When the milk foam isn't what it used to be
The steam wand is the component that has to endure the most and gets the least attention. Every time you froth, steam at over a hundred degrees passes through it, milk cools on the outside, and afterwards it gets wiped, rinsed and knocked. Over the years, limescale builds up inside and milk stone outside, and both change the way the steam comes out.
You notice the result in the jug, not on the wand: the jet becomes irregular, the whirlpool no longer wants to form, the foam turns coarse. This item is a complete steam wand with part number M219906508 – listed as «steam wand» in the manufacturer's document.
Descale first, then replace
Before you replace a wand, a serious cleaning attempt is almost always worthwhile. Much of what looks like a defect is limescale and milk stone. The tip is the first place where both build up – inside in the channel, outside at the outlet. A bath in a suitable cleaner and carefully clearing the holes surprisingly often bring back the old performance.
What we use for this is listed under Machine and grinder cleaning. Important: Never push a needle through the tip holes and never drill them out. Any enlargement changes the steam jet permanently, and there is no going back. If the wand remains clogged, bent or leaky after thorough cleaning, it is time for a replacement.
When it's due
- The steam comes out crooked, irregular or sputtering even though the tip has been cleaned.
- The wand is bent or dented, for example after a knock with the jug.
- Steam escapes at the transition to the valve even though the seal has been replaced.
- The thread on the connection is damaged.
- The wand is so scaled up inside that no cleaning gets through any more.
At a glance
| Type |
Steam wand, complete |
| Installation location |
Steam valve |
| Fits |
Rocket – the model series is not documented for this number |
| Scope of delivery |
the scope depends on the manufacturer's specification for number M219906508 |
| Part number |
M219906508 |
| Installation |
Installation by a qualified technician recommended |
| Brand |
Rocket |
Length, diameter and material are not stated in the documentation for this number. Whether a tip is included, and with which hole size, is not documented either – this is the case across all Rocket steam wands. The steam valve and the knob are not included in any case. If you have the number from a service document, the item is unambiguous; otherwise send us the serial number of your machine.
Important for installation
The wand is attached to a steam-carrying line. Switch off the machine, unplug it, and let it cool down completely and depressurise before loosening the connection. We deliberately do not give step-by-step instructions here – a connection in the steam path that does not seal properly is dangerous.
Who it's for
For businesses where the wand is used a hundred times a day and at some point no cleaning helps any more. And for everyone at home who has a bent wand after an unlucky knock and wants to keep the rest of the machine.
The steam and hot water wands in the Rocket catalogue
Wands look confusingly similar and yet cannot be swapped at will. What matters is which model series it sits on, whether the valve and knob are included, and which number the manufacturer lists for it. We carry nine wands in the Rocket catalogue, in three groups. Because the documentation for none of them states length, thread size or material, the part number is the reliable feature – which is why we list it everywhere.
Appartamento, Mozzafiato, Giotto and Cellini share three items: the complete steam wand for Appartamento, Cellini, Giotto and Mozzafiato (part number R290003611) is the wand without valve, the complete steam wand with valve, without knob, for Appartamento, Mozzafiato and Giotto (part number R299906015) comes with valve but without knob, and the complete hot water wand for Appartamento, Cellini, Giotto and Mozzafiato (part number R290003612) is the hot water wand for the same model series. The last two numbers differ by a single digit – R290003611 versus R290003612 –, but they refer to two different parts: one for steam, one for hot water.
R58, Porta Via, Boxer and R9V each have their own wand: the complete steam wand for the R58, without steam valve (part number A219904651), the steam wand for the Porta Via (part number A219906168), the steam wand for the Boxer (part number R219905307) and the complete steam wand for the R9V (part number M219906488). Nothing here is interchangeable, even if the tubes look similar.
Without a documented model series, there are two more wands in the catalogue: a complete steam wand (part number A219908566) and a second complete steam wand (part number M219906508) – that is, this product. For both, the documentation names no model, only the number. If you have a service document with one of these numbers in front of you, you're in the right place; if you're searching by machine model, it's better to drop us a quick message.
At the end of a steam wand sits the tip, and that is what scales up first – not the wand. We carry them individually: the 1.2 mm steam tip for R58 and R60, the 1.5 mm steam tip for R58 and R60 and the two-hole 1.5 mm steam tip for the Appartamento. Often a descaling bath for the tip is enough, and the wand stays where it is.
If you're not sure which wand is on your machine, send us the serial number and we'll check the fit before you order. With these parts, that's not just a polite phrase: returns are excluded for spare parts.
Goes well with
From our workshop in Bern and Zürich
Our rule at the bar is simple: purge and wipe after every frothing, and at the end of every shift unscrew the tip and soak it overnight. This is not a manufacturer requirement, but it is the reason why our bar wands last for years while those from some businesses are worn out after two years. Once milk stone has hardened, it can only be removed mechanically – and with a tip, mechanically almost always means: too late.
For dialling in after the replacement, we froth with the same coffee we otherwise work with – usually Nutty Delight, because in a cappuccino it shows whether temperature and texture are right. Sweeter with Cozy Chocolate, stronger with Very Nutty. Everything under Coffee beans.
Returns excluded
Spare parts are excluded from exchange and return. They are procured specifically for each order and cannot be resold after installation or test fitting on the machine. So before ordering, check the model, year of manufacture and serial number of your machine – or drop us a quick message and we'll clarify the fit together. Your rights regarding defective goods remain unaffected.
Is a steam tip included?
This is not documented for this number, and we don't claim it is. If you want to be on the safe side, order the matching tip as well or ask us briefly beforehand.
Which Rocket machine does this wand belong to?
The model series is not specified for M219906508. If you have the number from a service document, the item is unambiguous – otherwise send us the serial number.
How does it differ from the wand for the R9V?
The R9V wand has the number M219906488. The two base numbers are different, so these are two separate items.
Can I simply drill out the clogged tip?
No. Any enlargement of the hole changes the steam jet permanently. Cleaning yes, drilling out or pushing a needle through never.
Can I see the part in your showroom?
Yes. We're in Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zürich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b. Bring your machine's serial number and we'll put the part next to it.
Questions about fit? Write to us at [email protected]. We deliver across Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2-4 working days.
