The Silvia is still a solid machine in 2020. I own a V1 from 2000 that still works like a dream. The Rocky though is definitely at the end of its lifecycle. I would be dreading a clumpy grind like that.
I found someone with a 20 year old V1 to...nice! I bought it new and it is still pulling great shots. A bit of upkeep but very solid machine. I bought the rocky as well about two years later and it is now my pour over grinder. Bought a Eureka mignon specialita for espresso. Great unit.
Hi. I`m hoping for answer from you. Still dont have decide, gaggia classic pro or silvia? I must mention, i will use only for espresso, maby 2-3 times per year for steaming. Espresso quality is my priority. I dont have oportunity for upgrading with auber pid. For grinder i have decide for eureka mignon specialita. Thank you. Edit: I must say im from the balkan, so in future i cant replace or upgrade this setup, its a lot of savings being investetd so i need to be reliable for next generetions. 🤘
Hi, I own the set which you show here, but I have two questions. Would you upgrade to filter basket to 18 grams and would it be recommendable to upgrade to a 58.4 mm tamper? Thank you, Frederik
It is really easy to Install a PID by yourself. You can get one for around 30 bucks on Amazon. No need for a "special espresso pid"... Those are just like any other PID.
@@derpyrologe3072 That's really cool, would be interested to hear how difficult that was and how much knowledge and time it took to do that from scratch with generic parts. I am a simple man who had $350 CAD to spare, so I bought one of the premade Auber PIDs with steam and preinfusion. I know nothing about electrical work but the instructions were clear, and it took me like 2 hours to complete the installation. The PID was a huge change and improvement in my consistency, and for me it was worth the cost. I bought my silvia used for $450 CAD, so with the cost of the PID it is $800 CAD (600 USD), so although the PID with steam and preinfusion is expensive I think the value was okay in my case. Definitely cheaper than buying one new. But a $30 PID would be next-level value, if it wasn't crazy complicated.
@@TheJjoshie @aVo Jjoshie There isn't much difference between the Auber PID and something like this: www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Temperature-Controller-Relay-ITC-100/dp/B07CC3XMCK?th=1&psc=1. Only difference would be the steam and preinfusion function. Wiring should be the same i think. If not you can figure it out quite easily (google is your friend). But just like with the Auber PID you need to be careful when working with AC. It probably took me about 2h to Install but im also a trained Electrician. I think with absolutely no knowledge you need to pay some time for research. With a little more work and patience you can get away way cheaper. PS: I forgot to mention the stuff you need for wiring which needs to be bought separately.
The Silvia coffe high temperature thermostat is set to 110c, meaning that when the 'heating' light goes off you get water that's boiling and then some coming out of the shower screen. That's too hot for coffeee. Once the light goes off you might want either: wait a couple minutes for the boiler to cool down some or just pump some water through. Once the water coming through the screen is no longer hissing and smoking its no longer boiling and you can brew away.
I'm really curious about a Saeco SE50 and it's really hard to find info about it online. Please, take a review on it. It's one of the few "prosumer" espresso machines we can find in Brazil without having to import it.
Can someone please help me. I have a Silvia V6 and constantly get a dent in my coffee puck from the screw.. I brew with the standard double filter and not more than 16 grams. Any idea why and how I can fix it?
Don't forget to flush some water after the heating element turns off (before locking in the portafilter) in order to bring the water down to a more desirable temperature before pulling your shot. Shout out to Gale!
@@Jaroslav. The problem is that the temp will drift upwards for a few seconds after it turns off. I run water for a couple of seconds before I pull a shot and it works well.
@@Uncompletedrecall Thank you for your input, i’m aware of that. That’s why you should start brewing right after the orange light turns off. A few seconds later may be too late.
@@Uncompletedrecall I must also mention that this applies to the more recent Silvia models (V5, V6). It could possibly apply to the older models as well, 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. 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 tempersture probe would also confirm this. I hope that helps!
Congratulations, you've just brewed at 105 degrees. I wish they have included a pid in this version too not only in their dual boiler silvia. That would be the single most needed update they would ever have to make. But hey, they just don't want to listen to us.
