Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
I will add yet another voice in support of Gronks thermometer system. It is simple, accurate, and inexpensive.
A PID adds another dimension, that is the ability to control the temperature, rather than only observe it.
But compared to temperature surfing with a stopwatch, the thermometer wins hands down.
Jim
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
PID is the way to go but one can only do what one can afford at the time, monitoring boiler temp with a t/c will give good enough consistency to allow you to focus on other aspects. If a PID is fitted at a later date the t/c can be stuck on the group to monitor the warm up and cool down cycle so it wont go to waste.
Enjoy your Silvia
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
Thanks All, My printer certainly got a work out today copying all the info so I can read them again .Just when I thought PID was the way to go the gronk appears to complicate matters. Its all good fun.
Cheers
Carloz
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
Bullitt,
I would have to agree with you. That is what I currently do. Its another use for the Coffesnobs Temperature data logger/multimeter ;D Using the old foam cup/thermocouple technique I found out the approx. temp that the meter needs to be reading in order to get the right brew temp. By no means exact of course, but I still find it much better than watching the light go on and off. If the light is off, just switch on the steam switch for a while, let the temp rise above the optimum level then let it cool down to the right temp and pull the shot. Works well for me. The meter also is very good for judging the best time for the steam. Note at what temp the light goes off when the steam switch is on. Mines around 140. So bleed the wand around 120, then when it reaches about 135, I start steaming. This keeps the steam going without the thermostat cutting out and the steam supply dwindling until it cuts back in. Nothing new I know, but it really does work well.
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
Hi Carloz,
I found initially that the easiest method was to attach a thermocouple to the top of the boiler and monitor boiler temp with a digital multimeter, this technique is covered in some detail under the Gronk thread as noted above. The cost is a lot less than a PID, but it does work, cos that is how a PID controller gets its temperature, and is relatively simple.
If boiler was a bit hot, flush it briefly (soon get a feel for it with some practice), if boiler was a bit cool, hit the steam switch briefly to heat it.
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
Thanks for you tip Jon, I think you could very well be right. I might have over complicated what should be a reasonably simple in essence. I will see how I go having that in mind over the next few pours.
Cheers
Carloz
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
I tend to agree with you Brett, after using a Silvia for a few years it all becomes pretty easy, good shots were the norm, like you say let it warm up, and as far as being too hot, you pick it instinctively after a while and run some water through the group too cool things down a little.Originally posted by 5D4D5A4B4B0D0C0F07080C3F0 link=1259100626/13#13 date=1259187337I actually found that with Silvia if I pulled 60ml into a cup to warm it while I ground the beans, then that would produce a great shot just as consistently as when I went to the trouble of Temp Surfing (which I became lazy about and gave up). I just wasnt seeing a huge difference in the shot (which I thought was fabulous) irrespective of the technique. So the mantra keep it simple became the solution. Just ensure that 30 minutes warm up. I loved my Silvia and only traded up to a HX to live the dream!
Its a simple well made machine that produces consistently good results.
Ive seen these same questions and answers doing the rounds for the past 8 years, guess we all like to feel weve discovered something new, in point of fact I think the operation of the Silvia has been dissected and mulled over that many time there is very little left to discover.
A Google search for Silvia http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&sour...23657aecaa0d97 will return almost 41000 hits, reckon its a legend in its own time. :
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
Greetings, First a very good point about Keeping it Simple. Thats the general direction Im trying to with by heating all the brass components and ensuring that the Silvia is up to temp before the 30 mins. Congrats on the HX and living the dream. It is all good fun at the end of the day if you dont take it all to seriously.
Cheers
Carloz
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Guest repliedRe: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
I actually found that with Silvia if I pulled 60ml into a cup to warm it while I ground the beans, then that would produce a great shot just as consistently as when I went to the trouble of Temp Surfing (which I became lazy about and gave up). I just wasnt seeing a huge difference in the shot (which I thought was fabulous) irrespective of the technique. So the mantra keep it simple became the solution. Just ensure that 30 minutes warm up. I loved my Silvia and only traded up to a HX to live the dream!
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
In regards to trenskis comments
I think a bitter shot is due to being too hot or over extracted (please correct me if I am wrong and I will edit the misinformation)
I think your quite right and in my case the bitterness it seems is when that boiler gets to hot and I get a very mottled consistency with the pour. I think even with the so called temp surf what Im trying to achieve is to heat all the brass components of the Silvia rather than the long wait.
Cheers
Carloz
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
That would be the thermostat on/off cycle, residual heat pushes the boiler temp up to 120 or more(t/c on top of boiler)Is that at the group or the boiler temp?
Suggest the OP has a read of the Gronk thread at start of section, lots of info in there
I think our 240v machines run hotter, or get hotter quicker, my lovely MLG pidkit needed recalibrating to suit the 240V supply.Im not convinced that the temp surfing you read about on the American sites is as necessary with the 240volt models we have here.
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
CrikeyOriginally posted by 7F7B5D4444415E4946280 link=1259100626/8#8 date=1259148741It is if you want the correct brew temp, massive dead band, my silvia was from 86C low to 109C high!Originally posted by 6D6B7C776D6A7270190 link=1259100626/7#7 date=1259147205Im not convinced that the temp surfing you read about on the American sites is as necessary with the 240volt models we have here.
Is that at the group or the boiler temp?
If at the boiler does the brass around the group moderate the temp at all?
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
Carloz
Two weeks into a PID (after 2 years of standard use), and I must say that being able to see the vast fluctuations in boiler temp that comes from a bit of flushing, it is no surprise that some people struggle to find the right timing/temperature.
On the other hand, with the PID, Silvia is so much more relaxing to use. Knowing the machine is at the right temp, you can just get on with the grind/dose/tamp, lock it in and pour the shot - no need to think about where in the boiler cycle the machine is at. And seeing the brew light come back on during the pour, shows that it was probably getting too cool previously.
Now with the PID set at 108°, I wouldnt be surprised if most of my previous pours were in the high 90s as a rule. No measure of consistency, something we all know as being so important.
So whether you PID or Gronk - being able to see the temp is a great benefit if you want to know what is going on, and improve the level of control you have.
That leads on to a plug for Jim - great kit. As an electrician, I was most impressed with the standard and finish of his cabling and the ease of installation of the SD3C. It just all went together and was up and working in no time.
I bet the next two years of enjoyment go just as quick.
Thats probably why Ive got so few posts, too busy just enjoying the brew !
Good luck on your journey, just enjoy...
Fraser
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
It is if you want the correct brew temp, massive dead band, my silvia was from 86C low to 109C high!Originally posted by 6D6B7C776D6A7270190 link=1259100626/7#7 date=1259147205Im not convinced that the temp surfing you read about on the American sites is as necessary with the 240volt models we have here.
correct, and sour too cold......Originally posted by 6D6B7C776D6A7270190 link=1259100626/7#7 date=1259147205I think a bitter shot is due to being too hot
How good are they!Originally posted by 6D6B7C776D6A7270190 link=1259100626/7#7 date=1259147205GPP Cool
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Re: In need of some Rancilio Silvia Tips
I bought a Lucy 6 years ago and never temp surfed it. The Lucy doesnt have a light that comes on like the Silvia does for some reason.
Im not convinced that the temp surfing you read about on the American sites is as necessary with the 240volt models we have here.
I think a bitter shot is due to being too hot or over extracted (please correct me if I am wrong and I will edit the misinformation).
I always ran water through the group and group handle into a cup to warm everything up, grind tamp and then pour. Worked for me
I follow the same routine with the new GPP 8-)
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