How to steam milk

[cookiesncream789]

Your dog is very excited about this steamed milk! LOL =P

[dlygrind]

Did you really leave your shot sitting for more than 5 minutes?

[shurik6]

@dlygrind Yes. I REALLY did. Didn't you watch the video? Now lets hear about how terrible I am. :)

p.s. I don't usually do that. Espresso is made last.

[dlygrind]

@shurik6, Hey buddy I didn't mean to come across like one of [italics]thooose[italics] espresso people. It's all good, and I appreciate the obvious effort you've put into this. But if it was something you did every time, I had considered humbly offering you a tip. It's crazy how much I've relied on help from tutorial videos to progress with microfoam!

Will keep an eye out for more of your vids.

[shurik6]

@dlygrind No worries mate. I had some fool give me some crap about it before. I had to make it clear that this is a milk frothing video only. I hope this helped you. This vid was done totally impromptu. I don't really plan on making any more videos. But I do answer quite a bit of questions via messages and comments.

[cyclone100100]

nice milk, could you please tell me how to make the perfect positon of steamwand while doing milk, please? will it be okay if the steamwand touches the pictcher? or it should only be in the milk? I think if steamwand touches the pitcher, the pitcher is going to be hotter soon. Please let me know I am struggling to be a good barista in future :)

[shurik6]

in my opinion I don't think it matters all that much. It's what ever you get used to. The only thing is that you want the steam wand in at an angle so it spins the milk in the pitcher. This helps to get consistent texture throughout.

[tinbiscuite]

how many oz/ of milk do you add to the 12 oz. pitcher? at what temperature would u stop stretching for cappuccino and at what temp for texturing for capp?

[tinbiscuite]

looks like a 20 oz. pitcher in the video. my 10 oz. pitcher doesn't have a funnel spout just a small lip. so where did u get your pitcher?

[tinbiscuite]

what temp for Cappuccino art to stretch? thanks.

[shurik6]

@tinbiscuite See my Rancilio 101 video for tems. They are all in F not C.

[tinbiscuite]

i use either a 20 or 12 oz. pitcher and can't get enough foam to do c art. i've followed your instructions; what am i doing incorrectly? my milk is about 20 degrees when i pour it into frozen pitcher? should i upload a vid?

[075503753]

Hi I'm from Macedonia and our milk has 3,2 fat.how much fat has your milk?with our milk i can't make that much creamy foam.

[shurik6]

@075503753 . Hi, milk in US comes as Skim,, 1% fat, 2% fat and Whole Milk.

If you want the most amount of foam then use Skim or 1%. if you want very rich creamy and dense foam, use Whole (most fat)

[acvyse]

How many ounces is that pitcher?

[shurik6]

@acvyse the pitcher is 12 Oz.

[infamousmonster]

So this is the technique for steaming milk... I wanna know the technique for creating a lot of the froth.

[shurik6]

@infamousmonster use skim or 1% milk and keep the steam wand near the top surface.

[Rhaabjorn]

i doooont get the difference between cappachino and latte, for cap is all foamed up and latte is partly foam and milk?

[klasmenos]

@Rhaabjorn for the cafe I'm working in we make cappuccino 50-50 steamed milk and foam milk and latte 3/4 steamed milk and 1/4 foam milk.It tastes really good that way.

[shurik6]

@Rhaabjorn Cappuccino is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 foam.

Latte is 10% espresso, 80% milk and 10% foam.. so much more milk in a latte

[HETPE3BEHHuK]

do you think you could make foam for a Cappucino or Flat White on this machine in less than half a minute?

[shurik6]

depends on how much milk you are making. but I dont think you can. and unfortunately you cannot make milk at the same time with espresso.

[shurik6]

I guess if you are making very little amount of milk, perhaps that could work under 30 sec.

[HETPE3BEHHuK]

@shurik6 thanks)

[richest100]

Thanks for the tips.

I love how your dog starts barking when you bang the pitcher on the table at 4:44. Must think someone's at the door!

[mikeyscots1]

When you say bring the tip to the top of the milk..do you mean the tip is still inside the milk, or out of the milk?

Thanks

[shurik6]

@mikeyscots1 the tip tip is still under the surface of the milk, just about half inch to a quarter inch bellow the surface. If you put the tip above the milk you'll end up with milk all over your face and ceiling :)

[mikey65up]

I didnt ask the question very well :-D but thankyou..just what I needed to know. One final thing..I have a Silvia on the way..but I cant afford a Rocky just yet. I have a Dualit Burr Grinder. On its finest setting it seems to grind very fine indeed. Will this suffice? I seem to read everywhere that unless you have a Rocky its not worth bothering with anything else!

