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Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

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  • mmmcoffee
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Personal choice, the Silvia is better, but Sunbeam is also good. Rocky is far better grinder and would make good pair with 6910.
    If everyone is happy then good choices!!

    Leave a comment:


  • Thundergod
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Originally posted by 3925282938232334202C234D0 link=1243827022/15#15 date=1244094704
    By the way, how do you think it would be if I got the Rocky grinder but the Sunbeam machine? (Just trying to think about ways to save money).
    You should get better coffee because the Rocky is a better grinder.

    The Sunbeam grinder is noisy and messy so the Rocky should be better in those regards as well.

    Leave a comment:


  • thedunnyman
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Hey guys,

    Thanks so much for the help - its been really great!!

    As of now, Ive decided to go with the Sylvia/Rocky package.

    Although the rentals are more keen to save money and go with something like the Sunbeam package.

    And Im thinking it may be good enough anyway because of our lack of drinking of coffee. Also because we havent had much GOOD QUALITY coffee, so I dont even think we could tell the difference between coffee from a Sunbeam combo to the Rancilio combo.

    By the way, how do you think it would be if I got the Rocky grinder but the Sunbeam machine? (Just trying to think about ways to save money).

    Ill keep this posted updated with the decisions we make!!

    Cheers,
    Duncan

    Leave a comment:


  • mmmcoffee
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    it is an adventure one frought with occasional distasters, some victories and hopefully lots of fun and enjoyment!! Becareful it becomes addictive though!! ;D

    Leave a comment:


  • WSullivan
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Owning a silvia/rocky combo is fun, how boring would life be if everything was "easy"!, there is so so so much info on using these machines correctly on this site, so much experience, it is a real challenge, and to quote someone on here recently, if you can use a silvia and produce good shots.....you will feel at home with any other machine!, like trying to ride a bike without training wheels straight up, you may get hurt trying but you will one day ride a bike! lol

    Leave a comment:


  • tashie
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Originally posted by 7B7B7B757970707373160 link=1243827022/11#11 date=1244012073
    The Silvia comes with everything you need to get started and from there you can and should upgrade some parts- the baskets to Synesso baskets, and a decent Tamper- a lot here use the Pullman tampers- exceptional quality and fit.
    Well, youll need a new tamper and a milk frothing jug, both of which are not included. Good tampers dont come cheap...

    Leave a comment:


  • mmmcoffee
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    ditto FD.

    The Silvia & Rocky are great machines!! yes they need some practice but once you have a handle on them, for the $$ IMHO you wont get anywhere near the quality of build, quality of coffee, and longevity.
    These machines will last you a long time if looked after, and will outlast all other cheaper machines.

    The Silvia comes with everything you need to get started and from there you can and should upgrade some parts- the baskets to Synesso baskets, and a decent Tamper- a lot here use the Pullman tampers- exceptional quality and fit.

    Starting with a great espresso machine is important but even more important is to start with a great grinder-as others have said dont skimp on this!!

    If you are after something that is still good (not as good), but is easier to use, and cheaper look at the Sunbeam 6910 and EM 0480 grinder combo. Not as good as the Silvia and Rocky, but still good units.

    Whatever units you get, practice makes perfect. Its about the jouney (enjoy it) and about the destination!!!

    Leave a comment:


  • fringe_dweller
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Originally posted by 3D283A21202C490 link=1243827022/9#9 date=1243851984
    Silvia is a beautiful machine BUT will require the user to put in some time to get good coffee.
    Swap Silvia for any other machine and that comment is still true.

    Its more true to say "making good coffee requires some time and effort".

    Grant

    Leave a comment:


  • tashie
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    In case I came out wrong, what I meant to say was the Silvia is a beautiful machine BUT will require the user to put in some time to get good coffee. You will get consistently average coffee with autos, and home machines i.e. lower end Brevilles and Sunbeams (usually with pressurised baskets) will be much more forgiving to lapses in the baristas technique.

    In any case, if you get a Silvia and find its not for you, youll find that the resale value is fantastic.

    Leave a comment:


  • GregWormald
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    I have had a very similar machine to a Silvia, allied to a Rocky grinder, and it was easily capable of better coffee than most of the cafés I had tried.

    As tashie has said, making good espresso requires some keen attention to a number of very critical areas. Its not hard, its just important that you do everything the same each time, and use high quality ingredients. Finding what "everything the same" actually is, can take a while. If you are willing to learn to do this, then you will beat a fully automatic machine.

    Buy from a sponsor--they are CoffeeSnobs, and will treat you with the respect that your addiction to fine coffee deserves.

    You will need a decent tamper--the ill-fitting ones that come free with most machines are worth what you paid. While I love my Pullman Barista Id be willing to bet that I could get 90% of the result with a plastic version that actually fit the basket--so a major expense here can wait.

    Greg

    Leave a comment:


  • grimsby
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Welcome to CS Duncan.
    And reubsters replies are very well put.
    Take heed.

    Leave a comment:


  • tashie
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    As a fellow (very frustrated) newbie, I just want to put it out there that the Silvia/Rocky might not be for everyone. Although it comes very highly recommended there is a definite and very steep learning curve, especially for newbies. If you and/or your parents arent likely to like fidgeting around with the machine for at least a week, then I just want to put it out there that this might not the machine for you. That said, texturing milk is easy on Silvia (though it will take 30-45 seconds to get good steam going).

