We have had our Rancilio Silvia for almost 15 years. It has always worked for us flawlessly and never had a problem. It makes a great cup of espresso or a great latte. I like the fact that it's heavy and built like a tank. I appreciate equipment that's built to last rather than the Apple iPhone approach where they make sure you have to change it out every few years at the cost of 1000 dollars. The Rancilio Silvia that we have is obviously an earlier model. I have purchased a PID kit from Aubern that should eliminate the need to temperature surf the machine. Most vendors will offer the current Sylvia with a PID installed at the time of purchase. When you add a high end filter basket like a VST to the portafilter you end up with a world class machine that will last you almost forever. We also have a Rancilio Rocky grinder it has been ultra reliable just like the Sylvia and does a great job grinding from French press to Turkish grind. It is a great match for Sylvia. Simply put the Rancilio Sylvia is utterly Reliable, it makes a great shot, and it steams the heck out of milk. The Rancilio Silvia is not one of those "one button wonders" that automatically makes you a cup of "coffee" with no knowledge or real involvement on your part. The Rancilio Silvia will brew a great and consistent espresso but it does require that you learn something about "hands on" coffee and espresso brewing. That for me was well worth doing and something I look forward to each and every morning. My vote is for the Rancilio Sylvia as the best espresso maker in the world for a home espresso machine.
Wow, basically double the price for the Pro. I think there should be a semi-pro or whatever in between that is still single-boiler but has the PID and the float for the water tank. Because a lot of people mod the Silvia in similar ways, they should just make a version that doesn't need to be modified for around $1,000.
Agreed, that's a great idea. It wouldn't even need to be as much as $1000 I think? Love my Silvia, had it for years! Not sure why someone would buy the Silvia Pro though when there are other machines at similar prices that are superior (eg Rocket).
I currently own two Silvia's. One a v1 and the other is a v2 (One for home, one for my wifes business). I modded both with a PID and they work hard all day long. I would say about 8 to 10 drinks a day, every day. Every couple of years, I break them down and clean the boilers completely. Upgrading the steam wand to a fully articulated wand is the way to go on the older versions. I say all this to point out they they are tanks. They just work. If something goes wrong, parts are available and they are easy to work on. Great coffee for the money spent on each. However, that Pro! Steaming while pulling a shot... For ~1700$... Not sure that extra 700 is worth it. Gotta try it I guess.
8-10 drinks per day for a couple of years. That's seriously a tank. I own a v6 and not looking forward for any upgrade for at least the next 3-4 years. I'm only into 2 - 3 drinks per day at home, since I'm m only using it after work in the evenings ( only espresso, I'm m not into latte or cappuccino ) Although my grinder Ceado E6P is not as consistent as I wanted it to be. So maybe my upgrade will be there
I keep trying to get my V3 to expire so I have an excuse to upgrade. Apparently, that is not going to happen soon based on the longevity of your machines. No complaints though. I added a PID and am happy - just lusting after my dream E61 machine.
Don't do it my friend, I just bought the pro x and so far I think my Silvia v3 with PID did better job. Just doesn't worth it. I know the pro has 2 boiler (that's why I decided going for it) but it lost the heat very soon when you are steaming, I use a thermometer to check that the milk is 60-70°C when I serve it, and the steam runs off when milk is just 45°C. The Silvia pro x has a 4 hole tip, but not enough steam to work with it.
Good question! If Lelit were more available here in Malaysia I'd probably go for that, but all I can find locally are the Mara X, and sellers disinterested in sourcing other models. I'm more into living a life and using the machine than shopping for one, so I'm hoping whatever I get is my last ever purchase! That makes me lean towards the Silvia simply for the long-lasting reputation they have.
@09:00 ~ I was intrigued that 17g of coffee fit into the "standard" basket, which I understood to be a 14g basket. Am I missing something? I purchased the triple basket (21g), including the next up portafilter, in order to get 19g of ground espresso into the basket. Any input would be appreciated... Thx.
I’ve got the V1 along with the Rocky doserless 2nd hand 7 years ago and I still love it. A few years ago I wanted to upgrade to a e61 db but then I realized there was nothing wrong with my v1. I was even thinking of changing the steam wand and knob to get a faux v3 but at the end of the day my tried and true v1 is still with me. No plans on upgrading. Drink about a pound every 6 weeks.
Nice comment about changing the angle of the portafilter spout, not… it is off-center on purpose because the handle, when locked, is supposed to be past perpendicular, so the spout then becomes parallel to the backsplash. The handle is to line up with the off-center red dot painted on the black group filter housing.
