Izzo Alex Duetto Steaming Performance - Page 5

Need help with equipment usage or want to share your latest discovery?
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LaDan
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#41: Post by LaDan »

And the yield?

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docjoe
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#42: Post by docjoe replying to LaDan »

About 50-60mL double shots usually from ~17.5g of espresso. Is that the answer you were looking for?
Cheers!

Joe

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specialpants
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Joined: 12 years ago

#43: Post by specialpants »

Hey docjoe,

I do agree that the microfoam I'm getting isnt 'perfect', and I actually do a better job on my other machine which is a Breville BES900!

I may give the isomac steam tip a go. When you say 'longer', how much longer are we talking about?

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LaDan
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#44: Post by LaDan »

docjoe wrote:About 50-60mL double shots usually from ~17.5g of espresso. Is that the answer you were looking for?
Yes, thanks.

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docjoe
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#45: Post by docjoe »

specialpants wrote:Hey docjoe,

I do agree that the microfoam I'm getting isnt 'perfect', and I actually do a better job on my other machine which is a Breville BES900!

I may give the isomac steam tip a go. When you say 'longer', how much longer are we talking about?
Steaming is about 35 seconds. Here's a video that shows about 35 seconds of steaming.
Cheers!

Joe

wsurfn
Posts: 72
Joined: 16 years ago

#46: Post by wsurfn »

Joe:

Nice video. I think I may give that tip a go.

Do I need an adapter with the new Duetto no-burn wand? Just want to clarify before ordering.

Mark

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docjoe
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#47: Post by docjoe replying to wsurfn »

Mark,

Yes you need the adaptor. The adaptor has 2 O-rings. One in between the adaptor and the steam wand. Then there's a large one from the adaptor to the steam tip. I did away with the latter and used Teflon tapers the threads instead (it leaks without it) so I could get a cleaner look.
Cheers!

Joe

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wsurfn
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#48: Post by wsurfn »

Just some personal feedback...

I got the "new" Isomac 2 hole tip from Chris Coffee (with the adapter) and have used it for about a week. Joe shows a nice video of it in action, and to be frank, he is better with his latte art than I am.

The Duetto 2 comes with two tips. A stock larger holed 2-hole and a stock (CC) smaller holed 4-hole. Isomac is a smaller holed 2-hole that requires an adapter (lose the o-ring between the tip and adapter as Joe suggests).

One helpful tip I have learned on the forum is to increase my steam temp up to 258, this gives me a higher initial steam pressure (almost 1.5 bar). I am in 15 amp mode.

I came from a dual temp control PID'd Silvia machine. Getting better and consistent pulls was instant and easy with my upgrade to the Duetto2. Having a dual boiler allowing me to steam and brew at the same time has hugely cut my time in the kitchen. But, steaming for latte art, has been a humbling re-learning experience.

Watching Joe's video, it appeared, was much more like my days with Silvia's one hole tip, only faster. More of a surface surf and slight plunge when the milk is up to temp. I felt that style never worked well initially for me with the stock tips that came with my Duetto.

After going back and forth with trying the two stock tips, I was getting better and better with the stock 4-hole tip. It is Fast! I am done in about 20 secs. Much deeper initial sink when turning the knob on, and very careful not to surface up too quick for stretching and not for very long. When placed well there is major league milk spin due to its power. The power does fade faster than the Isomac 2-hole, not surprisingly, but I do feel the stock 4-hole tip handles larger pitchers of milk better since it really moves the milk in the pitcher much more.

I am steaming skim milk too, so I am not making it easy on myself.

Conclusion: I feel all the tips work well on this machine, but learning how to use them (placement and timing in the pitcher) is slightly different. Since, I feel I now like the quicker steaming action of the stock 4-hole (which I feel also works great for efficiently steaming and brewing at the same time), I have gone back to it. My latte art is getting better and better with more experience. I am sure this would be true for whichever tip I used. Patience is tough, but I feel I am being rewarded.

BTW, Joe, thanks for posting and sharing the video. Also, your beautiful wood knobs on your machine from the photos you posted on the set-up thread look great! I am envious!

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docjoe
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#49: Post by docjoe replying to wsurfn »

Mark,

It is so interesting because it looks like we have come from similar backgrounds, coffee wise. I had a PID'd Silvia before going to the Duetto. I tried my darnedest to get GREAT microfoam with the stock 2-hole tip and the 4 hole tip with smaller holes. Steaming was so fast that it was really hard to get GREAT microfoam (but able to produce decent MF for latte art) with those tips. I also increased my steam temp to 258 which keeps a higher steam pressure throughout the steam process. The steam pressure seemed to drop a lot with the stock tips but is much better retained with the Isomac 2 hole tip.

You might want to try going a little higher on the fat content from the skim milk. You'll find you produce better MF and it will make your lattes creamier in taste. If you are able to produce decent MF with the 4 hole tip and skim milk, think about the possibilities of going with 2% milk and that 2 hole tip! :wink:

The typical and mostly true advice in terms of steaming and pouring latte art is practice!

Also, thanks for the complement regarding the wood knobs. I've been making wood pens for the past few years and once I got into higher end espresso machines, I started making tamper handles, then PF handles. But seeing cannonfodder's beautiful work really inspired me!
Cheers!

Joe

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docjoe
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#50: Post by docjoe »

In the pursuit of GREAT Microfoam, I found that a combination of being able to pour latte art that lasts down to the bottom of the cup is a good measure. Usually this kind of micro foam is luxurious but not overly fluffy. Here's an example (although this one may be a little bit more on the fluffy side):



At the bottom of the cup:

Cheers!

Joe

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