Hi All,

I've always assumed that the key reason that Anita is a much slower steamer than the Andreja and Vetrano, is it's (intentionally) slow stock tip. I recently ordered the 4 hole tip that Great Infusions recommends for Anita. It now takes 47-ish seconds to get 8 oz of water from 40 to 160 degrees. It's a decent increase in performance, and is only a hair slower than the Alexia.

However, as they all share the same boiler and element, I don't see why Anita can't steam as fast as the Andreja and Vetrano. Is it simply the differences between tips, or is there some other underlying reason that I'm not considering?

Mike

I think it's just the steam tip. The stock tip is really slow. I replaced the stock steam wand with the four hole wand from the Spaziale and it steams much faster. Now I can steam 6 ounces of milk in about 30 seconds, whereas before it took almost a full minute. The microfoam is smoother and creamier, too.

I just upgraded my stock steam wand on my Alexia with the no-burn steam arm that comes standard on the Andreja and Vetrano ($45 from Chris), and the difference is unreal. For starters, the steam is dryer. With the old arm, I had to purge a fair amount of water the first time I was going to steam and a had to purge a little each time afterwards. With the new arm, I purge for no more than a second, and the steaming performance is considerably faster than with the stock arm. FWIW, the no-burn arm I have has a two hole tip. It's a highly recommended $45 option for anyone looking at an Anita or Alexia.

I'd like to know 1) why I'm seeing such a difference in the moisture in the arm that needs to be purged being so much less than with the stock arm, and 2) why the steaming performance is so much quicker?

This might be heat conduction. The no-burn wand doesn't take heat from the steam as it is isolated by a layer of teflon, and therefore stays cold.

Wet steam is usually a byproduct of the boiler level not the steam wand. You will get some condensation in the wand that will need purged before you start but wet steam is from a high boiler water level most of the time. The insulation will make a difference. I put insulation on my steam and water tap lines on the inside of the machine. It helps to hold in the heat and I get hotter steam and water.

I borrowed a 4 hole steaming tip from a friend, wow, Anita can steam quickly with the right tip. It didn't give me enough time to do the milk properly. I've since returned his tip. I may have to borrow it again so that I can prepare myself for steaming milk with my Elektra.

Mark

(As an aside, Mark, the Elektra is a joy! when it comes to steaming milk . . . )

With a fast steamer, sometimes you can do away with surfing the wand tip on the milk. The vigorous swirling and agitation produced by volumes of steam will do the work for you. Just put the tip a quarter inch deep in the milk and open the valve. 15 seconds later you are ready to go.

Anybody have any idea why I simply can't manage to make microfoam with this tip? I can't manage to whirlpool or even roll the milk. I've tried tilting the pitcher, tilting the wand, plunging, etc..I'm stumped!

Mike