Surprisingly this espresso wasn't half bad without the PID. Obviously you're taking my word for it, but if I was served this in a cafe during a morning rush, I wouldn't be mad.
@@johnholmquist9277 it wasn’t bad because you absolutely didn’t brew at 105°C. You did everything correctly and started brewing a couple of seconds after the light went off, which means the water was at just about 95 °C.
@@jasontatro Thanks! I have the same setup (older Silvia model) and I've never gone as high as 10 for espresso but will try! I know it's different for every coffe. Thanks. Keep up the great work! Go Seahawks.
That would be a sign of over extraction or an over roasted coffee. If your machine hasn't been cleaned in a while you'll get this, if you're brewing to hot you'll get it, and if you pull a shot for too long you'll get it. Hope that helps!
That’s an awfully bad grinder. I just can’t understand how they manage to make such a good espresso machine and not get the grinder right? The Eureka silenzio is light years ahead of that piece of c***. Their grinder is just a joke end of story!
John is my new favorite as he actually weighs input and output
The Silvia is still a solid machine in 2020. I own a V1 from 2000 that still works like a dream. The Rocky though is definitely at the end of its lifecycle. I would be dreading a clumpy grind like that.
I found someone with a 20 year old V1 to...nice! I bought it new and it is still pulling great shots. A bit of upkeep but very solid machine. I bought the rocky as well about two years later and it is now my pour over grinder. Bought a Eureka mignon specialita for espresso. Great unit.
I have one from 2004. Makes a good coffee but I don't 😂 I need some learning. Also probably gonna get a pid kit for it.
Hi. I`m hoping for answer from you. Still dont have decide, gaggia classic pro or silvia? I must mention, i will use only for espresso, maby 2-3 times per year for steaming. Espresso quality is my priority. I dont have oportunity for upgrading with auber pid. For grinder i have decide for eureka mignon specialita. Thank you.
Edit:
I must say im from the balkan, so in future i cant replace or upgrade this setup, its a lot of savings being investetd so i need to be reliable for next generetions. 🤘
Hi! I would like to know which will be better in the long run. The Breville dual boiler or Rancilio Silvia V6? Which oroduce great espresso?
You're a great reviewer with great video presence and a voice for it! Love it!
Hi,
I own the set which you show here, but I have two questions. Would you upgrade to filter basket to 18 grams and would it be recommendable to upgrade to a 58.4 mm tamper?
Thank you,
Frederik
So you guys added the PID (after market), because non of the Rancilio factory comes with a PID except for the Pro X. Am I right?
Great review, mate. Which would you rate higher fir espresso between this and the updated Gaggia Classic? Grazie.
I wish they refreshed it with a PID, like the Pro version. In my case I don't need dual boiler, just want a single boiler PID :(
It is really easy to Install a PID by yourself. You can get one for around 30 bucks on Amazon. No need for a "special espresso pid"... Those are just like any other PID.
@@derpyrologe3072 That's really cool, would be interested to hear how difficult that was and how much knowledge and time it took to do that from scratch with generic parts. I am a simple man who had $350 CAD to spare, so I bought one of the premade Auber PIDs with steam and preinfusion. I know nothing about electrical work but the instructions were clear, and it took me like 2 hours to complete the installation. The PID was a huge change and improvement in my consistency, and for me it was worth the cost. I bought my silvia used for $450 CAD, so with the cost of the PID it is $800 CAD (600 USD), so although the PID with steam and preinfusion is expensive I think the value was okay in my case. Definitely cheaper than buying one new. But a $30 PID would be next-level value, if it wasn't crazy complicated.
@@TheJjoshie @aVo Jjoshie There isn't much difference between the Auber PID and something like this: www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Temperature-Controller-Relay-ITC-100/dp/B07CC3XMCK?th=1&psc=1. Only difference would be the steam and preinfusion function. Wiring should be the same i think. If not you can figure it out quite easily (google is your friend). But just like with the Auber PID you need to be careful when working with AC. It probably took me about 2h to Install but im also a trained Electrician. I think with absolutely no knowledge you need to pay some time for research. With a little more work and patience you can get away way cheaper.
PS: I forgot to mention the stuff you need for wiring which needs to be bought separately.
