What a fantastic video. I just got this machine and this video covers so much ground, without wasting any time on useless anecdotal/overly niche stuff and ruining the flow. Very well done and incredibly helpful! Thank you sir!
years later and i wanted to say thank u so much for this! this is the best tutorial i have found online on using this machine, clear instructions, great demonstration, and helped me a lot today on using it for the first time!
I was given an 8 year old Rancilio Silvia by a relative that they were going to toss out because the group head was leaking. The gasket had never been changed and was rock hard and brittle, 4$ gasket replacement and it's working like new again. I looked at several videos to learn what the different buttons and lights were for but none of them were as clear and to the point as this one. Thanks a lot!
I recently bought a repaired, older generation Silvia for a bargain price. I love espresso but this is the first machine I've owned (have always bought my espresso from coffee shops and made pour over coffee at home). This concise video just brought me completely up to speed on how to use and maintain this fabulous machine. Thank you so much, by far the clearest and simplest video to follow along with and understand.
I just bought my first Miss Silvia today and this video is great for someone like me who has yet to use the machine. Your instructions are straightforward and I'm excited to learn the ins and outs of this machine.
Thank you for your video!!! Saved me from dumping my machine! I was using it wrong (not priming etc etc etc!) and my steam nozzle was almost completely plugged!! I also had no idea about back flushing. I will order some cleaner as I can see why this is so important!! This was the fastest most wonderful lookimg and tasting latte I have ever made on this machine!! YAYYYYYY
Very informative video and excellent presentation. I've had my Silvia for over 15 years and she's still going strong! Can't say that about most other kitchen appliances or coffee makers I've had over the years!
Yup, I have had mine for about 12 years now, faithfully making 1 or 2 espresso's a day (well over 4000 shots) and while I do things a little differently to this guy, the principles are the same. I can't fault the reliability of the machine.
This was such a great video, thank you so much. I thought i had to have the pump running at all times, so my machine was VERY loud this first week. Now I'm thinking leaving the hot water switch on all the time was doing nothing but wearing on the pump for no reason. Was great to see it actually in use and the basic workflow, as it's very different from a professional/coffee shop machine.
You're right, it is quite a unique machine and very manually involved. However, once you get accustomed to the workflow, it will become second nature and rewarding. Thank you.
thanks for the video, very informative and helpful. a couple of things i do different.. when backflushing i prefer the powder, and do 5 x 10 seconds, half teaspoon of cafiza.... then another 5 x 10 without any powder in the portafilter. that actually says it on the side of the Cafiza container. the first coffee after this will be thrown away, in case it still has residual amounts of the powder. when purging and cooling the boiler i turn the water on until the yellow light goes on..... ensuring the boilder is down to the right temp. your wand placement looks very good, im going to try it this way. ive always had problems finding the right spot.
Thinking of getting a Silvia as my first REAL espresso machine. I know its full analog with no frills, no pid, shot timer, etc. But I can't bring myself to spend 2 grand on a fancy machine until i get my feet wet... I hope it works out.
Thanks for the wonderful video. I bought one recently and I'm still getting to know how to use it 😊 Your video is very clear and straightforward to follow ❤
I have the same machine. It’s my second Silvia, so I have many years of experience. I don’t do things exactly the same way. I prep the machine with one empty pull until the reheat light comes on. Then I do my brew pull. Then I steam my milk (or in my case half and half cream).
@@moosashahadat4862 With my Rancilio Silvia I'd have to wait at least 5-10 minutes between brew pull and steam. Not only that, but it's dangerous if I ever forget to purge the steam wand and fill the boiler with water afterwards. So it makes way more sense workflow wise to steam milk, fill the boiler with water again (which causes the boiler to cool down to 220 F for brew pull in seconds), and then pull shot. Safer and much faster
@@JB-pk1jx yes! Horrible waste of time. It really only makes sense to steam milk THEN run the water to lower temp and then pull shot. So much better workflow
I just got a v6 brand new so I want to make sure I make it last as long as possible. I’m coming from a cheap cheap delonghi machine which was really fun while I had it but making the transition to this one was extremely frustrating. I have the same grinder and it took me about 2-3 hours of pulling shots to get relatively close to a sweet spot and now I’m doing well. My only complaint is that the steam wand is so powerful that making a simple cortado is overkill. I may keep my old machine to steam small amounts of milk.
