Can the La Pavoni Europiccola STEAM MILK?

[@amyyeung528]

Great video. Love the colour grading!

[@jeremiahchamberlin4499]

KZbinr Lance Hedrick uses a method that he swears will work with any machine. He’s a former Latte Art world champ. Using his method I was able to make my first cappuccino using my $25 Mr. Coffee Espresso machine which comes with a single hole wand and is designed to run for 2-1/2 minutes. I got a good 1/4” of foam on top of the cup. I’m having trouble getting good espresso out of it though. The machine has a boiler, and a shower head, but no chamber or lever above it. You just turn it on and wait in hope -like a Moka pot. That’s why I’m looking at a Pavoni, I don’t like the vibratory pumps found on so many espresso machines. I have found your videos most helpful, thanks for posting.

[@sebastianmessinger]

Cheers, glad it could help. I’ll look into replacing the valve. I would need to find one that matches the copper / brass of my model. You won’t regret getting a La Pavoni. Wishing you lots of fun. Thanks!

[@yvindgrimnes6938]

I liked your comparison to a classic car. The Europiccola makes you work for your results, whether it's the shot or the foam. It has a steep learning curve and is and endless source of rabbit holes if you choose to take the jump, but there is all the more satisfaction when it all comes together. I've been exploring my Europiccola (1984) for a few weeks, and both the shot and the foam are steadily improving. The first cappuccino was a weak shot with bubbly hot milk. Now the shot has decent body and crema, and the original nozzle makes decent micro foam. I'm confident it will keep improving with better technique.

[@sebastianmessinger]

Thanks man. It’s good to hear, maybe I should start drinking cappuccino more and figure it out..

[@odl21]

Everything you say is correct. The single hole nozzle is definitely required, as is opening the valve fully and fresh whole milk. It’s still not easy but I mange at least half the jug to be foam this way.

[@Anarchsis]

Must admit I changed the steam tip as soon as I got my Pavoni, and I get beautiful foam every time. My tip is to keep the hole just above the milk and move the jug down toward the bench as the milk volume increases-hope this makes sense. Now I’ve watched this video I’m going to find the original 3 hole tip and try to make a cappuccino.

[@hizumi99]

Huh. It took a little practice, but I consistently turn 150ml of milk into 300~400ml of frothy milk with standard Pavoni three hole nozzle. Hopefully thats enough for a cappucino. 1. Start with the nozzle near the surface, and push a lot of air together with the steam into the milk. 2. I only turn the handle 2-3 times (or I won't stop quickly enough and I overfroth.) 3. Angle the nozzle so the milk spins in the mug and heats the milk evenly 4. Goes without saying, but it is the proteins in the milk that makes the foam, so skimmed, semi skimmed, low fat does not work. Not only that, even the different full fat milk from different stores work differently. You need to find the milk that works for you. 5. Know when to stop, or overheated milk gets very watery, with the fat and the milk separating. Nasty. Idea is to get enough air in, and use the heat to expand the air bubbles. If you are relying on steam alone, that is not enough gas (hence the 'turning the knob all the way' advice). Kinda like using old dead yeast when you bake.

[@CliveN-yr1gv]

Well that was interesting. To get the best foam. And admittedly it wasn't high on my priorities. I used what some call UHT milk after I saw some places in Sardegna use it. It got better foam and silkiness than normal milk. And I didn't open the steam valve wide like you did here. Maybe 4 turns. Never knew one can change the nozzle. That just reduces the volume of steam so you can stream for longer. Maybe that works. Like everything with La Pack no it takes years of practice! Buon appetito! Super video as always 👏🏽

[@sebastianmessinger]

Thanks for the tips! I’ll look into it, but am always limited since I need to keep consistency with the brass of my machine 😅

[@dowhatIdo]

Have u tried to just insert the tip not the whole way, just a litlle bit? This is how I get thick foam

[@pirjoraila4605]

There is also an automatic attachment that is not very expensive and works quite well.

[@sebastianmessinger]

I’ve yet to find a brass coloured one to match with my model 🫤

[@greysuit17]

It most definitely can.

[@sebastianmessinger]

Good to know 😄