Rancilio Silvia

FocusST · 09-04-2020 12:38pm #1

Hi,
I am looking to buy a Rancilio Silvia. Obviously, with the lockdown, its going to be an online purchase. I can put it through my company as it will be set up in my office, somewhere in the UK that will accept a VAT free pruchse would be preferable.

Anywhere you guys can recommend?

adrian522 · 09-04-2020 12:48pm

I've heard good things about https://www.bellabarista.co.uk/espresso-machines/all-coffee-machines.html

I've heard horror stories about espressocoffeeshop.ie though I have ordered with them in the past without issue, but if anything goes wrong you are on your own.

babybuilder · 09-04-2020 5:43pm

https://www.homecoffeemachines.ie/
Bought a Quickmill Silvano of him. Based in Co. Galway I think.

Planet X · 09-04-2020 10:28pm

^^^

Very efficient company.
Bought from them before and would definitely recommend.

Newtown90 · 06-05-2020 7:17pm

Did the Op make a purchase?

Habe finally talked myself into upgrading my little gaggia..

Will wait to order through the irish lad I'd say.

J_E · 06-05-2020 9:14pm

Newtown90 wrote: »

Did the Op make a purchase?

Habe finally talked myself into upgrading my little gaggia..

Will wait to order through the irish lad I'd say.

Are you upgrading from a Gaggia classic? I'd honestly hold out for a step above if you are. I love my Silvia but it's on the same level as that machine in terms of usage and sometimes do hanker after a heat exchange/dual boiler, or some pressure settings without decking oout my machine with mods.

Newtown90 · 06-05-2020 9:27pm

J_E wrote: »

Are you upgrading from a Gaggia classic? I'd honestly hold out for a step above if you are. I love my Silvia but it's on the same level as that machine in terms of usage and sometimes do hanker after a heat exchange/dual boiler, or some pressure settings without decking oout my machine with mods.

No I've a Gaggia Color for 12 months now.

Head was between a Classic or Silvia..

Bit fried from reading all the reviews.

J_E · 06-05-2020 9:34pm

Newtown90 wrote: »

No I've a Gaggia Color for 12 months now.

Head was between a Classic or Silvia..

Bit fried from reading all the reviews.

In that case, definitely the Silvia. Simple, robust machine. More space for cup, easier access to water tank, more steam power.

Keep an eye out for 2nd hand - you can get a good deal. If you're serious, invest as much as you did in the machine into a grinder. Something like a Rancilio Rocky or Eureka Mignon or Niche Zero. It will make your life so much easier.

Newtown90 · 07-05-2020 2:10pm

Pulled the trigger on a Silvia today anyhow.

More fun starts now.

Diziet · 07-05-2020 3:29pm

J_E wrote: »

If you're serious, invest as much as you did in the machine into a grinder. Something like a Rancilio Rocky or Eureka Mignon or Niche Zero. It will make your life so much easier.

Or at least a burr grinder, even a cheaper one. I have a Krups burr grinder which was only about €50 and I get very good coffee with that and the Silvia, with nice crema and excellent flavour.

Planet X · 08-05-2020 10:45am

Newtown90 wrote: »

Pulled the trigger on a Silvia today anyhow.

More fun starts now.

Nice.

Run some cheap beans through it to get a feel for it.

limnam · 08-05-2020 7:11pm

Planet X wrote: »

Nice.
Run some cheap beans through it to get a feel for it.

I would say avoid this.

Use the beans you're going to use from the start and just write off a few bags.

Even though I've given this advice in the past myself

The level of frustration is not worth the savings

J_E · 11-05-2020 1:43pm

Diziet wrote: »

Or at least a burr grinder, even a cheaper one. I have a Krups burr grinder which was only about €50 and I get very good coffee with that and the Silvia, with nice crema and excellent flavour.

I would recommend anyone who is serious about espresso to save future troube and spend equal value to the machine on a grinder. Otherwise you're never going to be quite happy when you develop a good taste and want to play around with interesting coffees that are picky about grind settings. You won't lose much value on it in the future if it's a decent grinder.

Of course you can get away with less - I was using a €35 Hario Mini Mill on mine for ages. There's nothing more frustrating than shots that channel and flavour that never quite gets consistently great though.

Newtown90 · 11-05-2020 2:16pm

J_E wrote: »

I would recommend anyone who is serious about espresso to save future troube and spend equal value to the machine on a grinder. Otherwise you're never going to be quite happy when you develop a good taste and want to play around with interesting coffees that are picky about grind settings. You won't lose much value on it in the future if it's a decent grinder.

Of course you can get away with less - I was using a €35 Hario Mini Mill on mine for ages. There's nothing more frustrating than shots that channel and flavour that never quite gets consistently great though.

