Problems steaming milk.

Dry_bean.

Notice there's an I cant steam milk thread happening over on the other forum, happens with monotonous regularity, along with conspiracy theories, watered down milk claims and replacing steam tips, the list goes on, very few of the older more knowledgeable members even bother to respond now, cant say I blame em, each of these threads is almost a carbon copy of what's been said before. ::)

Dry_bean.

on 1328834834:

Just tell them their dreaming as with a true expresso  :rofl: :stir  you don't use any additives err.  moo juice  :coffee2:

I rarely use it, SWMBO drinks cupofchino  :rofl: exclusively.

Kelsey

Isn't the standard response to just sign and point out KK's excellent tutorial on the matter?

askthecoffeeguy

Don't worry when all baristas are replaced by robots opps I mean super-autos with predetermined cut-offs, it won't be an issue!

Dry_bean.

on 1328861691:

Don't worry when all baristas are replaced by robots opps I mean super-autos with predetermined cut-offs, it won't be an issue!

Very true.

Brett H

on 1328861691:

Don't worry when all baristas are replaced by robots opps I mean super-autos with predetermined cut-offs, it won't be an issue!

But what happens when the robots demand equal pay and equal rights?  And despite being inferior you can't sack them based on performance for fear of being accused of not providing an equal opportunity work place.  I can't help but worry!!!

askthecoffeeguy

on 1328878024:

But what happens when the robots demand equal pay and equal rights?  And despite being inferior you can't sack them based on performance for fear of being accused of not providing an equal opportunity work place.  I can't help but worry!!!

ah yes grasshopper but not long now till current model is superseded and old model goes to top of the scrap heap...

Dry_bean.

on 1328878024:

But what happens when the robots demand equal pay and equal rights?  And despite being inferior you can't sack them based on performance for fear of being accused of not providing an equal opportunity work place.  I can't help but worry!!!

Some people are just not happy unless they have something to worry about. ;D

Brett H

on 1328912327:

Some people are just not happy unless they have something to worry about. ;D

:P Seems I've become the whipping boy in this thread too (thank heavens for my beautifully defined glistening muscular broad shoulders), and yet I still like it far better than many of the other steaming threads.  What happened to perseverance?

Dry_bean.

on 1328938309:

:P Seems I've become the whipping boy in this thread too (thank heavens for my beautifully defined glistening muscular broad shoulders), and yet I still like it far better than many of the other steaming threads.  What happened to perseverance?

Good afternoon Adonis, noticed you copped a bit of a slap in another thread ::) that's what happens when commercial interests become involved, they tend to take criticism, justified or not, as a personal affront. Perseverance? hmmm, a quality I tried to develop but didn't have the patience. ;D

Koffee_Kosmo

As everyone knows I developed a method that doesn't require the user to even hold the milk jug However practice makes perfect in all things new and unfamiliar How much practice do you ask? As much as it takes is my answer KK

FreshCoffee2

aha, aha..... I rarely have a problem steaming milk it's easy, stick the steam pipe in the milk, and open the valve/tap. Whalla, the milk is steamed, unless the machine has run out of steam because it has either been switched off, or maybe the element has failed or in the case of a domestic boiler machine, someone switched off the steam function button. Perhaps some people are having trouble "frothing" the milk, or perhaps "texturing" the milk. But I dont see steaming it as a problem really. ....tap tap tap.....So this topic really isnt about steaming milk at all, but about some seemingly silly things that happen on internet sites??? If that is the actual topic here, then here is the answer.....There appear to be real problems with new players continually coming in to repeat the same questions over and over, and being a bit of a conspiracy theorist I cant help wondering if they really are bogus identities having some "fun" keeping respondents wasting time responding.  This is why I for one keep away from the repetitive topics, most of which only need some one to say......"do a search buddy its all already there". Of course anyone that reads any coffee forum knows, that all equipment problems are related to lack of descaling....and ofcourse, not having bought some kind of aftermarket steam nozzle or checking / adjusting some kind of OPV or other. Question: Having Trouble Frothing Milk. Internet Forum Politically Korrect Answer: When was the last time you descaled the machine, have you checked the OPV for correct pressure, have you bought an after market tip yet. Forum Politically InKorrect Answer: If machine is not producing correct quantity of steam, have it serviced to rectify an apparent equipment problem; OR check your technique / take a lesson; Or check milk supply / try different supply; and god forbid.....ask your retailer for some advice.... Read it on the internet....must be true  :stir

