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Permalink Reply by Troy J Mallett on February 6, 2011 at 8:17pm

I have a Simonelli Appia that has an automatic steam wand with a thermometer attached. Convenient, absolutely. My servers can stick a pitcher of milk on the machine grate and let it steam while they do something else, much to my chagrin. They think it is fantastic that they can leave the thing alone while it is steaming milk with half decent results. However, the results are just that, half decent and generally inferior.

 

That said. Once I set it to 145F, it shuts off at 145F every time without having to watch a thermometer.

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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on February 6, 2011 at 8:58pm

Might as well go with a super-automatic for the shots while you're at it...

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Permalink Reply by Shadow on February 7, 2011 at 5:53am

I use a 2 group NS Aurelia daily that has a manual wand on each end as well as the automatic one in between those two. It does an OK job on milk texture, but is VERY consistent in reaching the preset temperature every time, usually within tenths of 1 degree. On the Aurelia it can be easily programmed for any desired temperature. We used it successfully on heating cider and may set it up for brewing bagged tea, oatmeal, etc.

Not something I would order on a machine, but it was already installed on this one so it is what it is. IMO nothing is a replacement for skill/manual steaming.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Bergman on February 7, 2011 at 6:19am

My vote is a whole hearted no. I think Mike McGinness hit the nail on the head. Properly steamed milk takes some time and attention, but it's the main component (by volume) in most of the coffee drinks that you serve. Do you really want to trust that to the half-hearted results of an automatic milk steamer?

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Permalink Reply by Jay Caragay on February 7, 2011 at 9:22am

It really depends on you and the standards you set for yourself and for your company.  If your target is to provide a medium-grade coffee experience (and there's nothing wrong with that) then the autosteam wand might be just the right thing.  It saves on employee training and is relatively easy to use.

 

Do they create an "inferior and unloved" pitcher of milk?  Hard to say considering that most of the milk sold with coffee in America today is of equivalent or lesser grade than that produced by an autosteam wand.  Millions of cups are sold daily - you be the judge.

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Permalink Reply by Brady on February 7, 2011 at 10:23am

Reliable? Yes.  More expensive to repair and maintain?  Absolutely.

 

Your typical automatic + frothing steamwand involves several pushbuttons, solenoid valves, a control board, and a temperature probe.  All of these components have finite service lives - though that's probably measured in years.  When something goes wrong, it is expensive.  Compare that to the traditional wand's single mechanical valve.  These systems are meant to last for years, but the machines themselves are too... so they will be a somewhat expensive problem for someone someday.

 

Agreeing with previous posters about the suitability.

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