Is the rocky good enough to compliment it?

I've been reading reviews and everyone's opinion differs.

babybuilder · 12-05-2020 11:29pm

Newtown90 wrote: »

Is the rocky good enough to compliment it?

I've been reading reviews and everyone's opinion differs.

I had a Rocky for years. Good solid espresso grinder, though it's a stepped one. Good for up to French press. Changed it for a larger grinder.
https://images.app.goo.gl/2iZeegCNJmYgbfBS7

ShevY · 13-05-2020 1:03am

Purchased a silvia and eureka mignon specialita grinder a couple of week ago and I'm very happy with both. Both machines are built like tanks. I'd been using a hario slim hand grinder with a couple of delonghi machines for years. I wish I'd upgraded sooner.

There's definitely a learning curve with some beans to be wasted before you can get consistent shots, but they are delicious when you get it right. The 30 minute auto-power-off function of the silvia is very annoying however and I've just ordered a v4 power switch and light to by-pass the issue and put the machine on a timer/smart socket instead.

https://voir.pt/2018/11/16/echter-rancilio-silvia-e-umbau-auf-alte-version-v5-mit-funktionierenden-lampen/

fullstop · 19-05-2020 10:06pm

ShevY wrote: »

Purchased a silvia and eureka mignon specialita grinder a couple of week ago and I'm very happy with both. Both machines are built like tanks. I'd been using a hario slim hand grinder with a couple of delonghi machines for years. I wish I'd upgraded sooner.

There's definitely a learning curve with some beans to be wasted before you can get consistent shots, but they are delicious when you get it right. The 30 minute auto-power-off function of the silvia is very annoying however and I've just ordered a v4 power switch and light to by-pass the issue and put the machine on a timer/smart socket instead.

https://voir.pt/2018/11/16/echter-rancilio-silvia-e-umbau-auf-alte-version-v5-mit-funktionierenden-lampen/

Where did you purchase, if you don’t mind me asking?

Looking at the same combo on Bellabarista...anyone have experience with them? Reviews seem overwhelmingly positive.

Is the Silvia just a plug in and go, or are there any power requirements?

Krusty_Clown · 20-05-2020 7:30am

ShevY wrote: »

Purchased a silvia and eureka mignon specialita grinder a couple of week ago and I'm very happy with both. Both machines are built like tanks. I'd been using a hario slim hand grinder with a couple of delonghi machines for years. I wish I'd upgraded sooner.

There's definitely a learning curve with some beans to be wasted before you can get consistent shots, but they are delicious when you get it right. The 30 minute auto-power-off function of the silvia is very annoying however and I've just ordered a v4 power switch and light to by-pass the issue and put the machine on a timer/smart socket instead.

https://voir.pt/2018/11/16/echter-rancilio-silvia-e-umbau-auf-alte-version-v5-mit-funktionierenden-lampen/

Let us know how it goes. Would really like to do a similar conversion myself, but would likely need more detailed photos (hint, hint!).

fullstop · 23-05-2020 3:43pm

fullstop wrote: »

Where did you purchase, if you don’t mind me asking?

Looking at the same combo on Bellabarista...anyone have experience with them? Reviews seem overwhelmingly positive.

Is the Silvia just a plug in and go, or are there any power requirements?

Update on this. Went ahead with bellabarista.co.uk. Had contacted homecoffeemachines.ie and got a pretty curt reply saying none in stock and would be weeks - no offer to follow up or anything else, which I thought was off given I would be spending €1k with them. Bella Barista were really helpful and provided any info I asked for within a couple of hours.

From time of order to arriving was not even 3 days and 2kg of coffee included to get the grinder set up. Really happy with it all so far.

timmaii · 26-05-2020 11:56am

Hi fullstop, enjoy the new setup. How much do Bella Barista charge for shipping to Ireland if you don't mind me asking? I had a look but couldn't see it on their website.

fullstop · 06-06-2020 1:47pm

timmaii wrote: »

Hi fullstop, enjoy the new setup. How much do Bella Barista charge for shipping to Ireland if you don't mind me asking? I had a look but couldn't see it on their website.

Sorry just seeing this now. Shipping was only €35, well worth that for the speed of service as well.

ShevY · 17-06-2020 1:05am

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Let us know how it goes. Would really like to do a similar conversion myself, but would likely need more detailed photos (hint, hint!).

Finally got around to doing this tonight using a combination of the circuit diagrams from here:

https://voir.pt/2018/11/16/echter-rancilio-silvia-e-umbau-auf-alte-version-v5-mit-funktionierenden-lampen/

And the instructions from this post, which I found better, but still not great after going through google translate:

https://www.kaffee-netz.de/threads/neue-version-der-rancilio-silvia-die-silvia-e.95518/page-8#post-1738872

Some pics here, everything working as normal, got rid of the big bolt on the shower screen also:

https://imgur.com/a/4icU827

@fullstop, to answer your previous question, I bought mine at Bertazzofoods.com, which was the cheapest on that day. How has the Silvia been for you?

