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Date: 15 Feb 2007 20:28:28
From: dcaffeine8d
Subject: Silvia frothing techniques
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Sorry for this newbie question but when using silvia's steam knob, do
I need to fully open it during the frothing process or just half-open
it?
thanks... Paul
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Date: 18 Feb 2007 01:28:32
From: dcaffeine8d
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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Thanks to all who replied. I found out that the reason why I cannot
get a decent microfroth with the Silvia is due to the frothing pitcher
I was using. I had straight-side pitcher instead of the bell-shaped
one which I reckon prevents it from properly swirling. After getting
one of those bell-shaped ones I finally had a "microfroth". So
velvety.. yum... next is latte art I suppose...;)
Btw, after steaming 10 oz of milk, is it good to steam another 10 oz
afterwards or should I fill the boiler first again by pushing the hot
water switch? I was just thinking, when steaming, whenever the boiler
lilght comes on, does it mean it's topping it up with water or just
bringing the temp up to steaming temp?
thanks.. Paul
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Date: 19 Feb 2007 12:15:09
From: Rusty
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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"dcaffeine8d" <dcaffeine8d@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1171790912.084634.174560@l53g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks to all who replied. I found out that the reason why I cannot
> get a decent microfroth with the Silvia is due to the frothing pitcher
> I was using. I had straight-side pitcher instead of the bell-shaped
> one which I reckon prevents it from properly swirling. After getting
> one of those bell-shaped ones I finally had a "microfroth". So
> velvety.. yum... next is latte art I suppose...;)
>
> Btw, after steaming 10 oz of milk, is it good to steam another 10 oz
> afterwards or should I fill the boiler first again by pushing the hot
> water switch? I was just thinking, when steaming, whenever the boiler
> lilght comes on, does it mean it's topping it up with water or just
> bringing the temp up to steaming temp?
>
> thanks.. Paul
>
Definitely fill the boiler first! Silvia would just about have run out of
steam and water after the first pitcher. Not a good idea to try to get more
steam out of an empty boiler.
The boiler light comes on when the temp drops. It is connected to the
thermostat. Silvia has no way of automatically filling the boiler, you must
prime it after steaming.
Cheers,
Rusty
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 23:08:53
From: Eric Svendson
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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Maybe 1 turn open is sufficient. Try to initiate steaming "just before" the
steam light extinguishes such that the light will then remain on during your
steaming adventure.
If you happen to want to pull another shot soon after steaming, flush
approximately 4 ounces of water through the group prior to.
Eric S.
"dcaffeine8d" <dcaffeine8d@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1171600108.537481.150830@s48g2000cws.googlegroups.com...
> Sorry for this newbie question but when using silvia's steam knob, do
> I need to fully open it during the frothing process or just half-open
> it?
>
> thanks... Paul
>
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 14:50:40
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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On Feb 16, 4:46 pm, sendspamh...@yahoo.com wrote:
> On Feb 16, 8:20 am, "Robert Harmon" <r_h_har...@Zhotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I've often wondered why folks don't eliminate the steam stat altogether.
> > It's only operational when steaming & the consensus is that it inhibits good
> > technique. That being the case I think someone would be advocating it's
> > elimination or at least installing a bypass switch.
>
> I installed just such a bypass switch in my Silvia. It's actuated by
> the steam knob, so the thermostat functions normally unless the valve
> is open (not too bloody likely to forget to close that!).
> I made a post here back in January with some specifics, but here's
> some pics of the install:
>
> http://www.bitsisbits.com/silvia/AUT_6803.JPGhttp://www.bitsisbits.com/silvia/AUT_6806.JPGhttp://www.bitsisbits.com/silvia/AUT_6808.JPGhttp://www.bitsisbits.com/silvia/AUT_6811.JPG
>
> I stumbled on an interesting technique not long after installing this,
> but I wouldn't recommend it unless you have an external thermometer
> (or PID) installed. When at steaming temp, I'll make sure the boiler
> is full and then barely crack the valve open, just sufficient to trip
> the bypass switch, and hold it there for a few moments until the
> boiler is appx. 20F higher ( ! ) than the normal steam setting, and
> then froth- amazing power, perfect microfoam in about five seconds.
