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Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

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  • #31
    Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

    Ah, of course, that is the safest option. I dont like doing that as I dont have a car, and dont want to be walking around with a hopper! ;D

    Comment


    • #32
      Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

      Tashie, I’m sorry to say that, I couldn’t find a spanner thin enough to fit to the nut (gap).  So I couldnt adjust the OPV and tell you the result, (went to Super cheap auto / Bunnings.. no luck).

      Anyway, I’ve found a solution to my problem (temporary) / and yours (did about 5-6 test shots today since I was pissed I couldn’t adjust the OPV ).  The bitterness you’re getting is most likely caused by over extraction.  This may sound stupid but, you need to pack more coffee into your PF.  Pack that sucker into the basket, but make sure you have enough room between the PF and the group head, otherwise the group head will disturb the grinds… And don’t tamp toooo hard, otherwise, the coffee will not come out!

      As soon as you can see coffee color change to light brown, STOP!  Otherwise, you’ll be over extracting, doesn’t matter if its not 25 seconds or 60 ml yet… stop when the color change, otherwise you’ll taste the bitterness.  One more thing to monitor is the brew temperature!  After the brew switch goes off (temp surf), wait about 3 minutes before brewing (Thanks to vicroamer for this tip).  Wait to long and the brew temp will be too low and you’ll get a sour taste.  Do it too soon, it will be too hot, and you’ll get the burnt coffee taste – bitter!  Good luck.

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      • #33
        Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

        hmm, i thought it was 30 seconds after the light goes off... hmmmph.

        i called the retailer to ask about the warranty and she was surprisinglyhelpful given that I bought the machine second-hand and its not really her problem since its clearly working - she told me to bring it in on Monday, so I will and will report back then. Will recommend becoming a sponsor on CS too lol.

        Greg: Am working on the 5cent piece tip - thanks a lot. Love the videos. Am so very envious that my espresso does not drip out like liquid gold.

        Have gone back to using CafeRoma for espresso and using Silvia to steam milk. LOVE the milk though, so easy and takes much less time than Cafe Roma.

        Will maybe try to upload a video or something and perhaps can diagnose from there. Will probably have to invest in a class if the retailer cant diagnose the probem.

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        • #34
          Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

          Sad to report I have miles to go yet.

          Went to retailer today and she reckons it was my beans (im not 100% convinced.) She backflushed and then pulled a couple of shots but Im not convinced she knew how to get the best out of the machine - shot went for a good 10 seconds after it started blonding, obvious channeling in the puck, etc.

          I think the problem may be that I am jsut expecting too much. What should espresso from this machine taste like - a tinge of bitterness? none at all?

          I am getting some nice crema and viscosity but it still tastes bitter. Maybe I have an extremely sweet tooth... Went to La Cimbali which was recommended by Luca for the nice sweetness in its shots but wasnt AT ALL sweet to me and my Silvia shots dont taste too far off from that actually. Its just that the shots Ive watched on YouTube and such actually look like honey and I imagined that theyd taste like they looked, but maybe I have no idea what to expect is the real problem.

          Any thoughts?

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          • #35
            Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

            Can you try measuring the OPV of your machine using this method?

            http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1143622054

            As Ive mentioned before, my machine suffers from too much pressure, and Im getting bitter taste like youve described.. Ive managed to temporary solved this by using the Synesso backet, and pack more coffee into the basket... I can now get the 25 seconds shot without over extracting....  I think you should invest $20-$30 for this basket, it should improve your coffee taste...   - you dont have to buy the tamper  :

            PS.  If you want sweet coffee, add sugar :P

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            • #36
              Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

              Originally posted by 564244445E52554250505656370 link=1243509448/34#34 date=1243846350
              - you dont have to buy the tamper
              If youre not using the plastic one that is. :P

              Comment


              • #37
                Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

                Hi Tashie - I have the same set up and had the same probs till a couple of weeks ago, I bought Barista Techniques by John Doyle - most of the sponsors over <- have them and it all kinda clicked. Stay with it - its well worth it when you get it right.

                My prob was my grind - I wasnt grinding fine enough. So I bought a 30ml shot glass and kept pulling shots till it was 30ml in 30 sec, adjusting the grind accordingly.

                Good luck!

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                • #38
                  Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

                  Originally posted by 0225232429500 link=1243509448/19#19 date=1243579368
                  Grind at about 6 or 7 and fill the basket to the rim.Level it off with a blade and then tamp with as much pressure as you can muster - a virtual handstandWink
                  When i fill to the rim and tamp, the Pf almost inevitably cannot be locked in so i gave up on filling tothe rim and levelling...

                  Originally posted by 312523233935322537373131500 link=1243509448/34#34 date=1243846350
                  Can you try measuring the OPV of your machine using this method?

                  http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1143622054
                  Hmm, just tried that and i got 45-50ml in 20 secs = 150ml total. Im a nerdy Arts/Law student - i dont understand all these numbers...

                  Originally posted by 333362500 link=1243509448/36#36 date=1243850109
                  My prob was my grind - I wasnt grinding fine enough. So I bought a 30ml shot glass and kept pulling shots till it was 30ml in 30 sec, adjusting the grind accordingly.
                  When I try to get anything close to 30mls in 25 secs its very bitter. Maybe thats just how espresso tastes?!

                  I swear, the instructions for an espresso machine look easy. I look and think, even an idiot could do that. In practice, hmm. much harder than it looks.

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

                    Originally posted by 352032292824410 link=1243509448/37#37 date=1243861550
                    I swear, the instructions for an espresso machine look easy. I look and think, even an idiot could do that. In practice, hmm. much harder than it looks.
                    Tashie - I feel your pain.

