Wet steam from Spaziale S1? - Page 3

by **JohnB.** on Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:28 pm

RapidCoffee wrote:I believe I have the stock S1, original burn'em wand, three hole tip. Steam boiler is currently reading 1.7 bar. My Vetrano has the stock no-burn wand with three-hole tip. I'm running the boiler pressure at 1.3 bar.

Increase in mass following 15 seconds of steaming after a 5 second purge:
S1: 17.7g
Vetrano: 11.3g

This certainly bears out my impressions that the S1 produces wetter steam. However, the S1 steams much faster, so I'd expect it to introduce more water. An alternative design: measure the amount of water introduced when raising the temperature of a specified volume of milk, say, from 40F to 140F. That would take a bit more effort...

I don't think it shows anything except the fact that the S1 puts out more steam. The Vetrano has one 1.6ltr boiler for brewing & steam. The S1 has a 2.5ltr steam boiler. I would certainly expect the S1 to be a stronger steamer. If you can make nice dry micro foam, which the S1 excels at, you don't have a wet steam issue. Try your test with a GS3 which is known for wet steam & see what you get.

by **mhoy** on Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:45 pm

My used Anita also had an offset which I attributed to shipping by air freight. Some time ago, I disassembled the pressure gauge in my Anita after I had the replacement in hand and the needle can easily be lifted and placed at a different position. When I looked inside my old gauge, there certainly didn't look like any way of adjusting them.

I'm guessing if the vacum breaker seal takes some negative pressure to release, this in turn may cause the gauge to see negative pressure. This drives the needle against the zero stop pin. Since the needle is just pressure set, it may have slipped backwards a bit. Of course when/if you reset it, there is the problem of calibration, but we'd be lucky if they are within 10% anyway.

Mark

by **RapidCoffee** on Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:18 pm

JohnB. wrote:I don't think it shows anything except the fact that the S1 puts out more steam. The Vetrano has one 1.6ltr boiler for brewing & steam. The S1 has a 2.5ltr steam boiler. I would certainly expect the S1 to be a stronger steamer. If you can make nice dry micro foam, which the S1 excels at, you don't have a wet steam issue. Try your test with a GS3 which is known for wet steam & see what you get.

There is no doubt that the S1 steams much faster, especially with the stock tip. That could be the entire explanation for the greater amount of water introduced during steaming - or not. My general impression is wetter steam from the S1. I could try the frothing experiment again, this time looking at weight changes over temperature rather than time. But honestly, I'd rather have you do it instead. My time and interest in this subject is pretty much at an end. If I order a new pressure gauge from CC, I'll also look into no-burn wands and smaller bore frothing tips for the S1. That will make the performance of the old wand and tip a moot issue.

Try it with a GS3? Here in Rapid City, SD? Bwahahahaaa...

by **JohnB.** on Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:00 pm

RapidCoffee wrote:There is no doubt that the S1 steams much faster, especially with the stock tip. That could be the entire explanation for the greater amount of water introduced during steaming - or not. My general impression is wetter steam from the S1. I could try the frothing experiment again, this time looking at weight changes over temperature rather than time. But honestly, I'd rather have you do it instead. My time and interest in this subject is pretty much at an end. If I order a new pressure gauge from CC, I'll also look into no-burn wands and smaller bore frothing tips for the S1. That will make the performance of the old wand and tip a moot issue.

Try it with a GS3? Here in Rapid City, SD? Bwahahahaaa...

Since I consider it a non existent issue I guess we can both lay it to rest. If you want to get the opinion of a previous S1 owner after buying a GS3 read this: http://s1cafe.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=745

Note this section:

Steve wrote:Steam performance on the S1 was terrific. Once you purged the initial condensate, the S1 blew nice dry abundant steam. With the GS3, there is always a bit of water sputter at the end. Also, I find the big steam wand (reason for sputter?) a bit unwieldy. It may grow on me over time, but for now, I preferred the steaming on the S1.

by **RapidCoffee** on Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:29 pm

Just a postscript: a big thanks to John, Chas, and others for weighing in. I'm still learning the ins and outs of the S1, and your willingness to freely share your experience is a true gift.

by **EricC** on Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:08 am

JohnB. wrote:Try your test with a GS3 which is known for wet steam & see what you get.

Not with the new stainless steam wand and fitting. :mrgreen:


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