BubbaBob wrote:

> Richard Periut > wrote:
>
>
>
>>Steam is not invisible; what comes out of a steam locomotive?
>>Steam and vapor are interchangeable.
>
>
> No way. Steam, at standard atmospheric pressure, is at 212F or 100C.
> Water vapor is cooler. Steam is always invisible, water vapor will
> form a cloud if the adiabatic conditions are correct. Ice, liquid
> water and steam are three different physical phases of water, each
> with its own distinct physical properties.
>
> ...
>
>>If you go back and read my post, you'll see I stated very hot
>>water and steam. Usually the two go hand in hand. The Gaggia
>>that I have is a 300 buck machine. It produces quality expresso
>>with a thick velvety crema. And as I told the op, I have
>>observed what comes out of even more expensive commercial
>>machines, and I see the same thing when I don't have any coffee
>>in the output plate; very hot water and steam. BTW, my Gaggia
>>has a relay and a pump.
>
>
> Not a steam toy, then.
>
> I also have a Gaggia. If I ever suspected that steam was coming out
> from any place but the steam wand, I'd tear it down and rebuild it.
> If you get anything other than water between 192F and 203F out of the
> 'shower head' your machine is running too hot for your altitude. It
> gets tricky at higher altitudes. I'm at 4900' which requires a
> machine that never goes over 203F, the BP of water here.
>


See the following:

steam

• noun 1 the hot vapour into which water is converted when heated,
which condenses in the air into a mist of minute water droplets. 2 the
expansive force of this vapour used as a source of power for machines. 3
momentum; impetus: the dispute gathered steam.

• verb 1 give off or produce steam. 2 (steam up) mist over with
steam. 3 cook (food) by heating it in steam from boiling water. 4 clean
or otherwise treat with steam. 5 (of a ship or train) travel somewhere
under steam power. 6 informal move somewhere rapidly or forcefully. 7
(be/get steamed up) be or become extremely agitated or angry.

— PHRASES get up steam 1 generate enough pressure to drive a steam
engine. 2 gradually gain impetus. have steam coming out of one’s ears
informal be extremely angry. let off steam informal get rid of pent-up
energy or strong emotion. run out of steam informal lose impetus or
enthusiasm. under one’s own steam without assistance from others.

— ORIGIN Old English.

--
"Dum Spiro, Spero."

As long as I breath, I hope.

Cicero