Three hole steam tips

[noidle22]

I found that the three hole tips were suitable for small to medium power machines only. A large commercial machine which usually has a 4 hole, sometimes more, steam tip for fast steaming is impractical for home use, particularly if you are inexperienced with commercial machines.
The three hole tip on a commercial machine will still be emitting too much steam I would think.

I advise swapping the tip for a two hole tip, available from Coffee Parts. This will limit the steam output capacity and make it much easier to control.

[Marc1]

I have just gone from a Sunbeam EM7000 that has a one hole steam tip to a commercial two head machine that has 3 hole tips.
I have yet to learn how to make good froth with the big machine. It seems that the steam is way too much, particularly if I want to make only one or two cups. Yes, I can regulate the flow of steam, still I was so used to the little thing that this is like driving a V8 after a pushbike.
Any tips as to how to use it?

[noidle22]

I might grab some blank tips from Coffee Parts and drill out some different 3 hole designs in them to see how they perform on larger machines and thermoblock machines.

I do notice that the three holes are very small, more like needle sized holes really. Thus, the steaming takes longer but like you said, it's a match for the power of the machine.
The Pavoni, Faema and Breville all operate on the same steaming principle, using a small boiler so they're not all that powerful.

[TOK]

As you have found, its all dependent on the size of the holes and therefore the volume of steam released per steam capacity of the individual machine/model. Also the angle of the released steam. But in the end....the size of the holes VS capacity of machine I believe.

After that it probably means nothing...(which is "better", 4,3,2 or 1 hole VS size of holes VS the angles of the steam release VS the capacity of the machine VS the size of the jug ie volume of milk being textured VS anyone's particular technique.....that's just a bunch of confusion in terms of working out if one thing is better than another

[artman]

I have found that if the holes are too large in diameter then the steaming happens very quickly without much room for error, especially on small quantities.

I had used a 4 hole tip with 1mm holes and it was still quick and very controllable.

I have used a twin hole with success (Bezzera - didn't measure the hole size) but on the Alex Duetto the twin hole I find a bit tricky, the holes are 1.5mm dia.

I have used the breville dual boiler and it's a breeze to get great microfoam but I find it a little slow. Haven't measured the holes but they appear quite small.

Cheers

Cheers

[shortblackman]

Pavoni. Many opt for a single hole aftermarket! I was going to, then I just worked out how to use it properly.

[noidle22]

I have been using my Faema Family the past few days that I rebuilt and it has a three hole steam tip. The only other machine I can think of having the three hole tip as standard is the Breville dual boiler.

I find that it is very easy to control the milk and always end up with great microfoam, more so than with two hole or even single hole tips. The holes are very small but as there are three, the steam power is still good.

Are there many other machines with three hole tips from the factory? I would recommend an upgrade to a three hole tip for my customers over a two or four hole I think based on my experiences.