How To: Steam Milk with a Bellman Stovetop Steamer

[@StartCodonUST]

I have two method recommendations that I haven't seen made anywhere else, and which I've found to be crucial in achieving consistent results with this steamer, at least on open flame gas stoves: 1. Cool your steam wand by submerging it in cold water after generating the necessary steam but before steaming milk. 2. Heat your vessel slowly, or at least lower the heat to ~medium when you reach max pressure, and then let it sit there for a while to reach equilibrium between the heat input to the vessel via the flame and the heat output via heat radiation and steam pressure overflow out of the safety valve. When initially heating up the steam unit for a session of making lattes, I've found that the steam wand can get excessively heated by being connected to the metal body that is exposed to a direct flame (at least on a gas stovetop), and so the exterior of the wand can reach well in excess of the boiling temperature of the milk. This can completely ruin a pitcher of milk even if the wet steam is fully purged at the beginning. The superheated steam wand can cause huge bubbles to form violently, threatening to overflow my pitcher with burnt milk foam upon opening the steam valve. I found myself throwing out (or at least resigning myself to crappy latte art) almost every first pitcher of milk that I steamed, but that almost every second or third pitcher of steamed milk came out nearly perfect. I guessed that just needed to cool the wand down by fully submerging it in a pitcher of cold water before attempting to steam milk, and this mostly resolved my issues! I will say that each stove (and possibly different steamer units) may benefit from a different set of tweaks. My dad has found that he basically needs to turn his stove off before steaming since even the lowest flame setting still adds too much heat to the steamer while steaming milk. With my setup, I find that my milk steamer peters out if I don't leave the stove on while steaming, so I leave my stove on medium flame while steaming.

[@edwickson]

Interesting mate. Really looking forward to try this

[@EvanBlack11]

Yo thanks will try this later and get back to you

[@lightboy31]

I faced the same problem as you did that the first steam was a mess. Will try as you suggested. Thanks mate.

[@jamesmccord14]

Jesus christ this is the exact issue that I have almost every time. I've never thought of doing that before. I always get massive bubbles and it ruins the latte art.

[@ppusparini]

StartCodonUST yes!!! Agree with that

[@StartCodonUST]

One other thing I've noticed about this device: it's a bit underpowered, and only compares to commercial and prosumer espresso machines when you're right up against the pressure limits, just before the safety valve is released. In order to maintain a vigorous whirlpool during the heating phase, I've usually needed to keep my stove on pretty high while steaming. I would imagine this would be especially necessary if you have a larger pitcher with milk volumes above ~12 oz.

[@full_metal2452]

Great tip on purging and then bringing back up to pressure. I've had one of these for about 5 yrs and never have done that so will incorporate.

[@god2many]

Just ordered an excellent condition used one from you guys, so excited to get it!

[@mrcead]

Hi Prima! I just got my steamer today from your company! Thanks❤

[@Alley00Cat]

Important note: because you fill this before every use, there will be a ton of air in the chamber. You ABSOLUTELY need to purge a lot of steam to get rid of that air for your first drink or you’ll get huge nasty bubbles. Trick is to fill a cup of water and purge in the water until it gets hot, about 20-30 seconds. Then bring the pressure back to 3 bars and you’re good to go for 2 or 3 drinks in a row.

[@bananapie469]

Thanks for the comment. I had problems with inconsistency and milk expanding so much because of bubbles. But purging with water before milk helped a lot.

[@Alley00Cat]

@@bananapie469 yep. Learned this the hard way. When purging in water, you can visually see the air as bubbles. Whereas purging in a towel, you have no clue. After the water purge. You purge again in the air to get rid of the water. Then you get perfect steam for the latte.

[@s96822]

Great video. Memories as my first home steaming experience was with a Bellman and moka pot prior to first actual espresso machine Olympia Cremina. Bellman has excellent strong steam.

[@louisachamberlain8187]

Thank you so much. Have recently bought this espresso maker and have had a few fails with the frother and reverted to my Lavazza Milk Up for the milk! Really want to get it right though as I want to use it when we're on the road and we've got no power to use my electric frother. I got a really big 24oz jug which may have been a mistake by the sounds of things, maybe the steamer on this needs a smaller jug? I wanted to be able to make 2, possibly 3, lattes at once. My technique obviously needs a lot of work too! Off to try again with your tips and possibly drink far too much coffee in the process! 😉👍

[@MrNoverian]

Thank you for the tip, very hopeful

[@full_metal2452]

Just had ours fail this weekend. Not sure if safety pressure release was faulty but let me tell you when that sucker blew it flew around the kitchen like a bottle rocket. Wish someone would make a espresso machine with only the steam wand.

[@phili3678]

That's pretty scary, I hope you contact the manufacturer to let them know.

[@swaggadiesstudio]

Did you by chance not tighten down the top knob fully? I know that the top gaskets can blow if not super tight. How old was your unit? I'd definitely clean it with vinegar or something to clean the valve, however I dont know how well you could clean the valve or if the vinegar would leave residue in the bellman

[@chadgregory9037]

jacky chiles will get you free coffee for life

[@ma.1749]

I have an idea i wish they make it (its like an electrical boiler but with a tank cover and a steam wand and 3 switches on for boiling the water off for stopping the heat and steam for steaming) it works perfect cuz i had it when I had an old very cheap espresso machine and the portafilter got stuck so the opening for the espresso doesn’t exist pressure only comes out from the wand and I steam milk like i have an expensive espresso machine unfortunately the switch got broken and I didn’t find the same or a similar machine cuz they’re old

[@kahlillarigby2567]

I just got this and I have tried tightening the valve as much as possible but the steam continues to come out. And I can’t get enough pressure to steam my milk :(

[@tiderider]

Mine works great!

