Hey guys, I bought the 4 hole steam tip because I was getting fed up with the stock large 2 hole tip. That being said the giotto has no flat sides and am curious what is the preferred way to remove them. Should I go buy one of those adjustable rubber grip wrench things (no idea what actual name is).

Any experienced advice welcome. Thanks guys.

I have the same wand on my Andreja Premium (and the same frustration with the two-hole tip). To remove it, I used a small piece of sheet rubber, wrapped it around the tip, and then grabbed onto it with a simple adjustable plier. Holding the wand near the tip with my left hand and twisting the plier with my right, it came off easily. No marks at all on the tip from the plier.

When putting the new tip on, I just hand tightened it, and now it comes off and on by hand quite easily.

Did you get the new 4-hole tip from Chris (the new one he ad spec'd for the no-burn wand). I bought one, and couldn't do any better than the stock tip, so I'm back to my custom made one-hole (bought a spare two-hole from Chris), plugged both holes with JB Weld, and drilled a new hole dead center. It's the best option for me to this point, but I think the large "bulbous" nature of the tip is still a little limiting. I currently have two new one-hole tips on the way in the mail. One is the new tip that comes on the Brewtus III, and the other is this one:

http://www.zcafe.ca/site/Product.aspx?ID=472

Both are a little more tapered on the end compared to the stock two-hole tip.

Yeah, I did get the 4 hole tip from Chris. I had heard some mixed feelings on how much of an improvement it actually is but I just have to try something. I just can't stand the stock 2 hole tip on my Giotto.

I am really interested in that 1 hole tip you ordered. I know very little about the Expobar's though and is that a direct swap or are you going to use an adpater. Anyways, you have to let me know how those tips work out.

As for the rubber... I think I will just go to the hardware shop and buy a rubber tip pliers.

Well, I have tried the replacement Spaziale 4 hole .9 mm tip and that seems to not really be .9 mm for starters. Second, it steams milk faster than the stock tip. So, I have the 4 hole no burn tip coming and I really hope I have better luck than you with that one because I don't really like the Spaziale tip.

I'll post the results from the new one-hole tips. The first one should arrive tomorrow. I'm expecting both to be direct replacements, because the Brewtus comes with the same no-burn wand as the Giottos and my Andreja.

One option you guys may be overlooking is using the standard smaller two-hole tip that comes on the Anita and Alexia, but to do this you will need an adapter. Sure, it'll slow down the steaming a little, but it's well worth it so that you can froth smaller quantities of milk effortlessly. Just a thought as this may be the ideal solution for you.

Here are the links:
Steam Tip
Adapter

zod27 wrote:Well, I have tried the replacement Spaziale 4 hole .9 mm tip and that seems to not really be .9 mm for starters. Second, it steams milk faster than the stock tip. So, I have the 4 hole no burn tip coming and I really hope I have better luck than you with that one because I don't really like the Spaziale tip.

As long as your machine can keep proper pressure using the LS tip, IMO, its the best tip out there. Ive tried a lot of different steaming tips, including the stock 2hole on the no burn, a couple other 4holers, a bunch of 2holers, and a single hole... My favorite is the La Spaziale .9mm tip by a long shot. Not saying you're wrong.. no no.. just that I really like that tip. Milk frothing technique is different for everyone, so do what feels best for you.

And no, the .9mm tip is not .9mm. I think its 1.0 or 1.1mm.. and i think the original 1.3mm, is actually 1.5mm.

Jman, I can totally agree with you on the sizes. Also, I am by no means done testing the 4 hole Spaziale tip but I just don't feel like it's for me right now. USC, those are my next attempt if both of the 4 holes I have are no goes. I do think the tiny 2 hole Anita tip does look nice but I am not done exhausting my other options.

As long as your machine can keep proper pressure using the LS tip, IMO, its the best tip out there. Ive tried a lot of different steaming tips, including the stock 2hole on the no burn, a couple other 4holers, a bunch of 2holers, and a single hole... My favorite is the La Spaziale .9mm tip by a long shot.

I totally agree. Switching to the four hole La Spaz tip made a huge difference for me. Microfoam is now fast and easy, whereas before with the stock two hole tip it was slow and very hard to get a whirlpool going.

The key with using the four hole tip is to position the wand properly. I find the best way to do it is to position the wand so it sticks almost straight out from the machine, then place the tip off to the right hand side of the pitcher at about the 3 o'clock spot. Tilt the pitcher slightly toward yourself, then let her rip. Surf the tip until the milk expands a bit, then submerge it slightly and let it whirlpool. If you do it right, you should get great microfoam pretty much every time.

Well, the LS tip is growing on me but I am getting the no-burn tip from Chris early this week and will post my thoughts between the two. But the LS tip is going better than it started out, it just has a very different feel.