First time pod user, advice please?

trackerman

Hi folks,
I just received a gift of a Giggis coffee maker, model K111 pod system.

My first attempts at making cappuccino were not good, it was watery and the foam was just bubbles.

So I need some advice on how to get the best results please…

How much does a single pod produce? I think I’m expecting too much, hence it’s watery.

How can I get the froth that the restaurants deliver?

Thanks in advance.

RE*AC*TOR

It's a Gaggia, not a "Giggis".

One pod, which as far as I know has about 8g of coffee, should deliver about 30ml / 1oz of "espresso".

As to the foam, the machine, like many Gaggias is equipped with a panarello (froth aider device), which is fairly useless at making nice, smooth textured foam. You can probably take off the plastic bit, but you'll be left with a very stubby wand, which may be too short. Without knowing the exact wand / panarello of that machine, on my Gaggia Classic, before I just replaced the steam wand with a Rancilio Silvia one, I took off the outer part of the panarello, leaving the inner adapter bit for some extra length. It was just about usable.

Some basic info on steaming here:
http://coffeegeek.com/guides/frothingguide/steamguide

trackerman

Thanks, yes it's a Gaggia.

Good link and explains a lot.
I was using full fat milk with cream added !!!
I was also afraid of burning the milk so I never got the foam effect.

Now I can give it a better go.

Cheers.