Originally posted by MrJack
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10mm female steam tip options?
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I did find that the single-hole tip I bought choked the flow of steam too much, so while I was getting great microfoam it was taking as long as my old Gaggia Classic. I solved this by boring out the hole a bit with a very narrow round file... now I get the great directional control from the single tip but also commercial-level flow which allows me to create silky microfoam in 15 seconds or so.
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Thanks for the feedback on the single hole tip. Will have to get one!
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You're right of course, MrJack.
Anyway, I picked up a single-hole Silvia tip from Coffe-a-roma in Melbourne today and on my first attempt produced perfect microfoam and a very nice rosetta. So I think that's the way to go for the BZ99 if you're not enjoying the default four-hole.
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I'd hazard a guess your issue isn't pressure - but flow.Originally posted by mrfurion View PostThe problem I've had with toothpicks to change the direction of steam is that it seems to mess up the pressure. As in, I get very little steam pressure even when the steam tap is fully open if I've blocked up holes in my steam tip. Maybe there's a steam pressure release mechanism or something because I should be getting strong pressure out one hole if I've blocked up the other, but I don't.
Time to try a single-hole Silvia tip I think.
The flowrate of steam through a hole (aka orifice) is a function of the upstream and downstream pressure, and the hole area.
When you reduce the total hole area (say, by blocking a hole with a toothpick), you reduce the total flowrate of steam (which is kind of the point).Last edited by MrJack; 18 February 2016, 10:59 PM.
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The problem I've had with toothpicks to change the direction of steam is that it seems to mess up the pressure. As in, I get very little steam pressure even when the steam tap is fully open if I've blocked up holes in my steam tip. Maybe there's a steam pressure release mechanism or something because I should be getting strong pressure out one hole if I've blocked up the other, but I don't.
Time to try a single-hole Silvia tip I think.
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Tried the toothpick in my two hole tip. Much easier to whirlpool, nicely textured milk. A great stopgap! Also helped confirm for me that going to a single hole tip is worthwhile.
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I did a latte art workshop at DiBartoli's many years ago to learn how to steam on the BZ99 (a newb). Unfortunately the BZ99 I was allocated at the workshop had a leaky grouphead and I had to swap machines. The new machine was much easier and I went back home still not being able to steam on the BZ99.
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It just unthreads - simple. Might be a bit tight if you've never done it before though...
I find a damp cloth helps for grip.
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Same problem I got as well with my BZ99. Put three tooth picks in and now it's working great!
mrfurion I'm thinking of getting this Rancilio Silvia Single Hole Steam Tip
is changing a steam tip difficult?
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Does anyone know if Silvias use a 10mm female thread? I thought I saw someone advertising a single-hole Silvia tip and saying it would fit a Bezzera. If that was the case I could just pick up one of them and be done with it.
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10mm female steam tip options?
On my Strega I had Rick the coffee machinest change the wand (ball joint down) to a rocket model so I had more options for tips. Maybe something you can do? I think the wand was $70 now I can use the male tips rather than the rarer (in my exp) female ones.
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Actually you bring up something important MrJack - I forgot I changed my steam wand to one with a ball joint. You can also buy blank tips that fit the BZ99 that you only need to drill out, rather than having to lathe one from scratch.
I thought gunk would be a problem with the toothpicks, but it hasn't been.
I have just gone back to the 4 hole in the last week (which has a greater total hole area), trying to get steaming done quicker and conquer what I assume is more a rumbling technique than a whirlpool, but likewise, I get the foam I typically get at average cafes, not the velvety mirror finish stuff I get with the single hole.
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I've always found my BZ99 a bit challenging when it comes to milk. I went from the almost unusable 4 hole to the two hole, which is better (but still average). Lack of a ball joint on the wand doesn't help either.
I found little for sale retail but I'm buying a mini lathe soon and plan to try making one myself.
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