[shurik6]

@mikey65up I don't know much about Dualit grinder.. Rocky is the preferred choice for Silvia. You can try, but I am afraid you'll end up throwing money out in the wind. Most of everyone I know that didn't have Rocky, ended up getting one in the end. I tried with several $80 grinders before they broke and I ended up getting Rocky at the end myself. Don't make the same mistake :) Save and get the real deal. We are not that rich to buy cheap things.

[mikeyscots1]

@shurik6 ..thanks for the good advice..i thought as much anyway. I already have the Dualit, so I will use that until it gives up and use the time to save for a Rocky. I bought the Dualit before I started getting serious about the coffee...you know how it is.!

[Jabbawack]

@mikey65up I have a Lelit grinder and it works great. A friend of mine has rocky+silvia and is happy with it, although he would like to have chosen the doserless version. The lelit is a lot cheaper and if you can find the stepless version, i guess it would be better than the rocky.

[mikeyscots1]

@shurik6 is this how you prepare milk for latte art? Or do you prepare that a different way?

[shurik6]

@mikeyscots1 this is for Latte art.

[smov72]

which steaming wand tip do you use? I have the 3-holes stock tip, not so happy with it. thanks

[shurik6]

@smov72 I use the standard one hole that came with Silvia.

[DBRshow25]

Thanks.

[FarrahB1]

Thanks,Very clear detail and heplful video I buy my Rancilio Silvia three weeks ago and I was trying to froth the milk when I saw this video I try write away and it work very good finaly, I learn how to froth the milk. and now I have to learn how pour milk and make a art.

[waseok]

When i steam the milk, i get micro-bubbles that i can't get rid off. Do i do something wrong or the milk is not right? il try to upload a video how i am steaming my milk, hope that helps pointing my mistakes.

[waseok]

Oh damn i just realized my mistake. The "thing" where the steam comes was dirty, and i had very little steam. Just cleaned it and it works amazing, got a very nice velvet foam! So, advice vor everybody: Take care of you espresso machine! Clean it as often as possible! :-) Cheers

[maryseggerman]

I bought a Silvia about 2 weeks ago and have been struggling ever since to learn how to make a good, velvety microfoam. I was ready to ship her back, or sell her on EBay. But this video taught me how and I am so grateful. All this stuff you read/see about keeping the nozzle 1/2" from the surface. What a crock! The whole secret is in 2 things: 1. keeping the boiler humming and 2. polishing the milk after steaming. As far as I can tell, it's all in the polishing.

[shurik6]

Thanx. Glad to hear it worked out for you.

[Audicy1]

Great video, instructional commentary was very well done. Simple and to the point. It would be great to see one in HD or at least HQ :p

Thanks.

[TsukiPanda]

can you please help me. I was taught how to steam milk but for some reason when i steam my milk my milk doubles in size with a lot of froth. When i see my work mates frothing up their milk its a nice velvet thats easy to pour for latte ect..

PLEASE HELP :D thanks

[shurik6]

Use whole milk. Dont stretch the milk to much. Don't forget to polish it. See the video again for example techniques.

[shurik6]

Your are welcome, glad it worked out.

[liquidfire56]

how is that domestic rancilio? was it also expensive? i want one

[shurik6]

Its great! I love it. You must have a good grinder to take full advantage of it. Rancilio Rocky is what I use. Price is not exactly cheap. I paid 300 USD for grinder and 500 USD for the machine about 5 years ago. I think the machine is now 600 USD.

You may find a used one on ebay probably.. in either case, I look at it as an investment.

[liquidfire56]

not sure if i'll actually get a new one because i'm about to start working at a cafe where they just got a brand new Simonella machine and it looks fantastic. i'll be working there everyday so it's like i own it lol

[Cetramarius]

I just can't get this to work. Do I have a machine with too weak steamer? Is there such a thing? But my milk is just overheated.... I don't get microfoam at all

[shurik6]

keep practicing.

are you using same model machine?

[sweat126]

you may be did not get the air enough to stretch the milk....

you need to get air to stretch the milk as the milk expands then you put your steam wand deeper...

you may put your steam wand inside before stretching the milk

[Cetramarius]

Hello again. Thanks to the right holding-angle, I now steam milk perfectly.

The only problem now is, I steam it too good! The milk gets so thick, I'm unable to make latte-art, any tips for this?

[shurik6]

That you have to control. To much foam for latte art is not optimal... When this happens to me, I usually skim some foam off the top with spoon before I polish the milk. That works every time.

