Hey folks.

I've been getting some really great results with microfoam when steaming with my Gaggia. But you know how the second shot usually seems to be the better of the two (what I've heard from most users anyway)? Well the opposite is true when making milk-based drinks on my Gaggia.

I have enough steam pressure to do a great job of my first pitcher (8-10oz.), but when I go to do the second pitcher, the results aren't nearly as good. I'm thinking it's a lack of steam pressure. Gaggia's have really small boilers.

From what I understand, Gaggias (and maybe all other single boilers) only introduce new water into the boiler while brewing, but not while steaming. Hence, steam pressure just keeps dropping off, until the boiler is empty (which is why I get the warning in my manual about not steaming for more than 5 min. at a time).

So, in order to get enough steam pressure to steam a second pitcher, what I need to do is:

1. Turn off the steam switch.
2. Hit the brew switch and run about a cup of water through either the grouphead or the steam wand.
3. Hit the steam switch again.
4. Wait for the boiler to cut out.
5. Purge the wand and steam the second pitcher.

Does this seem like the right way to go about it? Even when I do this, the steam pressure doesn't seem quite as strong as with the first pitcher.

Thanks.

Gaggias aren't really designed to steam that much milk at once. As you say, the boiler is really small, so they run out of oomph after the first pitcher.

I find it's best to prepare each latte or cappuccino individually. In other words, pull one shot, steam a small pitcher for the first cappuccino or latte, then run some water through the group in brew mode and pull the second shot, then steam the second pitcher. Otherwise, you'll run out of steam and your shots will fade and get cold by the time you've steamed both pitchers.

Alternatively, you can pull a double shot into two cups and just steam less milk for each. You should be able to steam ten ounces or so in one session, so you can make two traditional single caps without having to steam two pitchers of milk.

Hmm, those are great suggestions.

I guess that's why many folks have upgraded here. It's impossible to do any kind of entertaining with this machine, if you're making milk based drinks. Most of my guests want a Latte, Chai Latte, London Fog, or something or other involving steamed milk.

I know very few people who'd try an espresso, even with my improving abilities. Some folks will ask for an Americano which seems like such a silly drink to me.

Side Note: I've always thought of "Americano" as a derogatory name for a drink. In the rest of the world, when you order a coffee, you get an espresso or something similar (Mokka Pot, Turkish, etc...). Most North Americans can't take "real coffee", so they have to have it watered-down. Kind of like a baby drink.