Very crisp and clear instructions. I just got a Silvia PID (pre-modded) and this is hugely helpful. Now if I could find the right grinding settings for the coffee I purchased on my Eureka Mignon Specialita, it'd be awesome :)
Dumb question from a noob, do I really need to buy a grinder? Can I use pre ground coffee? I intend to buy the coffee machine. I haven't looked into the grinder. If I do need one, which one would fit in (at the same.level as) with the Silvia V6?
It depends greatly on the coffee beans. For a Rocky Grinder you may want to start with a fineness of 8. Then work you way lower (or higher). I find if I use fresh beans, I still get good crema even with an average pour (e.g. too fast). The Rocky doesn't have a rubber seal around the bean hopper unlike the Breville. This exposes the beans to air and they can become stale pretty quickly...
I have also the same set (silvia & rocky)for many years.I tried many coffees and adjustments and from my experience i can tell that the average set for the rocky grinder is between 10 or 11.Just start with 2-3 soup spoons of coffee beans from number 10(test the result) and then try number 11.If you fail,try 9 or 12.You'll find it soon.Good luck!
This was the reason I sold this machine. A single cup of coffee was a half hour ritual. So when I am in the mood for cappuccino, I go to my coffee shop. At home, I use a Technivorm to make brewed coffee.
Very good video just purchased the rancilio v6 E 2020 edition and was lost with all the buttons as was using a gaggia cubika plus this machine is on another level best purchase I’ve made
What grind setting do you use on your smart grinder pro? I just got one (and have a silvia) and while I know every bean is gonna need a different setting, I figure I’d at least use the setting you’ve been using as a jumping off point
After steaming milk. How long do you recommend I wait for the temperature to come back down before I pull my shot? Sorry if that’s a silly question, I wasn’t entirely sure.
I recommend you bleed the steamer by opening the valve and activating the hot water switch. Let the water come out enough and shortly after the orange light will come on. Once the orange light turns off you are ready to pull your shot. It's a technique known as 'temperature surfing'.
@@NJSInstructionalthanks for the prompt response. This is really helpful advice. I’ve been getting to grips with my Silvia over the last week and your videos have been extremely informative.
My father just passed down his Silvia purchased in 2005 in USA. And for Christmas, he gave me THE EXACT Breville grinder you have. Isn't it one of the best conicals you have used?
Really appreciate the thoroughness including all the tips and tricks for maintaining a consistent, clean, happy espresso machine! I probably need to start getting new thermisters for the unit which is nearing 20 years old, sometimes the temperature target is really incorrect. I will be looking at installing aftermarket PID control once I sick of the hysteresis present in temp control of the traditional 1-way on/off thermistor temp control (I am a chemical engineer so this is exactly up my alley). Temperature crashing you did was EXACTLY as a chemical process engineer with refinery experience would do when preparing a milk drink! :) Cheers from Indy
Thanks for the great video. I was wondering, at what grind size do you set your Breville grinder? I have the same grinder and I try the 8 to 11 size and my coffee is not quite good. Should I try a much finer size?
Cheers, thank you. I have moved on from the Breville Grinder, I was finding I couldn't get the grind right for this machine. I believe I used to be as fine as 3 or 4... I have since moved on to a Mazzer Mini and highly recommend this grinder. (Check out my comparison video on the Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs Rancilio Rocky vs. Mazzer Mini.)
Have you ever checked or modified your pressure? I recently learned it's fairly common for vibration pump machines to put out >9 bar which does not give you an optimal shot (weaker crema, harder to dial in light roasts, flavor etc). Was thinking of getting a portafilter ready pressure gauge to see what my silvia is putting out.
@@melonmelon7427 Are you sure? Instructions for pump pressure adjustment are in the manual. Although with a warning that it should be only done by a qualified technician, but you literally just loosen or tighten a nut. It's a very repair friendly machine, there are even electric and hydraulic schematics in the manual - not that it's too complicated in the first place.
Brand new Rancilio Silvia v6. Is it normal that some times when I turn on the machine wait for the heat up and then open the steam valve, water comes out then some steam and finally it stops. Am I doing something wrong?
One advantage of doing the steam first and then the coffee brew is that you cool the heating element when water re-enters the boiler. Importantly, you need to prime the boiler after steaming to prevent the element from burning out.
