onegirlcreative wrote:For example, this morning while I was steaming my milk, it didn't increase in volume at all. Just looked like regular milk. I have gone longer before to obtain foam (as this is more acceptable than runny milk), but I have realized that is from stretching it too long.

Odds are high that, in this case, your wand tip was too far below the surface. During the stretching phase you need to have it just barely below the surface in order for this to work.

Angle the wand slightly, get it below the surface and offset from center, turn it on full, drop the pitcher (slowly) to get the tip just barely below the surface, listen for the tell-tale "stretching" sound, try to create a whirlpool action in the pitcher (thus the offset from center positioning). Once the milk pitcher is no longer cold (latte) or just starting to warm (capp) lift the pitcher to position the tip below the surface, again aiming for a big whirlpool vortex in the pitcher, steam to around 135f, immediately turn off steam, tap the pitcher a couple times, let sit for 15s to 30s, swirl the pitcher aggressively, and you're done.

HB wrote:Assuming you have the stock one-hole tip, you've already got one of the easier steam tips on the planet.

Yup, that's the one I have.

BTW, this morning when I steamed my milk, it came out almost perfect! I had incredible microfoam—although I still need some work and practice to get rid of those excess bubbles—but overall definitely better than the last few days.

I took your advice and kept the tip elevated at the top but submerged enough to get a decent vortex going. Not a decent sound, however, as usual, but better than the last few days for sure. And that's with the same brand of milk that I have been using (and having problems with) since Sunday.

Thanks. I will still try to get a video filmed and uploaded so you can at least see what I'm doing wrong, which I'm sure there's something.

Slighty OT..

The expobar one hole tip makes it easier to steam with? Funny... WLL says in the product description it is "for experienced frothers only". They should change that. I really am not getting along with the two hole tip on Anita. If I plug up one hole, BAM! Microfoam like a barista champ. Two holes? I can make pourable foam, but its half-a$$ed.. small bubbles and a tiny bit of thicker foam at the bottom.. I have a harder time stretching with the two hole, and it annoys me, because I can nail microfoam with a 4-hole tip on the La Spaz EK5 at my local shop, and i learned microfoam on a benjamin&medwin with a 3-hole tip. Weird.

So Im going to buy a new tip so Anita doesnt have a toothpick sticking out of her steam wand. Should I go with the expobar one hole, or a paquini 4 hole? I would think the one hole would be the easiest, tho a little slower maybe?


Back on topic..

thats GREAT you got good results! Isnt it a great feeling to FINNALY get it after trying so hard? Do what i did.. dont even try latte art until your microfoam is like driving a car...second nature. And dont try and pour a rosetta right out of the gate.. the frustration will start all over, and last much longer. Learn an apple. Anyway.. enjoy the office lever.. I always had a thing for that machine!

Jeff