I need to try Dave's suggestion, because I'm currently using the common two-phase steaming technique and the result isn't consistent and doesn't meet my expectations after reading the reviews. It seems I'm not the only one who had/have such difficulties:

Steaming milk with Elektra Microcasa a Leva

boren wrote:I need to try Dave's suggestion, because I'm currently using the common two-phase steaming technique and the result isn't consistent and doesn't meet my expectations after reading the reviews. It seems I'm not the only one who had/have such difficulties:

Steaming milk with Elektra Microcasa a Leva

Oren - you can look at this stuff until your eyes hurt cos it's been done to death. Eventually you can't see the coffee for the beans and frustration will take over. You have one of the best home espresso machines ever made - and by far one of the simplest to use.

Forget the folding roiling stretching whirlpooling at a 47.5 degree angle facing north with one eyebrow raised and singing "I did it my way".

Dave is spot on. The simple steaming method he describes works for me too - with great success. Works the same on my Semiautomatica as well.



Keep the faith and keep it simple - and keep us posted.

I agree with Dave et al. Forget the Silvia voodoo steps to perfect microfoam. With the Elektra Microcasa and Semiautomatica, use the right volume pitcher/milk and let the machine do the work. Try practicing with steamed soapy water. To Dave's instructions below, I can only add (a) remember to purge the condensation before steaming and (b) open the valve wide open.

cannonfodder wrote:Take a 12 ounce pitcher, put 5 ounces of milk in it, put the steam wand dead center of the pitcher. The seam where the tip mates with the wand, put that just below the surface of the milk and open the valve. A few seconds later you have a pitcher full of microfoam.