@NJS Instructional Yeah, wholelattelove had the same opinion across their staff, and I can't fault it. I guess I've just experienced issues with brew temp after steaming compared to other way around. Running water through the wand on hot water setting normally keeps the boiler nice and full for me (as per the manual)
Hey great video! Just a quick question, do you need to prime every morning if priming is done after steam is used I.e. steam first then make the espresso to ensure boiler has water
Thank you, I like to prime the machine any time I turn it on. Reason being, if the steam valve was left open or slightly open (when the machine is cold you can turn the steam valve further to close it off then when the machine is hot), any water may have drained out since the last time it was used. It only takes a few seconds, so I do it just to be sure...
Nice video!! I’m a beginner and still thinking about buying the Silvia. This might be a dumb question but when just brewing back to back shots and NOT steaming, is it necessary to cool it down or you just flush the group head and that’s it to continue to the next shot? Also, when brewing regular americanos, same question, I have to cool it down through the steam wand? Thanks!
Thank you. The cooling down of the boiler is primarily once you have finished steaming, or if you have been steaming for more than 2-3 minutes. Between espresso shots, there is no need to 'cool' the boiler.
@@NJSInstructional Hi again 👋🏼! Another quick question about the Silvia, is it ok to turn on the steam switch to start hearing it WHILE you are brewing a shot? I mean to save around 20-30 seconds?
Do you have to shut the machine down when not making coffee? I plan on having 3-4 espressos a day and do not want t wait 15 minutes to warm the machine each time. Is it ok to leave it on all the time?
The model I have is the Rancilio Silvia V6 'E'. If you get the 'M' version it doesn't switch off after 30mins like the 'E' model does. But ensure your boiler is full of water if you plan on keeping it on all day.
No need to let the unit bake for 15 minutes before you brew. Throw the steam heat and poer swith stright away when firing up from cold with the portafilter in place. Withing 3-4 minutes the temperature of the water in the boiler will exceed the brew temperature and be above the boiling point. Turn the pump on, force a few ounces of hot water through the portafilter. Now it is super0hot and ready to accept ground coffee. By the time the coffee is ground and tamped, the boiler is ready to froth milk. You can have a cappuccino from this thing ready to drink in under six minutes from a cold start.
I have found with this Grinder I have to use a very fine setting. However, there are many factors which can affect the pour like; freshness of the beans, type, temperature etc.
@@NJSInstructional true. I dont know where to start to figure out the reason. Even though I use same dose and grind size...the coffee is still so unstable... Thank you so much anyway;)
It's a really complete tutorial. I hope there will be a video covering grinder calibration along with Rancilio Silvia v6 to make a good espresso. I'm using Sette 270wi and have yet to get perfect settings..
every time I go to my relatives who have one of these I'm really hesitant to ask for coffee, it takes so long to make a cup for everyone, when the first one finish the third still doesn't even start and you have to drink it fast as it's never hot even straight out of machine
Thank you for a very informative guide. I have the sam setup as you and I'm curious, do you have the inner bur at 6 and grind size at 12 on your smart grinder pro?
Thank you, I have long since switched to a Mazzer Grinder. However, every coffee bean is different, freshness, temperature and humidity also make a difference to your grind settings. So you may find that one setting which worked well on one day may require some tweaking on different days.
Keep practicing. I have since upgraded my grinder to a Mazzer (be sure to check out some of my later videos). The shot pulled in this video wasn't the best... I'm still learning myself.
My machine pulls shots very quickly. I noticed yours was quite fast too. But mine pulls a double shot (14g) In about 4 seconds :( with tamping better and needle distributing I've got a "good"time of about 10 or so seconds but from what I read it should take 25-30 seconds?
No mention about how much espresso grind you're using? Whether it's the double/single portafilter? how fine you're grinding? Literally the most important steps of entire process outside of the milk steaming.
@@timhanley4396 Yes, has been a great machine and hasn't let me down once. I have since bought a Mazzer Coffee Grinder to better suit the machine. Check out this in some later videos.
Great, thank you. The V6 Silvia has the black group head cover as opposed to the plastic chrome. Additionally, the symbols on the switches are a newer look. I recommend a Mazzer Mini Coffee Grinder (check out one of my latest videos). Additionally, later this month, stay tuned for a Grinder Comparison, Mazzer vs. Rancilio vs. Breville.
any special steps or tips for someone who just picked up a Gen. 1 Miss Silvia? (it's got a modern steam wand and dial, but is otherwise a gen.1) with a PID that may have been added but looks stock.