>
> I just about had a coronary the first time I did this, as I was
> adjusting the bypass switch and hadn't noticed that the boiler was on-
> grabbed a pitcher of cold milk, shoved it under the wand and cranked
> the valve open without any regard to technique, and was treated to the
> most perfect art-ready microfoam I'd seen from this machine. It's
> probably not for the faint of heart, but I'm hopeful that a few
> seconds of higher temps won't add much wear and tear to the boiler,
> and in any case the safety thermo breaker should keep you from
> grenading it across your kitchen.
a good idea!
dave
216
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 13:46:50
From:
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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On Feb 16, 8:20 am, "Robert Harmon" <r_h_har...@Zhotmail.com > wrote:
> I've often wondered why folks don't eliminate the steam stat altogether.
> It's only operational when steaming & the consensus is that it inhibits good
> technique. That being the case I think someone would be advocating it's
> elimination or at least installing a bypass switch.
I installed just such a bypass switch in my Silvia. It's actuated by
the steam knob, so the thermostat functions normally unless the valve
is open (not too bloody likely to forget to close that!).
I made a post here back in January with some specifics, but here's
some pics of the install:
http://www.bitsisbits.com/silvia/AUT_6803.JPG
http://www.bitsisbits.com/silvia/AUT_6806.JPG
http://www.bitsisbits.com/silvia/AUT_6808.JPG
http://www.bitsisbits.com/silvia/AUT_6811.JPG
I stumbled on an interesting technique not long after installing this,
but I wouldn't recommend it unless you have an external thermometer
(or PID) installed. When at steaming temp, I'll make sure the boiler
is full and then barely crack the valve open, just sufficient to trip
the bypass switch, and hold it there for a few moments until the
boiler is appx. 20F higher ( ! ) than the normal steam setting, and
then froth- amazing power, perfect microfoam in about five seconds.
I just about had a coronary the first time I did this, as I was
adjusting the bypass switch and hadn't noticed that the boiler was on-
grabbed a pitcher of cold milk, shoved it under the wand and cranked
the valve open without any regard to technique, and was treated to the
most perfect art-ready microfoam I'd seen from this machine. It's
probably not for the faint of heart, but I'm hopeful that a few
seconds of higher temps won't add much wear and tear to the boiler,
and in any case the safety thermo breaker should keep you from
grenading it across your kitchen.
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 11:20:15
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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On Feb 16, 1:16 pm, "Robert Harmon" <r_h_har...@Zhotmail.com > wrote:
> Why not? But maybe a timed switch might be safer for the absent minded,
that is just absurd. (intended I am sure)
and what does this mean:
"(Gig 'em!) "
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 11:13:24
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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>
> > And what do you propose as a replacement?
>
> > just an on-off switch?
that is just absurd. (intended I am sure)
and what does this mean:
"(Gig 'em!) "
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 14:19:14
From: Craig Andrews
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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"daveb" <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1171653204.718011.19110@m58g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
>
>>
>> > And what do you propose as a replacement?
>>
>> > just an on-off switch?
>
> that is just absurd. (intended I am sure)
>
> and what does this mean:
> "(Gig 'em!) "
>
Maybe a few single malt scotch's in the early afternoon? {;-)
Craig.
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 09:55:46
From: Omniryx@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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On Feb 16, 12:18 pm, "daveb" <davebobbl...@gmail.com > wrote:
> And what do you propose as a replacement?
>
> just an on-off switch?
That and a fire extinguisher.
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 09:18:18
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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And what do you propose as a replacement?
just an on-off switch?
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 18:16:03
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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Why not? But maybe a timed switch might be safer for the absent minded,
right? Or we could put in pressure release plugs like those on pressure
cooker. Imagine the excitement when those little lead pellets start bouncing
off the walls!