                    I picked up a 2008 Silvia this afternoon and have been practising for hours now with wildly variable results.  I thought Id throw a few questions of my own into the mix rather than starting another thread in the hope that we might both be enlightened... Hope this isnt considered a thread hijack in breach of forum etiquette (please accept my apologies if it is - Im new to this kind of thing and dont know any better!)

                    For starters, I have some noob questions about Miss Silvia herself:
                    • First: Is my Silvia deformed?  The water reservoir has two plastic hoses feeding into it, one much shorter than the other which floats near the top of the reservoir when it is full (see picture below).  The manual only shows one hose so Im left wondering - is this normal and what the heck is the second hose for?!
                    • I also read somewhere that it is a good idea to slightly loosen the screw that holds the shower-screen in place to prevent it sticking later on - is this a good idea?
                    • When using hot water/steam, should the wand be open before one flicks the hot water/steam switch? Or does it not matter?
                    • What happens if you flick the brewing, hot water and steam switches simultaneously?  Will Miss Silvia die? Not that I plan on trying it... just being a curious squirrel

                    And now some questions about method:
                    • After much practice I started to have some moderate success with a single 8g filter basket.  When I remove the portafilter the puck initially looks a little wet but then appears to dry out a little.  Is this normal?  Also, if I can see an impression in the puck left by the screw that holds the shower-screen in place, is this a sign off too much coffee in the basket?  
                    • Finally, Ive had no success at all with a double filter basket, despite applying my moderately successful single basket technique (apart from the amount of coffee, obviously!). Should I be doing anything radically different technique-wise to pull a double? Or is it just a question of practice makes perfect?

                    Apologies about the barrage of questions.  I think Im channeling the spirit of the caffeine from the 10 or so shots I consumed since 6pm! Tomorrow is going to be pain...

                    ...Thank you in advance for your help/comments/suggestions.

                    Squirrel.

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

                      Originally posted by 222C2835292233470 link=1243509448/38#38 date=1243868299
                      First: Is my Silvia deformed?The water reservoir has two plastic hoses feeding into it, one much shorter than the other which floats near the top of the reservoir when it is full (see picture below).The manual only shows one hose so Im left wondering - is this normal and what the heck is the second hose for?!
                      The shorter one is for water returned to the reservoir by the OPV(?).

                      Originally posted by 222C2835292233470 link=1243509448/38#38 date=1243868299
                      After much practice I started to have some moderate success with a single 8g filter basket.
                      Most Silvia owners hide the single basket and only use the double.

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

                        Originally posted by 4D43475A464D5C280 link=1243509448/38#38 date=1243868299
                        Hope this isnt considered a thread hijack in breach of forum etiquette (please accept my apologies if it is - Im new to this kind of thing and dont know any better!)
                        Hehe, no problems, now we can collect the best of help in one place. Am hoping to write a comprehensive article for new users as I get better with the Silvia as the manuals are just cr*p.

                        Glad to see you at up at 1am like I was when I got my new toys. Haha. How are your shots going?

                        I have come to the conclusion that espresso is an acquired taste that I havent acquired.

                        On a more positive note, my cappucinos taste awesome.

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                        • #42
                          Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

                          Must admit, I really enjoy a decent espresso (usually a Doppio) made using great beans. Also dont enjoy too much milk in the milk coffee either, preferring a Piccolo ratio rather than a genuine Latte. If one Piccolo isnt enough then I make another one as soon as Ive finished the first ....

                          Really love the brews as they come out of the Syphon though, no milk, no sugar just the sweet nectar by itself but Im not entirely sold on long blacks using an espresso base. But, with the AeroPress as a base, no worries at all.... Makes a great tall black coffee when hot water is added. Amazing how different all of our palates are, eh? Makes life interesting... 8-)

                          Mal.

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                          • #43
                            Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

                            Originally posted by 567B7F737E120 link=1243509448/41#41 date=1243875397
                            Im not entirely sold on long blacks using an espresso base. But, with the AeroPress as a base, no worries at all
                            My wife prefers the Aeropress as well Mal.

                            Any idea why you prefer the one over the other?

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

                              Hi Squirrel,
                              Its a good idea to loosen the shower screen screw to make sure that it can be undone. It only needs to be done up finger tight using a screw driver and the tips of your fingers. ie. till it nips.
                              The steam valve does not need to be open before flicking the hot water switch on as the water will just be recirculated through the short hose back into the reservoir. Its important to make sure you refil the boiler (everytime) after steaming by opening the steam valve and flicking the hot water switch on until a steady stream of water comes out of the steam wand.
                              Ive never used the single Rancilio filter basket but by all accounts its rather useless. Youre doing well if you have had some success with it.
                              Usually its far easier to use the double, although the standard double supplied with Silvia is a 12g basket not the 14g commercial standard.
                              You should see an impression of the centre screw at least.
                              The ideal is a dry puck. Try a slightly higher dose.

                              Have fun and enjoy the trip.
                              Alan

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                              • #45
                                Re: Finally, a Silvia/Rocky. Now, what do I do?

                                Originally posted by 0834293238392E3B33385C0 link=1243509448/42#42 date=1243902570
                                Any idea why you prefer the one over the other?
                                Using an espresso base still tastes OK but when compared to using the AeroPress, the flavour range seems very narrow and very specific to what ever is predominant in the bean. The AeroPress provides a cleaner brew but also seems to open up the flavour spectrum so you have more to appreciate. The Syphon is kind of similar but seems to provide more delineation of the flavours in the brew and usually a bit sweeter too. My young bloke loves em.... 8-)

                                Mal.

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