Iberital L'Anna Steam Help

[boldham]

Hi gang:
I'm learning to use this machine. I love the shots I'm getting from it, but I'm struggling with micro foam. Although I'm a novice, I seem to do okay on my other (albeit less powerful) machines. The problem is that the L'Anna has a large tip with 4 holes that are also quite large. My machine has a slide to turn on/off steam and there seems to be very little control over pressure; essentially on or off.
I feel like I reach maximum temperature way too fast and I get mostly milk with bubbly froth. The whirlpool is violent and it is difficult to control 'sipping' of air. I'm trying to froth small quantities of milk, but I didn't have much better luck doing larger volumes.
Should I try to regulate pressure or a tip with smaller/fewer holes.
Thanks for any advice!

[bruceb]

For each tip there is a minimum volume of milk you can froth. If you increase the size of your jug and volume of milk you will probably find that your problem goes away. This may not be a satisfactory solution because you will be wasting too much milk. In that case you may find it necessary to replace the tip/wand with one that has smaller or less holes. If I use less than about 250 ml milk in a 0.5 l jug with my machine (5-hole tip) it blows all the milk out of the jug.

[boldham]

For each tip there is a minimum volume of milk you can froth. If you increase the size of your jug and volume of milk you will probably find that your problem goes away. This may not be a satisfactory solution because you will be wasting too much milk. In that case you may find it necessary to replace the tip/wand with one that has smaller or less holes. If I use less than about 250 ml milk in a 0.5 l jug with my machine (5-hole tip) it blows all the milk out of the jug.

Thanks for the response. I feel a little less incompetent now! I'll look into replacement tip. The wand is male threaded and appears to be about 10mm thread. Does that sound right? Following will be a couple of pics. Sorry for non-metric tools; we still don't get it in the US!

[boldham]

more pics

[boldham]

more pics

[simonp]

The wand is male threaded and appears to be about 10mm thread. Does that sound right? Following will be a couple of pics. Sorry for non-metric tools; we still don't get it in the US!

Sounds like normal commercial tips would fit. I use a twin hole for a small jug. I also have a 1-hole which works well but with a different technique.
There will be loads of choices for tips you can try.

[dr.chris]

Anna does have a very powerful steamer. There are threads somewhere here which do talk about either blocking holes or manufacturing/borrowing another tip with fewer holes.

I am just an Espresson guy - the wife does steam but microfoam isnt such a big issue for her. Practice is a big part of it - I was pretty happy with what I used to get out of my old gaggia when I made a cappa for the wife but I wouldnt know where to start with Anna.

[CakeBoy]

Yes, Anna certainly as some steam. Try the following on her with the standard four hole tip for a small jug with enough milk for a single cappuccuno or flat white. Assuming right handed, tilt the steam wand to about 30 degrees and face slightly left. Inset into jug with the arm right against the jug wall with the tip around half way between the spout and the handle and the wand arm nested in the spout area. With the tip just under the surface, no mre stretching, open up the steam valve to full power and lower the jug until the tip reaches the surface and the chh chh noise starts. In no time at all the milk will stop feeling cold. That is the time to raise the jug to place the tip just under the surface. Never sink it any further, Anna is too powerful. At this point, still keeping the tip against the jug wall or very ear, tilt the jug base sharply toward you. This seems counter intuitive but it whips the milk beautifully and creates a lovely vortex that seems to compensate for all the power. Stop at the desired temperature and any screaching means you ave it wrong. Remember, tip just under the surface, no lower, or you will get big bubbly Aero bar when you want microfoam

[boldham]

Yes, Anna certainly as some steam. Try the following on her with the standard four hole tip for a small jug with enough milk for a single cappuccuno or flat white. Assuming right handed, tilt the steam wand to about 30 degrees and face slightly left. Inset into jug with the arm right against the jug wall with the tip around half way between the spout and the handle and the wand arm nested in the spout area. With the tip just under the surface, no mre stretching, open up the steam valve to full power and lower the jug until the tip reaches the surface and the chh chh noise starts. In no time at all the milk will stop feeling cold. That is the time to raise the jug to place the tip just under the surface. Never sink it any further, Anna is too powerful. At this point, still keeping the tip against the jug wall or very ear, tilt the jug base sharply toward you. This seems counter intuitive but it whips the milk beautifully and creates a lovely vortex that seems to compensate for all the power. Stop at the desired temperature and any screaching means you ave it wrong. Remember, tip just under the surface, no lower, or you will get big bubbly Aero bar when you want microfoam

Oh no, I'm a lefty!
Thanks so much for all the guidance. I'll let you know how I make out.
I did order a couple of tips from Chris' coffee, but they don't fit as nicely as the original. The thread seems correct, but the tips are not long enough to cover all of the wand threads. Mostly cosmetic, but more difficult to clean too!

Isomac New 2 Hole Steam Tip
Silvia 1 Hole 10 mm Steam Tip

[CakeBoy]

We have been looking at two hole tips as well but had concerns about the length along with the logistics of getting them shipped at reasonable cost. Any idea if the EPNW HQ or 1st Line Gold Pro would fit any better on Anna's long thread? Does Chris' Coffee still sell their own brand two hole tip that was popular a few years back but some comented that the hole size could occassionally be irregular?

[boldham]

We have been looking at two hole tips as well but had concerns about the length along with the logistics of getting them shipped at reasonable cost. Any idea if the EPNW HQ or 1st Line Gold Pro would fit any better on Anna's long thread? Does Chris' Coffee still sell their own brand two hole tip that was popular a few years back but some comented that the hole size could occassionally be irregular?

For reference, here is image of Isomac New 2 Hole Steam Tip. I can imagine that keeping the threads clean will be a bit of a challenge, but it definitely makes the steam more manageable for a newbie!

[bruceb]

That really isn't very attractive is it? You might fill in the gap with washers or nuts if you can find the right size. Otherwise, a tooth brush should do a good job of getting it clean.

[CakeBoy]

Yes, that is a bit bothersome and I think the other two hoe tips mentioned are also short. A couple of places have blank tips available, which if I remember correctly are longer. Maybe good candidates for two 1.5mm holes.

[boldham]

Yes, that is a bit bothersome and I think the other two hoe tips mentioned are also short. A couple of places have blank tips available, which if I remember correctly are longer. Maybe good candidates for two 1.5mm holes.

It would be cheaper to plug holes on original tip with JB Weld (or similar) and use a small drill bit to make desired size holes. You could skip bottom hole further reducing output. I plan to give this a try over the next week or so; I'll update as to effectiveness.

[CakeBoy]

Yes please do, will be watching with interest. The only concern being thd loss of ability to easily return to the original configuration