Frothing milk on the De'Longhi Magnifica, wand position question

[Thomas Martinez]

Was taking a look at the notes on the steam wand of the Magnifica. Thought it would be good to share what I found since the topic come up alot. The position of the steam wand effect the type of steam you get out of the machine. If you raise the steam wand above the spout you get hot milk as opposed to lowered steam wand for cappuccinos. I didn’t think about it that much before but apparently thats the trick to it.
The rest of the routine is somewhat standard. Press the steam button and wait for the ready light to come on. Fill the jug to the one third mark with milk (expands when frothing). Once ready turn the knob to the froth setting.
Now the question is what do you all think about the raised lowered steam wand debate? Does it actualy matter that much? Do you have to wait past the ready light once it comes on? From what I understand the ready light is a little deceptive on these models as it comes on before the machine is truly ready. Anyone have experiences with the Magnifica that may shed some light on this?

 

[Poor Panda]

the ready light is a liar on these machines. I always wait a solid 30-45 seconds past it before actually opening the steam valve, otherwise you get that wet sputtery start and it ruins the foam texture from the jump.

 

[Clever Capuchin]

Wand up vs down does matter but honestly not as much as people make it sound. Jug angle and how deep you hold the tip is doing 80% of the work imo.

 

[Elegant Eel]

wait does the raised wand actually disable the air intake or does it just reduce it? i always assumed there was a little hole somewhere that got covered

 

[Distinct Dugon]

Frothing on a Magnifica is like trying to do brain surgery with a butter knife. Get a real wand or accept that its always going to be mediocre.

 

[Poor Panda]

wait does the raised wand actually disable the air intake or does it just reduce it? i always assumed there was a little hole somewhere that got covered

the panarello attachment thing has a sleeve that slides up and down. When its down it pulls air through a side hole, when its up it covers the hole so you just get steam. Its not a fancy mechanism just a sliding tube basically.

 

[Better Badger]

i mean technique matters but you cant technique your way past a clogged panarello. Clean that thing every single time or you'll be wondering why your foam went to crap in 3 weeks

 

[Elegant Eel]

the panarello attachment thing has a sleeve that slides up and down. When its down it pulls air through a side hole, when its up it covers the hole so you just get steam. Its not a fancy mechanism just a sliding tube basically.

oh interesting so its literally just a venturi effect with a manual cover. Thats actually kinda clever for how cheap it is. Does the hole clog easy with milk residue?