Espresso Machine Trouble

the megster

I recently bought a cheap Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine and I've run into a problem - when I steam the milk using the steam nozzle, it gives the milk this strange plastic-charcoal-burnt taste. And the taste is very noticable. Has anyone run into similar problems? Will it go away with time (I've only used it twice)? Is this just because it's a cheapy, or is it defective? And short of returning it and actually buying a $60 machine, is there anything I can do?

japan

It sounds like the milk is being burned.

Is it a steam wand or is it one of those where you fill a reservoir with milk and it steams it itself?

the megster

It has a steam wand on the side of the machine....

How can I avoid burning the milk?

japan

Do you have a milk thermometer?

Failing that, just don't heat it as much. It shouldn't be getting anywhere near boiling, about 65 degrees C is the temperature that it will start to taste burned.

the megster

Hmm....it seems like the milk immediately starts boiling when I dip the steam wand into the container...

japan

It'll bubble, because the steam will bubble back up from under the surface, but that isn't it boiling. The milk boils when it hits a certain temperature (about 90 degrees C), but it'll burn way before that.

There's kind of a knack to steaming milk, but basically it sounds like you're overheating it.

Esh

the megster wrote: »

Hmm....it seems like the milk immediately starts boiling when I dip the steam wand into the container...

No, that's just air bubbles.

Is it being steamed in a metal container? It should be done when you can't hold your hand on the bottom of the pitcher. That or 170 degrees if you have a thermometer.

matt has a problem

Esh wrote: »

the megster wrote: »

Hmm....it seems like the milk immediately starts boiling when I dip the steam wand into the container...

No, that's just air bubbles.

Is it being steamed in a metal container? It should be done when you can't hold your hand on the bottom of the pitcher. That or 170 degrees if you have a thermometer.

Yep. If you go much past 180, it starts to scorch and taste bad. When the thermometer hits 160 you should be turning the steam off.

Everywhereasign

You can use most "instant" read digital meat thermometers to check the temp while you steam milk. If you don't have one, they're pretty cheap, and an excellent multi-tasker. /Alton Brown

Vater5B

First off, if you are willing to return that machine and spend about $100 more, your espresso machine experience would be much better.

Secondly, http://coffeegeek.com/guides/frothingguide/

Finally, if I had to guess, I'd say it's probably that cheap froth aider that's mucking up your steaming routine. I've worked with various "steam toys" like what you're using, and most of them can create microfoam if you're patient and take the froth aider off.