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Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

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  • gregpullman
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    OK will do, thx.

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Try:

    dose, tap, fill, level, settle off with just the mass of a good weighty tamper (sure you must have one sitting around somewhere :P), refill, level, tamp...

    C

    Leave a comment:


  • gregpullman
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Yeah Ive got a LM double to play with but I figured Id try to get a good benchmark with the standard baskets before changing things. I dose, tap 2x, dose, level with finger, tamp. Im presently only getting about 14-16g in the basket so maybe I need to go finer still. Trouble is I only make 1 or 2 coffees a day so it takes a while to work through the adjustments! Pucks are still pretty wet.

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  • TC
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Greg- I suggest that you bench tap to get a good fill for the Silvia (be absolutely consistent in what you do)- I get at least 18g into the deeper basket (closer to 21 when I dose and collapse). If youre using the standard thimble that the SIlvia ships with, ditch it!...

    More coffee, coarser grind, nice dry puck and slow pour is often the way to go

    Chris

    Leave a comment:


  • gregpullman
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Thanks guys. Ill measure the new gasket Ive got ready to install and will get an alternative if necessary. Im presently working on 14g of beans and adjusting the grind. Initially I had the grind set for what I use on the Napoletana, filled to the brim, levelled and tamped and was getting the gushers. Once Ive found a grind/weight combination that works, Ill try taking the grind a bit coarser and increasing the quantity.

    Leave a comment:


  • robusto
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Greg, the often referred to standard of 14 grams, from my experience, will not produce a good 60 ml double.

    The quantity is insufficient to produce tasty, viscous coffee with a good oily mouthfeel.

    No wonder you are producing gushers. The standard Silvia 14 gram double basket will take anything up to 20 grams of finely ground coffee. I find anything under 17 grams is underdosed and unacceptable.

    If you want instant improvement, try between 17 and 20 grams. The pour may be slightly over 25 secs, even over 30 secs, but youll see and taste the difference.

    With that quantity, the portafilter should still go on and lock on without undue force.

    Good lcuk,
    Robusto

    Leave a comment:


  • TC
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Originally posted by fatboy link=1165011342/15#15 date=1165106717
    Greg,  
    For what its worth - I never really could lock to 6 oclock without serious strain and a bit of an under dose - even when new.
    I recall that 7 was closer to normal.

    I also used the
    LM double as my standard for the last year or so. I think you might have one of them around.

    As Robster said - it is a learning curve, but you will get there.

    Brett.
    Greg- this can be overcome by purchasing a 7mm rather than 8 or 8.5mm gasket...

    Have a chat to Pedro at Coffeeparts

    Chris

    Leave a comment:


  • fatboy_1999
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Greg,
    For what its worth - I never really could lock to 6 oclock without serious strain and a bit of an under dose - even when new.
    I recall that 7 was closer to normal.

    I also used the
    LM double as my standard for the last year or so. I think you might have one of them around.

    As Robster said - it is a learning curve, but you will get there.

    Brett.

    Leave a comment:


  • Robster
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Hi Greg,

    [pasted from my post on another thread] "Re portafilter locking position: this can vary according to the thickness of the group gasket. My machine came with quite a thick gasket and the portafilter was totally locked in tight-as-can-be at the 7.30 oclock position, even with an empty basket! The gasket was replaced (presumably with one of the correct thickness) when I got Silvia serviced and now it locks in at about 5 oclock, which seems to be the norm."

    I echo what Matt said about Silvia having a very small dosing error margin. Its just a learning curve, but a relatively quick one if you keep other variables constant.

    Probably the other issue is that your hands and eyes are used to dosing for another machine (and for a 5.30 - 6 oclock lock-in).

    My Silvia (once I learnt the optimum dosing) produced wonderful shots locking in at 7.30 (best with slightly larger baskets than the standard supplied). After I got the gasket replaced with the thinner one, my dosing technique no longer worked and I had to adjust to a different dose because of course the basket was now closer to the dispersion screen than it was with the thicker gasket. Another machine may be more forgiving, but Silvia demands precision in order to deliver perfection.

    Dont lose heart. We (Silvia owners) have all been there.

    PS: I changed to the thinner gasket because the angle of the spouts were not the best for pouring two shots.

    Leave a comment:


  • telemaster
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Originally posted by scoota gal link=1165011342/0#12 date=1165037165
    And if your cups dont fit under the portafiller, Greg, just take the grill off the drip tray and sit them in it. If its clean then your cup wont get a dirty bottom!
    Greg I had a problem with latte glasses under the botticelli (bigger silvia) so I sourced some very short spouts.
    Also look at my PM
    Brett

    Leave a comment:


  • scoota_gal
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    And if your cups dont fit under the portafiller, Greg, just take the grill off the drip tray and sit them in it. If its clean then your cup wont get a dirty bottom!

    Leave a comment:


  • jggall01
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Originally posted by Matt G link=1165011342/0#10 date=1165034227
    I have found the LM double to be a good move as it seems to updose the Silvia the right amount.
    Ill second the LM endorsement. I have seen an improvement, too, as compared to the stock Rancilio double basket. Before the stream goes blond, I now get 60 ml of very nice espresso from 16-17 grams of coffee.

    Jim

    Leave a comment:


  • mbg963
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Greg,

    I have found Silvia to be VERY sensitive to the amount of coffee in the filter basket. Underdose and it will pour very fast. Overdopse and you can get a very tight pour. I find that with the original Rancillo double basket, it has to be packed so that when the PF installs it is a little tight. i.e doesnt require a wrenching force, but more than an empty PF.

    I have found the LM double to be a good move as it seems to updose the Silvia the right amount.

    Keep at it

    Leave a comment:


  • gregpullman
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    Hmm. I feel in some ways like doing a big dummy spit and keeping the Napoletana... but I cant cos its sold Looks like Im stuck with Silvia for now.

    But on the upside, at least its highly unlikely Im going to hit any problems that have never been encountered before, and there should JUST be enough Silvia owners on here to help me while the training wheels are on :

    Leave a comment:


  • Javaphile
    replied
    Re: Silvia portafilter - correct angle when locked

    The steam inconsistancy is probably due to scale debris and maybe a worn washer. Once youve descaled and cleaned it and replaced the washer I would think youd see an improvement.

    Java "Just say no to scale!" phile

    Leave a comment:

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