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Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete Newbie)

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  • Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete Newbie)

    This is my first post, so go easy on me!

    I owe dad a bit of money and hes been thinking of getting himself an espresso machine (hes only ever had the stove-tops), so I figured Id do a two-in-one and buy him the machine (and put it to good use of course ).

    So, I decided to do some research... little did I realise...

    The only espresso weve had at home is from the stove-top, so Im no connoisseur... I dont even insist on a particular coffee place in the Melbourne CBD when Im after a fix...

    From what Ive read (and tried to get my head around) the Rancilio Silvia/Rocky combination is a safe bet

    Being such a newbie;
    1) Should I buy a grinder/machine combo whichll be gentler on the hip-pocket and upgrade from there once we begin to understand and learn whats really involved in making a decent espresso?
    2) Or is the Rocky/Silvia combination a great and enduring platform from which we can learn?
    3) Or am I completely off track?! :-/

  • #2
    Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

    Gday M,

    My quick answers:

    1) Get a platform that can make great espresso. There are a wide range of machines/grinders that cover that over a wide price range. I think if you went elchepo and reach the limits of the machine quickly you will be disappointed.

    2) Yes without a doubt, but Silvia can be a finiky machine and will require some persistence. She and Rocky can deliver superb espresso. See 4

    3) Depends on whether your dad wants an espresso machine. Sounds like you are spending his money for him here

    4) Will your dad be operating it? If so do you need a machine that your dad will find easy to use or is he likely to search for espresso Nirvana as well? Im going out on a limb here but the EM6910 would also be worth a thought as it may not have as steep a learning curve.

    Cheers,

    Matt

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    • #3
      Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

      Dad does want an expresso machine, but hes very money-conscious and will only consider the here and now when it comes to buying an espresso machine. He doesnt know that Im seriously considering buying the Rancilio combo, so Ill be spending my own money. But unlike him, Im willing to invest that bit more to get something which will last and make great espressos

      The machine will be used by the both of us, as well as my sister...she and I are quick learners and arent new to showing dad how to use a new piece of equipment

      Dads always trying new things with his coffee, so Im pretty sure hell be happy tweaking away trying to forge that perfect espresso... if he does get overly frustrated, he can revert to his stove-tops... although Id imagine doing that would compound his frustration and make him go back to the grinder/machine and tweak some more :P


      marco

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      • #4
        Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

        Welcome to Coffee Snobs.

        Im guessing I might be old enough to be around your Dads age so theres a good chance hell enjoy a machine as much as I have since discovering this new world almost a year ago.

        I think you should tell him what your research has led you to.
        Let him make the final decision.
        Im sure hell appreciate the effort youve put in so far.

        He may even want to add some money to what youre paying back and go even better than Miss Silvia or maybe a better grinder than Rocky would be a better long term investment, or both.

        If you both get into it youll have something you can enjoy together and help each other improve on.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

          Thanks Thundergod, but Im fairly certain that hed tell me off for intending to spend this sort of money and settle for his stove-top.

          Im almost convinced that I have to do all this behind his back and then, once hes realised the moneys well spent, hell acknowledge the need for the outlay.

          Because Ill be funding this myself, I dont think I can afford to spend too much more for a better machine/grinder, unless theres enough difference in the end result to justify the extra expense. Also, should I decide to go the Silvia route, I was intent on having it fitted with a PID as one of the CS sponsors are currently offering. Would this be a compromise (of sort) to spending more for a better machine and/or grinder?


          marco

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          • #6
            Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

            Hi Marco,

            The Silvia/Rocky is a great entry combo and will do the job superbly once you learn it...

            Why not come in, see one in the flesh try the coffee and you can make an informed decision

            regards

            Chris

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

              Originally posted by marco link=1182334969/0#4 date=1182341682
              Im almost convinced that I have to do all this behind his back and then, once hes realised the moneys well spent, hell acknowledge the need for the outlay.
              yep. I was into it for almost 6 months before my folks found out when they came over to stay for holidays. My dad was all "what the hell?!?!?" until I made him a coffee. He took like 5 minutes to convert. Went through a lot of coffee that month.

