Espresso machine - milk frother problem.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

My milk frother attachment has stopped frothing. When turned on it makes an asthmatic sort of cough but doesn't create any meaningful steam, and therefore no frothing of milk. I have flushed it through with citirc acid and given the pipes a good clean out. It does produce hot water through the steam spout (which is a different button) so I assume it is not blocked.

So any ideas fine people of PH?

[5678]

I had a similar problem with my KitchenAid machine. Heated the milk and put out hot water, but just made a crap foam.

I took the time to take the nozzle off and soaked it in boiling water then scrubbed at it to clean it up as much as possible. Put it all back together and it's like new making awesome foam.

Whilst the pipes may be clean the nozzle may have a slight blockage? Probably worth a try at least.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

5678 said:

I had a similar problem with my KitchenAid machine. Heated the milk and put out hot water, but just made a crap foam.

I took the time to take the nozzle off and soaked it in boiling water then scrubbed at it to clean it up as much as possible. Put it all back together and it's like new making awesome foam.

Whilst the pipes may be clean the nozzle may have a slight blockage? Probably worth a try at least.

Thanks for posting. Mine too is a KitchenAid - the Artisan I think. I have had the nozzle off and the problem is the same with the nozzle on or off. Very frustrating.

[grumbledoak]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

I have had the nozzle off and the problem is the same with the nozzle on or off. Very frustrating.

Wouldn't that indicate that the nozzle isn't working...

[5678]

When I say nozzle, I don't mean the black plastic bit, I mean the metal bit that it fits onto. Have you had a good scrub at that? Mine too is the Artisan.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

The nozzle is clear.

What I mean is that there is no steam even when the nozzle is not fitted.

[5678]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

The nozzle is clear.

What I mean is that there is no steam even when the nozzle is not fitted.

Odd, yet you say it puts hot water out from the nozzle if you open the dial and hold the button down?

Maybe time to get your serial number and phone kitchen aid

[Rocksteadyeddie]

5678 said:

Rocksteadyeddie said:

The nozzle is clear.

What I mean is that there is no steam even when the nozzle is not fitted.

Odd, yet you say it puts hot water out from the nozzle if you open the dial and hold the button down?

Maybe time to get your serial number and phone kitchen aid

Yes that's right.

[5678]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

5678 said:

Rocksteadyeddie said:

The nozzle is clear.

What I mean is that there is no steam even when the nozzle is not fitted.

Odd, yet you say it puts hot water out from the nozzle if you open the dial and hold the button down?

Maybe time to get your serial number and phone kitchen aid

Yes that's right.

You've got me curious now, going to find the manual for my one!

[5678]

Do you know if the it's the steam boiler that also heats the water which comes out of that nozzle? I can't find anything in the manual about it.
If the water coming out is hot, but you don't get any steam then it may be the boiler at fault. What does the bottom temp gauge show? Mine will go to max within about 2 mins of turning on from cold.

I'd call Kitchen Aid on Monday. Get the serial no. ready though as they want that.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

5678 said:

Do you know if the it's the steam boiler that also heats the water which comes out of that nozzle? I can't find anything in the manual about it.
If the water coming out is hot, but you don't get any steam then it may be the boiler at fault. What does the bottom temp gauge show? Mine will go to max within about 2 mins of turning on from cold.

I'd call Kitchen Aid on Monday. Get the serial no. ready though as they want that.

I don't know. I would assume so. Boiler is fine. Heats up quickly. Water coming out is hot.

Hmmmm. Very puzzling.

[5678]

Rocksteadyeddie said:

5678 said:

Do you know if the it's the steam boiler that also heats the water which comes out of that nozzle? I can't find anything in the manual about it.
If the water coming out is hot, but you don't get any steam then it may be the boiler at fault. What does the bottom temp gauge show? Mine will go to max within about 2 mins of turning on from cold.

I'd call Kitchen Aid on Monday. Get the serial no. ready though as they want that.

I don't know. I would assume so. Boiler is fine. Heats up quickly. Water coming out is hot.

Hmmmm. Very puzzling.

Then I would assume that the steam is generated from a separate boiler? If priming the chamber with hot water doesn't produce steam then there must be another part which heats it to steam. Odd and confusing!

Please keep this updated when you find out what's wrong.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

5678 said:

Rocksteadyeddie said:

5678 said:

Do you know if the it's the steam boiler that also heats the water which comes out of that nozzle? I can't find anything in the manual about it.
If the water coming out is hot, but you don't get any steam then it may be the boiler at fault. What does the bottom temp gauge show? Mine will go to max within about 2 mins of turning on from cold.

I'd call Kitchen Aid on Monday. Get the serial no. ready though as they want that.

I don't know. I would assume so. Boiler is fine. Heats up quickly. Water coming out is hot.

Hmmmm. Very puzzling.

Then I would assume that the steam is generated from a separate boiler? If priming the chamber with hot water doesn't produce steam then there must be another part which heats it to steam. Odd and confusing!

Please keep this updated when you find out what's wrong.

Have taken the top off. Everything is red hot of course as I have just checked the boiler temp. There are two boilers. Both are hot and presumable working. Just have to figure out which pipe does what...

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Right having prodded everything about a bit it still doesn't work. I have put it all back together and mailed Kitchen Aid. So we'll see what they say....

[toasty]

If all else fails get yourself an aerolatte whisker and heat the milk in a microwave.