Trick is to get the one with the gauge. First thing you do is put it on the stove at max power. In my case, always takes about 10 minutes to get to 2 bars. At 1 bar, re-boil your water for your manual espresso. When done boiling, Bellman should be at 2 bars and you can pull your shot of espresso. When done, the Bellman will be at 3 bars and ready to go for a massive purge + enough steam for your milk.
Thank you so much!!! Man, Im really looking to getting started with my espresso journey with this and the flair 58. I really appreciate your recent reviews, because it is exactly what I am looking to get.
Do not use the safety valve to know whether there's pressure. Keep the steam valve open while heating until it starts expressing steam, then close it down for 10-30 seconds, then you're good to go. The safety valve is a SAFETY release. Your maintenance issues might be related to over-pressurizing it every time you use it.
Thanks. Just got one from a friend who is giving up coffee. I'm kind of a coffee nerd, buy green, roast my own, etc. Will play with this, to see if it becomes a tool or art for the coffee shelf. :) Your regular use and advice helps a lot - I use a Coleman liquid fuel stove in my outdoor kitchen (Arizona - where an indoor kitchen is useful maybe 20 days a year) and will give it a try later today for my Late Morning Espresso Jump. :)
Once I started using the pressure release valve as an indicator, I started getting good results from my steamer. Gets milk vortex going and heats the milk up quickly. Still working on my technique, though.
@@CabeensCoffeeCorner I should add that Bellman says not to do that, but it takes the guesswork away, lol! If you do it, be aware it’s not necessarily the safest practice.
Have you tried leaving the steam valve open slightly while it's heating up, you do need to remain close to it, and when it starts to generate steam you will know its close to temp and can purge it of false steam, then it only needs a short time to get to functional pressure.
I got one of these recently but I'm having trouble with it. Every time I try to steam milk with it, it makes the milk way too foamy. My pitcher just fills up with foam before the milk is even hot enough. I work in a coffee shop and I steam latte milk all the time so it's not that I'm using the wrong technique. I am using the same technique I use on a normal steam wand, but it just creates loads of foam and I end up with super thick traditional cappuccino style milk. Do you have any advice on why this might be happening/how to avoid it?
Rowan, it's worth persisting. I fill only halfway below the center seam with boiling water and heat on the smallest gas burner which puts its max flame under the bottom of the Bellman, not up the sides. When the steam pressure builds to where the handle relief valve begins to release (takes right at 5 minutes), I purge the Bellman wand a long five or ten seconds to get any trapped superheated water out of the wand and top basket. The steam rebuilds to max (release) while I am pulling my shot (FlairPro) but I'll do a quick 1 second purge just before beginning steaming. This seems to work well with the FlairPro work flow of heating the head with steam and cup with boiling water. I'm interested in the silky milk texture, not so much latte art.
@lookitsRJA As long as you have the wand tip skirting the the surface of the milk (making that ‘tssst, tsssst, tssst’ sound) the volume of the milk will keep expanding. When you are happy with the volume of your milk, raise your pitcher up so the stream wand drops decidedly under the surface of the milk. The milk will spin but the volume will remain the same and will keep getting hotter. When your pitcher is hot to the touch, close the steamer wand valve.
I'm having the exact same issue, the jug just fills up super quickly and the milk isn't even hot! I end up wasting the milk and trying again and it generally works on the 2nd or 3rd go without any real change in technique. I am a milk frothing novice though so I can't fully rule out technique, it does some odd though it's generally the first attempt each time. I think perhaps I'm overfilling it, not purging the wet steam enough or maybe too much pressure/heat? I'm going to try the leave the steam wand valve ever so slightly open as suggested on the bellman video (instead of waiting for the handle to release steam), filling with less water and purging more. Interested to hear if any others had the same problem and what adjustments they made?
Little late to this but I was having this problem but I just purge for a decent amount of time. Like maybe 5 whole seconds. I make sure to leave the steamer on the heat
Hi, thank you so much for posting this video. One of the valves on my steam wand is blocked, do you know how I can unblock it? I can't find anything small enough to insert in the valve in an attempt to unblock it. Thank you!
Have you tried Nanofoamer? If so, how is the milk texture from Nanofoamer compared to the Ballman. I'm deciding which one to go for, the Bellman or Nanofoamer.
From my experience, I'd go with the bellman steamer simply because the foam is much better and more consistent with my frothing technique. The nanofoamer is alright but my foam consistency is much better just using a french press to froth my coffee. If you wanna get the nano foamer on a budget, I suggest getting a french press and watching videos on how to froth using a french press
Are the gaskets made of steel or silicone? It seems that if you have to keep replacing various parts as you did, the overall price of the device can become quite expensive and maybe not worthwhile. Are you suggesting that the milk frorhers which whisk or spin and heat the milk are not as good as the Bellman?