              Try out a few machines. The other single boiler machines are good too and may prove a little less finiky.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New


                I got the best possible combination for myself - a Sunbeam EM6910 espresso machine and a Rocky grinder.

                Why not a Sylvia?

                Easy answer - I tend to have lots of dinner guests and so I need to be able to repeatedly make lots of coffee and make them consistently.

                Also I cant stand finicky machines - they are supposed to work for me and not the other way round.


                Good luck with your purchase decision. I dont think youll go far wrong even if you decide on the Sylvia


                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

                  As much as I dont want to see this thread degenerate into a Silvia vs Sunbeam arguement, I will say that on the weekend at the home machine course I ran, I had a twin thermoblock Sunbeam and my Silvia on the bench. The Sunbeam was the 6900 and not the 6910.

                  I actually found myself telling the ladies that they would be well served by the Sunbeam but once they found their feet they would probably like to own a Silvia. Something that was backed up by the owner of the Sunbeam as she has been eyeing off the Silvia now as well.

                  As an aside, I couldnt get over how noisy the Sunbeam was when steaming milk. Not even I could get it to steam quietly! The Silvia showed it up with its silence...

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New


                    Hi Marco,
                    I agree with the idea of getting to a site sponsor and trying a machine out (or a local CoffeeSnob member for that matter).

                    Im not talking about just putting finger prints on it like you might in a whitegoods store, we are talking about making real coffee on it.

                    Enjoy your learning and journey... Im sure you will make the right choices.

                    PS: I love the engineer quote on the bottom of your profile...
                    "The cup isnt half full, or half empty; its twice as big as it needs to be!"

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

                      Thanks all for the feedback thus far and the welcome to the CS community!

                      With regards to what Thundergod mentioned earlier;

                      Originally posted by Thundergod link=1182334969/0#3 date=1182339828
                      He may even want to add some money to what youre paying back and go even better than Miss Silvia or maybe a better grinder than Rocky would be a better long term investment, or both.

                      If you both get into it youll have something you can enjoy together and help each other improve on.
                      can anyone suggest what he may have meant and whether I should look further into these options?


                      Chris has kindly invited me to their showroom to get a real look at the machines tomorrow... Ive got to say Im really looking forward to it!


                      Originally posted by Andy Freeman link=1182334969/0#9 date=1182420689
                      PS: I love the engineer quote on the bottom of your profile...
                      "The cup isnt half full, or half empty; its twice as big as it needs to be!"
                      Thanks Andy [smiley=thumbsup.gif]... I borrowed it from one of the network admins at work :P

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

                        marco,

                        If your father was a real "over the top" coffeesnob (like some of us :) he may be interested in a prosumer machine or a more expensive and more capable grinder (like a Compak or Macap).... but somehow from reading your earlier posts..... I very much doubt it.

                        A Silvia (especially fitted with a PID ) and Rocky are a very formidable combination when it comes to great espresso. I would guess he would be totally stoked with that combination and will get many years of great service (and great coffees) from that combo.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

                          marco,

                          I meant what JavaB just wrote but I posted at the same time that you wrote that your dad was "very money-conscious" so didnt see that as I was writing.

                          So if hes "tight" then go see Chris and the Silvia, hell give you good advice.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

                            marco,

                            If the Sunbeam EM6910 or the Silvia is the consideration, you may like to read through www.coffeetamper.com.au/**/reviews/sunbeam-silvia as this describes both.

                            Greg

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Rancilio Rocky/Silvia ? (Warning: Complete New

                              Hi Marco- welcome.
                              I saw your post above about the PID- a fantastic idea. If you do this with also a pullman tamper fitted and a good sized basket for a Silvia, a lot of the learning difficulties are removed. And yes they make might fine coffee!
                              Brett

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