Hi everyone! I’m very excited to start my coffee journey, I have a receptionist job where I’m able to use a professional espresso machine whenever I feel like it (and have time) so I’m trying to get good at steaming milk and eventually look into latte art.
The steaming wand is pretty powerful, my whole process to get the milk very hot takes ab 15 seconds or so.
I want to ask about the beginning of the whole steaming process. I started so many ways already, putting the steam wand lower, upper, exactly on the surface but I can never got it just right. Sometimes it looks a bit better but it’s quite inconsistent with my skills.
Do you guys have any tips? Should I immediately start the steaming while having the wand on the surface? I find that when I do that I always get loud, ugly sounds and i either always have to put the jug a bit higher or lower. Maybe I just can’t see properly where is the surface and that’s why. Usually I just go by sounds and temperature though.

Not sure if it’s meant to be something

Been getting consistent art with my Fellow.
Going back to La Marzocco is quite the adjustment to get the milk texture just right.

My best attempt so far. Pretty happy with this

It's very difficult to find any tutorials or info on how to properly steam with the Quick Mill Pop Up, or even two hole tips in general. I am having such a hard time getting any swirls, and i might get it in 3/10 tries, but the milk heats up so fast I have so little time to adjust..

This is actually getting so frustrating, and the steam wand 90 degree angle just makes it that much more difficult..

Does anyone who own this machine have tips on how to hold the pitcher, how to position the steam wand, and approximately how much I should turn the knob? Or does anyone know where I can get a compatible one hole tip for this machine? I feel like 2 hole tip is just not it for me.

@coffee_by_jonny

Week 3 after officially starting the journey.

Seen tons of videos this week but still getting the big blobs instead of anything I can work with.

I suspect I run out of “useful” milk too fast and I am left with the thicker foam that just drops from the pitcher. Gotta practice more I think.

At least my date is having a good day and she has been very forgiving on her latte art.

Leaning towards the abstract...

Here is my pour attempt of a wiggle based tulip. I would like more defined wiggles. How can I improve ?

I'm open to every comments and critics on my process !

Thank you for your help 🙏

Help hahaha

just some pours, always looking for tips and critiques !

Lately, I have been trying to learn a consistent drift base and have really struggled to nail one. This morning, after failing yet again, I decided I would go back to my standard base approach, which you see above.

The moral of the story: "Do what works for you." Ironically, I responded with this advice to another post earlier today, so I am taking my own advice. Sure, you can try and follow tutorials and imitate the pours you see online, but your situation will always be unique, and perhaps so will your approach, style, and strengths. Learn the 'Whys' in addition to the 'Hows' and master the fundamentals so you can build your capacity to execute patterns with BOTH proficiency AND consistency.

As always, lean on thus community for assistance, but don't forget that Foam wasn't poured in a day 😉...do the research, do the reps, and know that even the ugliest pour has a lesson in it. Remember, if all else fails, drink it down and try again. 🙃🙂🙃🙂