Just saw this video, sorry if someone already commented on this. I liked this review. But the higher temperature on the Silvia classic is explainable and easily avoidable if wanted. The temperature surfing used had a mistake. After the light goes off, it actually doesn't stop heating. The heating process continues due to the pressure and therefore the problem happened. To avoid this, the complete temperature surfing procedure must be used: wait until the light goes off, wait another 20 seconds, start the shot without the portafilter for 5 seconds, this will bring the temperature down by letting cold water flush in, and reaching the desired 95 degrees (if all is done correctly you will notice some stem coming out at the start, showing that the temperature was indeed too high). Then place the portafilter and take the espresso shot. That's all folks :)
Hi Artur. You may find helpful if i told you that this technique may work, however there is a better way. You have to start brewing right after the orange light turns off. I must also mention that this applies to the more recent Silvia models (V5, V6). It can also apply to the older models, however i’m not entirely sure how accurate the thermostats are on those. By design, the thermostat should trigger the orange light once the water reaches 90°C. Yes, the heating element stays hot, will stay hot for a while and few seconds later will continue to heat. If you flush few seconds after the orange light has turned off, it may already be too late and you’ll obviously see some steam. Flushing the steam out isn’t going to work as well as brewing right after the orange light turns off (at least not for the newer models). That’s your best chance to get as close to a repeatable temperature as possible without a PID. There’s content on TH-cam that proves that as well, an experiment with a temperature probe would also confirm this. I hope that helps!
Honestly, I don't get the popularity of the Silvia pro. The Silvia is a great machine, but not because it's especially good but because of what it offers for the price. With the pro being just as expensive as the competitors I wouldn't chose to buy it.
I just got one, having taken a long hard look at the competitors. Upgrading from a dead Breville. The Lelit range are nice, though I had trouble sourcing the Elizabeth locally, and failing that would want the MaraX. However local (Malaysia) sellers were mostly pushing plain Maras and they're a pain in the ass with all the flushing to cool etc. The one seller that did offer an Elizabeth wanted hundreds of bux more than the RS Pro. the ECM range were my next option, along with the Profitech 300 or 500 PID. But then I looked at the hassles I was having even getting the machines, let alone spare parts, and how close I came to buying the 'wrong' Mara... One thing to love about the Silvia is how it hasn't really changed, even though this is a massive upgrade. I feel confident that in 10 years time when it needs some real work, that the parts, know-how and videos will be available. I just don't have that confidence in some other brand. Then again I'm in my mid 50s, drive a 10 yr old Hilux and appreciate well-made shit that just works and keeps working. Really not interested in chasing gadgets and 'latest'. One review of a Rocket machine, the guy mentioned how he was a great fan of the red decals... who really gives a ^%$? That's another thing, it's brushed steel, like the rest of the stuff in my kitchen. The mirror-finish stuff looks great but it's muggins here who would be cleaning it everyday. Nah, I'll take the simple, plain, tough old Rancilio, so I can concentrate on the beans, the moment, the company (friends) rather than fussing over a glorious, complex machine. And now with twin boilers I don't have to inwardly groan when friends ask for a coffee :)
@@bigglyguy8429 Agreed every word you said!! I am going through your expresso machine shopping journey now. Admiring the sleekness and modernness of EMC and Profitec while keeping looking back at Silvia classic, then here is Pro X! Sold right on the spot! I will wait a couple of more months for Black Friday deals!
Dont want to come out sounding snobby, but I probably will. If you don’t understand the huge game changer that is a dual boiler vs single, then you simply need to do more research about what actually is espresso....he didn’t even mention that the Pro brews at a perfect 9bar consistently. Let’s put it simply, you will not be able to brew two similar shots with a single boiler machine - especially without PID. A few degrees difference when brewing a cup can completely change the flavor profile of a shot. If you’re brewing that Ethiopian light roast from your local roaster, even more so because they’re very sensitive to pressure/dose/temperature. Think, if you’ve just grounded a bean to powder consistency and are about to run hot water at high pressure through it, the difference between burnt and proper extraction is minimal. These machines aren’t even close to being similar other than looks and same brand, they extract coffee oils absolutely differently and the Pro is clearly superior. A more appropriate comparison would have been vs a Breville Dual Boiler which is a bit cheaper. And I expect Silvia Pro to take it against BDB because Breville are notoriously hard to fix once they start failing....and regarding Rocket Appartamento- thats an HX non PID machine - which means you’re still guessing what temperature you’re brewing and have to cool flush. The HX is a step up from single boiler because their bigger boilers allow you to brew and steam at the same time plus general more powerful steaming pressure. But HX is still inferior to Dual Boilers when it comes down to brewing shots, especially back to back. Rocket machines do look sick tho...
@Espresso Junky dont wanna sound like an A-hole so please don’t take it as such. But, you liking the shots that you pull on a non-PID sylvia is hardly an argument since thats relative. Also, the type of coffee that you’re brewing comes in to play as well. I.e. Lavazza DC is a lot more forgiving than a third-wave light roast from a local shop.
I absolutely agree with everything in this comment. I’d also like to point out the build quality (finally a stainless steel frame) and the temperature stability the machine is able to replicate over and over. Here’s more on that : www.silviaprousa.com/blog-archive/thermal-stability A standard Silvia with let’s say Auber’s PID comes nowhere near that.
