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Silvia - not sure about buying one.

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  • benandfaith
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Two quick tips:
    1) Brew the coffee at the same point in the boiler cycle every time to reduce 1 variable. For me I did it this way: boiler light off (i,e, brew ready - element is off, but temperature continues to rise by about 10degrees!) - open steam wand up for 3-4 secs to bring temps back down to a good brewing temp for me (I was gronked for awhile, so got to see the temps for myself). Lock in PF and brew!
    2) Start steaming milk about 40secs after flicking steam switch. Temps reach about 130+ degrees, so good steam already, element remains on to maintain steam power. If light goes out, it runs out of puff especially for steaming >250ml milk (milk for 2 caps)
    Hope that helps...

    Leave a comment:


  • Chemistry1234
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    My Silvia arrived today. I now understand why they call it "Miss Silvia"!!

    The coffee is great but I can see that it will be a steep learning curve. If anyone has any tips I would love to hear them.

    Leave a comment:


  • KJM
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Originally posted by 7C76777B6E721A0 link=1296983859/22#22 date=1297462335
    Do any of our sponsors offer a kit for installing a bar pressure gauge to the Silvia.  I know of overseas suppliers but the freight price is a killer. ;D
    Not sure what a pressure gauge would show - the OPV valve will ensure it goes from zip to 9 (or whatever your OPV is set to..) and just sit there..

    I put a gauge on the bottom of a PF to check and set my OPV. Regrettably, I dont have it anymore - someone borrowed and hasnt returned >

    Making one is a snap - I picked up a gauge for under $20 including an adaptor to 3/8BSP which is the thread on the bottom of the PF if that helps. The downside is that the gauge is upside down, but I can cope with that

    Originally posted by 59727F7773696E68632B28292E1A0 link=1296983859/10#10 date=1297337505
    I can t afford a Silvia with a PID or a course. So things will be trickier for me. But it sounds like its a good machine
    The Silvia is a fine piece of kit. Mine has a PID, both my brother and sister have Silvias and theirs dont have a PID. Using mine is easier. If you just do one shot (or a double), then a simple temperature probe works well (check out "gronking" ;D ). But they have neither, and I can make a darn good shot with either of those machines. But as all have said above - junk the Silvia baskets and get Synessos or La Marzoccos. (I got mine from Greg Pullman, but pretty much anyone can supply).

    Cheers
    /Kevin

    Leave a comment:


  • philipmach
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    I moved to a Silvia from a low-end machine and it was all good except at one point the boiler element burned out. You need to be careful to be sure theres water in the boiler before it heats up and I do that by running water through the steamer wand each time I switch it on. My dealer was kind enough to throw in a pair of commercial-style baskets as part of a bundle (and also good enough to extend the warranty to cover the burn out).

    Otherwise, as the others say, any variation will depend on how you make your coffee. This machine should be able to make coffee as good as any other, with a little more attention to detail than an top-end device. I would only consider a step up (for my personal needs: others differ) if I needed to do higher volumes and the single boiler became an issue.

    Leave a comment:


  • flmath
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Do any of our sponsors offer a kit for installing a bar pressure gauge to the Silvia. I know of overseas suppliers but the freight price is a killer. ;D

    Leave a comment:


  • mmmcoffee
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Good to hear you persisted with checking out Silvias. As has been stated there is no better bang for buck. I have had mine now for 2 years and has never missed a beat. YouTube Temp surfing, work on tamping, fresh beans freshly ground and you will get some amazing coffees out of her. look after her and she will look after you!

    remember finer grind and firmer tamp will generally mean stronger shot.

    I wouldnt swap mine for anything.... well anything under $2000 Im open to offers ;D

    Leave a comment:


  • steiny555
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Originally posted by 59706271747B7B7C70150 link=1296983859/15#15 date=1297400030
    Does anyone know where the Silvia can be bought (and preferrable seen in person) in Brisbane?
    Hi Lewdannie,
    Brisbane site sponsor Barazi at Coopers Plains stock and sell the Silvia and Rocky (as well as the beautiful Bezzeras!) and will provide training on how to use and look after your new equipment (and service it as well when needed).