[@dianayaghmour2068]

Great video, I attempted to steam but my milk is not getting hot enough. I like it scalding (>200 degrees). Would you suggest boiling milk first before steaming?

[@TamNguyen811]

hi. How many oz is your cups and how big is that pitcher?

[@momann4394]

Setup? Tear down? Cleaning? Maintenance?

[@tiderider]

I love mine

[@bubbalo3388]

Hot under pressure pot sitting over hot over sized stove eye with handle and nob heating over stove eye while trying to heat up a container of milk and fiddling with knob close to a hot stove element. What can possibly go wrong? 😳

[@quetimporta213]

About how long do you heat the device up to have a good amount if steam

[@primacoffeeequipment]

Hi there! Around 15 minutes.

[@hollymcaninch]

Jesus that’s cool!!!

[@nich6220]

What about getting more foam?

[@joeyibarra2481]

You aerate the milk more

[@donfransiscoramirez8394]

Don’t show the latte finish, why?

[@blakelafferty4989]

Haha I was itching to see the finished pour

[@s0bad]

Because it sucked. He also didn't show the most important thing which was what the milk looked like in the jug after steaming

[@jakobw135]

Can this model be equipped with a pressure and temperature gauge? Do you find that you have to often replace the gaskets?

[@primacoffeeequipment]

No, it cannot be fitted with a gauge. Gaskets need to be replaced every year or two for the best results, depending on how much it's being used.

[@jakobw135]

@@primacoffeeequipment OF COURSE this IS available with a GUAGE! I have one! :-)

[@primacoffeeequipment]

@@jakobw135 ​ That wasn't your question. There is a model availbale with a gauge, but this model cannot be outfitted with a gauge.

[@natevirtual]

I don't like how the handle was placed perpendicular to the steam wand instead of being placed right across the wand. Also it should have more weight on the bottom so as to not move it while you steam.

[@antonspringford7329]

I can see milk on the wand there, buddy. Somebody hasn't been cleaning properly. tsk tsk. Awesome vid though. Very clear instructions.

[@primacoffeeequipment]

Busted, ha! Thanks so much, glad to be of help!

[@Universal_Craftsman]

Dammit, I thought that this doesn't exist already and wanted to build one myself, now I am disappointed...

[@chadgregory9037]

I'd strongly argue that "too hot to touch" is "too hot"

[@liusjuliano5694]

I just but this machine, & there’s some leaked air on the top of steam wand tip! So I can’t get the proper steaming cause of the leaked air!

[@primacoffeeequipment]

Sometimes that can indicate a faulty valve. If you ordered it from Prima, please reach out for help!

[@liusjuliano5694]

@@primacoffeeequipment Thank you so much. But sadly I'm buying from seller in Bandung :(

[@dthorne4602]

How much water in the bellman?

[@primacoffeeequipment]

Fill it up about 1/2 way or 30 oz or less

[@SirMayyson]

When the steamer comes up to pressure and the release valve engages, are there any dangers in leaving this too long?

[@StartCodonUST]

From experience and also just a guess, the safety valve is tripped way before you reach the engineering safety limits of the pressure vessel, and that you can't exceed the valve's efficiency at dumping pressurized water vapor with conventional stoves.

[@Rick_Hoppe]

It’s not dangerous for people, but it’s dangerous for the Bellman. If you walk away and forget the heat has been left on , all of the water can boil away, leaving the empty Bellman getting hotter and hotter. It’s hard on the machine and could ruin it. Don’t ask me how I found that out...

[@9LimaAlpha7]

plz how much does it cost?

[@primacoffeeequipment]

$109

[@garyknigge9946]

Please don't leave the Bellman on the heat while steaming and pouring your milk! Thanks for the nice video.

[@XibaXela]

Are these machines reliable or would I probably have to replace them after a year or so like a cheap machine?

[@sherrycoldsmith]

I’ve had mine for five years and everything is still good on it. I admit I use it maybe twice a month on average, but the metal parts aren’t going to go bad if their wiped down and de-pressurized after using. The rubber gasket still looks like new.

[@thedude4795]

2:19 Uhh... where is the foam?

[@primacoffeeequipment]

For this demonstration we created micro foam, which gives the milk a similar texture to wet paint. This is what's needed for latte art. For more foam, simply increase the amount of time of aeration at the surface.

[@donfransiscoramirez8394]

No se mira el café ya terminado. Se oculta a la cámara.

[@ngawurdotcoms8957]

Its so expensive for a mere student 😭

[@wyrefrog]

Aww. Well maybe a student can survive off of french-pressed milk foam - just for now. ❣️

[@JimJamRazzMaTaz]

I'm considering getting them to replace my broken espresso machine. They do look expensive but the moka pot/bellman combo still comes out cheaper than an espresso machine with wand. Also good for smaller kitchens as take up less countertop space and looks like it is more robust as no electrical components to break.

[@emilyrichardson5079]

♀I

[@justtestingonce]

Lol, you can see he wasn’t impressed with his latte art!

[@ma.1749]

The tool is too expensive thats why most ppl wont get it

[@dayong-ul3tg]

how is 90$ too expensive? i believe it’s priced competitively. where else can you steam froth milk for that price?

[@ma.1749]

@@dayong-ul3tg 90$ would get u a simpler milk steamer that comes apart of a whole espresso machine lol

[@dayong-ul3tg]

show me 😅

[@s0bad]

Didn't show the milk after steaming it so this video was useless

[@FerminCoronel]

It looks pretty dangerous

[@jed23ify]

This is my gut reaction, even with that safety pressure valve, if it’s does have one. It’s scary, and not worth the harm this thing can cause if it explodes.

[@jm7720]

LOL groom your milk. Whatever next.