Anyone else notice that 1st line was testing a new machine?

[MonkeyK]

I agree that the concept seems quite reasonable.  But if you check out the steam test video, it looks like the steam is not so good. 

[John F]

But if you check out the steam test video, it looks like the steam is not so good. 

I had not seen the vid...still haven't. The one I just watched involved pressing the function button a load of times and rotating the dial a ton of times but they never got around to steaming. 

I was thinking it might be an interesting little machine but if you actually have to press and dial all those functions just to steam milk I think it's going to be a fantastic pain to operate. 

[Tex]

I don't see why a T-block for steam should be a problem.

I'm no ME but this design sounds reasonable to me to use a boiler/pid for brewing and T-block for steam......why not?

Think hard enough and you'll figure it out.

[John F]

Think hard enough and you'll figure it out.

I won't. 

Maybe I don't understand how it works but I thought it's just a block with a passageway carved into it. Heat the block and have the water pass by. As long as the block has enough mass and ability to re-heat.....it should work.

But again, I'm no ME and may not know how the T-block works in actual practice.

[MMW]

I don't see why a T-block for steam should be a problem.

I'm no ME but this design sounds reasonable to me to use a boiler/pid for brewing and T-block for steam......why not?

No reason you couldn't...IF you can deliver the BTU's to the incoming water fast enough.

[John F]

No reason you couldn't...IF you can deliver the BTU's to the incoming water fast enough.

That is my assumption point.

I figured if they put in a dedicated steam T-block they tested to make sure it could steam long enough to handle the milk for at least 1 drink.

[Gime2much]

The guys down under are reporting fairly good results but theirs is almost certainly 220v. http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1279089567

[Tex]

No reason you couldn't...IF you can deliver the BTU's to the incoming water fast enough.

That is my assumption point.

I figured if they put in a dedicated steam T-block they tested to make sure it could steam long enough to handle the milk for at least 1 drink.

Why in the heck would you assume that? There are no instances I'm aware of where a thermoblock has reliably made good steam. And even the Saeco machines use 1200 watt blocks to make steam, not a minuscule 700 watts.

[Pyment]

It seems that there should be a solution. I would think the rate limiting consideration would be getting enough surface area for efficient heat transfer.

Below is a diagram of the HX unit that is used in Bezzaera and Pasquini machines.


One way to increase contact area. I am sure there are others.

Here is a pic of a thermoblock: