What do you do with the steam wand towel? - Barista Exchange2024-03-29T11:58:58Zhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-do-you-do-with-the-steam?commentId=1688216%3AComment%3A1089329&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI believe the issue is health…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-08-29:1688216:Comment:12577312011-08-29T01:23:00.168ZKirkhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/KirkStevenson
<p>I believe the issue is health safety and milk residue on the towel reaching warm enough temperatures to grow bacteria. This is why Starbucks has sanitizer solution - to thwart the growth of bacteria. Once bacteria begin growing then you're wiping your steam wand with a 'dirty' towel. Whatever you do, I believe changing very regularly and using exclusively for the steam wand are the keys. I also believe a sanitizer solution (that is changed regularly as well) make it that much more health…</p>
<p>I believe the issue is health safety and milk residue on the towel reaching warm enough temperatures to grow bacteria. This is why Starbucks has sanitizer solution - to thwart the growth of bacteria. Once bacteria begin growing then you're wiping your steam wand with a 'dirty' towel. Whatever you do, I believe changing very regularly and using exclusively for the steam wand are the keys. I also believe a sanitizer solution (that is changed regularly as well) make it that much more health safe.</p>
<p>Here in California everyone involved in food services of any kind had to be certified as of July 1st with a pretty thorough on-line training session that stressed the issues of cross-contamination, food safety. When it comes to dairy products it all boils down to temperature and sanitation. </p>
<p>Keep the cloths for exclusive steam wand use, change regularly, rinse regularly, keep in sanitizer solution - I believe those are the best practices for the optimal health safety. </p> We have ours on top the espre…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-08-14:1688216:Comment:12360962011-08-14T05:50:42.296ZIan C.https://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/IanCanovi
We have ours on top the espresso machine; not the warm part where we keep the demitasses, but the high part closest to the front. We sanitize it regularly, normally to refresh the wetness
We have ours on top the espresso machine; not the warm part where we keep the demitasses, but the high part closest to the front. We sanitize it regularly, normally to refresh the wetness We stick the steam wand towel…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-08-03:1688216:Comment:12235362011-08-03T22:32:10.303ZKatrina Dodgehttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/KatrinaDodge
We stick the steam wand towel right under the espresso machine, as there's a good 6 inches between the tray and the counter.
We stick the steam wand towel right under the espresso machine, as there's a good 6 inches between the tray and the counter. I put steam towel moist on to…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-20:1688216:Comment:10994322011-04-20T15:25:58.908ZChristos Andrewshttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/ChristosAndrews
I put steam towel moist on top of the machine (on a saucer) and use for STEAM WAND ONLY, meaning no grounds, coffee spills, etc getting on the wand. To be honest though, I'm pretty sure health dept. requires it to be inside a sanitizing solution at all times even though I don't always do that. I'm guilty!
I put steam towel moist on top of the machine (on a saucer) and use for STEAM WAND ONLY, meaning no grounds, coffee spills, etc getting on the wand. To be honest though, I'm pretty sure health dept. requires it to be inside a sanitizing solution at all times even though I don't always do that. I'm guilty! i use a hot moist towel for t…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-15:1688216:Comment:10902542011-04-15T21:37:58.152ZEric masonhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Ericmason
<p>i use a hot moist towel for the steam wand only! and store on top of the machine away from anyway coffee ground material...a seperate dry towel of a different color is used for wiping out portafilters and drip tray. i also agree that the espresso machine area is to be squeaky clean ALL THE TIME!</p>
<p>i use a hot moist towel for the steam wand only! and store on top of the machine away from anyway coffee ground material...a seperate dry towel of a different color is used for wiping out portafilters and drip tray. i also agree that the espresso machine area is to be squeaky clean ALL THE TIME!</p> Depending on your area, I tho…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-15:1688216:Comment:10900842011-04-15T20:30:36.949Zluke hudekhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/lukehudek
Depending on your area, I thought it was required to be in sanitation solution? Again depending on your area I would also imagine you may not be allowed to clean your tray with it.