Actually I was thinking, since home machines are protected by thermal fuses,
a simple toggle switch would suffice. Maybe put in a bright (blinking) light
as a reminder?
--
Robert (Gig 'em!) Harmon
http://tinyurl.com/pou2y
http://tinyurl.com/psfob
http://tinyurl.com/fkd6r
"daveb" <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1171646298.032087.279320@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...
>
> And what do you propose as a replacement?
>
> just an on-off switch?
>
>
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 05:25:28
From: JulesG
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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Correction - I give it a bit more than 1/4 turn at the start and
increase gradually to about 1 full turn, most of it during the second
stage, between 100-140 F.
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 04:31:17
From: JulesG
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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On Feb 15, 11:28 pm, "dcaffeine8d" <dcaffein...@gmail.com > wrote:
> Sorry for this newbie question but when using silvia's steam knob, do
> I need to fully open it during the frothing process or just half-open
> it?
>
> thanks... Paul
Here is how I do it - but I am no expert...
Open it enough to have a good swirl and then raise it to the surface
of the milk to get a "Swishhh" sound. Keep on until the milk reaches
100 F. Most of the expansion should be done at this stage - if not,
open it more next time - you will quickly get a feel for the right
steam flow to get the swirl you need. In my case, I would say it is
somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 turn.
Then lower the wand about half way in the milk until it reaches 140
F. and you are done - again, open it as needed to keep the good
swirl. Some prefer 150 F. but IMO it is too hot.
You want to start the frothing process just before the boiler light
comes off so that it stays on all the time during frothing to get
maximum steam. If you don't have a PID, this will require
experimenting and counting until you find the right moment. With my
Silvia, I start when the temp. reaches 289 F. Before installing the
PID, I waited about 1 min 45 sec after turning the steam switch on.
Don't forget to empty the steam wand before frothing. Clean it
immediately when you are done - I use a damp cloth with a quick shoe
shine movement towards me first and then away from me.
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Date: 16 Feb 2007 16:20:29
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: Silvia frothing techniques
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I've often wondered why folks don't eliminate the steam stat altogether.
It's only operational when steaming & the consensus is that it inhibits good
technique. That being the case I think someone would be advocating it's
elimination or at least installing a bypass switch. Just my 2-cents, I have
eliminated al stats, 't' & 'p' in my machines.
--
Robert (An stats da troot, an nuttin but da troot, so help me Gatti!) Harmon
http://tinyurl.com/pou2y
http://tinyurl.com/psfob
http://tinyurl.com/fkd6r
"JulesG" <jules.gobeil@videotron.ca > wrote in message
news:1171629077.936515.121530@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...
> On Feb 15, 11:28 pm, "dcaffeine8d" <dcaffein...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Sorry for this newbie question but when using silvia's steam knob, do
>> I need to fully open it during the frothing process or just half-open
>> it?
>>
>> thanks... Paul
>
> Here is how I do it - but I am no expert...
>
> Open it enough to have a good swirl and then raise it to the surface
> of the milk to get a "Swishhh" sound. Keep on until the milk reaches
> 100 F. Most of the expansion should be done at this stage - if not,
> open it more next time - you will quickly get a feel for the right
> steam flow to get the swirl you need. In my case, I would say it is
> somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 turn.
>
> Then lower the wand about half way in the milk until it reaches 140
> F. and you are done - again, open it as needed to keep the good
> swirl. Some prefer 150 F. but IMO it is too hot.
>
> You want to start the frothing process just before the boiler light
> comes off so that it stays on all the time during frothing to get
> maximum steam. If you don't have a PID, this will require
> experimenting and counting until you find the right moment. With my
> Silvia, I start when the temp. reaches 289 F. Before installing the
> PID, I waited about 1 min 45 sec after turning the steam switch on.
>
> Don't forget to empty the steam wand before frothing. Clean it
> immediately when you are done - I use a damp cloth with a quick shoe
> shine movement towards me first and then away from me.
>
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