Most of my tips are in this video, however, I recommend learning about temperature surfing. Essentially, brew your coffee only after the orange light comes on. If it hasn't come on for a while, activate the hot water until it does. This way, you get a hot pour through your group head. Please also check a newer video I did on servicing these machines.
this video help me so much please for understand better can show in a video how to do for two capuchinos becouse i see to do a new cup you need to wait or what need to do please my english is no so good and that help me so much
I watched a video recently that stressed not to tamp! I need to do some more research but the tamping apparently creates bitter coffee etc etc. Since I have stopped tamping my shots tastes wayyyy better! Again, I need to do some more research and trial and error :)
Hi, I’m waiting my Rancilio Silvia and I own the same grinder, my question is: what grind number you set in the breville smart grinder pro for espresso? I need a reference to start, great video, thanks!
I have found that I have to adjust the grind to a very fine setting on the Breville Grinder for this coffee machine. However, it depends on a number of variables: Coffee bean type, coffee bean age, day temperature and humidity etc.
I have the exact same setup aswell! Haha I usually go from grind size 8 all the way down to 4- like what this guy said depending on all those variables
Hi, question -- I just got myself Rancilio Silvia V6, and I've never owned a semi-automatic coffee machine. So, the noise is kind of loud, and I cannot seem to stop the machine(unless I pull the plug out), am I supposed to wait until it fully heats up then quiets down?
Good question, my machine doesn't have a red dot, but have seen some which do to my surprise... As long as you are getting a good seal and no water is leaking out then you shouldn't be worried.
i'm having bad coffees at the moment from my new rancillio... your pour seemed quite fast and i noticed you didn't pull a shot for at least 3 minutes....would that water have been too cold??? i've tried 4 different coffees coffees with poor results,
It could be your Coffee Grinder. I noticed when I moved to the Rancilio (from my Breville) that the Rancilio's water pump is much stronger. I had to make my coffee grind really fine to get a nice, consistent pour. I usually leave the coffee machine for around 15 mins or more to heat up properly.... Hope this helps.
I'm in Adelaide and i thought i would boil my water started about a week ago, and that's when the problem started....somehow it changes coffee taste big time had three his am using normal water problem fixed!!!!!! Thanks
@@NJSInstructional Hi, thanks for the reply, I actually fixed it by moving the valve stick around like I saw on a short TH-cam video, and now it works. This video: th-cam.com/users/shortsSQYncrD3AME
This is our second K-Classic. We had our first one for many years, so when we had to replace it, we wanted nothing else but this exact th-cam.com/users/postUgkxBrV-RbF5Nk0Rlt9i15aao-YMzqzTG8Vf model. We use it for about three people everyday in the morning. The taste and quick brew is one of the reasons we like it so much. There are so many choices of brands of coffee that we would grab what was on sale and test the different brands from there. I would definitely recommend trying different brands of coffee to find the ones you like the most because there are brands that quite frankly taste horrible.
I'm pretty sure something is horrible wrong with my machine. I can't get shots with that crema to save my life. Either it's not able to create enough pressure or I'm doing something very wrong.
So hundred steps are needed in order to make a decent cup of cappuccino. What a hassle. As we all know the Silvano has no temperature stability. The diptray is a let down as well. For decades nothing has been changed except for some minor updates. Thus the Silvano is in badly need of some updates to fix these issues.
The Rancilio Silvia is a brilliant machine. Having used it now for a few years, the steps are fairly simple and now have become second nature. It's simple, elegant, classic and reliable. Part of its beauty is it hasn't changed too much over the years, at least for me personally. Once you get accustomed to temperature surfing with the Silvia, it really is easy.
A Silvia is capable of a far better shot than you managed. Look up temperature surfing, a process that’s been omitted here. Seriously it makes a “big” difference.
My morning routine to make an espresso each morning... of course it's easier to use an automatic, but I want real espresso, and I've never had an espressos espresso automatic that was good enough to compete. It depends how important it is, it only takes me a couple of minutes to turn it on, grind and pour a shot
@@johnciombras5683 I agree, I pulled the trigger on the Gaggia and this has been my morning routine as well 😂 it is worth it if you want a real true espresso
These things are finicky and take a consistent process. This was the most confusing , scattered presentation of it I have seen and stuff like this is why folks get less than they could out of the machine. appreciate the try , but, no. Though you did help me understand why Chinese instructions end up like they do.
