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  • just got a Silvia

    I just got my Silvia, and am nervous about whether I got the right machine, we drink mostly milk based drinks and often have 4 people over and have coffees. I have heard that the Silvia will take 25 minutes to make 4 lattes??
    Should I have got a different machine???

    thanks

  • #2
    Re: just got a Silvia

    Gday mmmc....

    Well, it depends... Yeah I know, a terrible way to kick off a helpful post. If your group coffees are to be made based upon a Single espresso shot, then yes, you should be OK. If, on the other hand, these will be based on Double espresso shots then, it will be a push. No doubt about it.

    For some hints on how to approach group latte preparation, have a read through this guide. Its very helpful...

    Mal.

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    • #3
      Re: just got a Silvia

      get some bodum double-walled glass cups (Pavinas), and use the kettle to half fill with boiling water. let them heat up for a bit, and tip the water out just as youre about to pull the shot of coffee. This will keep it warm for ages, and gives you that extra bit of room for delays.

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      • #4
        Re: just got a Silvia

        4 single shot milk drinks with Silvia is easily achieveable, as Doug said heat your cup/glasses pour 2 singles redose and pour the next two, then steam your milk (I used a 600ml with 300ml milk) in two batches pour your milk and serve your 4 latte/flat white/capos. Any more than this and you need to let the group cool down before pulling more shots. Make sure you recharge the boiler after steaming milk.
        good luck and enjoy..............gm

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        • #5
          Re: just got a Silvia

          Originally posted by 5F4A5D5D56555956380 link=1239458096/3#3 date=1239494755
          4 single shot milk drinks with Silvia is easily achieveable, as Doug said heat your cup/glasses pour 2 singles redose and pour the next two, then steam your milk (I used a 600ml with 300ml milk) in two batches pour your milk and serve your 4 latte/flat white/capos. Any more than this and you need to let the group cool down before pulling more shots. Make sure you recharge the boiler after steaming milk.
          good luck and enjoy..............gm
          This is an absolute maximum for a Silvia IMO...

          The boilers not big and replacement is not cheap. Four tulip cups, perhaps, but not 4 200ml Capp cups or the bill could be expensive

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          • #6
            Re: just got a Silvia

            Originally posted by 39667E686368646D6D6E6E666A650B0 link=1239458096/4#4 date=1239495847
            This is an absolute maximum for a Silvia IMO...

            IMO??

            Thanks guys feel a lot better, dont often do more than 4 lattes etc.

            with cooling the group, if i put it under cold water, would that work ok?? then pull 2 more shots, refil boiler and steam milk for last 2 drink- making a total of 6 coffees?? does that work

            As far at refilling boiler- you do that through runing hot water through the steam wand??

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            • #7
              Re: just got a Silvia

              Running water through the wand will recharge the boiler, run it until the steam stops and you get a flow of water.
              Cooling the group--the portafilter is what you lock into the group, you have to wait for the group to cool down as it is a solid mass of metal!!

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              • #8
                Re: just got a Silvia

                Originally posted by 4D584F4F44474B442A0 link=1239458096/6#6 date=1239509354
                Cooling the group--the portafilter is what you lock into the group, you have to wait for the group to cool down as it is a solid mass of metal!!
                does this have to be done with waiting for it to cool down (takes time) or can I put the group under some cold water to cool it own faster??

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                • #9
                  Re: just got a Silvia

                  Originally posted by 36363638343D3D3E3E5B0 link=1239458096/7#7 date=1239541364
                  does this have to be done with waiting for it to cool down (takes time) or can I put the group under some cold water to cool it own faster??
                  Gday mmmc ......

                  I think youre confusing some of the terminology there mate... The Group is that part of the machine into which you lock the Portafilter. The Portafilter is the thing with the Coffee Basket in it and a handle on the other end that you as the Home Barista hang on to. I imagine it is this, that you are referring to above and yes, you could put it under the tap to cool things down more quickly but it isnt really necessary and I wouldnt personally do this.

                  The fresh cold water coming into the Boiler will be enough to start cooling things down enough, if you allow the Steam Valve to stay open (with the Hot Water Switch turned On) until such time as you observe a solid stream of water exiting the Wand; then immediately close the valve and turn the Hot Water Switch Off. Just wait for a minute or two and you will notice the Boiler Element On/Off cycle starting to fall off which means youre getting close to the correct Brew Water temperature again.

                  The ratio of the water volume inside the Boiler to the thermal output rating of the Heating Element is very lopsided in favour of the Element with this style of machine so it wont take long to recover. The main thing to remember with any Dual Purpose Single Boiler machine, is to never try to turn it into something that it is not. As Chris says above, the small boiler volume dictates the number of cups you can texture milk for at one go.

                  4 Cappas would be right on the limit whereas 4-6 standard small tulip cups should be do-able (as per the link I included above). Youve got to make absolutely sure that you re-prime the Boiler after every texture session; failure to do so will run the risk of burning out the heating element and then you will not only be stuck with an expensive repair bill but no decent coffee for as long as it takes to get it fixed... Not for this little black duck I can assure you

                  Mal.

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                  • #10
                    Re: just got a Silvia

                    Thanks Mal yeah got the terms confuse!! :-X

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                    • #11
                      Re: just got a Silvia

                      So Mal do I have the order right.
                      1. Prime boiler with through hot water spout.
                      2. Pull coffee shot
                      3. Steam and texture milk
                      4. Prime boiler with water through hot water spout again and clean stan nossel.
                      5. Clean machine
                      6. Enjoy the fruits of ones labor!!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: just got a Silvia

                        Originally posted by 6060606E626B6B68680D0 link=1239458096/10#10 date=1239557250
                        So Mal do I have the order right.
                        1. Prime boiler with through hot water spout.
                        2. Pull coffee shot
                        3. Steam and texture milk
                        4. Prime boiler with water through hot water spout again and clean stan nossel.
                        5. Clean machine
                        6. Enjoy the fruits of ones labor!!
                        Well,

                        Its all laid out about as clear as you can make it right here.... http://www.coffeeco.com.au/articles/challenge.html Id suggest reading through this or maybe even printing it out for use as a reference until your confidence grows to the point where it all becomes second nature.

                        The main thing to remember is, that at the end of every coffee making session, be it for one or 6 coffees, always flush out the Steam Wand into the Drip Tray or an empty jug using the Hot Water Switch, NOT the Steam Switch. Once you observe a solid stream of water exiting the Steam Wand, turn the Hot Water Switch OFF and CLOSE the Steam Valve. Turn Silvias Power Switch OFF and also the power switch at the Wall Socket. She is now ready, primed and available for the next session.... when ever that might be.

                        Nothing complicated about it really, just logical if you sit down and think about it. All the best and Happy Brewing

                        Mal.

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                        • #13
                          Re: just got a Silvia

                          mal as usual great advice and muchly appreciated!! Obviously haven had a Silvia before and just gettingused to its little differences

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                          • #14
                            Re: just got a Silvia

                            Hi mmmc, if you follow Mals advice above you will soon get into a routine and it will all become second nature. I always used a small container to flush into as the drip tray fills up rather rapidly and tends to overflow and make a mess, as a precaution I purchased a plastic serving tray and sat Silvia in this, then when I let the drip tray flow over the serving tray caught the liquid before it flooded my counter tops. Enjoy your new machine and may all of your shots be sweet ones!

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