Silicone. It its still the best deal on the market. The whisk/ spin even in the same ballpark as the bellman. I’ve tried a good amount even ones that are upwards of 100$
Jakob - I'm two years in with all gaskets still holding up to almost daily use but the knob gasket is showing wear/abrasion and will likely need replacement soon. I'll order in all the gaskets at that time from Prima Coffee. They look pricey at @ $6 each but having been in business myself I understand the very real costs of stocking parts and phone support which Prima does well - so no complaints here. If I manage to break or screw up the wand, valve, top, basket or knob somehow and they also stock replacements of those more durable parts, too. Cabeen - great vid for 5 years on - very worth the watch.
are those regular gaskets that you could find at every repair show or is it something specific for bellman. Just asking because Bellman does not sell this steamer in my country thus, I bet that I cannot find those gaskets as well. (Managed to find a brand new steamer and I am considering buying it after I've seen your review)
@@CabeensCoffeeCorner : the bottom gasket is out of stock at multiple online US retailers. Do you happen to know the measurement of the gasket? OD and thickness? Thanks.
@@CabeensCoffeeCorner I need some practice for sure….don’t think k I let it go long enough…the pup was waiting for a walk so I think I started drawing off too quickly. I’m going to try and time it the next few times and get it down. Going to take some time but I’m all in on giving it a try….my one time was just today..😂😂
I appreciate the total honesty in this review.
Thank you
Thank you for such an honest review! Good to know the issues you had with it (especially the gaskets), but seems like stuff I could live with
It’s still a great buy!
Trick is to get the one with the gauge. First thing you do is put it on the stove at max power. In my case, always takes about 10 minutes to get to 2 bars. At 1 bar, re-boil your water for your manual espresso. When done boiling, Bellman should be at 2 bars and you can pull your shot of espresso. When done, the Bellman will be at 3 bars and ready to go for a massive purge + enough steam for your milk.
Good tips!
Thank you so much!!!
Man, Im really looking to getting started with my espresso journey with this and the flair 58.
I really appreciate your recent reviews, because it is exactly what I am looking to get.
Thank you so much for watching!
Do not use the safety valve to know whether there's pressure. Keep the steam valve open while heating until it starts expressing steam, then close it down for 10-30 seconds, then you're good to go. The safety valve is a SAFETY release. Your maintenance issues might be related to over-pressurizing it every time you use it.
Good tips
Thanks. Just got one from a friend who is giving up coffee. I'm kind of a coffee nerd, buy green, roast my own, etc. Will play with this, to see if it becomes a tool or art for the coffee shelf. :) Your regular use and advice helps a lot - I use a Coleman liquid fuel stove in my outdoor kitchen (Arizona - where an indoor kitchen is useful maybe 20 days a year) and will give it a try later today for my Late Morning Espresso Jump. :)
That’s awesome! Thanks for watching
how is it so far?
Once I started using the pressure release valve as an indicator, I started getting good results from my steamer. Gets milk vortex going and heats the milk up quickly. Still working on my technique, though.
That really helps a lot!
@@CabeensCoffeeCorner I should add that Bellman says not to do that, but it takes the guesswork away, lol! If you do it, be aware it’s not necessarily the safest practice.
What a great, honest review!
Thank you!
Have you tried leaving the steam valve open slightly while it's heating up, you do need to remain close to it, and when it starts to generate steam you will know its close to temp and can purge it of false steam, then it only needs a short time to get to functional pressure.
I have not tried that
There is a newer version of this with a pressure gauge. Please do a review of that as well.
I believe the ones with the gauge have been out for awhile. They also make stovetop espresso which is part of the reason they have a Gauge
For a dedicated steamer i would use distilled water. Not an option for a a dual moka/steamer
Not a bad idea
Thanks, seems I wasn’t allowing it to heat up sufficiently. Much better after the loud safety valve hiss.
Glad to help
I got one of these recently but I'm having trouble with it. Every time I try to steam milk with it, it makes the milk way too foamy. My pitcher just fills up with foam before the milk is even hot enough. I work in a coffee shop and I steam latte milk all the time so it's not that I'm using the wrong technique. I am using the same technique I use on a normal steam wand, but it just creates loads of foam and I end up with super thick traditional cappuccino style milk. Do you have any advice on why this might be happening/how to avoid it?
Is the bellman full when you start? How do you wait until steam escapes from the handle?
Rowan, it's worth persisting. I fill only halfway below the center seam with boiling water and heat on the smallest gas burner which puts its max flame under the bottom of the Bellman, not up the sides. When the steam pressure builds to where the handle relief valve begins to release (takes right at 5 minutes), I purge the Bellman wand a long five or ten seconds to get any trapped superheated water out of the wand and top basket. The steam rebuilds to max (release) while I am pulling my shot (FlairPro) but I'll do a quick 1 second purge just before beginning steaming. This seems to work well with the FlairPro work flow of heating the head with steam and cup with boiling water. I'm interested in the silky milk texture, not so much latte art.
