Microfoaming on europiccola -- new question, I hope! - Page 2

[shadowfax]

In my opinion, and I am quite sure of this, there is no reason to leave the cap off. Just open the steam wand and put a rag under it. It will start to sputter and then sound like a deflating tire when the water begins to boil at a good pace. This is a good queue for you to shut the steam valve off and start preparing your drink.

At least, that's how I do it. I would not recommend leaving the cap off, on account that you run the risk of getting a steam burn while putting on the cap. Of course, it's not much of a risk and probably no problem at all, but I am sure there is no reason to leave the cap off--again, the wand will bleed false pressure just as well.

[orwa]

Until the boiling starts, you will be using the machine as a kettle. Once the water inside the boiler starts to boil, you simply put the cap on and tighten it, which I suppose is usually done with a single hand (due to the weight of the machine) and doesn't need any leverage (It's not really necessary to over tighten the cap as the gasket around the thread will seal with moderate tightening). Anyway you may hold the frontal part of the base if you wish, which I suppose will be cold at this point.

Once you put the cap on, the real pressure will start building up, and the water inside the machine will start getting hotter than 100 degrees. However, before you put the cap on it will be operating just like an open kettle, a kettle that doesn't tick nor stop when the water boils, which is why I said that it's better for you to be around.

[orwa]

Maybe the same effect could be achieved by bleeding the tip for a sufficient period of time, however I noticed that this technique allows my procedure (which is mostly based on the readings of the pressure gauge) to produce more reliable results, which is why I said that I think it enhances repeatability .