How to choose a comprehensive standard of a good milk tank

About the milk jar and the powder hammer.

It should be two necessary equipment for many baristas.

It's about the design of powder hammer.

Pink hammers of different shapes

It's usually about the comfort of the hand.

And all kinds of undersides.

Whether the pressure is flat, whether the pressure is uniform, whether it can better reduce the channel effect.

The rest is workmanship, brand, material processing.

And many baristas, especially some flower lovers, pay more attention to the milk tank. At present, there are several major brands on the market, Tiamo/Amour,Motta,Rw, as well as Barista Gear, which is very popular recently, with prices ranging from tens to hundreds. In terms of differences, there are the following points:

The shape of the handle:

It's about the comfort of holding steel.

The shape of the cylinder nozzle:

The most important point of flow control, and subtle differences can lead to great differences in flow control.

Coating treatment:

It's about how easy to clean and how beautiful it is.

Use materials:

Different density, different weight, generally 304 food grade stainless steel, enough to meet the requirements of use, high quality is generally 316 medical grade stainless steel

Size of capacity:

Generally speaking, the most commonly used one is 300/600ml, and some brands have a capacity of 350,500,750 to meet different needs. Examples include Motta and ilsa, a brand owned by Tiamo. Overall shape, RW and Tiamo basically maintain the same large shape, and some big belly shape will be dominant in milking, for example, Motta is an independent grinding tool, RW also has a big belly model.

In fact, some baristas often ask such a question, which milk steel is better? In fact, this question should be asked in more detail: what are you going to do with this milk tank? Or what kind of picture?

In my understanding, first of all, I will consider one thing: the size of milk steel

The size of the milk steel and the size of the cup should have an appropriate ratio, so that it will not waste too much raw materials when in use, and there will not be "insufficient milk foam" phenomenon.

This proportional value, milk steel capacity: cup capacity should be between 1RU 0.4-0.6, 0.5 is the theoretical optimal value. And so on, such as pressing the 600ML milk jar, the most suitable cup should be between 240and 360ml. If it is greater than 360ml, the milk foam may not be enough, while if it is less than 240, the milk will be wasted. If it is a 300ml milk tank, the most suitable range of cup capacity is 140-160ml. And vice versa.

(the size of the cup) * 2, then get the most suitable size for milk steel.

This year's clac Cup is about 7.5-8oz, or 215-230ml. So it is embarrassing that there is not enough foam in a 300 milk tank. The use of 600 milk tanks will cause a lot of waste of milk.

According to this principle, properly calculated cups and the selection of milk tank capacity can avoid or reduce the waste of raw materials (milk) in operation.

After choosing the size, let's analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various mainstream milk tanks.

Tiamo/Amour:

Once Saerdna's favorite milk tank, it has an arc-shaped nozzle and a slightly turned-over side structure.

The arc brings a good flow swing, which has a good advantage in graphics such as Rosetta, while the slightly downward diversion (commonly known as "flip") at the same tilt angle will increase the amount of milk foam and increase the molding area. It is precisely for this reason, the combination of small leaves will make it more difficult, but feel lighter. And easy to buy, there are Teflon models to choose from. Stable cappuccino products in the store, as well as the first choice for beginners.

RW/kaffa/Yami:

Mold unified from RW, thick steel plate, feel thick, solid workmanship, triangular tip, not valgus, easy to do fine flow, Sawada history of the choice, foam foundation is high enough, for friends who like fine water embossing can choose, it is recommended to choose 600ml section, 300ml feel for a 300ml milk steel is too heavy.

Motta:

From Italy, independent mold, medical stainless steel integrated molding, materials and workmanship are impeccable, and polished very well. The structure of a big belly has a natural advantage in milking, but the prominent muzzle is not very suitable for "swinging" molding. Some netizens ridiculed it as a "tulip artifact". It has a special capacity, and there are 350/500/750/1000ml models to choose from.

Barista Gear:

In recent years, a rapid popularity of a nipple, and objective analysis of its advantages are indeed commendable, seamless welding handle highlights the excellent workmanship, similar to RW but slightly smaller than the RW triangular nipple mouth, control fine flow has a good performance, and just right to have a small flip diversion port, not too large, convenient for rapid molding, reducing the occurrence of "whitening". And the capacity is also 12/24oz, (340/680ml), which has a high appearance rate in recent years. And there is a choice of paint / electroplating version, the price is on the high side, there is no agent in China at present, many enthusiasts purchase from Taiwan, but the sharp cylinder tip still has to be attached to the solid foundation of milk foam.

Some of the remaining brands are also seen from time to time, but they are not mainstream. For example, iLsa,toroid, Mr. Lim Dong-Won 's GABEE, and Uncle Sawada's hario cooperation fund. The following is a comprehensive evaluation.

The difference between a pointed mouth and a round mouth (RW vs Tiamo):

The sharp mouth is good for fine water flow, but it should be attached to the thinner milk foam. The swinging curve of the round mouth is smooth, but the flow column is thicker.

Under the sharp mouth, the difference between a wide mouth and a narrow mouth: (RW vs Sawada HARIO)

The wide exposure reduces the collision resistance between the foam and the milk tank, and a slight swing under the thin foam can make a large convection pattern, but if the foam is thicker, there are too many bubbles injected per unit time, which is not conducive to the control of flow rate and latteart.

On the other hand, the smaller angle opening is beneficial to manually control the swing, and the small blade combination skill is better.

The difference between long mouth and short mouth: (Motta vs Tiamo)

Too long diversion groove will lead to wobble fatigue, but it is easier to accurately locate the injection point, and tulip graphics are dominant.

The difference between turning nozzles (with diversion grooves) and non-diversion grooves (Gear vs RW)

The diversion channel increases the angle of the flow column close to the liquid at the same velocity, so it is easy to dump. When there is no diversion channel, the liquid is more inclined to be injected, resulting in greater convection.

The advantages and disadvantages of a big belly (small at the top and big at the bottom):

It is easier to encircle the steam force, increase the milk beating fault tolerance rate, and is more conducive to the foaming and fusion of milk foam, but the smaller radial opening is not conducive to the production of complex latteart.

Advantages and disadvantages of different material / weight / surface treatment

Material:

Stainless steel is a good choice with fast heat conduction, stable chemical properties, corrosion resistance and easy cleaning, while copper and aluminum is slightly active in chemical properties and soft in texture, which is not the mainstream of milk tank production.

Weight:

Lighter milk tanks are more likely to sense the amount of milk foam left in the milk tanks, while heavy milk steel is less sensitive.

Surface treatment:

Teflon is a good surface treatment method, the price is friendly to the people, easier to clean, and has a certain hardness.

The paint / plating treatment is more beautiful and the price will be higher, but it is easy to fall off, wear and tear, affecting the appearance.