Oak Senior Member Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 104 Location: NYC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: PID-preheat coiled-Gaggia... Grinder: Cunill Tranquilo, Solis... Vac Pot: Cona B Drip: Chemex, pour over, French... Roaster: WB II
Posted Fri Jan 23, 2004, 4:00pm Subject: Gaggia/Rancilio Steam Tip Replacement
(I've had a Gaggia Carezza for about 6 months now and I'm growing tired of the frothing attachment. The problem is, that when I take the pannarello wand off, the steam wand is too short to easily reach the milk in my frothing pitcher. I'm considering attaching the Rancillo 3 hole steam tip available at WLL (Click Here (www.wholelattelove.com) ) to the end of the steam wand by using the "non-removable" part of the pannarello wand as a coupler. Since I know that quite a few CGeek members have the Silvia and some of you probably have this steam tip, My question is: Does anyone forsee the hole sizes on the Rancilio tip or the size of the tip itself as being a problem when considering the smaller size of the Gaggia bioler? Also, has anyone else out there successfully replaced the steaming attachment on a Gaggia or otherwise been able to produce good microfoam out of one of these machines?
Posted Tue Feb 3, 2004, 1:26pm Subject: Re: Gaggia/Rancilio Steam Tip Replacement
I have a Gaggia Classic with the frothing attachment. Like you, I've been itching to take that thing off, but know that the stub left behind wont be long enought to reach the milk in the pitcher.
Recently, I have had much better success with my frothing by dipping the tip of the wand deeper into the milk. i.e. I dont 'surf the tip' of the frothing wand anymore. Dont sink it all the way to the bottom of the pitcher. Probably somewhere around halfway. I also tip the frothing pitcher to a 45 degree angle so that the wand is spinning the milk in a whirlpool/waterfall motion. The result is a silkier froth with none of the "soap sud" appearance. I think with a little more practice I can improve more on the froth.
Just my .02. However, like you, I'd be interested in seeing if anyone has changed the steam wand.
flimbag Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 174 Location: Liverpool Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Euro2000 Jr. Grinder: Minging Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Cona Jr. Drip: I know you are, but what am... Roaster: Prima Popcorn Popper
Posted Wed Feb 4, 2004, 5:59pm Subject: Re: Gaggia/Rancilio Steam Tip Replacement
puskarich Said:
Recently, I have had much better success with my frothing by dipping the tip of the wand deeper into the milk. i.e. I dont 'surf the tip' of the frothing wand anymore. Dont sink it all the way to the bottom of the pitcher. Probably somewhere around halfway. I also tip the frothing pitcher to a 45 degree angle so that the wand is spinning the milk in a whirlpool/waterfall motion. The result is a silkier froth with none of the "soap sud" appearance. I think with a little more practice I can improve more on the froth.
Lately, I've taken to leaving the wand on, and dipping it right to the bottom of the jug during the stretching period (I normally do this by sight but the right time to stop tends to fall at around 100 degrees F.)
Then, I whip the wand off, and just use the plastic tip beneath to distribute the bubbles evenly throughout the milk -- by tilting the jug and aiming the nozzle at the jug wall to create a whirlpool effect.
This way, I get what I believe to be proper microfoam around two thirds of the time. By just using the wand alone, I invariably got soap suds.
kouhii Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 16 Location: Vancouver, BC Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Saeco Classico SS Grinder: Looking Vac Pot: Bodum Press Drip: Frequently. See "Location"
Posted Wed Feb 4, 2004, 6:35pm Subject: Re: Gaggia/Rancilio Steam Tip Replacement
I have a Saeco Classico, with that same special Panarello foaming tip. I've taken to spending less time stretching (~60F) and almost immediately moving the wand to the side and angling for the whirlpool effect. I've been having much success recently but am feeling the need for a proper latte art style pitcher.
Oak Senior Member Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 104 Location: NYC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: PID-preheat coiled-Gaggia... Grinder: Cunill Tranquilo, Solis... Vac Pot: Cona B Drip: Chemex, pour over, French... Roaster: WB II
Posted Wed Feb 4, 2004, 8:09pm Subject: Re: Gaggia/Rancilio Steam Tip Replacement
Since i last posted i've also started steaming with just the top half of the pannarello wand. I'm now happy to say that i'm getting some pretty decent microfoam very consistently. As it turns out, a bit of practice and getting a new pitcher have made a great deal of difference. I now have one of those 20oz bell shaped latte art pitchers and I think its better than my old straight sided pitcher for seaming for two reasons:
since the pitcher gets narrower as it goes up, the milk rises farther and is easier to reach with the frothing wand.
the shape of the pitcher makes it a great deal easier to get a good whilrpool effect and incoroprate any large bubbles made by my still not-perfect steaming skills. (I stretch to 80F and then dip the steam tip and tilt the pitcher so that i have the steam tip pointing a little shy of parallel to the bottom of the jug)
I'm still looking for a better alternative to the steam tip, but for the time being I think that i can work with what i have.
Now if i could just learn to pour the darn stuff well : - )
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