@@whazzat8015 Or maybe there are best practices with a finicky machine that seem confusing. I'm in the same boat. After watching this video, which I found very informative, I'll be looking at a dual boiler instead.
What a fantastic video. I just got this machine and this video covers so much ground, without wasting any time on useless anecdotal/overly niche stuff and ruining the flow. Very well done and incredibly helpful! Thank you sir!
Glad it helped!
years later and i wanted to say thank u so much for this! this is the best tutorial i have found online on using this machine, clear instructions, great demonstration, and helped me a lot today on using it for the first time!
Great to hear! Thank you!
I was given an 8 year old Rancilio Silvia by a relative that they were going to toss out because the group head was leaking. The gasket had never been changed and was rock hard and brittle, 4$ gasket replacement and it's working like new again.
I looked at several videos to learn what the different buttons and lights were for but none of them were as clear and to the point as this one. Thanks a lot!
Cheers, glad it helped. Stay tuned for my December video which shows you how to replace the group head gasket and steam valve gaskets!
I recently bought a repaired, older generation Silvia for a bargain price. I love espresso but this is the first machine I've owned (have always bought my espresso from coffee shops and made pour over coffee at home). This concise video just brought me completely up to speed on how to use and maintain this fabulous machine. Thank you so much, by far the clearest and simplest video to follow along with and understand.
Glad it was helpful, enjoy your Rancilio Silvia!
I just bought my first Miss Silvia today and this video is great for someone like me who has yet to use the machine. Your instructions are straightforward and I'm excited to learn the ins and outs of this machine.
Great, thank you. My Silvia is still going strong, not one issue and performs flawlessly!
Thank you for your video!!! Saved me from dumping my machine! I was using it wrong (not priming etc etc etc!) and my steam nozzle was almost completely plugged!! I also had no idea about back flushing. I will order some cleaner as I can see why this is so important!! This was the fastest most wonderful lookimg and tasting latte I have ever made on this machine!! YAYYYYYY
Glad it helped!
Very informative video and excellent presentation. I've had my Silvia for over 15 years and she's still going strong! Can't say that about most other kitchen appliances or coffee makers I've had over the years!
Glad it was helpful!
Yup, I have had mine for about 12 years now, faithfully making 1 or 2 espresso's a day (well over 4000 shots) and while I do things a little differently to this guy, the principles are the same. I can't fault the reliability of the machine.
Just got my Silvia today. Great video! Very informative on how to maintain it! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thankyou, perfect 👍
Just came home with one of these today.
Enjoy!
exactly what i need. covered all the info you need. nice and clear.
Glad it helped!
Clear and concise. I ordered one today (V6) and these tips will no doubt com in very useful. Thanks 👍
Cheers, hope you enjoy your new machine. I haven't looked back since we got the Rancilio, highly rate these machines!
This was such a great video, thank you so much.
I thought i had to have the pump running at all times, so my machine was VERY loud this first week. Now I'm thinking leaving the hot water switch on all the time was doing nothing but wearing on the pump for no reason. Was great to see it actually in use and the basic workflow, as it's very different from a professional/coffee shop machine.
You're right, it is quite a unique machine and very manually involved. However, once you get accustomed to the workflow, it will become second nature and rewarding. Thank you.
thanks for the video, very informative and helpful. a couple of things i do different.. when backflushing i prefer the powder, and do 5 x 10 seconds, half teaspoon of cafiza.... then another 5 x 10 without any powder in the portafilter. that actually says it on the side of the Cafiza container. the first coffee after this will be thrown away, in case it still has residual amounts of the powder. when purging and cooling the boiler i turn the water on until the yellow light goes on..... ensuring the boilder is down to the right temp. your wand placement looks very good, im going to try it this way. ive always had problems finding the right spot.
14 grams of coffee for this...thank you! Great video!
Glad it helped!
Thinking of getting a Silvia as my first REAL espresso machine. I know its full analog with no frills, no pid, shot timer, etc. But I can't bring myself to spend 2 grand on a fancy machine until i get my feet wet... I hope it works out.
I haven't looked back since going to a Silvia. Still going super strong 4 years on!