@lookitsRJA As long as you have the wand tip skirting the the surface of the milk (making that ‘tssst, tsssst, tssst’ sound) the volume of the milk will keep expanding. When you are happy with the volume of your milk, raise your pitcher up so the stream wand drops decidedly under the surface of the milk. The milk will spin but the volume will remain the same and will keep getting hotter. When your pitcher is hot to the touch, close the steamer wand valve.
I'm having the exact same issue, the jug just fills up super quickly and the milk isn't even hot! I end up wasting the milk and trying again and it generally works on the 2nd or 3rd go without any real change in technique. I am a milk frothing novice though so I can't fully rule out technique, it does some odd though it's generally the first attempt each time.
I think perhaps I'm overfilling it, not purging the wet steam enough or maybe too much pressure/heat?
I'm going to try the leave the steam wand valve ever so slightly open as suggested on the bellman video (instead of waiting for the handle to release steam), filling with less water and purging more.
Interested to hear if any others had the same problem and what adjustments they made?
Little late to this but I was having this problem but I just purge for a decent amount of time. Like maybe 5 whole seconds. I make sure to leave the steamer on the heat
Great review
Thanks!!!
Thank you, very useful. Do you clean the wand? If yes how often and how do you do it? Thanks in advance!
Clean after every use. Grab a wet dish rag and rub until all the milk residue is off
Hi, thank you so much for posting this video. One of the valves on my steam wand is blocked, do you know how I can unblock it? I can't find anything small enough to insert in the valve in an attempt to unblock it. Thank you!
Try soaking it with hot water and this www.amazon.com/dp/B001418KNS/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_T4GYGYNBEF2H2XQT00XX?linkCode=ml2&tag=cabeenscoff0e-20
Have you tried Nanofoamer? If so, how is the milk texture from Nanofoamer compared to the Ballman. I'm deciding which one to go for, the Bellman or Nanofoamer.
Hoping to as some point
From my experience, I'd go with the bellman steamer simply because the foam is much better and more consistent with my frothing technique. The nanofoamer is alright but my foam consistency is much better just using a french press to froth my coffee. If you wanna get the nano foamer on a budget, I suggest getting a french press and watching videos on how to froth using a french press
@@raiyantyrone5132 Thanks for the insight.
Are the gaskets made of steel or silicone?
It seems that if you have to keep replacing various parts as you did, the overall price of the device can become quite expensive and maybe not worthwhile.
Are you suggesting that the milk frorhers which whisk or spin and heat the milk are not as good as the Bellman?
Silicone. It its still the best deal on the market. The whisk/ spin even in the same ballpark as the bellman. I’ve tried a good amount even ones that are upwards of 100$
Jakob - I'm two years in with all gaskets still holding up to almost daily use but the knob gasket is showing wear/abrasion and will likely need replacement soon. I'll order in all the gaskets at that time from Prima Coffee. They look pricey at @ $6 each but having been in business myself I understand the very real costs of stocking parts and phone support which Prima does well - so no complaints here. If I manage to break or screw up the wand, valve, top, basket or knob somehow and they also stock replacements of those more durable parts, too.
Cabeen - great vid for 5 years on - very worth the watch.
Which other stove-top steamer did you mention at the beginning, which is more expensive?
Also have you tried the Miconos 4-piece auto frother?
Nice shirt brother ❤
Thank you
how often did you have to replace the gaskets?
Whenever steam comes out in those areas. Try flipping them first
are those regular gaskets that you could find at every repair show or is it something specific for bellman. Just asking because Bellman does not sell this steamer in my country thus, I bet that I cannot find those gaskets as well. (Managed to find a brand new steamer and I am considering buying it after I've seen your review)
@@mariuspoparascu1822 I am unsure on that! I buy my gaskets through a usa company
@@CabeensCoffeeCorner : the bottom gasket is out of stock at multiple online US retailers. Do you happen to know the measurement of the gasket? OD and thickness? Thanks.
Wife just got me one. Tired it only once so far.
What did you think
@@CabeensCoffeeCorner I need some practice for sure….don’t think k I let it go long enough…the pup was waiting for a walk so I think I started drawing off too quickly. I’m going to try and time it the next few times and get it down. Going to take some time but I’m all in on giving it a try….my one time was just today..😂😂
basically ???
Huh?
It’s complicated.
Lotte art ? This is the most ridiculous hobby ever... I want my coffee to be the least amount of time possible to be under somebody's breaths.
to each their own
Just snort pure caffeine
Try Nescafé