DeLonghi steam wand, what's the actual difference between hot milk and cappuccino mode?

[Thomas Martinez]

Saw this in another thread so figured it was worth its own discussion. The DeLonghi steam wand setting seem to be controlled by how much air get injected into the milk as it’s steamed. Cappuccino mode injects more air, creating a headsight of foam. Hot milk mode injects less air so there’s less foam coming out from the spout of the steam wand. This is the setting you’d use for lattes, hot chocolate, and warming milk for kid.
Airflow seems to be the control instead of temperature for those coming from manual steam wands. It’s interesting how the steam wand settings work out to be essentially just an automated steam wand. I imagine the airflow controls are meant to mimic how a barista would control the amount of foam by changing the tip of the steam wand.
Given the information above, does anyone find a noticeable difference between the two settings when using they machine? Or can you simply use cappuccino mode to fake a latte by not frothing the milk as much?

 

[Double Sta]

yeah its all airflow not temp. Theres a little valve inside the wand assembly that opens up more on cappuccino mode and sucks in more air through the side hole. Pull the wand apart sometime and you’ll see it, super simple mechanism actualy

 

[Quaint Quail]

Can you actually fake a latte on cappuccino mode by stop early?
Or does the air get injected from the start so you just get bubbles no matter than the timing?

 

[Shiny Shark]

Can you actually fake a latte on cappuccino mode by stop early?
Or does the air get injected from the start so you just get bubbles no matter than the timing?

Honestly the difference is pretty noticable on mine. Hot milk mode give you silky microfoam (well not really) while cappuccino is basically bubble city. You just cant fake one with the other.

 

[Star]

The DeLonghi is not going to give you microfoam in any mode. To get proper steam and latte art you have to ditch the panarello and learn how to steam proper. All these machines will make milk with big bubbles, the cappuccino will make more of them. I've modded my three de longhi machines. They're basically for people who dont want to learn how to steam milk proper. It's just a valve that opens wider to let the air out.