I’ve had that particular version of the regular Silvia for about two months now. It’s my first espresso machine and actually I’ve found it surprisingly easy to get decent shots out, at least with darker roast coffees. I usually run water out until the heating gets on again, and while waiting for the light to go off I have enough time to grind and tamp the coffee. In fact, usually the light goes off a bit earlier already so by the time I get ready to brew the water temp has maybe declined just a bit - I’ve found that to be a good “strategy” 😄 I think out of the box the brew temp for coffee is a bit high, if I run water out right after the light goes off there will be a lot of steam too coming out. What I’ve found not that easy is the steaming, not because of the single hole steam tip but just because it has loads of power, so if the positioning is not right there will be a mess. But after practicing it’s gotten easier 🙂 A question I’d like to ask, what’s your recommendation on the regular Silvia - first brew the coffee and then steam the milk, or the other way around? I’ve seen most recommending steaming the milk first but I’ve found it a bit easier to first pull the shot, I’ve had pretty nice hot drinks with good latte art even though the shot would sit for a while
I do my shot first to as it's quicker that way. This is a great way to do it if you're having milk as the shot sitting for a little while doesn't matter as much. On the other hand if you want the best tasting espresso then fresh is best. I have a version 5 Silvia (2018)
Steaming first never worked for me. Internal components don’t cool down enough even after purge and surf so the espresso is largely steam coming out of the portafilter and not good tasting.
I'm no expert but if you leave the milk sitting around the foam will separate, whereas the shot isn't going anywhere. One could argue the aroma might escape, but either way you're about to dump milk over it, and if the aroma is going anywhere it's up your nose while you're steaming, which to me is a win :D
Just bought a Sylvia yesterday after 20 years with a Saeco Via Venezia/Starbucks Barista machine. She was still working but was getting finicky. I'm a little sad about it. I mean 20 years with a machine that only needed a couple small repairs and was a part of our daily lives. 😭 I'm excited though, if a bit nervous about getting used to the Sylvia. I've already frothed a couple times, and I like it. The knob needs to be turned more than I thought, but it will be fun to work with. Already adjusted to a much finer grind and know it's going to take patience and practice, but hey, I'm up for it...I think! 😏
If i get my hands on a rancilio rs1 specialty portafilter, can i use it on my rancilio silvia pro? and another question plz. can i use the portafilter from the Miss silvia to the rancilio silvia pro? thanks in advance
Nice job with the comparison. Do consider being a little bit more scientific - use a thermometer instead of subjective temperature comparisons and have someone help with a blind tasting. Furthermore, you need to rinse your mouth with lukewarm sparkling water in between tastings. This might sound nitpicky but then you are all experts on coffee, so the bar is high :)
I would say maybe no, I would upgrade your Silvia to v6 (2020) for having some nice features and maybe that's it. Unless you have lots of money ORR you drink lots of coffee drinks (use the steamer a lot), in that case yes, that would be a nice upgrade
It is intended by Rancilio that the spout is not aligned (90 degree) to the handle. The spout is aligned with the machine and cups once the portafilter is installed in the machine. The handle goes further to the right side. Not at new machine, but after a while (gasket).
I've got the newest version of the classic Silvia and the tamp that comes with it is too small for the porta filter basket. I have to tamp twice to make sure it covers all the coffee. Seems ridiculous!
That's a common thing with all 58mm tampers. If you'd like a precise fit, check out the oversized precision tampers on our site. A 58.4mm or 58.5mm tamper will eliminate this. I use a 58.5 at home but it can get stuck in the basket if you're not careful.
Question for my classic Silivia owners out there. His tamp looks good but I find that I must under fill the basket to avoid the screw under the screen from breaking the tamp. How do others handle that?
My silvia (single boiler) was shipped with the upgraded portafilter. But they send a ugly and weird temper surrounded with rubber base. The product package seems to be inconsistent.
my in-box portafilter from SPX has the spout in a weird position. It's not perpendicular to the handle... It's tilted. It feels like one unit so i can't twist it.
Honestly, i think they are great machines, but if you have a v6 or previous model, i generally dont think it is worth upgrading for only incremental improvements.
As a long time Silvia classic with pid user... I think learning to get consistent results is too much of a slog for most people... especially since it would likely be an entry level machine that was designed before tech refinements became available. Great review. I am wondering what major compromises (if any) would you see on the Pro as compared to other under 2500 machines.
some other machines offer such niceties as a pressure gauge, or even 2 of them, and certainly some look a lot sexier. I'm still leaning towards this due to the durability reputation of the company, the availability of parts etc. I'm a milk-drinker and really don't think I'd appreciate going any higher/purer, but I do want something that lasts a long time. I have just had a 7 month old Breville die on me, so long-term reliability is important.
@@bigglyguy8429 I kind of suspected that breville would compromise on quality/longevity to deliver the wiz bang machines. And, perhaps many of their customers will mostly leave these machines sitting on their counter.... so it might not matter so much. Personally, I use my Silvia every day and have appreciated it’s near indestructibly. And, for that matter, I actually prefer it’s simple design. Although, I did customize Silvia with a PID, which I consider near essential to achieve temp accuracy and stability
On the V4 and older models, the light goes off at 95-96°C and it takes about 20-25s for it to climb to 105°C if you don’t start brewing right after the light goes off. On the newer models, such as V5 and V6 the light goes off at 90°C, which gives you 3-5 seconds to climb up to 95°C. All this can be tested and confirmed simply with a temperature probe, you can also find videos here on TH-cam confirming everything i’ve just mentioned. I hope that helps you understand why.
The Rocket looks prettier, while both are well built machines.. The Rancilio will heat up quicker and offer more stable and accurate brew temps due to PID DB vs HX.