Depending on your area, I thought it was required to be in sanitation solution? Again depending on your area I would also imagine you may not be allowed to clean your tray with it. If the baristas wouldn't put…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-15:1688216:Comment:10896462011-04-15T03:04:47.322ZTerikahttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/Terika
If the baristas wouldn't put expired shots into a drink, why would they be willing to put expired shot residue/grounds into a drink? That is what essentially is happening when they clean the drip tray and the steam wand with the same towel. Maybe I'm assuming too much about the shots to begin with... ;)<br></br>
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<cite>Jeremy Perrine said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-do-you-do-with-the-steam#1688216Comment1088793"><div>The major issue of…</div>
</blockquote>
If the baristas wouldn't put expired shots into a drink, why would they be willing to put expired shot residue/grounds into a drink? That is what essentially is happening when they clean the drip tray and the steam wand with the same towel. Maybe I'm assuming too much about the shots to begin with... ;)<br/>
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<cite>Jeremy Perrine said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-do-you-do-with-the-steam#1688216Comment1088793"><div>The major issue of discussion was the exclusivity of the towel to the wand. I find it absolutely disgusting to use it to wipe of the drip tray. But I haven't been convincing.</div>
</blockquote> Found out early on that I wor…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-15:1688216:Comment:10895522011-04-15T01:23:58.315ZAndre Guimondhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/AndreGuimond949
Found out early on that I worked with a bunch of morons who were using cloths to the steam wand as well as counter tops. Saw it. Face turned red with. Lost it. Nearly had a brain hemorrhage. It hasn't happened since.
Found out early on that I worked with a bunch of morons who were using cloths to the steam wand as well as counter tops. Saw it. Face turned red with. Lost it. Nearly had a brain hemorrhage. It hasn't happened since. In our area it is a requireme…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-15:1688216:Comment:10893052011-04-15T00:26:27.217ZJeremy Grayhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/JeremyGray
In our area it is a requirement from the Health Department that there is an exclusive towel only for wiping the steam wand.<br/>
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<cite>Jeremy Perrine said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-do-you-do-with-the-steam#1688216Comment1088793"><div>The major issue of discussion was the exclusivity of the towel to the wand. I find it absolutely disgusting to use it to wipe of the drip tray. But I haven't been convincing.</div>
</blockquote>
In our area it is a requirement from the Health Department that there is an exclusive towel only for wiping the steam wand.<br/>
<br/>
<cite>Jeremy Perrine said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://www.baristaexchange.com/forum/topics/what-do-you-do-with-the-steam#1688216Comment1088793"><div>The major issue of discussion was the exclusivity of the towel to the wand. I find it absolutely disgusting to use it to wipe of the drip tray. But I haven't been convincing.</div>
</blockquote> We have a bench cloth (for wi…tag:www.baristaexchange.com,2011-04-14:1688216:Comment:10892722011-04-14T21:29:51.571ZLaura Campbellhttps://www.baristaexchange.com/profile/LauraCampbell
<p>We have a bench cloth (for wiping machine and the barista bench in front), a milk cloth (exclusively used for the steam wand) and a dry portafilter tea-towel which hangs from our dump box and is used for wiping our the PFs. They are regularly washed (especially the bench and wand cloths) and ne'er the twain shall meet. It's a big no-no to use them for anything other their designated use. Sometimes they get chucked through the steriliser as well to keep them spiffy. We tuck the bench cloth…</p>
<p>We have a bench cloth (for wiping machine and the barista bench in front), a milk cloth (exclusively used for the steam wand) and a dry portafilter tea-towel which hangs from our dump box and is used for wiping our the PFs. They are regularly washed (especially the bench and wand cloths) and ne'er the twain shall meet. It's a big no-no to use them for anything other their designated use. Sometimes they get chucked through the steriliser as well to keep them spiffy. We tuck the bench cloth under the edge of our La San Marco, keeps it out of the way when not in use, but handy for a quick wipe and invisible to the customer.</p>
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<p>Besides, if you use a milk cloth to wipe an espresso machine, any residual milk makes it all streaky and yuck. </p>