The chaps at BB (Jordan I think it was) asked me which tip I'd like fitted, and recommended the 2-hole, which I went for. Having just upgraded from a modest Gaggia, albeit with a single-hole silvia, I find two holes more than enough to handle. I also opted for the no-burn wand while I was at BB, although it's easy enough for the user to swap. Its performance I'm told, is a bit below that of the hot wand, but the Verona's whole steam thing is so far in advance of the Gaggia that I've not yet bothered with the hot (need my delicate little fingers for another day)!

I'd suggest sticking with the 2-hole, with the holes oriented such that the steam jets are parallel to the side of the pitcher (or in English, 'jug') to get a good rolling swirl going. The 2-hole is supposed to give better control during milk stretching and allow a little more time to 'finesse' the milk, although I'm not entirely sure what that entails. I think the 4-hole must be for an overworked Barista with an impatient queue.

Tony.

 

Hi fellas. Assuming you don't mind non-QMers crashing your party, I'm interested in these threads because I'm also considering a tip change. I'm currently using a no-burn wand with a 2-hole. The other benefit of a no burn wand apart from, er, not burning yourself is that the milk is less likely to burn onto the wand/tip. Makes keeping it clean easier.

Another factor in addition to the number of holes is the size of them. And there are different patterns of 4-hole. ': :' like the 4 on dice and a version that's got one in the middle surrounded by 3.

I'm currently wondering about a 3 for my R58. more out of curiosity that maybe the pattern will help: sometimes I think I let a bit too much air in while trying to 'surf the surface' and wonder if it's the second hole being too high? I certainly don't think I need more power. Probably I should stick with what I have until i get it consistent but tips aren't expensive and I can't help wonder if I'm missing a trick.

 

My machine came with a 2 hole, now use a 5 hole. way better IMO.

 

My machine came with a 2 hole, now use a 5 hole. way better IMO.

While there is plenty of good advice 'out there' on steaming and stretching procedures and techniques, there appears to be precious little on the merits and demerits of multi-hole wand tips. From 1 to 5, it would appear. My single-hole Silvia wand worked well (apart from the limited power of its host) and I got a really good swirl going. But I'm having mixed feelings about the 2-hole tip on the Verona. As the holes point in opposite directions I can't see how that achieves much other than to confuse the poor milk!

Are there any steam-wand experts on the forum who could de-bunk, or at least clarify, any myths or pseudo-facts about multi-hole steaming? It's something of a magical mystery area as far as I'm concerned!

Thanks,

Tony.

 

I have a QM Veloce and recently swopped from a 2 to a 4 hole. the 2 hole was underpowered and the techniques you and to employ in my view actually hamper the production of a nice velvety texture. A 4 hole tip has the raw power. technique needs to change. None of this surfing near the surface stuff with small amounts of milk i.e. less that 6 ounces. Just put the tip in and near top the bottom and the power will do the rest. You do draw it up to stretch but try it and you will see it needs a different approach. If you try and steam a 2 hole the way you do a 4 hole and vice versa you will fail

 

I have a QM Verona, I initially tried the two hole tip sans plastic liner in wand. I found it fine for steaming milk for one drink but far too slow for more, and changed to 4 hole tip.

I did find initially that it was difficult to control, (milk for 2 drinks) went back to 2 hole but quickly reverted back to 4 hole tip, it requires perseverance to perfect using the 4 hole for small quantities of milk (two drinks) but it is definitely worth the effort. When steaming larger volumes of milk it is absolutely perfect and speedy.

The steam valve on the Verona does not act quite like a water tap , after an initial graduated opening it progresses to considerable volume /force.

With reference to the hole in tip angles,in the 2 and 4 hole they are angled out at 50 deg in both (each hole)

From these angles it can be seen that if the wand is applied centrally to the "jug" pitcher the steam will push the milk down and out towards the bottom /sides and roll the milk up the sides.

If the wand is angled across the pitcher and to the side this will induce the milk to spin.

 

Excuse the dirty benches and it is blinking difficult trying to do everything one handed. Using the right size jug, in this case 30 cl to take about 3 ounces of milk. It is not textured as well as it might be but the point was just to show that by using a 4 hole tip and a small amount of milk, you can get results

 

@dfk41

Hard to tell anything from that photo! Did you upload the correct one? [emoji57]

 

don't know what went wrong! click on the image and hopefully a video plays!

 

Niice vortex you got going there just like on a commercial machine. [emoji6]

 

Blink and you'll miss it

 

I've just swapped the Verona's 2-hole tip for the 4 (still on the no-burn wand) and it's heaps better. Need to re-technique now as the first attempt made a cappuchino's worth of foam. As dfk41 advised, stay well below the surface and dig deep.

Won't be going back to the 2-hole in a hurry

Tony.

 

On my Rocket Giotto I invested in the four extra tips to try out. After a few days with each I'm back with the stock two hole. The key, for me, was moving to whole milk from semi-skimmed. Now I can produce microfoam reliably (if I'm concentrating) and passable latte art. (Again if I'm concentrating.) The others were interesting but didn't give me anything I wasn't getting with the stock two hole. Must advertise the extras for sale at some point.

 

Awesome tips (pun intended) here! I have been trying to surf the milk like I had to with the Silvia. Sounds like I need to change up my technique for the 4 hole, might give it a go again if I don't like the 2 hole tip.

 

I was having the same issue, just creating a load of foam (not microfoam), so got frustrated. Sounds like I may need to change my technique now I have a lot more steam power!

I've just swapped the Verona's 2-hole tip for the 4 (still on the no-burn wand) and it's heaps better. Need to re-technique now as the first attempt made a cappuchino's worth of foam. As dfk41 advised, stay well below the surface and dig deep.

Won't be going back to the 2-hole in a hurry

Tony.

 

I was going to buy the Rocket tips pack until I read on BB's site that they don't fit the R58. Seems odd but I asked and they're quite sure that the R58 fitting is somehow different. No idea why, or why there isn't a set for my machine. I think there are tips from other manufacturers machines that will though.

 

I was having the same issue, just creating a load of foam (not microfoam), so got frustrated. Sounds like I may need to change my technique now I have a lot more steam power!

Just had a couple of straight doubles which were OK, but left a distinctly bitter aftertaste, so clearly God wasn't smiling just then. So I made a large latte for the milk-sweetness. This time I dug a bit too deep and just got hot milk with barely any microfoam, and certainly no unwanted froth. But the milk had hardly stretched, so there a fine line to tread somewhere between the two extremes.

Now at half-past midnight with six shots-worth down me gullet and under me belt, as it were, I'm wide awake and well placed to work for as long as it takes on a graphic design job with a tomorrow deadline. Probably get 3 or 4 hour sleep if I'm lucky... oh the joys of working from home. Heigh-ho for fresh coffee, I say!

Tony.

 

Definitely getting better consistency from the 2 holes, but still struggling a bit with the massive improvement in steaming power compared to the Silvia. Once I get this under control I'll see if I can step up to 4 holes. Just not convinced yet that it's necessary given I tend to only steam 6oz of milk 99% of the time.

 

... to work for as long as it takes on a graphic design job with a tomorrow deadline.

Is there any other kind? All mine seem to have a deadline of yesterday. PS if you know any old gypsy women flogging crystal balls let me know.

Back to tips, I am beginning to think that it might be a distraction and that maybe it's more about finding the sweet spot between too much and too little air. I have no problem with whirlpool or temperature but sometimes I just get too much air in, and then over compensate on the next and get hot milk like you were saying.