Just ordered my new Silvia... what next?

[MrSnrub]

Yelta, I think I'm benefiting from some unusually low pricing. Like you, I think it's probably just above their cost price and isn't really sustainable. Hopefully it doesn't affect other people's resale values too much. I can't see them keeping the price that low for long.

Do you roast at home? I must admit, I took a look at some roasters and green beans here on CS and was quite tempted! Does it cost much to get set up with a roaster? How about the cost of green beans compared to already roasted? It's probably worth it just for the smell of roasting coffee beans all through your home!

[Yelta]

I have actually thought about roasting at home. I imagine the smell would be awesome, but I'll probably try to master my Silvia first and then buy a roaster some time down the track.

Good Idea Mr Snub, one thing at a time.

Once you've mastered the Silvia, consider roasting, it's well worth the small amount of effort involved.

[blend52]

Don't know that temperature surfing is altogether a "guessing game"...
....The brass boiler of the Silvia doesn't cool quick enough to introduce large temp differences...
.

Using a decent digital probe attached next to the working thermostat on a Silvia will show that the temperature can be any where in the range of 85 C to 118C,..and whilst you can "estimate" the actual temp at any given time in the cycle, you will be lucky to get within 5 C of repeatability.
Why bother "estimating" when for $20 you can see what temp to start brewing.
The brass group will help stabilize the brew temp somewhat, but a few deg C can be the difference between a great shot and a "bitter disappointment".

[TC]

Yelta, before purchasing my machine I contacted all the site sponsors in my area, none of whom were able to match the price I received. I would have been much happier to purchase from a site sponsor and support them, but not at the premium of a mean increase in price of $250.

You did well MrSnrub,

FWIW, they're actually selling at over $100 under the last wholesale price I was quoted and I suspect that even sponsor importers would find it impossible to match the price. I suspect it may well be landed import + $20 or something similar.

It might be that the importer concerned is doing this to settle some political score... Maybe they just want to flog their browns with them...Who knows!

On the negative, as well as affecting the sponsors who sell them, it affects owners too as its kills resale prices for those who have previously purchased one at a fair price.

Nevertheless it's a bargain and in my opinion, unsustainable. If I was in the market for a Silvia, I'd be making hay etc..

Happy shots. They're a terrific little learner machine.

[MrSnrub]

Yelta, before purchasing my machine I contacted all the site sponsors in my area, none of whom were able to match the price I received. I would have been much happier to purchase from a site sponsor and support them, but not at the premium of a mean increase in price of $250.

In relation to servicing, as CafeLotta mentioned, the retailer I purchased from has a retail outlet near me and offers after-sales advice, repair and service. To their credit, I also received offers from some site sponsors to keep them in mind if/when I need service/repair. After all, this is another avenue for them to bring in business, regardless of where the machine was purchased. So it seems as though it's worked out nicely in the end.

Anyway, back on track... Thanks for all the advice so far everyone. Hopefully my machine arrives tomorrow and I'll be on a massive caffeine rush!

CafeLotta, I'll be priming so much, I might change my username to Optimus!

Regarding beans, I never buy from a supermarket. I tend to only purchase from roasters that clearly mark the roast date on their bags. Recently, I've tried Bay Coffee, Pablo & Rusty's and some beans from a roaster in Orange whose name I can't remember.

I have actually thought about roasting at home. I imagine the smell would be awesome, but I'll probably try to master my Silvia first and then buy a roaster some time down the track.

[sidewayss]

Good fresh roasted coffee beans are a must. It's the same as for cooking as it is a food ingredient.

Quality machinery and technique will not cut it if you start off with stale coffee beans. Get a head start with good beans.

What beans will you be using? And have you considered home roasting?

Enjoy the new machinery. Fun times ahead and great coffee. If you need any help, drop us another line along the way.

[CafeLotta]

100% agree, but knowing that the essential technique is "temperature surfing" ,.. which is really a guessing game on a standard m/c.... $20 invested in a digital Temp probe, will simplify that process, and even $50 for a basic PID is not really a big spend to properly control and see the temp.
However, $200 + for a "full" PID set up is too much for little extra benefit .

Don't know that temperature surfing is altogether a "guessing game". Obviously not as precise as a PID but brings some degree of consistency to brew temps. Run water through in small bursts until the heating light comes on and heating commences. When the Silvia's 100deg brew thermostat stops the heating process and the light goes out, let 30 secs elapse and hit the brew button. Vary time to suit the bean and your taste. The brass boiler of the Silvia doesn't cool quick enough to introduce large temp differences although ambient temp extremes probably have some effect. In general, you can learn to work around this.

