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Steam tip advice please~~

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  • Steam tip advice please~~

    Hi all,

    I have a San Marino CKX coffee machine which has a 5 holes tip. I dont like it at all and I found out I can change the tip currently ;D. My question is should I go for a 4 holes tip or a 2 holes tip? Im thinking of getting a 2 holes tip as the boiler is quite small (it has a 2L boiler). Any advice?

    Thanks,

    Tony.

  • #2
    Re: Steam tip advice please~~

    I feel a 2 lt boiler can handle a 4 hole tip

    Its not that hard to master

    KK

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Steam tip advice please~~

      is your machine a domestic or commercial? In the most recent thread, i mentioned changing over to another steam tip with 4 smaller holes, if you have a commercial machine. I find these machines are good at making cappucino froth, but not good for microfoam for the purpose of latte art. I made the change to that, and found the foam improved out of sight, plus it is more forgiving of barista,s errors. Spare parts for commercial machines were found in this link..

      http://www.coffeeparts.com/ the steam tip was found on the "accesories" tab.

      Good luck, ,,,Gary

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      • #4
        Re: Steam tip advice please~~

        Hi Gary,

        So u have changed to a 4 holes tip with smaller holes?

        Tony

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        • #5
          Re: Steam tip advice please~~

          Im just wondering, will a 2 holes tip generates more steaming power than a 4 holes tip (with the same output)?

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Steam tip advice please~~

            Originally posted by 5A5C4E40455C47290 link=1280583380/4#4 date=1280755990
            Im just wondering, will a 2 holes tip generates more steaming power than a 4 holes tip (with the same output)?
            No Tony. 2 holes obviously would let less steam out. But presuming u have a domestic machine because u mentioned u have a2 litre boiler, then the 2 hole steaming tip should be good as long as each of those holes are smaller than .9mm. My boss,s commercial machine has steam tips with 5 large holes, great for steaming in a hurry, but not for artwork. I did change over to the tip with 4 smaller holes, and it works a treat. I would suggest get two tips, a 2 holer, and a 4 holer, try them and see which works best for u. Follow Koffee Kosmo,s thread on steaming advice or look at a good number of Youtube vids for steaming milk for microfoam, if that,s what you,re after. Good luck

            Gary

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            • #7
              Re: Steam tip advice please~~

              A 2L boiler should be plenty for a 4 hole tip. My 0.8L boiler which is usually half full by the time I get to steaming milk handles a 4 hole tip quite well. Ive never had problems getting microfoam with it.

              Perhaps it has more to do with the boiler pressure setting and/or the size of the heating element in relation to the boiler capacity?

              I would be interested in learning more about this.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Steam tip advice please~~

                2L is not small for a domestic HX machine. Mine is only 1.5l and has sufficient steam. I am also looking for a different steam tip, not because of the number of holes, but the angle of the holes I dont quite like. When I last looked at coffeeparts a year or more ago, they only had a limited range but when I looked yesterday, I found a few that Id actually like and it was the 4 hole one that was rounded. Is there anywhere I can get the rounded head steam tip in Melbourne so I can have a look at it before buying it? I bought the old 4 hole one from coffeeparts 2 years back and the holes on those were too large. This time, Id like to see the sizes o fthe holes before buying it.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Steam tip advice please~~

                  My La Pavoni had a 4 hole tip with quite large holes. After playing around with a 2 hole tip while doing the jetblack espresso course, I ordered a 2 hole tip as well as a blank tip from coffeeparts.

                  It is taking a bit longer to steam now, since the holes are smaller too, but I am getting super microfoam, so I am fairly happy.

                  I am still contemplating the number of holes to make in the blank tip, as well as enlarging the holes in the 2 hole tip just slightly.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Steam tip advice please~~

                    Originally posted by 3E39333F500 link=1280583380/8#8 date=1281614620
                    I am still contemplating the number of holes to make in the blank tip, as well as enlarging the holes in the 2 hole tip just slightly.
                    Hi Nico,

                    For your blank tip, Id recommend copying the smaller holed La Spaziale tip, with 4 holes of 0.9mm (well they say 0.9mm, but I reckon they are really more like 1.0mm, as a 1mm drill bit fits in the holes). This tip makes fantastic microfoam! Id adapted one of these La Spaziale tips on to my Faema E98 (had to replace the whole steam arm and attachment nut, etc. to do so, but was well worth the effort).

                    regards,
                    Bill

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Steam tip advice please~~

                      I had a look this morning, and the new 2 hole tips holes are around 1mm in size, and the old 4 hole tip is 1.5 mm, so I think 4 holes at 1mm will be quite sweet. The two holes tip takes a bit too long to steam, but the 1.5mm 4 hole one is a bit too quick

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                      • #12
                        Re: Steam tip advice please~~

                        how long is to long ?

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Steam tip advice please~~

                          Originally posted by 4549404D4D44280 link=1280583380/11#11 date=1281666309
                          how long is to long ?
                          It takes so long that the milk starts to cool all by itself while still steaming

                          Seriously, it takes about 45 - 60 seconds for around 380 - 400 ml of milk.
                          It takes around 10 - 15 seconds with the 4 hole 1.5mm tips. I am hoping for a 25 - 30 second time with the 1mm 4 tipper.

                          Disclaimer. I did not measure this... It is my perceived time, and may be out by a few seconds

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Steam tip advice please~~

                            yeah i would aim for 25ish sec max

                            i like my 15 sec on 250ml ish machine but its a bit rapid to get "great" texture for me mostly i get "average". its fine with 500ml but wasteful......

                            but i like that i can start the shot then do the milk and have it ready as it finishes

                            what about you drill one more hole (3 holes) then try it... then drill the fourth if needed ?

                            this makes me want to just make some shots for fun

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Steam tip advice please~~

                              Originally posted by 585F5559360 link=1280583380/10#10 date=1281664760
                              I had a look this morning, and the new 2 hole tips holes are around 1mm in size, and the old 4 hole tip is 1.5 mm, so I think 4 holes at 1mm will be quite sweet. The two holes tip takes a bit too long to steam, but the 1.5mm 4 hole one is a bit too quick
                              Regardless of whether you use a two home or 4 hole tip, dont use anything with holes bigger than 1mm because you want to achieve good microfoam, Anything bigger than 1mm is only good for frothing large quantities of milk in a hurry at the expense of microfoam.

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