Espresso Series 1 aims to take the guesswork out of streaming milk and make it as easy as possible! Continue reading to learn how to steam milk with Series 1. 

Table of Contents

1. Video Guide
2. Written Guide
   1. The Included Milk Pitcher
   2. What is Assisted Steaming?
   3. How to Steam Milk
      1. What You Need
      2. How to Position the Pitcher and Steam Wand
      3. Practice Makes Perfect
      4. The Steaming Process
      5. Purge the Steam Wand
   4. What Your Milk Should Look Like
   5. What About Non-Dairy Milks? 

Video Guide

Written Guide

The Included Milk Pitcher

Every Series 1 will come with a 10oz milk pitcher with a precision pour spout. It's great for creating the microfoam you'll need for drinks and assists in pouring art through its free-floating handle. 

It also features internal markings in ounces and milliliters to make measuring a breeze.

Because of its size, it's great for smaller-volume espresso drinks like cortados, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. If you prefer larger-volume drinks, Series 1's steam wand is also compatible with our Eddy Steaming pitchers.

What is Assisted Steaming?

Assisted steaming is Espresso Series 1’s way of taking the guesswork out of steaming milk and making cleaning a breeze. Normally, you need to use your hands to feel the temperature of the pitcher to know when to stop. In Series 1's case, the temperature-sensing steam wand will show the current temperature on-screen and auto-stop at the target temperature!

If you don't know the target temperature for a certain drink style, you can select the specific drink you'd like to make in the Make a drink menu. Series 1 will auto-stop when that drink's pre-set temperature is reached and won't continue heating it. No more burnt milk!

Series 1 will also prompt you to purge, and will handle the purging automatically, but we'll discuss that later. 

How to Steam Milk

What You Need

Start the steaming process by pouring cold milk (not room-temperature milk) into the steaming pitcher. Based on your milk type and drink selection, Series 1 will tell you how much to add.

Please note: We don't recommend filling the pitcher over the highest measurement on the inside. The milk will expand as it's steamed, and higher amounts run the risk of overflowing. 

How to Position the Pitcher and Steam Wand

The steam wand is situated on a ball joint, so you can position it in a way that's comfortable and helps you create a good vortex. It's designed to move out and to the right, giving you plenty of room to steam without bumping into the grouphead. 

When you're ready to steam, line up the steam wand with the spout of the steaming pitcher. You also want to make sure the steam wand tip is partially submerged in the surface of the milk. This will produce a ripping paper-type sound. And finally, aim the steam wand at one of the four "quadrants" of the inside of the pitcher, not directly in the center, and position it so that it's about a quarter-inch from the wall. 

Practice Makes Perfect

It can be really helpful to practice this a few times before you start steaming. Using water, or water with a little bit of dish soap, is perfect for this!

The Steaming Process

Once you're ready to steam, press the middle piano key button with the steam icon. If you're walking through one of the make-a-drink flows, Series 1 will give you the option to begin steaming with the dial button as well. 

Start by leaving just the tip of the steam wand submerged for about 5 seconds. During this part, called aerating, you'll hear a sound like ripping paper. Then, lower the tip of the steam wand into the milk so that it's fully submerged. This part, called integrating, should create a whirlpool or vortex in the milk and help create that velvety microfoam. This part will last longer than the aeration phase by a lot—normally between 15-30 seconds, depending on what you're shooting for.

Purge the Steam Wand

Once you're done steaming, it's a good practice to purge the steam wand to keep it clean. Series 1 will remind you to purge, and will purge automatically once it's returned to its vertical position over the hole in the drip tray. 

What Your Milk Should Look Like

When you're done steaming, you should see a smooth, uniform texture similar to paint. If you see more large bubbles on top of your milk, you can get rid of these by tapping the bottom of the pitcher against a flat surface. 

If you notice more larger bubbles that just don't tap out, it might be good to integrate a little longer the next time you steam.

Once you finish tapping, you should see a silky-smooth texture on top with no islands of foam (these make it difficult to pour art). For best results, try mixing or massaging the milk a little before pouring. 

Now, you're ready to pour your art!

What About Non-Dairy Milks? 

If you'd like to steam another type of milk, Series 1 has you covered! During the make-a-drink flows, you can scroll down and choose an alternative milk type. Alternative milks will steam differently from dairy milks because they have a different protein and fat content, and Series 1 will adjust the target temperature automatically to accommodate this!

Have More Questions? 

Ask our specially-trained CX assistant by clicking on the chat icon in the bottom right corner of this page. It will answer your question or get you connected with someone who can help!