Next is the Auber PID that I have sitting here, want to mount that internally, that may be it then with the mods..

fullstop · 20-06-2020 11:01pm

ShevY wrote: »

@fullstop, to answer your previous question, I bought mine at Bertazzofoods.com, which was the cheapest on that day. How has the Silvia been for you?

It’s been great. My only previous experience of making ‘proper’ coffee was on La Marzocco and Wega machines, so I thought I might struggle to get the quality I was hoping for, but I’ve been very pleasantly surprised.

limnam · 24-06-2020 11:54am

Is there anyone in Ireland that installs PID's for these?

alec76 · 25-06-2020 7:02pm

limnam wrote: »

Is there anyone in Ireland that installs PID's for these?

Easy enough DIY job. You could ask someone (electrician/computer/mobile phone repairs ) to do it for you.
I guess any company servicing commercial espresso machines could do it too.
Ask them
https://www.homecoffeemachines.ie/collections/rancilio/products/rancilio-repair

Squidgy Black · 26-06-2020 3:12pm

limnam wrote: »

Is there anyone in Ireland that installs PID's for these?

I've installed a PID on a Gaggia Classic, would be similar enough to the Silvia. I'd say give it a shot yourself, it's not as complex or difficult as it may seem, most of them (like the Auber etc) tend to have pretty comprehensive guides and there's plenty of info online on installations.

limnam · 26-06-2020 3:24pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

I've installed a PID on a Gaggia Classic, would be similar enough to the Silvia. I'd say give it a shot yourself, it's not as complex or difficult as it may seem, most of them (like the Auber etc) tend to have pretty comprehensive guides and there's plenty of info online on installations.

Yeah I've watched a few videos etc on them already.

My past history would have a coffee machine sitting on a bench for months un-usable

I'd rather give someone a few quid and get it done right and quickly

But yeah I might end up just giving it a lash.

FocusST · 22-07-2020 12:26pm

OP here. I didn't go for it in the end, kind of distracted with COVID! Keen to go ahead now. Is there anywhere in Dublin that sells these or do you absolutely have to go online?

Newtown90 · 22-07-2020 2:32pm

FocusST wrote: »

OP here. I didn't go for it in the end, kind of distracted with COVID! Keen to go ahead now. Is there anywhere in Dublin that sells these or do you absolutely have to go online?

You'd have to buy these online although they are or were a few months ago fairly few and far between!

I've mine about 2 months now and am really enjoying it. Big step up from my old Gaggia Coleur.

ShevY · 22-07-2020 6:35pm

Got PID installed today after having an empty hole in the machine for the last few weeks.

Tabby McTat · 14-09-2020 3:27pm

Hi there. I've fallen in to the coffee web and thinking of getting one of these machines. Had been looking at Sage Barista Express/Pro but the consensus seems to be separate machine and grinder is a better combination...

This is my first time with espresso, French Press/Aerop/Moka Pot up to now with my trusty Baratza Encore (which I may now be getting rid of!).

Any thoughts on what this machine is like for a beginner (who's willing to learn)? Will I be able to pull some decent espresso with a bit of practice, or will I realistically be tearing my hair out for the first few months.

Is seems the Rancilio Silvia and the Gaggia Classic are the "go-to" for most people but I'd love to hear other's experiences.

Cheers.

limnam · 14-09-2020 5:03pm

There's a bit of a learning curve which can be a bit frustrating.

But it's worth it in the end.

Great machine for the price.

Newtown90 · 14-09-2020 5:13pm

Plenty youtubing while waiting for mine to arrive gave me a head start and the wife picked it up fairly handy too.

I do think the purchase of a Mignon Silenzio made life a bit easier for us too.

Deffo go for something you'll have for years and not regret!

Tabby McTat · 17-09-2020 5:27pm

Does anyone know if somewhere in Dublin would install the PID. It seems like a worthwhile upgrade but wouldn't be overly confident of my DIY skills.

Diziet · 26-09-2020 11:39am

Try it without the PID first. I was tempted but in the end never bothered with mine - it makes great coffee. (I am competent in installing something like a PID)

Tabby McTat · 26-09-2020 11:52am

Diziet wrote: »

Try it without the PID first. I was tempted but in the end never bothered with mine - it makes great coffee. (I am competent in installing something like a PID)

I have my brand new Miss Silvia arriving on Tuesday. Watching plenty of YT videos in the meantime.

