Difficult to clean when they get dirty, try and shine a torche in there, see if there is loose as well as slightly mobile crap in there.
ACS Minima - Odd Service Boiler Behaviour
DavecUK Right, tricky!
I’ll soak it in soda crystals and citric acid too.
Do you know if there other types of steam tip that will fit this wand?
probably, but I would be able to definitely recommend as sometimes there are small differences in threads….but one that the teflon tube fits in, instead of fits in the teflon tube is easier to clean.
I would soak it in something called Puly Milk, other things don’t shift it and you can’t mechanically remove it
Casein glue is effectively made from milk, heat and acidity…sound familiar. I used to own a 11 share (because I helped them restore it) an Olympia 2B a glider from 1938, built for gliding events in the Olympics that never happened because of WW2. It used Casein Glue in it’s construction and was still good back in around 1988. After it was restored, I actually took it for its first flight in decades…..glide angle of a house brick (well I exaggerate it was in reality around 15 -1), which was even worse than a K8 glider which was around 18 -1. Don;y believe Wikipedia for a second about the specs for these gliders…anyway I digress.
my point being use the right product to dissolve milk deposits…..
You could try to use interdental brushes after soaking. I do it occasionally to make sure the holes are as clear as possible.
Something like this
mailto:kafar@btinternet.com
DavecUK Thank you - invaluable. Agreed on using the right tool for the job.
I’ve not been in a glider for 18 years. I did an ‘experience day’ and then spent a summer as a cadet working to pay for time in the air. Was incredible. Even got to go up in an acrobatic glider - loop the loops and barrel rolls - exhilarating.
I will do a full clean of all parts.
Out of interest, when descaling the steam boiler, is it good or bad to vent some through the steam wand?
@prezes thanks, this is a good idea. I use the silicone ones unfortunately, but I’ll pick up a pack of brushes too.
PortafilterProcrastinator Was incredible. Even got to go up in an acrobatic glider - loop the loops and barrel rolls - exhilarating.
I used to have an Aerobatic rating when I was flying…Often went up in an ASK21
PortafilterProcrastinator Out of interest, when descaling the steam boiler, is it good or bad to vent some through the steam wand?
It’s OK, unless you got milk in the tip, because then your making Casein Glue
I use Puly milk to keep my steam wand clean. Give it a go once a monrh when I do the Puly backflush clean.
Out of interst - do you guys just twist the tip off with your fingers? Think I’d need something a little more industrial than my fingers
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dutchy101 Out of interst - do you guys just twist the tip off with your fingers? Think I’d need something a little more industrial than my fingers
I always put tips on with my fingers…so I can take em off with my fingers! Never had one fall off into my milk yet!
Yeah that’s what I did previously with my Bambino, but had to use grips to get it off in the first place - the Bambino comes with a plastic tool to remove the tip but it broke when trying to get it off and I scratched the tip with the grips when taking it off - they broke through a cloth I had around them.
Really don’t want to do that with the Minima, so might invest in some plastic jawed grips for when I need to get the tip off
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dutchy101 Do you take the whole steam wand off then and soak it?
I got my tip off with washing up gloves on, they were grippy enough.
You’d probably want a small strap wrench if it is really stuck, but the wand will need to go in a vice probably.
PortafilterProcrastinator Do you take the whole steam wand off then and soak it?
No, I’ve got an old plastic bottle 600ml that I put 25ml of Puly milk into with 500ml of cold water. Put the steam wand into the bottle submerging almost up to the bend and then open the tap and close it about 8 times
What I tend to do as well is on weekly basis when pouring out a cup of water from the steam boiler I submerge the steam arm with with tip in hot water. Leave it standing for few minutes then turn the steam on and off for few seconds so the hot water is drawn in
mailto:kafar@btinternet.com
My two hole tip was on very tight, so much so I thought threadlocker was used (it wasn’t). I used a lot of electric tape around the tip and pliers instead of a wrench to get it off. Tip was scratched but I had spare. I didn’t end up needing a vice but was considering it beforehand.
@PortafilterProcrastinator Bella Barista have the Minima two hole tip for £5 + del if you want to rule out anything being stuck and nothing else is working.
https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=Minima%20tip
I know the expobar 2 and 3 hole steam tips also fit. But these are in fact even more powerful than the 3 hole stock Minima tip:
https://www.theespressoshop.co.uk/Mobile/en/Expobar-2-Hole-Steam-Tip--Oring---30370185/m-m-4531.aspx
The Izzo Duetto tips fit as well:
https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/izzo-duetto-steam-tip-set.html
Interestingly according to the BB website the Izzo Duetto tips are compatible with the Bianca, which would imply the Bianca tips will fit the Minima. The Bianca tips have smaller 1mm holes which I believe will help better control the amount of air you introduce into the milk. They have 2 and 4 hole tips - something I might try:
https://www.lamacchinadelcaffe.com/en/cartsearch/index.html?q=2200108
HVL87 Intersting none of those have the little metal tube that sticks out the top. Not having that would make it easier to see inside for sure.
Some of those prices are a little eye watering for a little old steam tip.
PortafilterProcrastinator I always wondered why that metal tube was sticking out at the end. If I remember correctly @DavecUK mentioned it is useful for no burn steam wands - clearly redundant for the Minima. I do find the steam a bit “cleaner” from the expobar tip, but don’t think it really makes a real world difference.
They are a bit on the pricey side - the expobar tips are good but only if you’re steaming larger quantities of milk. I have settled on the stock minima 3 hole for a 350ml pitcher, although might try the Bianca tip if it fits.
PortafilterProcrastinator I’ll see if I can take a video at some point, although this is the placement I use with the 3 hole specifically:
I do open the valve all the way.
I shove the wand in the milk and open the valve all the way. The angle is pretty much straight down and slightly off centre. I let it hiss for about 1, maybe 2 seconds, and then submerge. You can angle the jug and aim further towards the side. Don’t over think it, just think how much air you need in the milk (doesn’t take long with a three hole tip and a small quantity of milk) and then you’re just heating and mixing….it doesn’t have to swirl, it can tumble around and wind up the same in the end.