The Rancilio Pro is more than twice the price of a normal Silvia. Another let down the vibration pump makes a lot of noise. To adjust the boiler pressure is very laborious. Again the diptray is very clumsy. The steamwand isn't insulated. Limited pre infusion. At this price tag I am expecting both more improvements and refinements.
I think of it more like a Porsche 911 Turbo, that might be really old now but it's still a great car. Then you add modern safety features and create an electric/gas hybrid that's on a whole new level, while retaining all the aspects that made the original great :)
Great job, but for the same price you should do a model comparison challenge. I feel that there are others that are more affordable and perform way better.
I was looking to upgrade my classic Silvia and saw a few comparisons of the Pro against other heat exchanger and dual boiler machines in a similar price range. The consistent thing is just as with the classic-the drip tray being too small or people don’t like how it looks. However, against its competitors, the Silvia Pro had bang on temperature and proper brew pressure. For a comparable dual boiler machine I’m thinking you’d have to spend almost $1,000 more for something like a Rocket r58.
@@highoctaneadventure I saw the Silvia Pro and the Rocket R58 which is amazing. I still feel it's a great bargain the Silvia. I wonder bang per cup of espresso, who is the best machine under $2000.00 ?
@@rexdutchman3140 As far as I could tell, the only other comparable machine in the price range is the Breville/Sage Dual Boiler. It gives a lot more features but you take a hit on build quality/durability (in comparison) and lose on accuracy and consistency. But really at the price, it’s still seems to pull decent shots and that could be good enough for a lot of people. Especially if they think the Silvia Pro is ugly or has too many quirks :)
I have a Silivia V3 with a PID that I bought from SCG about 4 years ago. It’s been a good machine but I really want a better machine to steam milk. The Silvia V3 makes poor milk foam. My next machine has to have a dual boiler. In a perfect world I would buy a Linea Mini but that’s a bit out of budget. I still need to upgrade grinders. My Rocky is a tank but I always find myself between settings which then requires a change in dose to adjust instead.
As noted by Parablade, you can get good foam on the Silvia. I use a PID and start steaming at around 230 Fahrenheit (lower temp than I did pre-PID) and take it easy. Seems to produce sweet microfoam every time.
@@Wyman642 That's interesting. The PID installed by Seattle Coffee Gear has the stem temp set around 285 F. I would have to purge an extreme amount of steam from the wand to get that low or lower the setting itself..
@@vettepwr23 that may be the maximum temp. Nothing says you have to use it at that temp. You can experiment by starting your steaming at a lower temperature, as the machine is heating its way up.
in my umbel opinion both machines do not worth so much. silvia classic is too expensive compared to its similar Spanish machine Minimoka. m363 more affordable and exactly do same shots. the silvia pro do cost the same price of the beautiful designed La pavioni Pub 1 ES series. more beauttiful and more durable of corse.
We have had our Rancilio Silvia for almost 15 years. It has always worked for us flawlessly and never had a problem. It makes a great cup of espresso or a great latte. I like the fact that it's heavy and built like a tank. I appreciate equipment that's built to last rather than the Apple iPhone approach where they make sure you have to change it out every few years at the cost of 1000 dollars.
The Rancilio Silvia that we have is obviously an earlier model. I have purchased a PID kit from Aubern that should eliminate the need to temperature surf the machine.
Most vendors will offer the current Sylvia with a PID installed at the time of purchase. When you add a high end filter basket like a VST to the portafilter you end up with a world class machine that will last you almost forever.
We also have a Rancilio Rocky grinder it has been ultra reliable just like the Sylvia and does a great job grinding from French press to Turkish grind. It is a great match for Sylvia.
Simply put the Rancilio Sylvia is utterly Reliable, it makes a great shot, and it steams the heck out of milk.
The Rancilio Silvia is not one of those "one button wonders" that automatically makes you a cup of "coffee" with no knowledge or real involvement on your part. The Rancilio Silvia will brew a great and consistent espresso but it does require that you learn something about "hands on" coffee and espresso brewing. That for me was well worth doing and something I look forward to each and every morning.
My vote is for the Rancilio Sylvia as the best espresso maker in the world for a home espresso machine.
I love my regular Silvia, but it became much less stressful to use when I installed a PID. Temperature surfing is a real pain in the morning.
Wow, basically double the price for the Pro. I think there should be a semi-pro or whatever in between that is still single-boiler but has the PID and the float for the water tank. Because a lot of people mod the Silvia in similar ways, they should just make a version that doesn't need to be modified for around $1,000.
Agreed, that's a great idea. It wouldn't even need to be as much as $1000 I think?
Love my Silvia, had it for years! Not sure why someone would buy the Silvia Pro though when there are other machines at similar prices that are superior (eg Rocket).
I've seen standard Sylvias with pid on them. I can't remember where and I don't know if they can't with it or if they were added after manufacturing.
@@pumpkineater23 I did it and so far I'm not liking the pro x, think my silvia v3 with pid did a better job.
I currently own two Silvia's. One a v1 and the other is a v2 (One for home, one for my wifes business). I modded both with a PID and they work hard all day long. I would say about 8 to 10 drinks a day, every day. Every couple of years, I break them down and clean the boilers completely. Upgrading the steam wand to a fully articulated wand is the way to go on the older versions. I say all this to point out they they are tanks. They just work. If something goes wrong, parts are available and they are easy to work on. Great coffee for the money spent on each. However, that Pro! Steaming while pulling a shot... For ~1700$... Not sure that extra 700 is worth it. Gotta try it I guess.
