Re: Should i buy a lever or PID my Silvia??
Hi Wynton87
So should you buy a lever or PID your Silvia?
Its nice that you have had quite a lot of advice above. Ill throw in my 2c worth.
First off ... I PIDd my Silvia many years ago, I also have a LaPavoni Europiccolo Lever machine & a PontVecchio Lusso dual lever machine so I can talk from experience with all three.
My first machine was a Silvia and I PIDd it with the PID kit that you can buy. It was about $700 many year ago but came with the PID unit, all the wires, fittings, mounting and instructions. Even though I have designed PID gear in the past getting it all as one kit saved me lots of time and effort. (PS. You cant get good a PID unit for <$50). After this I didnt have to "temperature surf" and I could just come up to the Silvia and make a cup fast with no frigging around. I could also experiment with slightly different temperature settings for fun. But it does not make better coffee compared to spending time on the Silvia to get it right. It can help you make good coffee more consistently. I sold the PID Silvia to a CSer many years ago. It is a nice machine with PID.
Levers ... LaPavoni and the PonteVecchio Lusso have small portafilters and baskets (48mm dia) and you will really notice that coming from a Silvia. You wont get as big a shot.
The LaPavoni, as people have mentioned, will give you one or two shots, then you will need to cool it or leave it. By then you will have run out of water in its small boiler and you will have to leave it to cool before filling up.
But if you practice and are lucky those LaPavoni shots can be really luscious. Its a machine "just for you".
The PonteVecchio is nice as it has two levers and it does not over heat, you can leave it on all day. Its got a big boiler so you can do several shots at least. I can do a nice shot for myself and my wife but for her I do a machiatto and there is not enough coffee in the shot for a full sized cup. It makes quite good espresso, again like all lever machine after a bit of practice.
What would I really like? A lever machine with a 58 mm portafilter!
Summary for you. A PID is not needed to make a better shot - it will make it easier to use the Silvia and will add techno-bling. A lever wont make nice big cappuccinos for guests but it will be fun to play with. It gives real coffee-cred. They are apples and oranges. Of course this probably hasnt helped you make the decision :-)
Mike
Hi Wynton87
So should you buy a lever or PID your Silvia?
Its nice that you have had quite a lot of advice above. Ill throw in my 2c worth.
First off ... I PIDd my Silvia many years ago, I also have a LaPavoni Europiccolo Lever machine & a PontVecchio Lusso dual lever machine so I can talk from experience with all three.
My first machine was a Silvia and I PIDd it with the PID kit that you can buy. It was about $700 many year ago but came with the PID unit, all the wires, fittings, mounting and instructions. Even though I have designed PID gear in the past getting it all as one kit saved me lots of time and effort. (PS. You cant get good a PID unit for <$50). After this I didnt have to "temperature surf" and I could just come up to the Silvia and make a cup fast with no frigging around. I could also experiment with slightly different temperature settings for fun. But it does not make better coffee compared to spending time on the Silvia to get it right. It can help you make good coffee more consistently. I sold the PID Silvia to a CSer many years ago. It is a nice machine with PID.
Levers ... LaPavoni and the PonteVecchio Lusso have small portafilters and baskets (48mm dia) and you will really notice that coming from a Silvia. You wont get as big a shot.
The LaPavoni, as people have mentioned, will give you one or two shots, then you will need to cool it or leave it. By then you will have run out of water in its small boiler and you will have to leave it to cool before filling up.
But if you practice and are lucky those LaPavoni shots can be really luscious. Its a machine "just for you".
The PonteVecchio is nice as it has two levers and it does not over heat, you can leave it on all day. Its got a big boiler so you can do several shots at least. I can do a nice shot for myself and my wife but for her I do a machiatto and there is not enough coffee in the shot for a full sized cup. It makes quite good espresso, again like all lever machine after a bit of practice.
What would I really like? A lever machine with a 58 mm portafilter!
Summary for you. A PID is not needed to make a better shot - it will make it easier to use the Silvia and will add techno-bling. A lever wont make nice big cappuccinos for guests but it will be fun to play with. It gives real coffee-cred. They are apples and oranges. Of course this probably hasnt helped you make the decision :-)
Mike

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