    Ive just gone through about 1.5 kilos of beans and still nowhere near satisfied with the quality of coffee im getting (though this is possibly because im a newbie.)

    Myer is convenient, but Im not sure youll get the level of after sales service that youd want from them.

    Leave a comment:


  • reubster
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Originally posted by 65797475647F7F687C707F110 link=1243827022/0#0 date=1243827022
    My parents feel that buying from Myer or similar department stores are better because they are more willing to help solve problems.
    Hmmmm, sounds just like my parents

    My personel experience with these kind of outlets,

    1. They will not be able to give you any helpful advise about making coffee or coffee machines or even ask you what you actually want from your coffee in the first place.

    2. They drink instant coffee [by choice] in their breaks.

    3. When you call them because you machine is making crap coffee, They wont be in a position to offer any helpful advise that  may solve your problem.
    More often than not coffee machine problems relate to process [ie your method] rather than a faulty machine.

    4. Waste your time by requesting you  bring back your machine for repair without them clearly understanding the problem.

    5. Not offer you a replacement machine during the repair process.

    6. Not care / bother or even be able  to correctly describe the actual issue to the repairer

    7. Have very little influence over  the nominated repairer, so turnaround times end up horrendous, and the quality of the work is unchecked.

    8. Return it to you [untested by them] directly from the repairer so you may  still have the same problem.

    9. Suggest you bring it back for repair when you call again with the same problem.

    10. Offer you a like for like replacement machine once you jump up and down and scream that their products and service is lousy.

    11. Suggest you bring the newly replaced  one back for repair when it has the same problem as the first.

    12. Eventually, when you realise they do not carry any experience with or actually stock machines that can produce real coffee, you will demand you money back, but be forced to settle for a store credit voucher.

    So 4 months down the track you will  end up:

    1. Without a machine,
    2. A bitter taste in your mouth from the crap coffee the original machine[s] made.
    3. An even more bitter taste in you mouth left by the the whole sorry process
    4. A voucher to a store that you now hate that also has nothing to purchase you actually want.

    So you  end up giving the voucher to you parents, because they can find some use for it.

    End Rant... >

    Leave a comment:


  • Senator
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Originally posted by 1D425A4C474C4049494A4A424E412F0 link=1243827022/2#2 date=1243831463
    Originally posted by 4A7C77786D766B190 link=1243827022/1#1 date=1243831370
    welcome and good first post, nicely detailed.

    You might want to edit out the links and have a read up on the site posting rules which dont allow you to put links to commercial sites that arent sponsors

    Secondly, good combo choice. You wont find many on here recommending an auto over any combination, let alone one like the sylvia / rocky combo.

    You are spoilt for choice in Melbourne with several sponsors (see over <<<<<<======== thataway) located there. You will always be recommended seeing them as opposed to a dept store, very few people are more passionate about coffee and the coffee industry than the sponsors on here.

    Good Luck

    Sen
    Coffee machine Express are sponsors, Sen

    2mcm

    Thatll teach me for giving it a man look between customers at the shop [smiley=embarassed.gif]

    Leave a comment:


  • reubster
    replied
    Re: Quick questions for a newbie: Rancilio Silvia/Rocky

    Duncan,

    The machines you mention are basically single boiler, so are pretty similar. If you want good to great espresso you dont have much choice but to start with these, so it is not overkill.

    You need to look at boiler size/material and other features like a 3 way valve, standard [58mm] or non standard PFs plus aesthetics, local support etc.
    None of these factors alone are game-breakers, but its the combination of their collective whole that is important.
    Best way is to try one out.

    The Quaha/Nemox family of machines are well regarded but seem to have suffered with poor distributors over the last few years, I dont know if that has been resolved these days.


    Great espresso is about thermal stability and typically you need lots of metal to achieve this....So longer warm up times are required.
    Timer can help, but you can also speed up the warm-up time [eg 15min] by running hot water through the group [blank shot].

    A good grinder is more important than the machine so dont skrimp on it.
    The ones you mentioned are a good starting point though.
    If you were an espresso drinker moreso than a latte drinker I would recommend you get a stepless grinder rather than a stepped grinder.

    Doser vs Doserless....Its is a personal preference, but I think its fair to say there are probably more people who have migrated from doesrless to doser than vice versa.

    No Coffee Snobber would actually use the doser filled all the way up...we just grind what is required for the shot through the doser.

    The doser breaks up the clumps and distributes the grinds into the PF with much less mess than doserless.

    Some people have commented that the rocky doser is not up to the same build quality as the rest of the machine...they do look good in blue though.

    Your cleaning routine should be a water backflush every day or so [you need a 3way valve machine for this] and a chemical backflush every 2-3 weeks...otherwise you will taste bitter coffee.

    Most of use would also wipe around the group, PF and wand following every shot or at least every session.

    The plastic tampers rthat ship with a machine are pretty useless and make it very difficult to get a good shot.
    A quality well fitted metal tamper is required...the size depends on the machine you buy..
    <======Pullman Tamers are very good

    Leave a comment:

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