8-10 drinks per day for a couple of years. That's seriously a tank.
I own a v6 and not looking forward for any upgrade for at least the next 3-4 years. I'm only into 2 - 3 drinks per day at home, since I'm m only using it after work in the evenings ( only espresso, I'm m not into latte or cappuccino )
Although my grinder Ceado E6P is not as consistent as I wanted it to be. So maybe my upgrade will be there
I keep trying to get my V3 to expire so I have an excuse to upgrade. Apparently, that is not going to happen soon based on the longevity of your machines. No complaints though. I added a PID and am happy - just lusting after my dream E61 machine.
Don't do it my friend, I just bought the pro x and so far I think my Silvia v3 with PID did better job. Just doesn't worth it. I know the pro has 2 boiler (that's why I decided going for it) but it lost the heat very soon when you are steaming, I use a thermometer to check that the milk is 60-70°C when I serve it, and the steam runs off when milk is just 45°C. The Silvia pro x has a 4 hole tip, but not enough steam to work with it.
silvia pro or lelit elizabeth v3?
Good question! If Lelit were more available here in Malaysia I'd probably go for that, but all I can find locally are the Mara X, and sellers disinterested in sourcing other models. I'm more into living a life and using the machine than shopping for one, so I'm hoping whatever I get is my last ever purchase! That makes me lean towards the Silvia simply for the long-lasting reputation they have.
Update! I just ordered the Silvia. Reliability and parts available are more important than pretty looks to me.
Can’t wait for your Rancilio Silvia Pro X review!
@09:00 ~ I was intrigued that 17g of coffee fit into the "standard" basket, which I understood to be a 14g basket. Am I missing something? I purchased the triple basket (21g), including the next up portafilter, in order to get 19g of ground espresso into the basket. Any input would be appreciated... Thx.
Keeping my old Silvia and grabbing the Eureka Specialita! That's one good looking, low noise grinder.
I’ve got the V1 along with the Rocky doserless 2nd hand 7 years ago and I still love it. A few years ago I wanted to upgrade to a e61 db but then I realized there was nothing wrong with my v1. I was even thinking of changing the steam wand and knob to get a faux v3 but at the end of the day my tried and true v1 is still with me. No plans on upgrading. Drink about a pound every 6 weeks.
just bought today a v1 second hand with La Pavoni jolly grinder for 200Eur :)
Nice comment about changing the angle of the portafilter spout, not… it is off-center on purpose because the handle, when locked, is supposed to be past perpendicular, so the spout then becomes parallel to the backsplash. The handle is to line up with the off-center red dot painted on the black group filter housing.
Just saw this video, sorry if someone already commented on this. I liked this review. But the higher temperature on the Silvia classic is explainable and easily avoidable if wanted. The temperature surfing used had a mistake. After the light goes off, it actually doesn't stop heating. The heating process continues due to the pressure and therefore the problem happened. To avoid this, the complete temperature surfing procedure must be used: wait until the light goes off, wait another 20 seconds, start the shot without the portafilter for 5 seconds, this will bring the temperature down by letting cold water flush in, and reaching the desired 95 degrees (if all is done correctly you will notice some stem coming out at the start, showing that the temperature was indeed too high). Then place the portafilter and take the espresso shot. That's all folks :)
Hi Artur. You may find helpful if i told you that this technique may work, however there is a better way. You have to start brewing right after the orange light turns off. I must also mention that this applies to the more recent Silvia models (V5, V6). It can also apply to the older models, however i’m not entirely sure how accurate the thermostats are on those. By design, the thermostat should trigger the orange light once the water reaches 90°C. Yes, the heating element stays hot, will stay hot for a while and few seconds later will continue to heat. If you flush few seconds after the orange light has turned off, it may already be too late and you’ll obviously see some steam. Flushing the steam out isn’t going to work as well as brewing right after the orange light turns off (at least not for the newer models). That’s your best chance to get as close to a repeatable temperature as possible without a PID. There’s content on TH-cam that proves that as well, an experiment with a temperature probe would also confirm this. I hope that helps!
Honestly, I don't get the popularity of the Silvia pro. The Silvia is a great machine, but not because it's especially good but because of what it offers for the price. With the pro being just as expensive as the competitors I wouldn't chose to buy it.
