Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine with Iron Frame and Stainless Steel Side Panels, 11.4 by 13.4-Inch

I've had this machine for a little more than a year, and everything I said in the original review remains true. I'd like to point out that keeping this machine in good working order necessitates regular maintenance. Make sure you backflush and de-clog your system on a regular basis. Clean out the grinder and remove any scale (especially if you have hard water). For the first eight months, I neglected to clean the grinder, and disassembling and picking out all the built-up coffee oils was a nightmare. So just make sure you take care of this machine and treat it well, and you'll be rewarded with consistently delicious espresso every time. br>br>PS: I finally figured out how to make an oat milk latte. WORTH IT! Original Review: br>br>Original Review br>br>Original Review br>br>Original Review br>_____________________br>Ok, so I go to the coffee shop way too much. $5- My local shop charges $6 per visit, but why squander money? In 2013, I purchased a DeLonghi Retro Bar32 for about $75 and began learning how to make 'proper' coffee. I struggled at first to pull a good shot of espresso that wasn't watery or bitter because I knew so little. Most pre- It wasn't possible to use ground coffee; Nonetheless, the experience taught me how to operate a semi-automated vehicle. The milk steamer, which didn't produce that nice microfoam and tended to make the milk more watery than anything, was my biggest gripe. br>br>So, here we are, four years later (hat tip to DeLonghi for still going strong in 2018!). ) I decided it was past time to upgrade. I chose the Rancilio Silvia with a $1000 upper limit budget and a great deal of research. I knew there was a steep learning curve ahead of me, but I was desperate for good coffee and willing to put in the effort. br>br>I've had the Silvia for a little over a month now, and I'm very happy with it. Cerini Coffee and Gifts in the Bronx (amazing seller!) sold both the Silvia and Rocky doserless grinders to me at the same time. ) and it arrived quickly and in excellent condition, complete with a bonus pound of beans to get you started! I now purchase my beans from a local coffee roaster, and the Rocky grinder allows me to grind the freshest beans, which I'm sure contributes significantly to the coffee's flavor. It took me a while to figure out the right grinder setting for a 2oz shot in 20 minutes. It took me 30 seconds to dial in the right flavor, but once I did, it made amazing coffee. Initially, I considered getting the PID add-on for the machine, but honestly, after following the temperature surfing guidelines and paying attention to the lights, I've gotten it down to a pretty good system. br>br>Initially, I considered getting the PID add-on for the machine, but honestly, after following the temperature surfing guidelines and paying attention to the lights, I've gotten it down to a pretty good system. Yes, the PID would probably satisfy my latent perfectionism, but I can honestly say that I'm getting a fantastic cup of coffee without it. I simply try to be as consistent as possible in terms of dosing, tamping, and brew time, and have discovered that this is an effective combination. So, in my opinion, the PID add-on is optional, a nice to have but not necessary. br>br>Note: If you're looking for a unique way to express yourself, try using the words "creative For those who aren't familiar with the term, There's an additional learning curve for those who consume dairy products: non-steaming milk from a cow! Yay! But bear with me. I've discovered that soy milk and most almond milks work well for me after a lot of practice. Oat milk in a latte is still a challenge for me, but it's one I'm determined to conquer. (hint: it is delicious) For those who prefer dairy, I have gotten the best results with cold 2% milk; for those who prefer dairy, I have gotten the best results with Whole milk, on the other hand, is equally effective. br>br>Because you've already spent a lot of money on the machine, I recommend getting a heavy tamper and a stainless steel milk foaming cup to go with it. Rancilio's tamp is made of plastic and does not provide the necessary pressure. The milk foaming pitcher assists you in accurately measuring and steaming the correct amount of milk. br>br>To summarize, I'm very pleased with this machine; I only go to the coffee shop to buy beans now, and I enjoy making coffee for my family and friends! Yes, the initial investment is high, but at $5-$10 per month, it's manageable. 6 at the coffee shop, this is a long-term investment that will pay off. br>br>Finally, If you're on the fence about spending this much money on coffee and have never made it before, this is a good place to start. Let me recommend that you begin with a lower-level project. a reasonably priced machine, such as a DeLonghi or similar, and then investing in a high-quality grinder. I made a latte on my old machine with the Rocky grinder as a fun experiment, and it turned out to be quite tasty! So, if you're not sure if you want to spend a lot of money on a machine, start with the grinder and a lower-cost machine. The machine is reasonably priced. On any piece of equipment, ground beans can make or break it.

