jennparke Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Boise, ID Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Starbucks Barista
Posted Fri Dec 31, 2004, 9:47am Subject: NeEd HeLp! Starbucks Barista producing odd metallic smell when steaming milk?
I have had my Barista for almost 4 years and I adore this machine. Lately, it has been producing this very strange electrical or metallic smell when steaming the milk. It is such a terrible smell, that it effects the taste of the latte. I have tried running lemon juice through the machine and it seemed to help a bit, but not entirely.
Posted Fri Dec 31, 2004, 10:02am Subject: NeEd HeLp! Starbucks Barista producing odd metallic smell when steaming milk?
How often was the machine descaled? You may be smelling the mineral buildup on the inside fo the boiler. If it has not been properly descaled, I would get some Cleancaf and aggressively descale the boiler. When you used lemon juice, what was the concentration? I know some here use citric acid to descale...
Posted Fri Dec 31, 2004, 10:03am Subject: Re: NeEd HeLp! Starbucks Barista producing odd metallic smell when steaming milk
Lemon juice is a bad, bad idea... it would build up residue.
You might have some old gross milk sucked up into the steam wand or boiler, and you're getting the ill effects. Try steaming a pitcher of cold water, to see if you get any "floaties." It could also be a problem with the element in the boiler... you should phone starbucks, and demand a new machine. Or better yet, demand a refund, and run out and buy yourself a silvia. You deserve it!
Spinnaker007 Senior Member Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Posts: 1,775 Location: Chicago! Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Fri Dec 31, 2004, 10:33am Subject: Re: Urnex Cleancaf
OMG! I just finished reading the product description. 1st-line recommends descaling once a month. My Tea is almost 1½ years old, it is time for some serious cleaning!
jennparke Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Boise, ID Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Starbucks Barista
Posted Fri Dec 31, 2004, 10:42am Subject: Re:Starbucks Barista producing odd metallic smell when steaming milk?
I havn't descalled it often over the past. Earlier I used lemon juice from the produce dept and water. What I didn't do was let the solution sit over night. I need to descale it again, what should I use? Should I use lemon juice again?
ev Senior Member Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Posts: 244 Location: Melbourne, Australia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Super 2004 Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Fri Dec 31, 2004, 6:31pm Subject: Re: Starbucks Barista producing odd metallic smell when steaming milk?
Hi Jenn. Here's a very important tip given to me by a Saeco technician when I bought my Via Venezia (SB Barista is a rebadged Saceo). Straight after steaming milk, switch off steam button and fully open wand until water flows out. I've always done this & descaled the machine using Saeco descaler every 6 months or so. I've never had any problems whatsoever. I just sold the machine yesterday and it was as good as new. (better than new actually, due to the non-pressurised portafilter!)
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