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  • How long to steam milk with your machine?

    Im trying to get a gauge on how long it takes to steam milk from the fridge to 65 degrees with various machines. Assume youre steaming for 1 latte in a 300 ml jug or 600ml jug at most.

    I noticed that at First Pour using the big commercial thing, Luca took all of 5 seconds for the milk steaming part.

    On my Gaggia Carezza, it typically takes 35-45 seconds. Thats after bleeding the wand.

    Im curious to know how long the Silvia, Napoletana, EM6910 as well as others (HX included) takes to steam milk.

  • #2
    Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

    NewToEspresso

    La Cimbali M20 takes a bit under 8 seconds (300ml jug) - and thats with the steam not quite flat out.

    The advantage of a 17L boiler and a 4 hole steam tip (1.2 mm holes).

    A better indication for a commercial of texturing power.... enough milk for 4 lattes in just less than the extraction time - about 20 seconds (1.5L jug).

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    • #3
      Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

      Expobar about 15-20 seconds. 300ml jug.

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      • #4
        Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

        An interesting question. Ill time it in an hour or so.

        My immediate response is that someone who has a good steaming machine but has not mastered technique, a longer time is more advantageous.

        On my machine the lateral and vertical angle of the steam wand is critical. Along with the angle of the jug to the wand. Very much so.

        I suspect the reason for this is the alignment of the two holes to the surface of the milk. One hole may end up above the surface, blowing big billowing bubbles, while the other one is slightly under doing good work.

        If everything isnt in synch, by the time I get it all together, it may be time to stop and too late to correct mistakes.

        Apart from precise angles, the other critical factor is the need for a very steady hand. The slightest jerk and the reassuring sound of microfoam in progress changes into the telltale noise of big bubbles,

        Silvia, on the other hand, has only one hole, is slower, and more forgiving.

        --Robusto

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        • #5
          Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

          Update:

          To steam one latte, it took my Grimac with the drilled-out Coffeeparts two-hole tip, 14 seconds.  Could have done with more time,  but the result was pretty satisfactory nonetheless.

          --Robusto

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          • #6
            Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

            5 seconds too, with a 300mL jug :P...its hard to not blast the milk out of the jug and get the right foam texture and amount....but is the perfect sized jug for a latte, fw, cap etc.

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            • #7
              Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

              If you want a general rule of thumb, saw this on a coffee show on Austar, and also was taught this by a Barista at a course I did.

              Hold your hand under the jug while steaming the milk, and when you can touch the bottom of the jug any longer with your hand, (getting a little too hot), then it is ready for your coffee.

              Works pretty well for any machine Ive worked on, but have to agree with the bit about machines having their different ways of steaming with the wand angle.

              Cheers

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              • #8
                Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

                I wouldnt hold the bottom....hold the sides.

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                • #9
                  Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

                  I wouldnt hold the bottom....hold the sides.
                  Totally agree...

                  There is more surface area on the sides and the steam isnt blasting directly onto the sides of the jug... especially on home machines!

                  When you hand cant stand it anymore... shut off the steam and VOILA! Perfect temperature for MILK!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

                    Originally posted by NewToEspresso link=1184654899/0#0 date=1184654899
                    Im trying to get a gauge on how long it takes to steam milk from the fridge to 65 degrees with various machines. Assume youre steaming for 1 latte in a 300 ml jug or 600ml jug at most.

                    I noticed that at First Pour using the big commercial thing, Luca took all of 5 seconds for the milk steaming part.

                    On my Gaggia Carezza, it typically takes 35-45 seconds. Thats after bleeding the wand.

                    Im curious to know how long the Silvia, Napoletana, EM6910 as well as others (HX included) takes to steam milk.
                    Yeah, the yellow peril will steam milk for one cappuccino in about five seconds ... and thats with the steam knob barely open! Any more and you paint the walls. I actually ripped the top off the machine and dialed the pressurestat on the steam boiler down a few weeks ago to make the small jug easier to handle, but the other baristi (a) complained that it was taking too long to steam for two large drinks and (b) reminded me that I could actually just keep the knob barely open :-[ So back up to 1.4bar it went! Fantastic setting for two lattes; with the steam knob fully open it probably only takes a second or two longer to steam up a 600mL jug than it does to do the 300mL jug.

                    At home, my machine is definitely slower, but it still holds it own ... maybe 12 seconds for a single cappuccino ... not sure; Ill have to time it at some stage.

                    Cheers,

                    Luca

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                    • #11
                      Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

                      Luca - at 1.4 bar you must be pulling some cooling shots between shots?

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                      • #12
                        Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

                        Originally posted by stevenkylie link=1184654899/0#8 date=1184680076
                        I wouldnt hold the bottom....hold the sides.
                        Totally agree...

                        There is more surface area on the sides and the steam isnt blasting directly onto the sides of the jug... especially on home machines!

                        When you hand cant stand it anymore... shut off the steam and VOILA! Perfect temperature for MILK!  
                        Sorry guys, Im sticking to the bottom feel.

                        Easier to support the jug with one hand for starters.

                        Steaming takes place at the surface of the milk, not near the bottom to give the base of the jug a false reading.  In any case, the milk is also getting agitated, or swirled, quite fast.

                        I havent done any tests but I would say the temp has to be fairly even throughout.
                        --Robusto

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

                          I used a large Late Glass and when the milk was textured and poured into the single shot it was 260 mils. It took 20 seconds neat for cold milk properly textured. The Due uses a 4 hole tip. I steamed when the needle was showing .9bar. I have significantly de-tuned this baby because when I got it the boiler pressure was set up for a busy cafe type environment - the steaming power at that stage was insane, and at a guess I would half the time - ie before cranking the pressurestat down to where it is now I reckon about 10 seconds for the same amount. Its more manageable now AND i dont need cooling shots so much.

                          CHEERS

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

                            My Classic takes about 35-40 secs to steam enough milk for two cappucinos. 20 secs for 1 latte/capp. in a smaller jug.

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                            • #15
                              Re: How long to steam milk with your machine?

                              Originally posted by ozscott link=1184654899/0#10 date=1184710756
                              Luca - at 1.4 bar you must be pulling some cooling shots between shots?
                              Im guessing the Yellow Peril is the FB-80 at First Pour. Its a Duel boiler.

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