Alana Morrow

| Dec 26, 2021

It worked for about a year before it stopped working! I bought this as a Christmas present for my husband in 2016. Loved it! It was working fine until about a month ago, when it suddenly stopped. There was no pressure on the steamer wand. I purchased an Ascurion extended warranty from a vendor, which turned out to be completely useless. It was returned to be repaired. It was only made worse by the fact that I received it. There is no steam pressure and the steam wand is leaking, so I'm waiting to hear from the vendor about what they'll do to fix it.

Diana Burnett

| Mar 09, 2021

Asurion provided coverage for me. I had a problem with the machine the other night and contacted Asurion, who told me I needed to contact Rancilio because it was less than a year old. The u. s . Illinois is where Rancilio's headquarters are located. They advised me to contact the seller after I explained my situation. I contacted the seller, and I must say that they made an effort to assist me, but it was to no avail. They advised me to contact a third-party repair service, which would cost $70. Just by looking at it, it's worth a thousand dollars! In the end, Rancilio's customer service stinks, and I'll never buy another product from them!.

Celia Atkins

| Aug 31, 2021

The positive aspects include: Made in Italy, this is a very cool Italian design. It doesn't take up a lot of space on the counter and produces excellent espresso and lattes. Cleaning is simple, and experimenting and operating the machine is enjoyable. It's a great way to hone your latte art skills, and it creates amazing micro foam for the milk. The coffee I make with it, according to my wife, is on par with what you'd get at a professional coffee shop. The not-so-great - There is an art to making the perfect brew. To get the best crema, use freshly roasted coffee; older coffee will not pull the espresso you expect. It's important to strike a balance between coffee, grind, and weight. At 14, I get the best espresso. With my grinder set to just under a 2 grind, I use 15 grams of the freshest coffee I can find that hasn't been roasted more than 20 days. The machine can also be used in a process known as temperature surfing. It begins with steaming the milk, followed by running water through the steamer wand until the steam is gone and the jet is pure water. This is to lower the boiler temperature before making the espresso; it takes less time than pulling the espresso first and then waiting for the steamer to warm up. There is a wealth of information available on U- It's very simple to do for this machine, and there's a video on YouTube that shows you how to do it. To make the perfect latte or espresso, you'll need some practice. If you ever pay $6 for a cup of coffee again, you'll be critical of the professional latte and compare it to yours once you've figured out the right combination. In all. The purchase was a great success. For the price, the machine should have come with a PID, and I use bottled water, which this machine uses a lot of. On the 27th of December, 2018, we made a change to our website. I bought a bottomless portafilter and have used it a few times now. The espresso quality and crema produced by this machine's bottomless filter far surpassed my expectations. This is the only thing I use these days. 3 grams of freshly roasted, freshly ground coffee that far outweighs what you'd pay in a coffee shop, in my opinion. A must-have piece of jewelry. I'm completely smitten with my Silvia and the possibilities it offers. Update 5- I make two cups per day, seven days a week, with the machine running smoothly. The coffee is of exceptional quality! Since then, I haven't paid for a Latte or Espresso at a coffee shop. The cost of a cup of coffee in a coffee shop ranges from $3 to $6. At home, it costs me 68 cents to get exactly what I want and of higher quality.
6- Silvia continues to perform admirably. I performed the tune-up, which is very simple and entails replacing the screen and the gasket, both of which were not in need of replacement. I do a back flush once a week and a regular flush once a month. Silvia's espresso and latte are just as good today as they were when they were first introduced! Silvia has made me very happy. 30th of December, 21st update - This machine is fantastic, and it continues to outperform the competition. I discovered that steaming two large lattes in a row is no problem for it. In the steamer, there is more than enough power. For the past few years, I've been drinking two cups or more. There wasn't even a smidgeon of an issue. I've replaced the gasket twice and cleaned the group head once a year with no problems. I only do a quick backflush once a week. I considered upgrading to a fancier machine like the Pro X or ECM, but the cost is prohibitive, and I doubt it would produce a cup as good as my Ol Silvia.

Emery Zamora

| Dec 16, 2021