[Cetramarius]

Is that a Demoka machine?

[shurik6]

Rancilio Silvia

[newcyberkat]

great job with the steaming of the milk, but if your espresso shot sits for more then 10 seconds after being pulled it starts to get bitter so to prevent this you should always add the steamed milk to the shot the instant it is ready. believe me this makes a much better cappuccion/latte.

[shurik6]

yep. well aware of it. I was just showing how to steam milk. However, if you preheat your cups, you can get a little more than 10 seconds on flavor. but I totally agree w. you. espresso should come second after the milk

[gracebethere]

professional!

[AtaliPerach]

Thank you! That was very helpful, but - what if the machine I'm using does'nt come with a thermometer? Can you suggest a way to know when the temperature is right getting the steam wand deeper into the pitcher, and for stoping it?

Thanks.

[shurik6]

This is something that is almost impossible to describe. Espresso machines typically don't come with thermometers for milk frothing. I strongly suggest you go to your local kitchen store and get one. They are very cheap. I have 3 of them at about $7 a piece.

[AtaliPerach]

I understand... Unfortunatley I am asking because I need to know this for my job... I'm refreshing my knowledge after more then two years of working in a different profession... Though I just got a tip about stoping the steaming just when the pitcher gets too hot to touch.

[shurik6]

Yes, I heard similar also. unfortunately i won't be much help in this regard. The only thing I would suggest is to get a thermometer and figure out what the temps feel like to the touch. Then you can gage the temps with your hand.

Forgive my curriousity. what type of job do you have that requires you to steam milk without a thermometer?

[AtaliPerach]

Ha =)

I'm not quite required to make lattes without a thermometer, it's just that the new place I'm going to work for does not own one...

[shurik6]

Well. All I can say is to tell your new boss that this is a $7 upgrade to a higher quality of service :)

[AtaliPerach]

I'll get him to notice that after I'll get to know him better... Til then, thanks for the great tips and video... Really looking forward for another one.

[Louivanamsterdam]

I live in Europe and never tried to make an espresso or latte macchiato on my own. Thanks to your vid now I;m going to purchase an super atomatic espresso maker and I know that fancy jugs or accesories are not mandatory. Thanks, you derserve 5 stars. Pls which make is your equipment?. I like Saeco.

[shurik6]

Thank you. I have Rancilio Silvia espresso machine and Rancilio Rocky grinder. Good luck!

[lutherdriggers]

if you can afford it, the equipment in the video is the stuff to get (rancilio silvia machine, rancilio rocky grinder). the saecos are aimed at a less fanatic crowd and won't have a standard steaming wand (froth helper instead) and might have a pressure portafilter (read cheating portafilter). these things are convenient but hey prevent you from pulling a professional quality shot.

[vasiasm]

i havent try it yet but two friends of mine that are pro barista told me that they use full fat milk .They use low fat milk for cold froth milk .We use it for fredo espresso in greece. If anybody want to know how , just tell me.

[shurik6]

I enjoy espresso fredo in the summer time. but i like to add a little cold milk to it as well and just use the foam from the frothed milk. whole milk is the way to go imho.

[markpianoman]

I've had my Silvia now for a couple weeks and have really been struggling with the microfoam...just couldn't get it right. All the crap advice here on youtube. Your video straightened me out. I've finally realized that the tip of the steam wand has to be just above (not under) the surface of the milk. Burying the tip deep in the mild at 80-100 degrees helps too. Thanks so much...was disappointed that you didn't poor some latte art at the end!

[shurik6]

I am glad the video helped you as a lot of other people. I still can't believe that this video gets so much positive attention. I simply made it for a friend of mine to show him how to steam milk.

[jazzbobrown]

(I believe you mean to say the tip of the steam wand has to be just beneath the surface of the milk --'just above' would spray milk all over your kitchen?) I demonstrate this machine all the time in my strore, and do exactly like [Shurik] does; in Celsius degrees: steam 5 seconds in the surface to fluff the milk; then until 37-40 cesius just beneath the surface - then smoothen out deep beneath and make the milk swirl slowly until 60 something degrees celsius. then no bubbles at all :)

[vasiasm]

You are a coffe maniac!I havent try it yet but it is craazy to do all this stuff with the thermometre!You deserve a 5

[urafckintube]

Smart kitchen!

[54spiritedwill54]

Great video! I'll try your advise!

[Ditch2012]

Thank you! I need to make a caffe macchiato right now, you saved my life good sir!

