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Rancilio Silvia Mods/Tweaks/Add-on's ...?

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  • #16
    I find two things a little annoying

    1 The steam wand drips and is difficult to stop. I am not sure if it has deteriorated over time and needs cleaning or if that is normal. Perhaps there is a replacement valve that shuts off more successfully.

    2. The PF drips water. I spend time shaking it to remove all the water before filling the basket, but the water just hangs in there until I reach the grinder, or drops out on the floor. It is unbelievable how it manages to stay there while I shake and tap it then drops out in transit.
    I wonder if there is any fix for this.

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    • #17
      Rancilio Silvia Mods/Tweaks/Add-on's ...?

      I have modified my Silvio v3 to incorporate
      -PID and built it into the front, runs all day without issue
      - led lights to see the shot better.
      - insulated the boiler and pipework
      - added a pressure gauge and built it into the front
      - powder coated the frame
      - added dynamat to the inside of all the stainless panels to quiet it down a bit.
      - naked portafilter with synesso basket or VST.

      ...... And the steam wand still drips

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      • #18
        Oh and the flat shower screen mod

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        • #19
          How about that plastic surround with the chrome coating that peels off. I re-sprayed mine but a nice chrome metal piece would be good.

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          • #20
            So just wanted to add my 2cents... I recently bought a 18g VST basket to replace my Rancilio 40-100-102. After pulling a few shots and making adjustments, I can honestly say there is a noticeable difference in the quality of coffee that is being produced! It has gone from good to great!

            May not necessarily be VST magic... but I think investing in a larger capacity basket is a no brainer! Got mine for $30 + post.
            Last edited by Alain; 19 August 2015, 04:45 PM.

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            • #21
              Originally posted by Alain View Post
              So just wanted to add my 2cents... I recently bought a 18g VST basket to replace my Rancilio 40-100-102. After pulling a few shots and making adjustments, I can honestly say there is a noticeable difference in the quality of coffee that is being produced! It has gone from good to great!

              May not necessarily be VST magic... but I think investing in a larger capacity basket is a no brainer! Got mine for $30 + post.
              IMO.

              The larger baskets are much more forgiving of operator sub-optimal technique or bean quality.

              I have 3 double-baskets that I use to make double espresso/double ristretto shots - the standard Silvia double (14-17 gram range), the Synesso double (18-21 gram range) and Sylvia naked portafilter double (23-26 grams, i.e. its a triple basket).
              The hardest double shot to get right is using the smallest basket.
              I read somewhere a long time ago that a single espresso shot using a single basket (7-9 grams) is harder to get right than a double shot, for same reasons, there is nowhere to hide.
              The smaller the basket the less room for error exits for the operator to screw up. I dont make single shots so I dont know how true it may be but I reckon likely to be right on the money.
              After >10 years of making double espresso (last 5 on Sylvia and 6 years before that on a Gaggia Classic), I can honestly say that I can now finally make a great double espresso/ristretto using the smallest Sylvia double basket.
              At home we have the luxury of pre-weghing the beans before we grind them, making one double-shot at a time, using naked portafilter and using stop-watch to time the extractions.
              I consider these as mandatory steps to be able to make very good single/double/triple espresso/ristretto.
              (plus also add temp surfing and matching good grinder to the machine).
              If you do all of these on Sylvia - you wont need the PID to make very good espresso/ristretto.

              PS I have no comments/suggestions/opinions re milk steaming, never have and never will. Either you like the espresso coffee or you dont. LOL. 8^)

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              • #22
                Anyone know where to get a PID that sits internally and the screen is flush with fascia?

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                • #23
                  You could cut the fascia like this install cutting front panel for pressure gauge for miss Rancilio Silvia fitting internal PID controller

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