I really wonder how many people have a palate than can identify small variations in brew temp rather than relying on their eyes telling them that no temp variation has occurred by reading a digital display?

[blend52]

.... there is a lot you can learn with the kit suggested without spending heaps more money. I think one of the biggest mistakes a lot of people make is to chase a good brew with cash. You will have a decent machine and with a couple of additions the rest is up to you with practice and technique. Little variations can make a big difference in taste. Perfect a consistent technique and you will be well on your way.

100% agree, but knowing that the essential technique is "temperature surfing" ,.. which is really a guessing game on a standard m/c.... $20 invested in a digital Temp probe, will simplify that process, and even $50 for a basic PID is not really a big spend to properly control and see the temp.
However, $200 + for a "full" PID set up is too much for little extra benefit .

[CafeLotta]

A point that should be mentioned.

The OP has made it very clear that he has purchased from a discount store and bypassed all of our sponsors (as is his right) however when the inevitable happens and operational problems arise (as they will) I wonder how much help the box mover will be? I'm pretty sure none of the sponsors will be falling over themselves to offer advice.

I think most here on CoffeeSnobs will check the sponsors first for their best deals. On occassion there will no doubt be deals that can't be matched. As much as people would love to remain loyal, sometimes deals are just too good to pass up. With certain equipment, paying a bit extra to have access to experienced Sponsor's knowledge base and back-up is well justified.

In this case, the OP's Silvia was from a company which is an established national coffee company with shop fronts in most states as well as online. They offer back-up service after warranty runs out and even if they didn't there are a number of repairers out there as well. Yes they direct import themselves which is why the price is so low but no doubt a tactic to help get people into a higher quality machine so as to help with the sale of their beans.

[Yelta]

There is no harm in advising new owners to get into a good routine to ensure long and efficient service from their Silvia. In fact anyone with a boiler machine would benefit in the long term from this routine also.

I agree.

[CafeLotta]

I owned and used a Silvia daily for many years and never once "primed the boiler" in fact I never heard the subject mentioned until after I sold mine over two years ago, are the newer machines different to the machines made around 2000?

Hi Yelta, your Silvia was obviously treated correctly so you never encountered the issue that others have either through lack of experience, carelessness or forgetfulness.

If you read through the countless threads on the Silvia, it is not uncommon from time to time to read about burnt out elements. This can be caused by damage on initial start-up through not having followed the manual's instructions on priming or by running the boiler dry during use, especially when steaming. A machine left on for prolonged periods could also drain the boiler if it has a leaking 3 way valve, which is out of sight on the Silvia.

As I have mentioned previously, I bought a 2nd hand Silvia that was advertised in mint condition but actually had a damaged heating element that tripped my safety switch 10-20 secs into heating up to steam. A new element fixed the issue but the original owner could have avoided this damage with a bit of care. They lost money on the sale unneccessarily. If you get into the habit of priming on start-up every day and straight after steaming, you can possibly avoid an expensive repair down the track.

There is no harm in advising new owners to get into a good routine to ensure long and efficient service from their Silvia. In fact anyone with a boiler machine would benefit in the long term from this routine also.

[Yelta]

A point that should be mentioned.

The OP has made it very clear that he has purchased from a discount store and bypassed all of our sponsors (as is his right) however when the inevitable happens and operational problems arise (as they will) I wonder how much help the box mover will be? I'm pretty sure none of the sponsors will be falling over themselves to offer advice.

[sawpitcreek]

What bing lee store ? I want $160 smart grinder also. Mitchell

[steiny555]

Hi MrSnrub,

Sounds like a great deal you've managed to score on both the Silvia and the Smart Grinder! Should both serve you well, and with a bit of practice and perseverance give you much better coffee than what you've had with the DeLonghi auto.

Just one more point that I haven't noticed bought up yet (apologies if it has or you are aware), is that you should always use good quality, freshly roasted beans for the Silvia. Some users new to the Silvia use cheap supermarket beans (read STALE) to practice on to get their technique right, but this is probably false economy as fresh beans will behave in quite a different way particularly with your grinder settings. A 'gusher' pour on stale beans at a certain grinder setting may be enough to 'choke' the machine using fresh beans.

Good luck with the new machine,

Paul

[Yelta]

Last comment is don't forget to PRIME, PRIME, PRIME the boiler!

I owned and used a Silvia daily for many years and never once "primed the boiler" in fact I never heard the subject mentioned until after I sold mine over two years ago, are the newer machines different to the machines made around 2000?