The Silvia coffe high temperature thermostat is set to 110c, meaning that when the 'heating' light goes off you get water that's boiling and then some coming out of the shower screen. That's too hot for coffeee. Once the light goes off you might want either: wait a couple minutes for the boiler to cool down some or just pump some water through. Once the water coming through the screen is no longer hissing and smoking its no longer boiling and you can brew away.
The heating element goes off at 90°C. Therefore you should start brewing right after the orange light goes off.
Do you still recommend the silvia
Definitely! Still a great machine, just requires a bit of practice.
What is the steaming pressure difference between the Silvia to the gaggia classic pro ?
I'm really curious about a Saeco SE50 and it's really hard to find info about it online. Please, take a review on it. It's one of the few "prosumer" espresso machines we can find in Brazil without having to import it.
Can someone please help me. I have a Silvia V6 and constantly get a dent in my coffee puck from the screw.. I brew with the standard double filter and not more than 16 grams. Any idea why and how I can fix it?
Why no temperature surving?
Wow what an update, some black touches and a tamper. Congrats!
Nice video by the way ;)
Great video as always John. Thanks.
Don't forget to flush some water after the heating element turns off (before locking in the portafilter) in order to bring the water down to a more desirable temperature before pulling your shot. Shout out to Gale!
99% of the time I do this, just missed it to avoid making a mess in the video!
Definitely don’t flush any water after the light goes off. It turns off at 90 °C, you should start brewing immediatelly after the light goes off.
@@Jaroslav. The problem is that the temp will drift upwards for a few seconds after it turns off. I run water for a couple of seconds before I pull a shot and it works well.
@@Uncompletedrecall Thank you for your input, i’m aware of that. That’s why you should start brewing right after the orange light turns off. A few seconds later may be too late.
@@Uncompletedrecall I must also mention that this applies to the more recent Silvia models (V5, V6). It could possibly apply to the older models as well, 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. 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 tempersture probe would also confirm this. I hope that helps!
My black silvia came with a black stainless tamper not like the one in this video ..dont know why
Congratulations, you've just brewed at 105 degrees. I wish they have included a pid in this version too not only in their dual boiler silvia. That would be the single most needed update they would ever have to make. But hey, they just don't want to listen to us.
Surprisingly this espresso wasn't half bad without the PID. Obviously you're taking my word for it, but if I was served this in a cafe during a morning rush, I wouldn't be mad.
@@johnholmquist9277 it wasn’t bad because you absolutely didn’t brew at 105°C. You did everything correctly and started brewing a couple of seconds after the light went off, which means the water was at just about 95 °C.
I miss Gail videos. Please, send my regards.
PS: This is great, that has nothing to do with this.
* sweats nervously *
Thank you for watching! Will pass along your regards!
@@johnholmquist9277 Yeah, same from me. You did a great job here, nice and clear and personable. Just miss Gail, that's all.
Yep, miss Gail. But I’ll bet Gail doesn’t miss Kat condescendingly correcting her. I sure don’t.
Can you guys review this with the Gaggia classic pro?
So is it v7?
What was your grinder setting please?
2:31. Set to 10
@@jasontatro Thanks! I have the same setup (older Silvia model) and I've never gone as high as 10 for espresso but will try! I know it's different for every coffe. Thanks. Keep up the great work! Go Seahawks.
What is the scale model?
Looks like an Acaia Pearl
First!
Exciting machine!, wish I could afford one!
Start saving, it's not so expensive.
Looks good
Question...when dinking espresso.... i sometimes have an ash...almost tobacco after taste....is this common?
I've had some high quality Robusta beans with that taste. It depends on the beans I guess. Try getting some freshly roasted Arabica beans
Ash can definitely be the beans. I'd also look at your extractions.
That would be a sign of over extraction or an over roasted coffee. If your machine hasn't been cleaned in a while you'll get this, if you're brewing to hot you'll get it, and if you pull a shot for too long you'll get it. Hope that helps!
Chocolate? Orange? I must not be making my coffee correctly.
That’s an awfully bad grinder. I just can’t understand how they manage to make such a good espresso machine and not get the grinder right?
The Eureka silenzio is light years ahead of that piece of c***.
Their grinder is just a joke end of story!