Saeco Aroma Steam Wand Retrofit

[yoavperry]

Kat, I found an even better hack. (I have the Gaggia Achille with chrome Pannarello). I wrap Teflon (like the one used for plumbing) around the base black plastic and slide the chrome piece on top of it normally. This eliminates the entire intake of air to the point where I can microfoam for latter art. I know Gaggia/Seaco sells Latte Art Pannarello now, but I have only seen it in ugly black plastic (I have a gorgeous chrome machine). Do you guys offer the Latte Art Pannarello in chrome at all?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@yoavperry No, I haven't seen this panarello you're talking about. We have tested what you've tried and it worked well but because of cleanliness issues, etc., we decided not to do a video/recommend. If other customers share it, we're cool with that, but it's not something we can recommend for fear of machine damage (if customer isn't careful!) :) - Kat

[yoavperry]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Thanks Kat! Indeed you are right; every few days I take the Panarello out, clean it, remove old Teflon and wrap with fresh Teflon. I am quite fanatic about keeping my machine clean and in perfect working order, but as you said: not all customers are careful. Keep up the good work, you rock!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@yoavperry That is very good to hear!! Yeah, if you saw the state of some of the steam wands that come into our repair center ... you'd understand our hesitation ;) - Kat

[skysoo]

..aand if only the sleeve will work with his other parts of steam wand.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@skysoo Yep, got it, and answered - Kat

[skysoo]

Kat, Gig103 is asking if he can buy only sleeve and use it instead of whole assembly and get the same foam result.

Is there any possibility to buy it outside the USA?

[Gig103]

Can I buy just the $15 arm instead of the $40 assembly and have it work with my machine, just without the matching stainless ring on the arm?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Gig103 Not clear what you're asking here? - Kat

[Gig103]

@SeattleCoffeeGear You have two versions for sale:

Saeco Panarello Sleeve - Stainless Steel $14.95 &

Saeco Panarello Assembly - Stainless Steel $39.99

Does the $15 one work with a regular Via Venezia or do I need the whole assembly?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Gig103 Oh got it - the sleeve is for superautomatics only, it's too wide for the Aroma/Venezias. You have to get the whole assembly - Kat

[skyroket]

Will this work on the Via Venezia machine, as well? They look very similar but I don't want to order unless I know for sure. Thanks!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@skyroket Yes - it will :) - Kat

[skysoo]

Hi colleagues :)..I would like to ask how big pitcher you are using? (oz, ml)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@skysoo 20 oz - Kat

[jjarvis904]

Are there kits for attaching a standard steam wand?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@jjarvis904 Not that we know of, no - Kat

[ilusuens]

OMG. Thats the exact same problem that i have with the built in ariston coffee machine my dad bought. It always creates too much foam and i have no idea how to make microfoam with it :(

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ilusuens If you can find the little air intake hole(s) and fashion a way to cover them up, you can use the wand more like a traditional steam wand and then control the milk quality much more finitely - Kat

[mrfantastik7]

Let's say you want to make a cappuccino with this machine. Does the wand steam milk and froth it? Because I've heard with the Capresso EC100, it has a plastic sleeve used for frothing milk, and you take it off to steam milk. How does that work with this machine? Do you have to do two batches like the other machine, one for froth and one for steamed? Thanks guys. You really are helping me choose my first espresso machine. It's down to the EC100 and the Aroma.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@mrfantastik7 frothing and steaming are simultaneous -- this will incorporate steam and air into the milk to heat and create froth. You don't have to do 2 batches on either machine, both of them will get up to temp and froth as well. Let me know if you have more questions :) - Kat

[mrfantastik7]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Thank you so much! So if you just want steamed milk for a latte, what would you do? Do you cover the hole so air doesn't get in?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@mrfantastik7 Yes -- you can put your finger over the hole and it will limit the amount of air injected; you could also bury it in the milk, as well. - Kat

[isocrate27]

Gail knows a lot of things. I hope she's still alive. 

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@isocrate27 of course she is! that's a weird concern. - kat

[themodularmodular]

which one catches more fingerprints on this machine, silver or black? thanks kat!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@themodularmodular Definitely the stainless steel! - Kat

[dfalkov]

First of - love the video. Great to see other people obsessing over their coffee (as opposed to just me). Just wondering, what can I do on the Saeco Odea Go II? I know it's a low end machine but I really need a longer wand sleeve than the one they provide (black plastic tube) since my pitcher is 20oz. Will this solution work for the Odea machine?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@dfalkov Sadly, it won't :( But we do use 20 oz. pitchers on our Go's quite often without issue. Superauto steaming is no real prize, in general, and we wish there were better wands/upgrades, but as of now, nothing we have found will improve it. Sorry :( - Kat

[dfalkov]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Darn. I was hoping someone could just create an extension connector for it since it seems very simple to do. Guess someone just needs to machine it.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@dfalkov Yeah, it seems simple but we haven't seen anything come across that would be an easily augmented part. If you hear of anything, let us know! - Kat

[preet083]

Got the via venezia and noticed what you mean. BUT I found that using the tilt technique as I did before, and adjusting the steam nozzle to "throttle the steam" helps. As big bubbles generate dial knob down and inject a little less air, then as it slows down dial it up again and inject more air. You get a better foam, but STILL not same as better frothers. I will probably look to change the attachment.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@preet083 Just to note -- you're not changing the air, but the steam, when you're turning the knob up or down. This sounds like a great tip, though -- thanks for sharing! - Kat

[ComputerDilo]

Ladies you are worth your weight in gold. I've not found another resource anywhere near as good as your videos for a coffee lover like me. I am currently looking to upgrade my machine and you have given me so much to look for in a good replacement.