I just got one, having taken a long hard look at the competitors. Upgrading from a dead Breville. The Lelit range are nice, though I had trouble sourcing the Elizabeth locally, and failing that would want the MaraX. However local (Malaysia) sellers were mostly pushing plain Maras and they're a pain in the ass with all the flushing to cool etc. The one seller that did offer an Elizabeth wanted hundreds of bux more than the RS Pro. the ECM range were my next option, along with the Profitech 300 or 500 PID. But then I looked at the hassles I was having even getting the machines, let alone spare parts, and how close I came to buying the 'wrong' Mara... One thing to love about the Silvia is how it hasn't really changed, even though this is a massive upgrade. I feel confident that in 10 years time when it needs some real work, that the parts, know-how and videos will be available. I just don't have that confidence in some other brand. Then again I'm in my mid 50s, drive a 10 yr old Hilux and appreciate well-made shit that just works and keeps working. Really not interested in chasing gadgets and 'latest'. One review of a Rocket machine, the guy mentioned how he was a great fan of the red decals... who really gives a ^%$? That's another thing, it's brushed steel, like the rest of the stuff in my kitchen. The mirror-finish stuff looks great but it's muggins here who would be cleaning it everyday. Nah, I'll take the simple, plain, tough old Rancilio, so I can concentrate on the beans, the moment, the company (friends) rather than fussing over a glorious, complex machine. And now with twin boilers I don't have to inwardly groan when friends ask for a coffee :)
@@bigglyguy8429 Agreed every word you said!! I am going through your expresso machine shopping journey now. Admiring the sleekness and modernness of EMC and Profitec while keeping looking back at Silvia classic, then here is Pro X! Sold right on the spot! I will wait a couple of more months for Black Friday deals!
Dont want to come out sounding snobby, but I probably will. If you don’t understand the huge game changer that is a dual boiler vs single, then you simply need to do more research about what actually is espresso....he didn’t even mention that the Pro brews at a perfect 9bar consistently. Let’s put it simply, you will not be able to brew two similar shots with a single boiler machine - especially without PID. A few degrees difference when brewing a cup can completely change the flavor profile of a shot. If you’re brewing that Ethiopian light roast from your local roaster, even more so because they’re very sensitive to pressure/dose/temperature. Think, if you’ve just grounded a bean to powder consistency and are about to run hot water at high pressure through it, the difference between burnt and proper extraction is minimal. These machines aren’t even close to being similar other than looks and same brand, they extract coffee oils absolutely differently and the Pro is clearly superior. A more appropriate comparison would have been vs a Breville Dual Boiler which is a bit cheaper. And I expect Silvia Pro to take it against BDB because Breville are notoriously hard to fix once they start failing....and regarding Rocket Appartamento- thats an HX non PID machine - which means you’re still guessing what temperature you’re brewing and have to cool flush. The HX is a step up from single boiler because their bigger boilers allow you to brew and steam at the same time plus general more powerful steaming pressure. But HX is still inferior to Dual Boilers when it comes down to brewing shots, especially back to back. Rocket machines do look sick tho...
@Espresso Junky dont wanna sound like an A-hole so please don’t take it as such. But, you liking the shots that you pull on a non-PID sylvia is hardly an argument since thats relative. Also, the type of coffee that you’re brewing comes in to play as well. I.e. Lavazza DC is a lot more forgiving than a third-wave light roast from a local shop.
I absolutely agree with everything in this comment. I’d also like to point out the build quality (finally a stainless steel frame) and the temperature stability the machine is able to replicate over and over. Here’s more on that :
www.silviaprousa.com/blog-archive/thermal-stability
A standard Silvia with let’s say Auber’s PID comes nowhere near that.
Thanks so much. I'm looking for a machine for my coffee cart and your comment helped alot
I’ve had that particular version of the regular Silvia for about two months now. It’s my first espresso machine and actually I’ve found it surprisingly easy to get decent shots out, at least with darker roast coffees. I usually run water out until the heating gets on again, and while waiting for the light to go off I have enough time to grind and tamp the coffee. In fact, usually the light goes off a bit earlier already so by the time I get ready to brew the water temp has maybe declined just a bit - I’ve found that to be a good “strategy” 😄 I think out of the box the brew temp for coffee is a bit high, if I run water out right after the light goes off there will be a lot of steam too coming out.
What I’ve found not that easy is the steaming, not because of the single hole steam tip but just because it has loads of power, so if the positioning is not right there will be a mess. But after practicing it’s gotten easier 🙂
A question I’d like to ask, what’s your recommendation on the regular Silvia - first brew the coffee and then steam the milk, or the other way around? I’ve seen most recommending steaming the milk first but I’ve found it a bit easier to first pull the shot, I’ve had pretty nice hot drinks with good latte art even though the shot would sit for a while
I do my shot first to as it's quicker that way. This is a great way to do it if you're having milk as the shot sitting for a little while doesn't matter as much. On the other hand if you want the best tasting espresso then fresh is best. I have a version 5 Silvia (2018)
Steaming first never worked for me. Internal components don’t cool down enough even after purge and surf so the espresso is largely steam coming out of the portafilter and not good tasting.
I'm no expert but if you leave the milk sitting around the foam will separate, whereas the shot isn't going anywhere. One could argue the aroma might escape, but either way you're about to dump milk over it, and if the aroma is going anywhere it's up your nose while you're steaming, which to me is a win :D
what the ideal temperature to programed the steam boiler
Love my Silvia.
I'd been waiting on this one! Today is good day. Thank you! 😁 I'm #teamPRO if PID-moding is off the table
Is the steam wand from the pro compatible with the standard?