Brett H

on 1329206871:

aha, aha..... I rarely have a problem steaming milk it's easy, stick the steam pipe in the milk, and open the valve/tap. Whalla, the milk is steamed, unless the machine has run out of steam because it has either been switched off, or maybe the element has failed or in the case of a domestic boiler machine, someone switched off the steam function button. Perhaps some people are having trouble "frothing" the milk, or perhaps "texturing" the milk. But I dont see steaming it as a problem really. ....tap tap tap.....So this topic really isnt about steaming milk at all, but about some seemingly silly things that happen on internet sites??? If that is the actual topic here, then here is the answer.....There appear to be real problems with new players continually coming in to repeat the same questions over and over, and being a bit of a conspiracy theorist I cant help wondering if they really are bogus identities having some "fun" keeping respondents wasting time responding.  This is why I for one keep away from the repetitive topics, most of which only need some one to say......"do a search buddy its all already there". Of course anyone that reads any coffee forum knows, that all equipment problems are related to lack of descaling....and ofcourse, not having bought some kind of aftermarket steam nozzle or checking / adjusting some kind of OPV or other. Question: Having Trouble Frothing Milk. Internet Forum Politically Korrect Answer: When was the last time you descaled the machine, have you checked the OPV for correct pressure, have you bought an after market tip yet. Forum Politically InKorrect Answer: If machine is not producing correct quantity of steam, have it serviced to rectify an apparent equipment problem; OR check your technique / take a lesson; Or check milk supply / try different supply; and god forbid.....ask your retailer for some advice.... Read it on the internet....must be true  :stir

I tried reading Roasted Passion... I really did... When you decide to pen a Novel or Novello Fresh Coffee I'll be first in line for a signed copy!  :thumb:

beanflying

Blame it on the hot weather affecting the protein content of the milk. Follow this up with a long technical explanation on why it is so and after everyone has gone to sleep the milk steaming problem is solved.  As Attillio puts it, getting it hot is easy getting it noice is a little more tricky  ;D

Dry_bean.

on 1329289342:

As Attillio puts it, getting it hot is easy getting it noice is a little more tricky  ;D

Not overly tricky though, practice makes perfect.

askthecoffeeguy

I've made great milk straight from a pan, into a plunger, plumped for good measure - then poured on top of a stovetop made coffee shot and served to a coffee aficionado - who described it as delicious- not bad for low tech!

Lacehim

I would like to remind folk that a cheap way to practice is to use a small drop of detergent into some cold water (milk temperature).  Makes great microfoam, just don't drink it!  Saves buying tons of moo juice!  You can save that for when you have it mastered. It takes practice, and after 2 years I still make mistakes now and again, and i'm no latte art expert either. I do think that as the "friendly forum" we need to have patience with people new to coffee and the forum.  We were all new to this once upon a time, and I really think threads like this, are of the reasons that newbies join, read and don't post. Off topic, but can we get over the whole "that other place" bit?  I came here to get away from it, enjoy myself with like minded coffee loving people, not to read posts whining about what's happening on another forum.  :pan

