LAJayne Senior Member Joined: 26 Sep 2012 Posts: 4 Location: WA State Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Oct 20, 2012, 6:16pm Subject: Can't steam milk on new Simonelli Oscar
The milk steams way too fast with no foam. I am really frustrated. I have watched videos, spoken with the vendor,etc. I had no problem steaming on my last 2 machines, both Saeco Sirenas. The steam wand almost immediately starts the screaming sound, which I know means I might as well toss the milk. I have tried various positions with the wand to start steaming with no better result. Any advice would be appreciated. It seems crazy to pay much more for a machine I can't get good results with. 160 degree milk is too hot and the latte has no taste even when cooler.
Actually, no. Mine does this too.. First of all, keep the wand about roughly a quarter inch away from the side of the container and submerge the wand only about an inch below the surface of the milk before you start.
Apply the steam and get the milk spinning a little. It will be normal for it to shriek just a little bit until you lift the wand above the surface of the milk just a little. It should start making "Sipping" noises.
From there, depending on what kind of milk you want, you can "sip" lots to make "cappuccino" milk or "sip" just a bit until the container is slightly above body temperature to make "Latte" milk. As you "sip" the milk will stretch and you can continue to lower the pitcher to stretch the milk further or "dunk" the steam wand into the milk to just spin it.
It would help if you could show us a video of you steaming the milk, we could identify your problems immediately.
LAJayne Said:
It seems crazy to pay much more for a machine I can't get good results with.
Hang tough and be patient! A heat exchanging machine like yours as a lot more steaming power than your Seaco machines, so you have to adjust you steaming technique to compensate for it.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,320 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Sun Oct 21, 2012, 10:57am Subject: Re: Can't steam milk on new Simonelli Oscar
I found I did better in a smaller pitcher. There is a latte art section where we are talking about it more. I was using too much milk and not moving fast enough.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
LAJayne Senior Member Joined: 26 Sep 2012 Posts: 4 Location: WA State Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Oct 21, 2012, 6:35pm Subject: Re: Can't steam milk on new Simonelli Oscar
Thank you so much for responding! I was really frustrated. Your description of what I should do was great. It finally made sense. I tried your suggestions and got a better result but I have a lot of practice ahead. At least I am on the right track now. This machine definitely requires a different technique than my previous ones.
Apparently, I was using a panarello wand before (who knew?) which was easier for me to get more foam. The Oscar has a lot of steam power and can heat milk in matter of seconds. That was part of my problem. I need to learn how much steam is needed and when. The steam knob has 3 and a half turns to full power. Too much steam and the milk is super hot with no foam. I doubt I will ever have to turn it up all the way. I generally steam 5-8 oz of whole milk using a 12 oz or 20 oz pitcher.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,685 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Mon Oct 22, 2012, 6:27am Subject: Re: Can't steam milk on new Simonelli Oscar
Keep at it and soon you will be using full power and not thinking about it at all. As was said, the Oscar has a lot more power than you are used to AND it has a standard wand, not one like you were used to.
It is common for the milk to start screaming instantly on opening the valve, just drop the pitcher a little bit until you get a proper flow of air/steam and the noise will go away, then continue to steam/froth until you get what you want.
Don't forget to bleed the wand before starting to steam, you will have a little condensation in it and it needs to be cleaned out. Just keep a good strong whirlpool, slowly drop the pitcher as the level of foamed milk rises to maintain a good mix of air and steam until you hit about 100 f or so, then lower the wand into the milk to stop adding air. You do not need to go to the bottom of the pitcher though some find it easier to do so. You will soon enough develop your method until you can steam milk, at full power in your sleep.
Commercial machines make Oscar look like a weak steamer, if you can believe that!
Keep at it and you will be fine!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
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