Etching tools?
Hey all,
I'm wondering what people are using as a tool to etch designs in latte art. Typically, we just use our thermometers, but we've started to notice that doing so is throwing them out of calibration.
Anyone using anything besides a thermometer?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Shuanna on
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Duuude.... Bry..... thats why I asked you if your remark was made with a hearty laughter (thats sarcasm) or if you were being d/b. YOU said d/b... if you want to give me shit for utilizing resources then by all means tease me for that...I stand firm with my convictions.... I honestly don't know why you threw in that comment after me anyways... what was the purpose of such thing??? Good thing I am over it :)
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Permalink Reply by Chris on
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Shuanna said:I honestly don't know why you threw in that comment after me anyways... what was the purpose of such thing???
And really, Bry, look at the picture. D'ya really want to mess with this girl knowing that she's got an ice pick within easy reach? ; >
Besides, imagine the number of baristi on the planet that use a toothpick for each drink that they etch, imagine how many the each etch every day, and how many days they work a year, and ...
Remember, AA saved something like forty thousand dollars a year by removing one of the two olives that they put on their in-flight salads.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Wilson on
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I asked a question about etching tools, and so far we've covered:
1) How inferior etching is versus free-pouring.
2) The various merits of etching.
3) The fact that Sarah Barnett is a bad-ass who will kill you all if you insult my free-pouring skills again.
4) Ways to get around using a thermometer while steaming milk.
5) The fact that thermometer tips can, in fact, be used for etching (Yes, that's me taking a shot at you, Brandon. Please don't spit in my latte next time I'm at Urban).
6) Whether or not using a thermometer for etching really does throw them out of calibration.
7) Whether or not we should conserve toothpicks.
8) Whether or not Bryan is a D/B (as an aside, why can't we say douche-bag? Are we afraid of offending all the kid baristas on BX?)
9) The fact that Shuanna is probably dangerous with an ice-pick, and that Bryan is probably lucky he can argue from a distance.
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Yep, ain't it wonderful how much information can be generated by one small, and seemingly insignificant question?
I've discovered that something as thin as a dissecting needle (original WDT tool from Mr. Weiss hisse'f) isn't adequate except for the smallest of teeny details. Having a choice depending on what you're needing to accomplish is probably the choice of choice. I've used a set of small, plastic handled paintbrushes (think modeling) with varying diameters. only three of the set were worth a darn etching, though.
I'm thinking that the knitting needle thing is going to be your best answer.
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Permalink Reply by Bryan Wray on
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Adam Wilson said:I asked a question about etching tools, and so far we've covered: awl
metal chopstick
toothpicks
pins
needles
dissecting tools
#0 Phillips
knitting needles
plastic paintbrushes
So... can anyone else think of anything? 'Cause I think that just about covers it.
-bry
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Adam Wilson said:I asked a question about etching tools, and so far we've covered:
1) How inferior etching is versus free-pouring.
2) The various merits of etching.
3) The fact that Sarah Barnett is a bad-ass who will kill you all if you insult my free-pouring skills again.
4) Ways to get around using a thermometer while steaming milk.
5) The fact that thermometer tips can, in fact, be used for etching (Yes, that's me taking a shot at you, Brandon. Please don't spit in my latte next time I'm at Urban).
6) Whether or not using a thermometer for etching really does throw them out of calibration.
7) Whether or not we should conserve toothpicks.
8) Whether or not Bryan is a D/B (as an aside, why can't we say douche-bag? Are we afraid of offending all the kid baristas on BX?)
9) The fact that Shuanna is probably dangerous with an ice-pick, and that Bryan is probably lucky he can argue from a distance.
Yeess... but you also skipped over all the posts that were directed at answering your question... how many pointy things did you think you were going to get a list of? And ones that are food safe?
Just to recap, we have so far covered:
awl
metal chopstick
toothpicks
pins
needles
dissecting tools
#0 Phillips
knitting needles
plastic paintbrushes
So... can anyone else think of anything? 'Cause I think that just about covers it.
-bry
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Williamson on
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I can't think of anything else. But, this is a truly great thread. I was cracking up reading it!
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Permalink Reply by Fraser Jamieson on
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I suppose I should mentioned that the #0 Phillips screw driver I use to etch with is a different one from the one I use to clean out my ears.
For etching, I use the Snap-On one with an orange handle; and for my ears, I use the one with the light red handle.
Um...or did I get that backwards?
Anyway, it's new and actually a stainless driver used to adjust oven drive units.
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Permalink Reply by Shellie Adams on
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This was a very helpful thread, I was also trying to figure out what I could use to etch on my particularly slow days at work.
Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Joe Smith on
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There is nothing wrong with etching
Daniel Williamson said:i suggest learning to pour
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Permalink Reply by Tristan Bacon on
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That's HILARIOUS.
But seriously, I have nothing to add. Thermometer tips ftw... although, I think a chopstick would work great as long as it was fine enough at the tip. I'm gonna give it a go.
Jared Rutledge said:
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Permalink Reply by christopher myers on
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I find I get the best results by using the tip of an endangered owl's beak attached to a bald eagle quill with dolphin blood adhesive. I know what you're thinking, "you could just use the bald eagle quill by itself!", but I like to kill two birds with one stone, you know?
JK both of you. It's true using toothpicks that are probably made from leftover wood for making tables or something doesn't make much environmental impact, but why NOT use something reusable? Same with stir sticks vs. spoons, I don't really get it. I know spoons are really hard to wash, and you don't get to chew them into splinters when you're done stirring, but still.
Also, I don't like thermometers, they lie to me. My pain receptors are always honest.
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