Hi everyone!
I am a pro barista from Toronto with many years experience and I own the Gaggia Espresso, the Gaggia Classic, the Rancilio Silvia and I have just purchased the new Gaggia Baby Twin. I also own two Rancilio Rocky Doser grinders.
I have no trouble making foam and microfoam on my Gaggia Espresso and on my Gaggia Classic minus the Gaggia turbofrother because it is not easy to make microfoam or fine, smooth foam with ithe Gaggia turbofrother. As a result I use the inner long tube of a Saeco panarello on the Gaggia Classic and Gaggia Espresso with great results. However I am finding that I cannot create the same results on my new Gaggia Baby Twin with this same mod. The Gaggia Baby Twin has a boiler for brewing espresso and a thermoblock for making foam on demand. I however do not get consistent foam with a consistent volume on the Baby Twin wth the thermoblock and I most definitely do not get microfoam. I get a watery, soupy and thin, bubbly and wet foam for my cappuccinos. As well, my cappuccinos are sometimes not warm enough.

Does anyone have any experience with foaming with a thermoblock? Has anyone purchased or owns the Gaggia Baby Twin and has some good tips and advice for improving foaming and foam consistency with the thermoblock on the Gaggia Baby Twin? Any advice for keeping a cappuccino hot enough when foaming by means of a thermoblock ?

Many thanks to all and warm regards,

Roman

If anyone would like they can read my very detailed review of the Gaggia Baby Twin on CoffeeGeek. I have also posted reviews of the Gaggia Classic, the Gaggia Espresso and the Rancilio Silvia and the Aeropress on CoffeeGeek.

Ciao Roman,

I recall reading your review of the Baby Twin with interest. I used to have a Starbucks Sirena, which used a similar boiler + thermoblock setup (the former for brewing, the latter for steaming). The low-quality "wet steam" I was getting had nothing to do with the stock Gaggia-style wand, but rather the thermoblock. My workaround consisted of preheating the block at least 3 times before steaming the milk; that meant switching to steam mode, then off (back to brew mode), then on again (to steam mode), quickly & repeatedly, to put as much heat into the thermoblock as I could, within reason.

Since I don't have a Baby Twin or its manual, I can't say if you can devise a similar workaround. But I suspect the same principle holds in your case: the thermoblock will make stronger steam if it can just get hot enough. Mind, though, this is still not a perfect solution; even with preheating, the stronger steam does not last long, 30-45 seconds at most. I found the best way to make use of it is to steam just enough milk for one drink at a time, using a small (12 oz.) pitcher.

Note: I upgraded partly because I wanted better steam, so I could make 2 cappuccini at once. Sometimes upgrades have a social benefit.

Buona Fortuna,
Wayne

espresso2009 wrote:Does anyone have any experience with foaming with a thermoblock? Has anyone purchased or owns the Gaggia Baby Twin and has some good tips and advice for improving foaming and foam consistency with the thermoblock on the Gaggia Baby Twin? Any advice for keeping a cappuccino hot enough when foaming by means of a thermoblock ?

I used to own a cheap Hamilton Beach thermoblock machine, which foamed surprisingly well. It seems odd to me that the Twin would fare worse than that machine.

I have a Gaggia New Baby which steams really well, provided I remove the panarello, and just use the remaining plastic piece. Seems odd that the more expensive machine would do a worse job than my basic Baby.

I have finally made microfoam on my Gaggia Baby Twin. As everyone knows the Gaggia turbofrother can be somewhat problematic and a mod such as the inner tube of a Saeco panarello works. With the thermoblock my problem was magnified. I tried and tried everything and still could not achieve microfoam on my new Gaggia Baby Twin. My previous post identified this problem. However my problem has been rectified and the secret is a smaller steaming pitcher.- approximately 10 oz with the use of the inner tube of a Saeco panarello which I also use on my Gaggia Classic. The smaller steaming pitcher has made all the difference. The Gaggia Baby twin has finally fulfilled my expectations and I have no complaints about the thermoblock for foaming and steaming milk.

I had to share my great joy!!! Gaggia is still good!!! Hoiwever Gaggia could have rectified this problem by simply putting a regular panarello on the Gaggia Baby Twin such as the wand on a Rancilio Silvia coupled with a smaller steaming pitcher. I am very happy that the investment in my Gaggia Baby Twin has been fruitful and it is my third Gaggia espresso machine. By the way I love the green-lit control panel withj single and double shot volume timed brew buttons etc. I now own the Gaggia Espresso(my very first espresso machine) the Gaggia Classic and the Rancilio Silvia and I am now also the proud owner of the Gaggia Baby Twin!!!

Roman

congratulations, roman

i am excited to hear of your experiences with this machine as i recently picked one up and am curious as to its potential. off the topic of foam: have you personally experienced any of the foul, plastic scented steam that i have been reading about? it is not really a big deal to me as i will only occasionally use the frother for guests, i'd just rather not serve them petrochemi-cafe.


thanks,
mjm