Just bought a Sylvia yesterday after 20 years with a Saeco Via Venezia/Starbucks Barista machine. She was still working but was getting finicky. I'm a little sad about it. I mean 20 years with a machine that only needed a couple small repairs and was a part of our daily lives. 😭
I'm excited though, if a bit nervous about getting used to the Sylvia. I've already frothed a couple times, and I like it. The knob needs to be turned more than I thought, but it will be fun to work with. Already adjusted to a much finer grind and know it's going to take patience and practice, but hey, I'm up for it...I think! 😏
my spout is not perpendicular to the handle. it's tilted at an angle. Can you show us how to put them in place? it feels like one unit and won't budge
If i get my hands on a rancilio rs1 specialty portafilter, can i use it on my rancilio silvia pro?
and another question plz. can i use the portafilter from the Miss silvia to the rancilio silvia pro? thanks in advance
I have the same question
I used to think that price for good home espresso machines are TGH, but Silvia Pro is cheaper than my phone...
That was a really great review - thanks for doing that.
what grinder is this?
Eureka Mignon Specialita
does the steam wand tip of the pro fit on the normal rancilio silvia?
I assume the standard Rancilio basket is their 14g one? Is that correct?
Nice job with the comparison. Do consider being a little bit more scientific - use a thermometer instead of subjective temperature comparisons and have someone help with a blind tasting. Furthermore, you need to rinse your mouth with lukewarm sparkling water in between tastings. This might sound nitpicky but then you are all experts on coffee, so the bar is high :)
No one wants a warm La Croix Vijay.
@@SeattleCoffeeGear There is such a thing as plain unsweetened sparkling water :) Would appreciate a more scientific counter argument, though.
@@vijayramani7439 Agree 100%. Without being blind taste tests are completely worthless.
Can you please do a comparison with Breville Duo Boiler vs Rancilio Silvia Pro?
Well the Rancillio will last a long time, and the Breville won't.
Have you tried the rs1 portafilters on the silvia models? Do they fit?
I have had a Silvia v3 with PID since 2009. It works perfect yet. Do you think it worth to upgrade to the pro?
I would say maybe no, I would upgrade your Silvia to v6 (2020) for having some nice features and maybe that's it. Unless you have lots of money ORR you drink lots of coffee drinks (use the steamer a lot), in that case yes, that would be a nice upgrade
Not if it works perfectly
It is intended by Rancilio that the spout is not aligned (90 degree) to the handle.
The spout is aligned with the machine and cups once the portafilter is installed in the machine. The handle goes further to the right side. Not at new machine, but after a while (gasket).
I was going to say the same thing. You don’t want to vice that spout. You’ll either strip threads or loosen it unnecessarily.
Please review Milesto em19-m2
I've got the newest version of the classic Silvia and the tamp that comes with it is too small for the porta filter basket. I have to tamp twice to make sure it covers all the coffee. Seems ridiculous!
That's a common thing with all 58mm tampers. If you'd like a precise fit, check out the oversized precision tampers on our site. A 58.4mm or 58.5mm tamper will eliminate this. I use a 58.5 at home but it can get stuck in the basket if you're not careful.
I totally agree! why not provide a 58.4mm / 58.5mm tamper in the first place?
@@franckmcl Why make it easy when you can supply wrong tools to confuse the crap out of beginners?
Question for my classic Silivia owners out there. His tamp looks good but I find that I must under fill the basket to avoid the screw under the screen from breaking the tamp. How do others handle that?
get the shower screen mod
I fill the basket all the way up, works fine for me. I understand the theory but one can drive oneself crazy attempting perfection.
We just switched out the original with a 14g La Marzocco basket - what a difference (including no more damaged tamps).
What is the steaming pressure difference between the Silvia to the gaggia classic pro ?
The reason you get better steam on silvia is not because of pressure it is diffrent size of the bolier.
So I recently bought a single boiler PID Silvia form SCG and it came with the better portafilter. Is that how they come or did I just luck out?
My silvia (single boiler) was shipped with the upgraded portafilter. But they send a ugly and weird temper surrounded with rubber base. The product package seems to be inconsistent.
I'm curious to think that maybe there could have been retention ground into one of the portafilters and that could be why it came out a bit fast? 🤔
What brand and model is the coffee grinder?
8:59
my in-box portafilter from SPX has the spout in a weird position. It's not perpendicular to the handle... It's tilted. It feels like one unit so i can't twist it.
Is temperature spelled differently in the US? Thanks for a great comparison! :D
Honestly, i think they are great machines, but if you have a v6 or previous model, i generally dont think it is worth upgrading for only incremental improvements.
As a long time Silvia classic with pid user... I think learning to get consistent results is too much of a slog for most people... especially since it would likely be an entry level machine that was designed before tech refinements became available.
Great review. I am wondering what major compromises (if any) would you see on the Pro as compared to other under 2500 machines.
some other machines offer such niceties as a pressure gauge, or even 2 of them, and certainly some look a lot sexier. I'm still leaning towards this due to the durability reputation of the company, the availability of parts etc. I'm a milk-drinker and really don't think I'd appreciate going any higher/purer, but I do want something that lasts a long time. I have just had a 7 month old Breville die on me, so long-term reliability is important.
@@bigglyguy8429
I kind of suspected that breville would compromise on quality/longevity to deliver the wiz bang machines. And, perhaps many of their customers will mostly leave these machines sitting on their counter.... so it might not matter so much. Personally, I use my Silvia every day and have appreciated it’s near indestructibly. And, for that matter, I actually prefer it’s simple design. Although, I did customize Silvia with a PID, which I consider near essential to achieve temp accuracy and stability
Nice demo, but you would be nice to see what you do instead of seeing your back at time.
