Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

    Gaggia Steam Wand.

    This is a quick picture guide on how to replace the steam wand on a Gaggia Carezza.  This also probably applies to the classic and the evolution (or any of the Gaggias with that stupid plastic frothing attachment) but Im not 100% sure.  I did it on the Carezza, so its gospel for that.  Its cheap too, so if it dosnt work you arent out megabucks.

    The new steam wand - ordered here in Melbourne from MocoPan from a guy named Thomas in "spare parts".  It was $20 and I got a couple of o-rings for .50c each also, even thou I only used one.  I got it picked up by a friend, but the postage and handling is $13 or so.  So overall its a cheap mod, with a good result.

    Disclaimer:  You could be a total dickhead, and like, TOTALLY KILL YOURSELF if you follow ANY of these instructions.  Please, if you are a dickhead, seek help.  If you are not, then read the whole guide first, get your head round it, and then crack on coffee soldier!

    1. Here you can see the Silvia steam wand - you first remove the tip, and that stupid rubber bit (its just asking to get covered in hot milk - gross).  Also remove the female connection so its just the plain arm (mine had a very small stainless washer also)


    2. On the Carezza you undo 2 screws, one in the water resoviour, the other on the knob for the steam (which is on top).  NB: Classic and Evolution owners may be able to access the steam arm without removing the casing, if this is the case, then youre in luck.  You will need access to fit a cresent spanner on the brass section above the steam arm, and another spanner to undo the wand on the stainless section.  NB: Be carefull, dont just try to undo the stainless section, becasue the section above is brass, and is quite likely to SNAP!  You want a firm grip on both the brass and stainless sections for ANY model.


    3. A view from the top of the Carezza.  You can follow the line of the brass steam wand from the top near the steam knob, right down till it hits the opening in the casing and becomes stainless.  Undo the brass steam wand from the very top of the steam section close to where the knob is on top and remove the arm completely.


    4. This is what the whole arm looks like, you can see the brass bit which is inside the machine, and the nice stainless bit at the end.  Its too short... its gotta go!


    5. Undo the Stainless Gaggia steam arm from the brass section, and slide the male connection off the Gaggia arm.  Again, carefull with the soft brass.


    6. Now put a single o-ring on the Silvia arm and slide it up.  Now put the male connection from the Gaggia arm on the Silvia arm.  Now re-screw the Silvia arm onto the Gaggia brass section.  NB: You will be slightly alarmed at this point as it doesnt seem to fit properly.  I found that with the o-ring you need to leave it a couple of turns short of a complete tighten.  This means you can still move the arm around, while stopping steam coming out of the joint.  It works great, let me assure you now.   Dont overtighten it because youll never be able to re-fit it throught the top of the machine.  It should be FIRM, but should still move.


    7. Now, refit the whole steam arm (from the top of the machine).  This is a right fiddle, and the most frustrating part (because youre so close!!!)  But take it easy, because brass is SOFT, and likely to bend.  So my advice is to just go easy.  Once done, you can re-fit the lid, put on the steam knob, and BOO-YAAA!  Youre set to go!.  I think you can see here how small the Gaggia arm (without that plastic bit) is compared to the Silvia one.


    This really is a simple mod, and bang for buck its so bloody satisfying I dont know how I survived without it.  $20 odd dollars, and about 15mins work.  Smashing stuff.

  • #2
    Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

    Yep, the same goes for the Classic. Thats a very nice pictorial guide.

    Apart from the difference in the length of the steam arm, the hole in the steaming tip is larger than that of the Gaggia, so there is more steam, but the boiler struggles to keep up. The one thing I noticed is that if you wait for the element to turn off before you steam, the steam pressure drops dramatically and quite rapidly. I used to start steaming maybe 5 seconds before the thermostat clicked off and got a very nice and nearly constant jet of steam that can easily foam enough milk for 2 cappuccinos. This means the elements are full on during the steaming.