FreshCoffee2

Yes it's great to take part in a "friendy forum", and it would be even nicer to see an occasional injection of SOH (sense of humour) otherwise the pace of this forum could be seen by some, to be a little too unrealistically even handed. By the way I for one didnt see any whining but do understand we are all individuals and someone's sense of humour is not someone elses.... A truly tolerant forum should be one that allows individuals to be...just that, as long as there are no insulting personal barneys between people that happen to disagree with eachother or see things from a different direction..... By the way the old 1 drop of dish washing liquid in a 600 ml jug to simulate milk texturing really is a good one and I used it for years when I used to give coffee classes, before letting the class participants loose on the milk.....but in the end none of that (IMHO) is what the topic was really about and the danger in a "friendly forum" is of people pussy footing around not wanting to tackle a little bit of reality (normality?) which in essence, could be reacting a little too far in the opposite direction to what can sometimes happen in other forums....which then means, that the goings on in other forums directly affects what happens in this forum which is a ludicrous situation. That said, I for one would have no objection if the mods decided to pull this whole thread if it is not in keeping with the greater site policy.

Dry_bean.

on 1329349998:

Yes it's great to take part in a "friendy forum", and it would be even nicer to see an occasional injection of SOH (sense of humour) otherwise the pace of this forum could be seen by some, to be a little too unrealistically even handed. By the way I for one didnt see any whining but do understand we are all individuals and someone's sense of humour is not someone elses.... A truly tolerant forum should be one that allows individuals to be...just that, as long as there are no insulting personal barneys between people that happen to disagree with eachother or see things from a different direction..... By the way the old 1 drop of dish washing liquid in a 600 ml jug to simulate milk texturing really is a good one and I used it for years when I used to give coffee classes, before letting the class participants loose on the milk.....but in the end none of that (IMHO) is what the topic was really about and the danger in a "friendly forum" is of people pussy footing around not wanting to tackle a little bit of reality (normality?) which in essence, could be reacting a little too far in the opposite direction to what can sometimes happen in other forums....which then means, that the goings on in other forums directly affects what happens in this forum which is a ludicrous situation. That said, I for one would have no objection if the mods decided to pull this whole thread if it is not in keeping with the greater site policy.

Wise words Atillio, I agree, SOH does seem to be lacking somewhat, things can become pretty mundane on a diet of what's in my roaster and what I'm restoring at the moment, as you say most seem to balk at calling a spade a spade, if there's a perceived issue address it, just don't get personal and all will be fine. Whining? what whining. My reference to CS was in no way whining or derogatory, simply a comment on the repetitiveness of many of the topics and answers being posted there nowadays, I guess we forget that what's old hat to many of us is all new stuff to people discovering the world of good coffee, lets not fall into "Don't mention the war" trap, Coffee snobs and Crema can coexist and each should be able to make reference to the other. Pull the thread ??? heaven forbid no, robust discussion is good, there should be more of it.

Lacehim

It wasn't a personal dig at you DB.  CS is mentioned as "that other place" by a number of people.  FYI I do have a SOH, thanks.  I've linked to HB, CG etc here before too, it's great that we can do that an all co-exist.  Can we all just move on and just call it Coffee Snobs or CS then?

Dry_bean.

on 1329353483:

  Can we all just move on and just call it Coffee Snobs or CS then?

You bet, as a matter of interest, do you reckon posting a link to Crema in Coffee Snobs would be ok. :stir ;D

UNM

Thoroughly agree with DB about robust discussion, but with my signature, I'd have to really. As to noobs asking the same questions again and again, seems inevitable and the more threads there are on a topic, the harder it is to find the answer to one specific problem. At the moment I am scouring ' another forum' for an answer to something and keep getting conflicting answers. Often when a noob asks a question, I learn something new as the thread develops, and will generally point them in the right direction if I think I can help. As to linking across from CS to crema - why make assumptions, should be easy enough to test.

Lacehim

on 1329354313:

You bet, as a matter of interest, do you reckon posting a link to Crema in Coffee Snobs would be ok. :stir ;D

:rofl:  Good one DB.  Has anyone tried it though?  I've linked to HB before, and it didn't get deleted.  FYI I've posted 2 or 3 times over there on the lusso thread in the past year.  I'm still a registered member, as I am with HB & CG, but I spend my time here, because it has a nice feel, and things can be discussed openly. Maybe a WIKI of sorts would be a good idea, with basic information, and some links to various threads to start from?  At least that would cut down on the number of new threads asking the same questions.  I also thing search is good, but you have to weed out the rubbish, and read a heap of OT posts sometimes to get to what you want.