[shurik6]

Excellent! Glad I could help

[luongdung]

great trick, I tried it and it really worked well. Thanks a lot

[sstorholm]

For wiping the steam wand, thermometer etc. use a rag or paper towel soaked in COLD water. Milk is kinda weird in that fashion since baked in milk comes of real easy with cold water, but sticks like super glued if you try to clean something with hot water.

Otherwise you did a great job, best steaming primer vid on the tube and probably the Internet.

[shurik6]

Good point, I'll have to try that. I tend to use the hot towel and never had any burned milk stuck on the wand.. But will have to try cold water next time. Thanks.

[sstorholm]

Couple of pointers;

What you wanna do is wait for the light to go of, then release false pressure by letting of some steam, wait for the light to go of again while preparing your pitcher, thermometer etc. and then blow of condensation until you get dry steam (stick your hand in there and feel it if you're brave) and start your steaming. If you don't do this and you're in a hurry you risk starting steaming before the boiler is ready to supply maximum steam power.

[shurik6]

I tied that before, and I noticed that if I wait for the light to go OFF before steaming, the condensation in steam is still present. I prefer to do everything while the boiler is still running (light ON) Otherwise the boiler runs out of steam power right around 90-100 degrees and turns on while I am still steaming milk. With the lack of pressure, it makes a loud screeching sound while shooting hot water in to the milk. Perhaps my technique only works on Rancilio Silvia's stock boiler/thermostat

[sstorholm]

Oh, I didn't mean you should steam with the light off, I just meant that you should wait until it's gone of once, and then let out enough steam to make it go on again before steaming.

[shurik6]

I see what you mean.. I have tried it before, letting it run through once and wait for the light again. I didn't find much difference. Once you let the condensation out while the boiler is going, it's not going to come back unless you let the light turn off and chill for a few min. At least on my machine it doesn't :)

[shurik6]

This is not a "how to make a latte" video. Hence the title. But I would love to hear what I am doing wrong with milk frothing...

[marcosvargoni]

Thank you for your reply . Yes , what I wanted is the density and thickness but I am only getting bubbles and milk separated . It doesn't seem to be blended at all . Now my question is , do I have to moderate the steam level depending on the milk depth ? What if I don't have the theermometer ?

Thank you again !

God Bless !

[shurik6]

hey man, I could not fit my reply to this post due to character limitations, so I sent you an email. I hope this helps.

[marcosvargoni]

Thank you very much . I got your email ! Very helpful !

[shurik6]

one more thing. I always have my steam on High Power. But that is just me and my machine. Some more industrial grade machines may not need that much steam power to froth 1 drink worth of milk because they are designed for huge milk pitchers where you steam enough milk for 10 people at a time.

[marcosvargoni]

I was thinking the same way cause  not all Espresso machines have the same steaming power .

[marcosvargoni]

It's one of the best videos I ever seen on YouTube on how to steam the milk . I have got a Kenwood ES430 couple of days ago and tell now , I wasted a lot of milk trying to do it but all I got is bubbles on the top and heated milk in the bottom . I was wondering if you're using some special kind of milk . What do you suggest ??

Thank you so much !

Zaher !

[shurik6]

If you like the really dense,thick, rich, velvety foam, use Whole milk. If you like a TON of foam that is a little more grainy use Skim.

Otherwise, you can get any desired affect with any type of milk with a lot of practice.

[jssarah]

Great video!!! I have a stupid question though, do you have any idea how to froth milk without a coffee machine? I mean, I don't have one, and how can I make the little bubbles? Thank you~!

[gompsonproductions]

What size pitcher do you use? I have a 20oz for my Rancilio Silva and think it's a little big.

[shurik6]

i think it's 12 oz. but for sure not 20.

[honeycomb80]

thanks for the texuring advice, will try that, though my krups is pretty crap

[bm014]

one of the best vids on this subject that i've seen on youtube...thanks!

[shurik6]

thank you. you made my day!

[shurik6]

The entire time I am stretching the milk I hold the pitcher at an angle so the milk also spins while it stretches.

[Ruthless989]

Hey man,

great vid, i might do a vid reply to show how shit i am, and maybe u can give me some adice.That alright ?

[shurik6]

sure.. go nuts

[romancappuccino]

Best video on making a cappuccino on a

Silvia on web. It has fine-tuned my skills with excellent instructions and is quite detailed.

I myself am a very serious home barista and a passionate Silvia user.

I am a former Gaggia user - Gaggia Espresso and Gaggia Classic.

I love my Silvia!

This video is much better than that by ThisandThatAliCat.

Roman from Toronto Canada.

Much better than video of this by ThisandThatAliCat.