ShevY · 26-09-2020 9:27pm

I think the PID makes it much easier to get consistent results and is well worth it. The auber kit comes with everything you need to install it at the default location. I think anyone could work through the instructions step by step. Here they are if anyone wants to take a look: https://we.tl/t-lAVlOLyAwq

Tabby McTat · 28-09-2020 9:32am

ShevY wrote: »

I think the PID makes it much easier to get consistent results and is well worth it. The auber kit comes with everything you need to install it at the default location. I think anyone could work through the instructions step by step. Here they are if anyone wants to take a look: https://we.tl/t-lAVlOLyAwq

Thanks very much for this. Having looked through the instructions i still feel it may be above my skill level! As others have suggested a decent appliance repair shop should be able to fit it pretty easily.

Are there any other upgrades that people have made?

flipflophead22 · 28-09-2020 11:38am

Would this be considered better than the sage barista?

alec76 · 28-09-2020 2:16pm

Surely almost anything better than Sage?
Not taking in to account Deloghi , of course.

Tabby McTat · 28-09-2020 3:38pm

flipflophead22 wrote: »

Would this be considered better than the sage barista?

2 different types of machine really. The Sage is Bean to Cup, with its own integrated grinder (which a lot of people say is not great quality). The whole process is more automated than the Rancilio Silvia.

The build quality of the Rancilio is meant to be night and day ahead of the Sage. Rancilio make professional espresso machines and this is reflective in the quality of the Rancilio.*

It sounds like the Rancilio is a bit trickier to get used to, with a good few nuances to pulling a good shot.

Also, the Rancilio will need a seperate grinder.

*I'm not the owner of either however have read up plenty!!

adrian522 · 28-09-2020 4:18pm

The Silvia is great but it is not really for people who want an easy solution, you are pretty much going to be learning how to pull good shots, how to steam milk, how to manipluate the machine for best results, how to overcome its short comings. For my money its a great machine for someone who wants to learn and is prepared to spend time with it.

If you want a machine that will make good consistent coffee at the push of a button then a bean to cup will be more suitable.

Tabby McTat · 10-10-2020 11:11am

Hi folks. Do people use tap water in their machine, or bottled/filtered? I'm in Dublin and I don't think there is an issue with hard water here.

alec76 · 10-10-2020 11:22am

No harm to use Brita filters , I Do.
Actually I am using those, definitely cheaper than originals and I think better too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FM7DPHY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ShevY · 10-10-2020 3:09pm

barrac wrote: »

Hi folks. Do people use tap water in their machine, or bottled/filtered? I'm in Dublin and I don't think there is an issue with hard water here.

I use tap water filtered through a brita filter also

limnam · 10-10-2020 5:54pm

barrac wrote: »

Hi folks. Do people use tap water in their machine, or bottled/filtered? I'm in Dublin and I don't think there is an issue with hard water here.

There's a website where you can check the local levels was posted here before, I don't have it to hand but might be worth checking.

murphyebass · 10-10-2020 7:11pm

barrac wrote: »

Hi folks. Do people use tap water in their machine, or bottled/filtered? I'm in Dublin and I don't think there is an issue with hard water here.

I’m in a very bad area in Dublin for limescale.

I didn’t really think about this when I bought my Gaggia Classic. I learnt my lesson the hard way. I had to change the pump due to it getting completely clogged with limescale.

I still use the tap water but descale regularly. No problems since.

On the plus side it also taught me not to be scared of doing repairs on my machine. So much info on YouTube.

Tabby McTat · 10-10-2020 7:52pm

murphyebass wrote: »

I’m in a very bad area in Dublin for limescale.

I didn’t really think about this when I bought my Gaggia Classic. I learnt my lesson the hard way. I had to change the pump due to it getting completely clogged with limescale.

I still use the tap water but descale regularly. No problems since.

On the plus side it also taught me not to be scared of doing repairs on my machine. So much info on YouTube.

How regularly?

Tabby McTat · 16-12-2020 12:38pm

limnam wrote: »

Is there anyone in Ireland that installs PID's for these?

Hi there. Did you end up installing the PID yourself. I have the Auber kit arriving tomorrow. My DIY expertise is pretty basic...am definitely willing to give it a go but I don’t want a broken coffee machine for Christmas!!

Any advice would be welcome.

gooduse · 16-12-2020 5:56pm

I really like tea more

limnam · 16-12-2020 10:12pm

barrac wrote: »

Hi there. Did you end up installing the PID yourself. I have the Auber kit arriving tomorrow. My DIY expertise is pretty basic...am definitely willing to give it a go but I don’t want a broken coffee machine for Christmas!!

Any advice would be welcome.

I didn't

I don't trust myself to have a working coffee machine at the end of it :pac:

Rancilio Silvia

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