    You can see their website at www.coffeecentre.com.au. Hope this helps. Good luck.

    Paul

    Leave a comment:


  • Dennis
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Originally posted by 4855515D4F540B0B0B3C0 link=1296983859/17#17 date=1297403957
    made one for the missus as well. She loved it! Best ever was her comment. I think I have the right grind!
    I think you have the right wife.

    Leave a comment:


  • brett230873
    Guest replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Originally posted by 435E5A56445F000000370 link=1296983859/17#17 date=1297403957
    Made a coffe at lunch today, and the ultimate test - made one for the missus as well. She loved it! Best ever was her comment. I think I have the right grind!  ;D
    Fantastic! Keep her clean, remember after steaming to run water through the group or steam wand (refill the boiler to protect the element) and shell bring you many years of great service! Enjoy

    Leave a comment:


  • timash777
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Made a coffe at lunch today, and the ultimate test - made one for the missus as well. She loved it! Best ever was her comment. I think I have the right grind! ;D

    Leave a comment:


  • Chemistry1234
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Update: I was fortunate to find someone who has a Silvia in my location. So I took some beans and made some coffee.

    Low and behold, it was strong, it was rich, and it was GOOD.

    No PID, or anything fancy, just a great machine. Here comes the Silvia

    Leave a comment:


  • Lewdannie
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Does anyone know where the Silvia can be bought (and preferrable seen in person) in Brisbane?

    Leave a comment:


  • Pavoniboy
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Change only one variable at a time, rather than only change grind. If grind was the only factor it would be much easier to be a great barista.

    Leave a comment:


  • brett230873
    Guest replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    Originally posted by 372A2E22302B747474430 link=1296983859/12#12 date=1297379524
    I just got a new Silvia yesterday. I had a Breville Cafe Rome before that, and I have been using that for about six years! Not complaining though! I have made thousands of coffees with it and know it VERY well, and not trying to blow my own trumpet here but it can make a coffee equal to or better than a good cafe - a $150 machine!
    I thought it was time to step it up a little so I bought a Silvia and Rocky (I have ordered a Synesso basket and PID kit) and spent hours trying to get the grind right so the shot times are right.
    I havent been able to get a shot as good as I can get from the Breville machine yet, but practice makes perfect! A boiler machine is a lot more finicky than a thermoblock machine, but Im sure I will grow to love it.
    First impressions? Love the look of the machine, great build quality, and great steam!!! Getting the PID will improve shot consistency and the deeper PF will hopefully improve flavour richness over the standard rancilio basket - which isnt bad by all means.

    cheers!
    Tim
    I would grind really fine (enough to choke the machine) and work backwards. Remember, the only thing you should change is the grind (tamp dose and shot time should remain consistent). Every new machine has a new set of idiosyncracies and foibles to learn. Good luck, she is a fine mistress!

    Leave a comment:


  • timash777
    replied
    Re: Silvia - not sure about buying one.

    I just got a new Silvia yesterday. I had a Breville Cafe Rome before that, and I have been using that for about six years! Not complaining though! I have made thousands of coffees with it and know it VERY well, and not trying to blow my own trumpet here but it can make a coffee equal to or better than a good cafe - a $150 machine!
    I thought it was time to step it up a little so I bought a Silvia and Rocky (I have ordered a Synesso basket and PID kit) and spent hours trying to get the grind right so the shot times are right.
    I havent been able to get a shot as good as I can get from the Breville machine yet, but practice makes perfect! A boiler machine is a lot more finicky than a thermoblock machine, but Im sure I will grow to love it.
    First impressions? Love the look of the machine, great build quality, and great steam!!! Getting the PID will improve shot consistency and the deeper PF will hopefully improve flavour richness over the standard rancilio basket - which isnt bad by all means.

    cheers!
    Tim

    Leave a comment:

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