[ryleeryno]

I like how your dog started barking thinking someone was at the door when you hit the table.

[mugspide]

Great video! I was thinking about making an espresso today, I'll try your advise!

I hear from your accent and Minneapolis shirt that your from Minnesota! I live here too. My brother lives in St. Paul, your beards are uncannily the same. :)

[sharonsco34]

this video has really enlightened the whole latte art milk. i was keeping the wand to the surface all the way through the steaming process, making the milk too foamy an't wait to try your technique tomorrow. will post a comment tomorrow and let you know if i suceeded.

[YoungLifeVancouver]

I echo everyone else's comments -- Thanks! I've had my Silvia for a week and I'm pulling decent shots with fantastic fresh beans . . . but I keep bombing milk.

[shurik6]

I am very happy to see that my video is helping you guys get your milk frothing skills a boost.

I would like to make more videos for you.

Please post any suggestions that you would like to see. Thanks

[Amie253]

I can never get my milk steamed properly. Your video is great! I'll take heed of your advice tomorrow morning.

[jasonbuscema]

I've been having troubles with this on my Rancilio for quite some time now. Your video helped me tremendously and my first try was the best foam I've made in 3 years! Thank you so much for making this video and sharing your technique.

[Tintoking]

Nice video with good tips on foaming technique. I also keep the pitcher in the freezer, but with a tablespoon or so of ice frozen in its bottom to help extend stretching time.

[shurik6]

I woudn't do that. that ice when it melts gets in your milk. That would defeat the purpose of bleeding your steam want to get dry steam.

[shurik6]

One thing I don't make very clear in this video is the tilt of the milk pitcher as you bury the steam wand deep after you reach 80-100 mark. You can see it clearly when the milk spins. Also after more research and tasting, I started steaming up to 180 for the long road trips when I want my drink to be nice and hot for a long time.

[jko97]

Thanks!

This has always been hit or slightly miss for me. I think your instruction will help me make it "hit" more often.

[burlof]

Thanks, picked up some good techniques in this video. Great !!

[utkarsh12]

so start deep of in medium temp, then stick it 2 full and skin the surface? tht gets u a nice creamy smooth milk right?

[shurik6]

come again?

read my reply bellow to realitygirl

[realitygirl]

so u put the wand deep into the milk at first and slowly lower it to just below the surface?

[shurik6]

Yes, you start with the wand deep down. Otherwise you'll have milk all over yourself and the ceiling. Then turn on full steam and quickly lower the pitcher so the tip of the wand is barely scratching the surface of the milk, you should hear a hisssing sound. Keep following through till 80-100 degrees. Then back down at an angle to 150.

[nekbeth]

Great video, thanks for the tip.

[bossmop]

Nice video, i see that i need to upgrade my steamer and that spinning thing was also a good tip.

A honest tip in return is to record the video once again with better filming. That would make the video really professional.

[shurik6]

Indeed it would be nice. This was an impromptu video I made with my wife using a point a shoot camera. Oh.. If only I had time with a 3 month old on hand!

[musicalfoodie]

Yes it really helps getting some comprehensive instruction for a latte not yet art novice! Will give your techniques a go!

[pestsprayed]

Thank you so much for this, it's brilliant. I'm not a barista (although I'd love to become one), but I do work at a cafe with a coffee machine (though we do not claim to be a coffee bar), so I make espresso coffees (and I love, love, love doing it). Steaming milk is a talent, so with this video - I'm in heaven. Thank you so much for putting this up, I'm sure it'll give some great tips to many people :)

[shurik6]

I am glad I could help!

[gblan]

Why would you make the coffee first? Doesn't it make more sense to have your milk/foam sitting for a little bit then pour it into a fresh coffee than pouring nice hot foamy milk into an espresso that's been sitting for a couple minutes? Dead shot after that much time.

[shurik6]

If this was an espresso video, then probably not. But this is just how to steam milk.

[jmhere07]

wow cool vid thanks for the frothign tips they will come in handy

[GIGAMSX1974]

THX A 1.000.000 for this you really explained it well

I have been looking all over youtube

i'm going to try your method i will let you know how it turns out, THX again for this upload...

[gbovino]

Thanks! After about 4-5 disappointing attempts at frothing milk, I was able to get awesome micro foam using your technique. Excellent. I really had to pay attention to the tilt of the jug, to get it to swirl. I had so much froth it poured out of the cup! :)

[shurik6]

Hey.. thanx! Keep an eye out for more vids. I am currently making some new ones on how to make a God Shot and another one a little more in depth on Latte art.