CWL Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 50 Location: OKC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Mini Vivaldi II, Sirena Grinder: Super Jolly, Ascaso iMini
Posted Thu May 15, 2008, 5:21am Subject: Astra Pro and Micro Foam
I just received my Astra Pro and love it. I was using a Sirena and although it was a good machine there is a night and day difference with the two machines.
The problem I am having is that I can't seem to get the micro foam. I know I am not doing something correct but what? It heats up so much faster than what I am accustomed to. I have tried my tip about 1/2 inch into the milk, just under, and about a inch.
Posted Thu May 15, 2008, 6:25am Subject: Re: Astra Pro and Micro Foam
I hate to say it, but I told you so! Others are probably better at steaming the milk and can offer you some good advice, but here's what I found. I ruined ALOT of milk when I was first learning on my Pro expect to do the same; I bought a couple gallons of milk and just practiced with them. Sink the wand all the way, lower the pitcher until you hear the sound of paper ripping ch-ch-ch (that's the sweet spot) which is different than the sound of sh-sh-sh. Once you find the sweet spot it becomes easier and easier to find again. Cold pitcher and cold milk. Larger pitchers are supposedly easier but I stuck w/ a 12oz. and finally was able to get it right. everything happens super fast so you have to act fast. Sink the wand at 80deg (if not before); if you hesitate on this it's already up to 100 deg before you know it. I also found that tilting the pitcher helped too especially w/ the smaller pitcher.
EDIT: also make sure you thermometer (if you're using one) is calibrated properly.
So, are you pretty happy w/ the Pro though? pulled any shots yet?
CWL Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 50 Location: OKC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Mini Vivaldi II, Sirena Grinder: Super Jolly, Ascaso iMini
Posted Thu May 15, 2008, 6:53am Subject: Re: Astra Pro and Micro Foam
Joel thanks for all the help. The Astra is great I actually received it Tue. so I have had a few day to play with it. I think this morning I finally got my dosage and grind down. Thank you very much for pointing me in this direction.
I will keep playing around with milk. I to only have a 12oz but I have a larger one coming. The next thing I need to make sure I doing correctly is watching for blondeing.
Blonding was hard for me to recognize and everyone seems to have a slightly different opinion on it. Look here: Click Here (www.home-barista.com) It's a video poll on when the shot went blonde; it'll at least give you an idea of a range of when it went blond based on others votes.
mitchellb Senior Member Joined: 20 Jul 2007 Posts: 593 Location: Houston, TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Astra Pro, SAMA Lever Grinder: Mazzer Major Vac Pot: Cory DKG-S Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: HGDB
Posted Thu May 15, 2008, 9:39am Subject: Re: Astra Pro and Micro Foam
i only use a 12 oz pitcher.. i have found the suggestions that joel uses to be helpful
there is not much play in how much you open the wand.. but you can usually find a spot where it is not full blast but still steaming pretty good if you open the wand right..
also i usually introduce air (ch ch ch) for as long as i can and sink the wand for only a couple of seconds.. i hold my hand on the pitcher and when it's too hot to bear..
it just takes some practice.. i have gotten pretty good where i can produce microfoam that's able to pour latte art every time.. it's taken 4 caps a week for a few months..
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