Pulling The Trigger On A Rancilio Silvia

[dlmedley]

After about three years of doing the espresso thing with a very entry level Delonghi Bar 32 Retro combined with a Capresso 565 Infinity Grinder, I'm finally throwing down for a Rancilio Silvia with installed PID and a Baratza Preciso Burr Grinder. Seattle Coffee Gear has a pretty good package deal going.

To be honest, the Delonghi Bar 32 has been a decent little machine considering it can be had for under $100. It's pressurized, but I did some modifications getting rid of the pressure valve. I was actually pulling decent shots out of it. In fact, using a Kona blend from a local roaster I was getting shots that made you step back and go, "Dayum."

The problem is that it only lasted about 1 year. This was actually my second one; the first one lasting about a year, too. It can almost be considered a decent, disposable, 15 bar pump driven, starter machine.

Anyway, there's a big empty spot on my counter in which a Silvia would go quite well. Also, it shouldn't be too many years until the price of the Silvia compares to buying a new Delonghi every year or so.

I've heard that the Silvia requires a lot of futzing with grind and tamp until one "gets it down". That should suit my ADD nature quite well.

Finally, any tips or information from those of you who are experienced with the Silvia would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

[tracman]

Congratulations, you will love it-eventually. Your right about having the right grind, tamp pressure and temp. My Silvia is about 1o years old now, I put a pid on her about 5 years ago. I use a Rancilio Rocky grinder set at about 10 on the scale, and my pid temp is at 235 degrees. I measured almost everything with a temp lazer and instant read thermometer (yes a bit anal). I get a damn good double shot at 28-30 seconds, I just bought Bodum shot glasses for her and should have done that years age. I hope this gives you a starting point to tweak you new Silvia. You will love her.

[gearchow]

After about three years of doing the espresso thing with a very entry level Delonghi Bar 32 Retro combined with a Capresso 565 Infinity Grinder, I'm finally throwing down for a Rancilio Silvia with installed PID and a Baratza Preciso Burr Grinder. Seattle Coffee Gear has a pretty good package deal going.

To be honest, the Delonghi Bar 32 has been a decent little machine considering it can be had for under $100. It's pressurized, but I did some modifications getting rid of the pressure valve. I was actually pulling decent shots out of it. In fact, using a Kona blend from a local roaster I was getting shots that made you step back and go, "Dayum."

The problem is that it only lasted about 1 year. This was actually my second one; the first one lasting about a year, too. It can almost be considered a decent, disposable, 15 bar pump driven, starter machine.

Anyway, there's a big empty spot on my counter in which a Silvia would go quite well. Also, it shouldn't be too many years until the price of the Silvia compares to buying a new Delonghi every year or so.

I've heard that the Silvia requires a lot of futzing with grind and tamp until one "gets it down". That should suit my ADD nature quite well.

Finally, any tips or information from those of you who are experienced with the Silvia would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Should enter into every purchase decision. I wish I had the counter space for any kind of espresso machine.

-jim

[takeshi]

The problem is that it only lasted about 1 year. This was actually my second one; the first one lasting about a year, too. It can almost be considered a decent, disposable, 15 bar pump driven, starter machine.

Funny, I went through machines at that rate until I bought my Silvia in 2002.

I've heard that the Silvia requires a lot of futzing with grind and tamp until one "gets it down". That should suit my ADD nature quite well.

Finally, any tips or information from those of you who are experienced with the Silvia would be greatly appreciated.

You do have to get your technique down with the Silvia. It's a common comment from those upgrading from the Silvia that it's so much easier getting better results from the machines that people have upgraded to. Haven't upgraded myself as my plan was to use the Silvia until repair costs made it not worthwhile to keep. I did have to replace the boiler but it wasn't an expensive replacement.

Good luck, be patient, be consistent and enjoy! Coffee Geek and Home Barista have quite a bit of info on this machine. Coffee Geek is actually why I bought mine.

[dlmedley]

Funny, I went through machines at that rate until I bought my Silvia in 2002.


You do have to get your technique down with the Silvia. It's a common comment from those upgrading from the Silvia that it's so much easier getting better results from the machines that people have upgraded to. Haven't upgraded myself as my plan was to use the Silvia until repair costs made it not worthwhile to keep. I did have to replace the boiler but it wasn't an expensive replacement.

Good luck, be patient, be consistent and enjoy! Coffee Geek and Home Barista have quite a bit of info on this machine. Coffee Geek is actually why I bought mine.

Yep, I've done tons of research on the Silvia. I wonder if the fact that one has to be so cognizant of technique regarding the Silvia is what makes an upgrade less finicky? I mean, after a few years of minimal margin for error one is going to pretty much have their grinding/tamping technique down to the point of being second nature.

Regards

[jazzguy]

I've had one for 6 years. It's a great machine but not forgiving of poor technique. I predict you will notice a huge difference over your previous machine.

[takeshi]

I wonder if the fact that one has to be so cognizant of technique regarding the Silvia is what makes an upgrade less finicky?

Can't say for certain as I haven't upgraded myself. The Home Baristas don't seem to think that learning to deal with the finicky-ness of the Silvia is of any benefit other than for learning how to deal with the Silvia.

[EricBNC]

The higher end machines I have had the pleasure of trying are not so forgiving of poor technique either. Much of the legend behind Miss Silvia being a stern mistress generates from a time when a lot of the home use espresso grinders were stepped or equipped with burr sets of much less quality and capability than what we are lucky to have around today. Try a high end espresso machine with a crap (by today's standards) espresso grinder and the results fall off fast.

I have a "Silvia-esqe" type machine made by a competitor so the learning curve for me was similar. Adjusting the OPV (can be done on the Silvia as well) to produce 10 bar on the blank disc and 9 bar makes pulling the shot a more forgiving process, but having a grinder that can grind properly for espresso makes life even more easier.

[jazzguy]

The E-61 grouphead is supposed to be more forgiving. My old Faema machine was more forgiving. I already had a Mazzer Mini when I bought the Silvia. I still get bad shots from Silvia on occasion when my tamp is off. I'll bet the PID will help with consistency.

[dlmedley]

Update, here.

I've had the Silvia for a bit over two weeks now. I ordered it from Seattle Coffee Gear. The first one they sent me was DOA and they sent me another with zero hassle. Their customer service seems pretty good.

Anyway, from my experience thus far, the huge learning curve/finicky aspect of the Silvia seems to be greatly overstated. Yes, it did take me nearly a half pound of beans to get the grinder dialed in, but once dialed in pulling good shots is pretty easy. Like any other machine, the key is grind, tamp, and fresh beans.

Also, the PID seems to work very well. Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase.

Regards

[nff]

Update, here.

I've had the Silvia for a bit over two weeks now. I ordered it from Seattle Coffee Gear. The first one they sent me was DOA and they sent me another with zero hassle. Their customer service seems pretty good.

Anyway, from my experience thus far, the huge learning curve/finicky aspect of the Silvia seems to be greatly overstated. Yes, it did take me nearly a half pound of beans to get the grinder dialed in, but once dialed in pulling good shots is pretty easy. Like any other machine, the key is grind, tamp, and fresh beans.

Also, the PID seems to work very well. Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase.

Regards

i love cat and gales videos. also i hope you enjoy your machine. post some pics.

[mattnick]

Congrats! Silvia can make as nice a shot as any. A morning routine of a nice shave followed by a nice latte sure makes the day much better.

[StillShaving]

“Tickling Miss Silvia": Mark Frauenfelder Hacks Coffee’s God-Shot is a good read. Presumably this is what encouraged you to buy this machine.