve most of the problems with the existing wand.
The question is, what kind of wand will fit? Has anyone placed an extension on this coffee machine?
Does anyone know what the size of the screw thread is for the EC155's steam wand? I think if I can get this steam wand issue solved, I will have found the absolute best value in espresso machines anywhere!
Sorry you haven't seen any response yet - but DeLonghi is not a popular brand with CoffeeGeeks in general. So maybe we just don't have anyone very familiar with your machine (who frequently posts here)
I think they mostly make machines with thermoblock "boilers" and lightweight pressurized portafilters, so they don't deliver good temp stability and the shot quality suffers in comparison to some other brand machines.
As for the steam tip, you might just pick up one or two and see if it fits. In the worst case you may need to find an adapter.
DeLonghi is not a popular brand with CoffeeGeeks in general.
I think they mostly make machines with thermoblock "boilers" and lightweight pressurized portafilters, so they don't deliver good temp stability and the shot quality suffers in comparison to some other brand machines.
As for the steam tip, you might just pick up one or two and see if it fits. In the worst case you may need to find an adapter.
My coworker buddies and I have already modified the portafilter in the style in the video and I have an unpressurised basket of a certain type in addition to another one on order. I am not sure why you think these delonghi machines are no good. Have you ever looked inside one? Surely calling the machine a thermoblock boiler is disingenuous at best. These machines have S/S boilers (with copper heating elements) with capacities close to 200ml.
Getting a steam tip is probably the way I'll go for now. I'll be sure to post more information, pictures, and maybe some videos if and when I get my grinding issues in order so that I can see if I can get results similar to what is shown in the youtube video.
Remember that in the Italian four M's, the machine itself is the least important. I'm sure that some people on this site have jobs that depend on being able to sell people home machines that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars but a simple investment of time and ingenuity seems to be the most important skill in brewing a good shot-- surely considering the first three M's have nothing to do with the espresso machine itself.
lttlscamp Senior Member Joined: 25 Dec 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Toronto Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Rocket Giotto Evoluzione Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sat Apr 10, 2010, 12:50pm Subject: Re: Steam Wand Extension for Delonghi EC155
What portafilters did you order and from where? I'd also like to get a couple unpressurized ones as well, although I did remove the pressurization parts from it and it helped.
I'd be interested in hearing how you modified the stock one to make it naked/bottomless.
Posted Sat Apr 10, 2010, 7:03pm Subject: Re: Steam Wand Extension for Delonghi EC155
I also have an EC155 with the portafilter modified to be depressurized, but it'd be really nice to get a better basket. If you're interested, I added PID with arduino, which I'll soon post more information about (some details here). The steam wand has also been annoying, but I'm not sure how easy it would be to install an entire silvia wand, for instance.
I did look around a bit, and found some aftermarket tips (here and here), but I'm not sure what threading (if any) and size they are.
lttlscamp Senior Member Joined: 25 Dec 2009 Posts: 30 Location: Toronto Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Rocket Giotto Evoluzione Grinder: Baratza Vario
Posted Sun Apr 11, 2010, 5:52am Subject: Re: Steam Wand Extension for Delonghi EC155
Hey! I'm looking forward to hearing more on your Arduino PID. I'm torn between trying that and buying an off-the-shelf PID some others have done here for the more inexpensive home machines.
Yeah, I'll be updating my PID article shortly. Currently I'm just working on getting the code cleaned up and easy to use, but I'll soon add some assembly instructions, etc.
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