I'm running a 90s Astoria SAE-30 and am recently having the worst trouble managing any semblance of microfoam. Never had a huge problem before — it's not the best, but I've managed. Machine was serviced just days ago, and steam power doesn't seem to have changed at all.
It's never been "easy" to steam with — for example, I used a recent model Appia this week for the first time ever, and had no problem getting great milk in just two or three attempts, much more consistent than on the Astoria. But now it seems nearly impossible for some reason. What I'm getting is either too-puffy "bad cappuccino" milk or just really thin milk; bubbles are always sort of large, and when I've managed to get what looks like microfoam, it is actually just thin crap.
Is it the tip? Or what? Anyone else have this bad Astoria experience?
And if it is the tip — a five-hole, where one hole is in center with four surrounding it — what sort of tip should I try replacing it with?
Replies