alanmushnick Senior Member Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 251 Location: Haddonfield Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vetrano, gaggia espresso Grinder: Mini Mazzer Vac Pot: none Drip: Krups aroma control Roaster: I still don't do this.
Posted Wed Aug 10, 2005, 3:27am Subject: gaggia steam problems
The steam arm on the Gaggia espresso isn't working for me. I picked up this refurb for weekend use at a vacation house, since I became so committed to espresso using my Isomac daily. The plastic cover on the steam arm seemed to be diffusing the steam, and pretty useless. There is another plastic piece inside that appears to conduct the steam through the outer plastic one. When I took them both off, the inside short nozzle worked better. It concentrates the steam in a tiny jet. The only problem is that it is too short to reach into even a small steam pitcher. Am I missing something? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. alan.mushnick@verizon.net
I have a Gagia Classic and am using a Saeco Pannarello Wand to add length to the too short Gaggia steam arm. I don't use the frothing sleeve and it works well. Wholelattelove carries them for $12.95 including shipping. Good Luck!
I had the same problem. My solution was: a 3 1/2 inch long piece of brass tube (7mm OD) (from a kit for making pens on a wood turning lathe) plus the nib (gold plated brass) for a steam nozzle.
the tube is a bit too big to fit snugly on the steam arm, and I am embarrassed to say I just wrapped a bunch of black electrical tape around the thing.
it works fine, hasn't leaked in three weeks and is easy to clean.
The Saeco pannarello has a longer stem on the inside, iirc, and provides a longer and smoother extension than the inside of the gaggia turbofrother.
For big pitchers, I have been experimenting with a slightly modified gaggia wand -- by slipping the red o-ring down one notch, you can cut off the air flow into the turbofrother and get something much closer to microfoam with the who thing attached. I still get overstretched more easily, but it is much easier to control. This is for the newer-style gaggia frothers.
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