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1329356220:

:rofl:  Good one DB.  Has anyone tried it though?  I've linked to HB before, and it didn't get deleted.  FYI I've posted 2 or 3 times over there on the lusso thread in the past year.  I'm still a registered member, as I am with HB & CG, but I spend my time here, because it has a nice feel, and things can be discussed openly. Maybe a WIKI of sorts would be a good idea, with basic information, and some links to various threads to start from?  At least that would cut down on the number of new threads asking the same questions.  I also thing search is good, but you have to weed out the rubbish, and read a heap of OT posts sometimes to get to what you want.

I will have to make a special area for basic instructions and place it in a locked post In anyone wants to contribute & PM me the text with - Instructions to- Milk Steaming Machine cleaning Dose,Tamp,Grind Filtered water Electrical Safety Also Other subjects not listed if one wants to add KK

paranomia

I would have thought a wiki was the obvious way to capture & distill the knowledge & view points rather than a mass/mess of threads which are even making "just search for it" a non-viable direction (edit: I guess locked threads could be a workable compromise) I tried suggesting a wiki a few years ago on CS but apparently it had been discussed previously but dismissed as unworkable.

Brett H

I also like the idea of a Wiki, but a loved thread here would be even better. Add to your list your brilliant KKTO Paul with a brief overview and like to your website.  We can be the friendly and the informative forum also!

Dry_bean.

on 1329358600:

I would have thought a wiki was the obvious way to capture & distill the knowledge & view points rather than a mass/mess of threads which are even making "just search for it" a non-viable direction (edit: I guess locked threads could be a workable compromise) I tried suggesting a wiki a few years ago on CS but apparently it had been discussed previously but dismissed as unworkable.

Problem is most simply don't read them and ask questions anyway. There is also the danger of new members being fobbed of with a curt see here "link" people join forums to interact with one another, lets face it all of the information needed is already out there, you only have to search, if the solution to every coffee variable were posted in one area then forums would become redundant, I doubt any of us want that. Not suggesting KK's basic instruction post is not a good one, it is, and hopefully, people would read it to glean the basics, then perhaps ask more in depth questions in the forum. :thumb:

Kelsey

KK< do we unleash the beast yet? 

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1329359512:

Not suggesting KK's basic instruction post is not a good one, it is, and hopefully, people would read it to glean the basics, then perhaps ask more in depth questions in the forum. :thumb:

Thats exactly my purpose A basic instructional that encourages further discussion in the forum for more information 

on 1329361592:

KK< do we unleash the beast yet? 

Send me a PM of the instructional I will collect all & marry some together (if they are the same subject) and post the best after proofreading KK

Lacehim

It can't hurt to try it. I know it's a technology site, totally different to a coffee site, but the unraid website http://www.lime-technology.com/ has a wiki, and it is a good pool of information for people to read though, links to a threads etc.  There is plenty of discussion in the forum, and often the wiki is referred to, or different methods discussed.  It will need to be maintained, and it's not going to stop everyone posting, but if it helps half the visitors to a site, then why not try it?  It would also make Crema a little unique.  I also proposed it on CS and Andy didn't like the idea.

on 1329359512:

Problem is most simply don't read them and ask questions anyway. There is also the danger of new members being fobbed of with a curt see here "link" people join forums to interact with one another, lets face it all of the information needed is already out there, you only have to search, if the solution to every coffee variable were posted in one area then forums would become redundant, I doubt any of us want that. Not suggesting KK's basic instruction post is not a good one, it is, and hopefully, people would read it to glean the basics, then perhaps ask more in depth questions in the forum. :thumb:

I agree DB but I also I think a link to useful information is much better than being told to use a search.

Dry_bean.

on 1329376240:

I agree DB but I also I think a link to useful information is much better than being told to use a search.

Wont dispute that, really dislike new members asking questions being told Google's your friend or do a search, bloody rude in my book. >:(