Only shame is me living on the other side of the world :(

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ComputerDilo Thank you so much for the compliment! Always glad to hear that we've been helpful to folks all over the world :) - Kat

[ekek888]

will this work on a jura s9 with the rubber valve taken off?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ekek888 Nope -- their steam tube design is different. - Kat

[drax42z]

Looks like the wand is currently out of stock. Any word on when you'll have more available?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@drax42z Nope; we get regular shipments, so if you sign up for the email you'll know as soon as they come back into inventory. - Kat

[netman1969]

You're a lifesaver Gail.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@netman1969 :D - I passed along your sentiments to her. - Kat

[Evaldas521]

But wait... This can't be right. Air isn't introduced from the top of that biggest part of the device, because if you take it off, you'll see that there's a rubber seal that's holding it in place and it's located below those gaps that Gail is saying air is introduced through, so the rubber seal wouldn't allow any air.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Evaldas521 It is right; the air is introduced at the top of the panarello via those little notches. - Kat

[Evaldas521]

What if you just steam with that naked metal tube with the panarello completely taken off?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Evaldas521 it's too short to get good results. - Kat

[phlashba]

I just want to say "thanks" again for this whole series. I have now received my Aroma (ordered from you guys!) and the replacement wand. Stupidly, I took the first wand off without paying attention. Having closely reviewed this video am I correct in concluding that the parts slip on the wand (from the top): 1. the stainless cap, 2. the plastic nut (smallest piece) 3. the rubber washer, 4. the mechanism, 5. the stainless sleeve?

It seems right but I want to be sure the thing doesn't fly off!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@phlashba yes, that sounds right to me; basically, if you take off the panarello and unscrew the nozzle from the cap, put the cap on the wand then fit the nozzle (with the compression fitting) onto the wand and screw them in place, you should be good to go. It will be a tighter fit with more friction than the original. - Kat

[KingFunksAlot]

I have my Delonghi elevated on a chopping board now, why do they make the wands so blooming low on some of these machines. the plastic wand on the EC330 has same issue as Seaco so I glued the air inlet as it was a really big hole so justmaking em smaller see if that works. I got one of those little frother whisks from Ikea as well that actually helps get microfoam. Question to Kat and Gail, whole milk, skimmed or semi-skimmed which do you find better for frothing ladies?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@KingFunksAlot Funny you should ask re: milk; we are just finishing up a video on testing different milk fats and how they perform on machines. Hoping to post it today (or soon) but, so far, 2% is performing the best on most machines. - Kat

[garbon2535]

Does the shape of the pitch used to steam milk have any difference on anything? I have a pitcher that is narrow on the bottom, gets wider about a 1/3 -1/2 of the way up and then gets narrow at the top (like the bottom). Are there any reasons to use one style of pitcher over another?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@garbon2535 Definitely, when you're using a traditional steam wand, you can get better results with microfoam depending on the shape of the pitcher. I personally don't like bell shaped pitchers for this purpose, but it is mostly going to be about your specific technique. Pitchers with a more defined spout will make it easier to pour latte art, etc., and you really just want to hold the pitcher in a way that achieves that roll consistently with the milk. - Kat

[AMHcaveman]

When I was trying to replace the Panarello wand the, rubber washer on the steam wand came off. Now the steam/milk escapes through the top of the panarello wand. Is the washer suppose to come off? If not then I will go ahead and use an adhesive to keep the rubber washer in its place. Let me know if this would be the right thing to do. Thanks!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Yeah, this is a compression fitting and you need it for the wand to work effectively. You shouldn't need anything to keep it in place, as they have opposing gaskets. - Kat

[l0td240z]

Hello, Was wondering if you think it will work on a Saeco Sirena? If so, Will it do the same result as what it came with? Thoughts on if it will be an upgrade or same?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

It's going to be the same -- this stainless steel wand is what is used on the Sirena. - Kat

[probicha00]

Four your information, I just use the inside part of the via venetto panarello. It's perfect for the aroma and cheep too :)

Take care

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Awesome -- thanks for the suggestion! :) - Kat

[LeonMyTube]

I think that the price: $39.99 is alittle to much for just a little steam wand. Half the price and it would be interesting.

[MrAirshot]

wow thank you very much both of you

this machine look similar to the gaggia new baby

and i prefer a duct tape than 40$

lets say if i completely close the air from the steam wand ,what will happen ?

and my machine keep throw a little bit of water from the steam wand , is that normal ?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

If you completely plug the whole the tape or epoxy, no air will be incorporated (just steam) which is similar to a traditional wand, so you'll need to work on your technique as far as resting the wand on the milk and getting a little air/steam mixture going. It will be a little bit difficult with the wide tip on the panarello, but you might have success. Re: Water - yes, these boilers are really small, so their steam tends to be very wet. - Kat

[nlmaxx]

this saeco is a different machine, it has no 3way valve like the baby and portafilters are diff. too. saeco has Pressurized Portafilter

neat tip, and RVS looks cool.

[porkpie7]

Thanks girls. I Appreciate the tips (no pun intended) on steaming. I think I will be buying the upgrade.

Keep the vids coming.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Glad you liked it! Let us know how the upgrade works out for you. - Kat