I know PIDing will narrow the dead band for steaming. But how much more percentage wise will this increase my steam power? And much more will it make it consistent in steaming power during frothing?
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Steam Power and Steam Consistantcy W/ PID on Silvia?
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Re: Steam Power and Steam Consistantcy W/ PID on Silvia?
Short answer:
1 - I dont think I could come up with a % increase
2 - Yes I think a PID makes steam power more consistent
Long answer:
I have a PID (Auber) Silvia which has the steam control as well.
As you probably know at its default setting the PID switches the boiler off at 140C and back on again at 139C. I can’t remember the details on how the original steam thermostat worked.
IMHO the main reason for the PID is for brewing temp stability, the steam one was just a bonus and a “for a few extra bucks why not?” decision for me
I think a PID-less Silvia is already pretty good at steam power for a single boiler
I don’t know if you could determine a % benefit for steam power. I couldn’t anyway…
However (again IMHO) the steam control is handy for:
1 – decreasing the dead band you already mentioned, the heating element kicks in sooner once you’ve got the steam going
2 – depending on how obsessive you are with temp surfing etc, it’s one less thing to think about. I know some people without the PID will try to bleed off water and try to time it so they start to steam before the light switches off.
I never really bothered doing that for steam however I did notice an increase in steam power when I did it accidentally
Hence with the PID I think you get more consistency for the steam without having to worry about when the element is going to kick in etc.
With the steam control I just flick the switch after pulling a shot and empty out the portafilter etc while I wait. When it gets to mid 130s, I purge the wand until the steam is dry and go for it. With the PID I haven’t found much of a difference with trying to keep the element on the whole time
I think as time passes my milk is getting better and I would definitely put some of that down to the steam control on the PID.
However I would bet main factor is simply practice, practice, and more practice
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