I really don't understand why do you keep breweing at 105 degrees for the Silvia. When the light goes off you've got 105.
On the V4 and older models, the light goes off at 95-96°C and it takes about 20-25s for it to climb to 105°C if you don’t start brewing right after the light goes off. On the newer models, such as V5 and V6 the light goes off at 90°C, which gives you 3-5 seconds to climb up to 95°C. All this can be tested and confirmed simply with a temperature probe, you can also find videos here on TH-cam confirming everything i’ve just mentioned. I hope that helps you understand why.
Compare sylvia pro with rocket appartamento pls
The Rocket looks prettier, while both are well built machines..
The Rancilio will heat up quicker and offer more stable and accurate brew temps due to PID DB vs HX.
How long the start up period for silvia and silvia pro?
Heats up in about 2 min. Steam boiler takes 5 min. I usually let mine sit for 15 min or so before i use it. That is for pro version.
I love the intro music. Keep it on!
The Rancilio Pro is more than twice the price of a normal Silvia.
Another let down the vibration pump makes a lot of noise.
To adjust the boiler pressure is very laborious.
Again the diptray is very clumsy.
The steamwand isn't insulated.
Limited pre infusion.
At this price tag I am expecting both more improvements and refinements.
Silvia Pro, like when you do up your old Toyota Camry and add a super charger.. then price it as a Porsche, however sadly it still looks like a Camry
I think of it more like a Porsche 911 Turbo, that might be really old now but it's still a great car. Then you add modern safety features and create an electric/gas hybrid that's on a whole new level, while retaining all the aspects that made the original great :)
Can we get a timed head to head for a cappuccino I know the pro will win just curious what the time difference is
Depends on how fast you are! But in honesty, it wouldn't be fair to the Silvia.
Great job, but for the same price you should do a model comparison challenge. I feel that there are others that are more affordable and perform way better.
I was looking to upgrade my classic Silvia and saw a few comparisons of the Pro against other heat exchanger and dual boiler machines in a similar price range. The consistent thing is just as with the classic-the drip tray being too small or people don’t like how it looks. However, against its competitors, the Silvia Pro had bang on temperature and proper brew pressure. For a comparable dual boiler machine I’m thinking you’d have to spend almost $1,000 more for something like a Rocket r58.
@@highoctaneadventure I saw the Silvia Pro and the Rocket R58 which is amazing. I still feel it's a great bargain the Silvia. I wonder bang per cup of espresso, who is the best machine under $2000.00 ?
@@rexdutchman3140 As far as I could tell, the only other comparable machine in the price range is the Breville/Sage Dual Boiler. It gives a lot more features but you take a hit on build quality/durability (in comparison) and lose on accuracy and consistency. But really at the price, it’s still seems to pull decent shots and that could be good enough for a lot of people. Especially if they think the Silvia Pro is ugly or has too many quirks :)
Good job!
If you're like me and only drink shots of espresso and dont do all the milk drinks... who needs a dual boiler? Save some money!
I have a Silivia V3 with a PID that I bought from SCG about 4 years ago. It’s been a good machine but I really want a better machine to steam milk. The Silvia V3 makes poor milk foam. My next machine has to have a dual boiler. In a perfect world I would buy a Linea Mini but that’s a bit out of budget. I still need to upgrade grinders. My Rocky is a tank but I always find myself between settings which then requires a change in dose to adjust instead.
We used to struggle with obtaining decent foam, then we watched a bunch of YT videos and ‘dang’ = commercial grade foam everytime.
As noted by Parablade, you can get good foam on the Silvia. I use a PID and start steaming at around 230 Fahrenheit (lower temp than I did pre-PID) and take it easy. Seems to produce sweet microfoam every time.
@@Wyman642 That's interesting. The PID installed by Seattle Coffee Gear has the stem temp set around 285 F. I would have to purge an extreme amount of steam from the wand to get that low or lower the setting itself..
@@vettepwr23 that may be the maximum temp. Nothing says you have to use it at that temp. You can experiment by starting your steaming at a lower temperature, as the machine is heating its way up.
I’m crying from how bad I want this
😭😭 me too
Love it how people that cant buy Silvia Pro tells that it is not worth the price. How about writing what machine beats it for the price!
@MontalbanJR ok champ
Profitec Pro 300
@@Todd.T Does that have PID? I believe the 500 does.
@@bigglyguy8429 It does :
www.profitec-espresso.com/en/products/pro300
supposed to be tough to beat for the money.
maybe grind a tad finer
0:37 an amazing example of a Cockolatte
He starts pulling shots in 8:55
THANKS OBAMA
Hahahah
in my umbel opinion both machines do not worth so much.
silvia classic is too expensive compared to its similar Spanish machine Minimoka. m363 more affordable and exactly do same shots.
the silvia pro do cost the same price of the beautiful designed La pavioni Pub 1 ES series. more beauttiful and more durable of corse.
the RANCILIO logo on PRO model is not straight. they couldn't manage to do something as simple as this right. let alone its functionality. POOP
There assembly factory is on the side of a hill, that s why
You would expect coffee snobs to have the minimum knowledge on Italian pronunciation as they do when it comes to French.
What grinder is that?
Eureka Mignon Specialita!