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Correct Silvia Operation

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  • Sammus
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    By flush I mean hit the brew switch with no PF in, so it refilles the boiler and rinses any coffee grinds off the screen.

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  • Sammus
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    after pulling a shot I always run flush the group with a portafilter wiggle. If I do something with milk, after steaming I hit the brew switch and open the steam wand, wait till I get a steady stream from the steam wand, close it, then wait till the stream from the group clears up - then power off for the day

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  • dumiya
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    Hi
    In reading the posts I think what has happened is that several times you forgot to flush and fill the boiler.  It can happen accidentally when distracted - I have done this!  Or water may have seemed to come through but not completely. Later on in the next cycle the boiler elements were exposed and the damage accumulated until terminal.  This would be only explanation I can offer other than a faulty element.
    Dumiya

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  • greenman
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    http://homepage.mac.com/jrc/contrib/rancilio_silvia/
    check out the link above it leads to heaps on info on silvia

    Leave a comment:


  • greenman
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    To backflush Silvia you can get a little rubber disc and some cleaner, you place it in the portafilter without the basket and run until you hear a hissing sound, turn off brew switch and water and residual coffee will run into a contrainer you place under portafilter. Repeat this a number of times until liquid is clear then run a fair bit of water through group and steam wand to clear out any residual cleaner. I usually do mine every Saturday and its amazing the amount that builds up inside the group over the week.

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  • GregJW
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    I dont have a Silvia, but a similar SB machine.

    My understanding is (and please anyone more knowledgeable than me please correct me if Im off course) that, when using the steamer, the pump does not run - the steaming is purely a function of the pressure and steam built up in the boiler by the very high temperature generated by the element during this operation.

    Therefore, once it has finished steaming the boiler has a water deficit and, to prevent damaging the boiler and/or cooking the element, you refill it.

    I think it is important to have a system that you use every time - eg. when you turn off the steam switch, turn on the water switch whilst wiping the steam arm clean (turn off when you hear the pump stop, at which point the boiler should be refilled).

    Its probably one of the tricks of these machines that you have to keep an eye on. When I first started with mine, before Id settled into a routine,I found myself wondering whether I had re-primed the boiler or not when I was sitting done to my coffee. A switch to automatically refill when the steam switch is turned off would be a good inclusion.

    Greg


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  • amberosw
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    whats flushing? I just run water through the group head till almost all water in the tank runs outs...

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  • recurve_boy
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    Originally posted by asugamilla link=1193631404/0#0 date=1193631404
    I tend to brew an espresso and after enjoying it I clean the group and assumed that the
    boiler became full again.
    Wait, so you not not flushing immediately? Once you are done, flush until just water runs and you should be OK.

    Leave a comment:


  • asugamilla
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    thanks for all the responses. I clean the group by flushing water through it
    and cleaning the shower screen with a brush to ensure its all clean
    and ready for the next shot.

    thanks again for all the replies.

    anthony

    Leave a comment:


  • greenman
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    Like others have described after brewing and steaming I clear steam wand and wipe clean, then place container under group to catch steam and water and run until water comes out of group, I was lucky to read quite a few reviews before buying Silvia and was made aware of recharging the boiler.
    It took me a while to get a routine for Silvia but now I stick to it and that way I dont forget things......................
    cheers
    Greenman

    Leave a comment:


  • dumiya
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation


    "I tend to brew an espresso and after enjoying it I clean the group and assumed that the
    boiler became full again. "

    If I read this correctly you clean the group ? with a rag?  (If so no water in the boiler)
    or do you run the brew switch until water comes flowing through the group? (This should recharge the boiler.)
    Not sure what you mean.

    I always switch off after steaming while I enjoy my coffee then turn on and recharge by running the brew switch  
    or immediately run the brew switch to discharge the steam and refill the boiler turn off all then enjoy my superb coffee.
    Dumiya

    Leave a comment:


  • vicroamer
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    Others here are more experienced than me but I pour the shot first and after steaming I turn off steam switch, wipe arm with damp cloth blow out wand with a short burst of steam, turn on hot water switch, wait a few seconds and open tap till water flows. Pour drinks then before serving knock out puck and run water through group to flush and clean, I like to cool boiler down by refilling ASAP after steaming.
    I have yet to experiment with steaming first before the pour this may be a better technique if the boiler cools enough for a shot.

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Correct Silvia Operation

    Originally posted by asugamilla link=1193631404/0#0 date=1193631404
    Hi Guys.

    My name is Anthony and Im new to the site. Its a top site and ive enjoyed reading
    previous posts and information. Its really helped me quite a bit to perfect espresso
    making.

    I own a rancilio silvia and wanted to find out what other people do once they have
    brewed an espresso. My element needed replacement recently (after 15 months) and
    having read a previous post it was suggested that you run hot water via the steam wand to immerse the element again to prevent premature failure.

    I tend to brew an espresso and after enjoying it I clean the group and assumed that the
    boiler became full again.

    Does anyone do it differently or do you think that it might be something else that im doing?

    thanks  in advance

    Anthony
    Welcome Anthony!

    Correct you are....I turn off the steam switch and then run water through the group until the steam subsides (quicker). Your method is just as good. Just get that element all primed as quickly as possible to protect it from cooking....

    Enjoy the journey....

    2mcm

    Leave a comment:


  • asugamilla
    started a topic Correct Silvia Operation

    Correct Silvia Operation

    Hi Guys.

    My name is Anthony and Im new to the site. Its a top site and ive enjoyed reading
    previous posts and information. Its really helped me quite a bit to perfect espresso
    making.

    I own a rancilio silvia and wanted to find out what other people do once they have
    brewed an espresso. My element needed replacement recently (after 15 months) and
    having read a previous post it was suggested that you run hot water via the steam wand to immerse the element again to prevent premature failure.

    I tend to brew an espresso and after enjoying it I clean the group and assumed that the
    boiler became full again.

    Does anyone do it differently or do you think that it might be something else that im doing?

    thanks in advance

    Anthony


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