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Yes but I would call it a *removable* rather than a "screw in" element.
If the element fails, the service provider still has to remove and dismantle the boiler to replace the element.
ie, it doesnt go in from the outside as with commercial machines...still has to be removed & refitted from the inside, so boiler out and split.
Also the thread at top of the element is not for "screwing in" as it were. The element fits through an appropriately shaped hole in the top of the boiler (from the inside), and the thread that subsequently pokes through is that which the lock nut screws down on to secure the new element in place.
Hope that helps.
Last edited by TOK; 18 January 2014, 01:53 PM.
Reason: more correct
what they really need is to put a PID in to stabilise the temperature, but then, that will put the price up and so....
The fact is Smokey, the vast majority of people that buy a Silvia are able to use it very successfully without the aid of a PID, I'm sure if there was overwhelming consumer demand for a PID'd Silvia Rancillio would respond, this is obviously not the case.
As I've said many times in the past, save your money, learn to use the machine in its standard form, it ain't a difficult task, seems the weak link in the chain is not the machine but the inability of a few operators/geeks to operate the machine successfully without the aid of training wheels.
The fact is Smokey, the vast majority of people that buy a Silvia are able to use it very successfully without the aid of a PID, I'm sure if there was overwhelming consumer demand for a PID'd Silvia Rancillio would respond, this is obviously not the case.
As I've said many times in the past, save your money, learn to use the machine in its standard form, it ain't a difficult task, seems the weak link in the chain is not the machine but the inability of a few operators/geeks to operate the machine successfully without the aid of training wheels.
Whilst that is all true, the machine is so much more enjoyable to use with a PID installed. Without having to worry about the temp, mroe time can be spent learning to dose and tamp properly
Without having to worry about the temp, mroe time can be spent learning to dose and tamp properly
How much time do you need to learn to establish the correct dose and tamp for a new machine? given the machine is operating as it should, I would suggest that if you don't have it pretty well worked out within a week you're always going to struggle, similar with temp surfing.
Due out end of January. Main difference from V3 appears to be a screw in boiler element (not welded).
It would have been more useful if they had improved the over temperature/boiler level protection such that it didnt eat its element if it runs low on water !
As I've said many times in the past, save your money, learn to use the machine in its standard form, it ain't a difficult task, seems the weak link in the chain is not the machine but the inability of a few operators/geeks to operate the machine successfully without the aid of training wheels.
Said it more than enough times I'd say, instead of installing training wheels you just sold the bike
It would have been more useful if they had improved the over temperature/boiler level protection such that it didnt eat its element if it runs low on water !
Yeh, that's the one I don't get. My (quite intelligent and practical) mate fried his first one when he carefully misinterpreted some instructions relating to priming the boiler (he read 'before first use' as meaning.....'the first time you use the machine after opening the box'). He's had great use out of the replacement over the past few years though.
The Silvia is a great machine, no question, but it is easily improved with a a PID for temp stabilisation, a swing of 30 deg C is simply a cost saving, not training wheels
Learning to temp surf is great training but I enjoy my Silvia with its PID more than previously, its simply a matter of opinion apparently by the tone of this thread.
Single boiler machines whilst cheaper are probably better pitched at experienced users, not beginners. I think we need to be mindful that it's a machine made to a price point and the majority of EU users probably don't use the steam at all. Misuse sells boilers and that's a good thing for Rancilio's bottom line.
We could all argue that what they should do is build it with a larger boiler and make it a HX machine as well- but you don't get that for $700.
Many beginners look only to buy the cheapest box they can find and as a result, most miss out on the education they should receive to assist them in making the correct decision. They receive what they pay for I guess.
We then sell them the machine they really needed 6 months later....
Yep, and as long as people keep peddling misinformation I'll keep saying it
It's not misinformation if it's an opinion and you keep acting as though those who choose not to deal with it are of inferior skill (pretty darn ironic, considering how upset you get the moment someone mentions a VST basket)
Here's a fact: practising temperature-surfing makes you good at temperature-surfing. If there is one single other skill it trains that cannot be trained to equal or greater effectiveness on a machine with high temperature stability and user-selectable temperature, I'm (sincerely) listening.
This from Fresh_Coffee in Dec 2010, the underlying message if you have a dripping/leaking steam wand fix it, thats where the water disappears to.
"Re: Rancilio Silvia warranty repair denied
And to clarify atleast from my own experience.
The Silvia is one of the most indestructible / *reliable domestic machines out there. See two posts up......first repair in 9 years.
There are 3 common things that crop up from time to time, and virtually nothing in warranty.
a) new owners do occasonally blow elements. *They are virtually never warrantable because the operator has allowed the boiler to run low on water. Sometimes this is the problem with buying a "box" instead of paying extra and getting a lesson. It does state in the destructions about proper management and care, and in my own instance we also insert a comprehensive appendix that further reinforces proper management. There is however no subsitute for a face to face explanation.
b) leaking steam pipes. Already covered above in most cases caused by overtightening the knob. Again, seldom warrantable do to it being an operational issue.
c) Coffee blowing over the group seal....usually always caused by updosing. You guessed it, not warrantable duw to operator issue.
I will repeat, we virtually never see warranty issues in Silvia and I will add, *Rocky.
If that isnt an indication of something that is well built and relaible, I dont know what is?
Individual service providers are just that...individual....service providers. Some are nice and some arent!
Despite academic discussion above, Ive never struck anyone in Consumer Affairs that would side with a client wanting to claim any sort of "warranty" stautory or otherwise once an appliance is way out of its official period of guarantee, and they have checked all details with the vendor first. Reputable vendors will help their clients and weigh up whether the client is deserving of help after the period of guarantee has ended...on individual basis. *Clients that jump up and down when they are clearly in the wrong, and treat their retailer like a punching bag in trying to get their way, get their warrantees taken to the letter of the law. They happen from time to time, and nobody will help someone that behaves like an a/hole with employees that are genuinely trying to help them or atleast explain the situation that the repair cannot be done under guarantee. Consumer affairs listens to both sides of the story if and when a problem goes that far that it gets to them, but usually a reputable repairer has it sorted out one way or the other long beforehand.
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