How to replace the steam wand sleeve
That tube on the steam wand is food grade silicone tubing. It's the same stuff we use on the refill kit. 9mm, 10mm and 11mm internal diameter works fine.
You can also use black garden irrigation tubing. That's what John had on his prototypes.
So: if that steam wand guard ever gets dirty and uncleanable enough that you want to replace it, now you know what to buy.
You can also purchase the steam wand sleeves here.
It's actually a bit tricky to cut a rubber tube (with a knife or scissors) and to get a straight line, because it bends as you cut it. You need a "hot knife". Either heat a knife on a gas hob, or use a "hot knife cutting machine" (that's what we use). A "hot wire" blade (also a piece of equipment one can buy) will also do the trick.
The secret to sliding it on the steam wand is dilute liquid hand soap. Put that all over the inside of the tube, and all over the steam wand too. Once the guard is in place, you can wash the soap off.
#repair #DIY #howto #documentation
mirjam created 2026/06/26.