jrc Senior Member Joined: 4 Jan 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Stockholm Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Bodum Bistro... Drip: Melitta, Hario V60 Roaster: West Bend Poppery II
Posted Wed Jan 28, 2004, 9:53pm Subject: 3-hole steam problems with Silvia
Hi all, Does anyone have any experience with the Silvia 3-hole tip "upgrade" from WLL? I installed it on my Silvia a few weeks ago, and I started failing miserably at frothing. The steam comes out much faster, so either the milk gets too hot too quickly, or Silvia peters out too early, or Silvia makes ghastly noises. I can no longer get a good feel for stretching vs spinning, so I always end up with big soap bubbles.
I reinstalled the 1-hole stock tip today and I made nearly latte art-capable microfroth. I feel much more in control with the 1-hole tip.
So I'm wondering if I should keep trying with the 3-hole tip, since it's more standard on high-end machines, or is it just a joke? It feels as though it's not paired well for Silvia, even though WLL says it is.
Is there something else I should be doing? I've tried waiting until the light turns off. Or right before. And bleeding then. Or in the beginning. Or throughout. I've tried 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz milk.
gauperaa Senior Member Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 326 Location: Oslo, Norway Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Euro2000 Junior, Rancilio... Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Rancilio Rocky,... Vac Pot: Mini eSantos Drip: OBH Nordica King of Coffee Roaster: Imex-CR100, Princess popper,...
Posted Thu Jan 29, 2004, 1:40am Subject: Re: 3-hole steam problems with Silvia
Probably best to stick with the standard 1-hole tip. More holes does not automatically imply better frothing. I know a world class barista that uses silvia with the standard tip at home. He thinks it is awesome. The 1-hole tip is probably close to a perfect match for silvia.
CBS Senior Member Joined: 17 Jan 2004 Posts: 294 Location: New Zealand Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Rancilio Classe 10 and Epoca Grinder: Rancilio MD80, 50 &Rocky,...
Posted Thu Jan 29, 2004, 3:26am Subject: Re: 3-hole steam problems with Silvia
I agree entirely. There are few domestic machines that will steam a jug of milk as well as Silvia, but she can at times be a temperamental girl. She doesn't like change much and appreciates it when you give her a little time to do her work.
By using a three hole nozzle you encounter a few problems. As the boiler heats up so much due to Silvia's small mass it produces a very high steam pressure if left for a while. The three hole wand tip allows the perfect vent for the steam to distribute. The problem is that as the boiler is relatively small, the pressure can drain off quite quickly with the extra holes meaning that your milk will heat but only allow time for very limited whipping. I have tried not turning the tap right on, and this made for an improvement, but for all the messing around, the single nozzle worked most effectively and produces fantastic milk every time. I have found that it is not until you move up into the smaller commercial machines that three holes work efficiently.
Posted Thu Jan 29, 2004, 7:26am Subject: Re: 3-hole steam problems with Silvia
I had that same tip and adapter. I asked WLL and they confirmed it is from the Rancilio S23. I agree with your assessment for the most part. Beginners might find this three-hole tip easier to use at first, i.e., it is a sort of "cheater" in my mind that helps produce average results with little effort. I found it pretty challenging to produce great results with it. It does work nicer in high-fat content milks -- the half-and-half dessert cappuccino I made with it was fabulous. I have since sold Silvia and the new owner did the same as you, switching back to the stock tip within three weeks.
I'll go against majority opinion and argue that just about any reasonable tip can be made to work. If you need convincing, read Aaron's Milk Frothing Guide. If he can surf the side hole of a Francis! Francis! steam tip and produce results that good, I'm convinced tips don't matter much as long as there's enough steam.
ayn Senior Member Joined: 1 Apr 2003 Posts: 60 Location: Bay Area, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Silvia Grinder: Rocky
Posted Thu Jan 29, 2004, 3:47pm Subject: Re: 3-hole steam problems with Silvia
I also have the WLL 3-hole tip with adaptor for the Silvia, I was just curious after all these 3-hole tip talk happening here so I ordered one to try out. I used it for 2 days, couldn't figure out how to get great microfoam with it, and I am back with the original 1-hole tip.
I thought it was because I froth very little milk. I make a latte with a doppio ristretto and fill the Vivace cappa cup with milk, which isn't much milk. When I made a large cup of milk drink the 3-hole tip worked better, but I still prefer the original tip more. I have much more time to froth it with the 1-hole tip, I think this is because the frothing is more localized. With the 3-hole tip the temp shot up to 150 in no time!
I now rarely froth milk anymore, been taking straight ristretto shots. So frothing doesn't matter that much.
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