    I used the digital temperature display on the PID controller to judge the correct point to start steaming. The element would switch off at around 165 deg C so I would start steaming at 150 deg C to prevent this. The elements are just shy of maintaining the boiler temperature whilst steaming, so are able to keep the pressure up for quite some time.

    The thermostat hysteresis on my machine was over 30 degrees (on at around 130 and off at around 165), so there is a huge pressure fluctuation if the elements are allowed to switch off.

    If you dont have a digital thermometer, youd need to time it. (30 to 40 sec from hitting the steam switch).

    Regards,

    Mark.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

      Excellent How To there AndyCJ! Nicely done! [smiley=thumbup.gif]

      Java "Loves a good mod" phile
      Toys! I must have new toys!!!

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

        Thanks Sparky & Java,

        Ive noticed the difference in steam alright, I get through steaming the first section of the milk and the steam dies off. This is noticable with the Gaggia arm also, but to a lesser degree. I was wondering if its worth limiting the flow of steam somehow (small ball bearing in the wand perhaps?

        Ill definatly give the timing thing a go tomorrow morning... but its only my other half who has milk drinks... I just really hated cleaning that gaggia plastic bit!!

        If Im ever to try texturing milk or art Id better get practicing now then!

        Cheers,
        Andy

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

          Great tutorial Andy [smiley=thumbsup.gif],

          Its just possible that the same mod will work on my Mokita and to that end Ill be ordering a Silvia Wand soon to try my luck. Fingers crossed

          Cheers,
          Mal.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

            Great work Andy. Although I have no interest in this particular mod, you have set a fine example for others. I am looking forward to your pic/tutorial on the car battery wiper stirrer. That is something Ill certainly try once I get my Life Insurance policy updated. :

            Also, if Clarexican can post a tutorial on that vest her pet Civet is wearing, my Burmese is interested, but in a different colourway

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

              I think a similar mod for the sylvia may be possible...am gonna have a go at replacing the wand on my car boot machine with a ball jointed wand.... 8-)

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

                Glad to see my tinkering has sparked entheuasm (sp?) into others to get out there and get more out of their wand!

                Im having great joy frothing milk at the moment, and Sparkys plan to time the boiler on is working a treat! Thanks!

                Im now moving on to the roaster, which Im having more fun with than you can shake a stick at!

                Yours in tinkering, tampering, and general nerding,
                Andy

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

                  Enthusiasm...About getting more out of your wand. Ill leave that one alone methinks.

                  Go the double entendre. 8-)

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

                    Nunu,

                    Can I order one of them double entendres?

                    They sound yummy!

                    Grant

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

                      One doppio entendre coming right up!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

                        NB: Important note when replacing the steam arm.

                        The gaggia boiler is very small, and if you wait till it fully reaches temprature with the silvia wand then you will find you get a massive blast of steam to start, but it wont last the whole way through the milk.

                        The solution to this is to wait till the boiler has kicked in and then start steaming the milk. This is simply counting in 25 seconds, instead of fully waiting till the green light comes on.

                        Cheers - Andy

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

                          Nice guide Andy. Like Mal, Im thinking about attaching it to my Nemox.

                          Spoke to Thomas at Mocopan, the arms are out of stock and will be back around early December.
                          His number is (03) 94741133.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

                            Originally posted by rice link=1126833848/0#12 date=1132097128
                            Nice guide Andy. Like Mal, Im thinking about attaching it to my Nemox.

                            Spoke to Thomas at Mocopan, the arms are out of stock and will be back around early December.
                            His number is (03) 94741133.
                            Hi All,

                            Ive just ordered my new Wand from the Mocopan Sydney office and is on its way as I write this. Speak to Juliane OReilly on (02) 9838 6439 and Im sure she will be able to help you out. All the best....

                            Mal.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod

                              Just did this mod to my newly purchased PIDd Classic from hv_man ... Works a treat! Steaming power is much improved, and even on my first attempt I was able to get pretty good microfoam. Thanks heaps for this guide AndyCJ... greatly appreciated! We sure have a great community here, dont we! ;D

                              Ben

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X