Thanks for the wonderful video. I bought one recently and I'm still getting to know how to use it 😊
Your video is very clear and straightforward to follow ❤
Glad it helped, enjoy!
I have the same machine. It’s my second Silvia, so I have many years of experience. I don’t do things exactly the same way. I prep the machine with one empty pull until the reheat light comes on. Then I do my brew pull. Then I steam my milk (or in my case half and half cream).
Brew pull BEFORE the milk steaming? Weird that’s not very optimal workflow. You have to wait a ton for the boiler heating
@@thebrunoserge How long do you have to wait if you brew pull first then steam? Newb here learning about the processes
@@moosashahadat4862 With my Rancilio Silvia I'd have to wait at least 5-10 minutes between brew pull and steam. Not only that, but it's dangerous if I ever forget to purge the steam wand and fill the boiler with water afterwards. So it makes way more sense workflow wise to steam milk, fill the boiler with water again (which causes the boiler to cool down to 220 F for brew pull in seconds), and then pull shot. Safer and much faster
@@thebrunosergeit takes about 2 minutes for the steam to fully heat up after pulling a shot.
@@JB-pk1jx yes! Horrible waste of time. It really only makes sense to steam milk THEN run the water to lower temp and then pull shot. So much better workflow
Excellent instructional thanks
Cheers!
Just bought this badboy and your video is very informative, thanks you!
Glad it was helpful!
I just got a v6 brand new so I want to make sure I make it last as long as possible. I’m coming from a cheap cheap delonghi machine which was really fun while I had it but making the transition to this one was extremely frustrating. I have the same grinder and it took me about 2-3 hours of pulling shots to get relatively close to a sweet spot and now I’m doing well. My only complaint is that the steam wand is so powerful that making a simple cortado is overkill. I may keep my old machine to steam small amounts of milk.
Good to hear! It took me a bit of adjusting also. The steam is very powerful, it does in seconds what other machines do in minutes. Enjoy!
Very crisp and clear instructions. I just got a Silvia PID (pre-modded) and this is hugely helpful. Now if I could find the right grinding settings for the coffee I purchased on my Eureka Mignon Specialita, it'd be awesome :)
Glad it helped!
Great video, super informative and easy to follow. I'm going to write this up as a list!
Awesome, thank you!
Ohhhh, that's a GREAT idea!!!
Perfect instructions, big help, thx for the video !!!
You're welcome!
Thanks for the vid!
Saves me time from reading the user manual. :)
very clear instructions, thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
I appreciate the effort you put into this. Great video thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
Dumb question from a noob, do I really need to buy a grinder? Can I use pre ground coffee?
I intend to buy the coffee machine. I haven't looked into the grinder.
If I do need one, which one would fit in (at the same.level as) with the Silvia V6?
Thanks for the great instruction!!
Glad it was helpful!
yeah learnt a bit there mate cheers I'm a new owner so this helped a lot
Glad it helped!
Great video. Very informative. I do not have a Silvia, but the information is great for all of us.
Glad it was helpful!
I have same machine, and rocky, I get no crema, tried many beans, fresh always, finer grind, no luck. Any ideas?
It depends greatly on the coffee beans. For a Rocky Grinder you may want to start with a fineness of 8. Then work you way lower (or higher). I find if I use fresh beans, I still get good crema even with an average pour (e.g. too fast). The Rocky doesn't have a rubber seal around the bean hopper unlike the Breville. This exposes the beans to air and they can become stale pretty quickly...
I have also the same set (silvia & rocky)for many years.I tried many coffees and adjustments and from my experience i can tell that the average set for the rocky grinder is between 10 or 11.Just start with 2-3 soup spoons of coffee beans from number 10(test the result) and then try number 11.If you fail,try 9 or 12.You'll find it soon.Good luck!
This was the reason I sold this machine. A single cup of coffee was a half hour ritual. So when I am in the mood for cappuccino, I go to my coffee shop. At home, I use a Technivorm to make brewed coffee.
Very good video just purchased the rancilio v6 E 2020 edition and was lost with all the buttons as was using a gaggia cubika plus this machine is on another level best purchase I’ve made
What grind setting do you use on your smart grinder pro? I just got one (and have a silvia) and while I know every bean is gonna need a different setting, I figure I’d at least use the setting you’ve been using as a jumping off point
At the moment, my grind time is set on around 16 seconds and grind size ~ between 4 to 6.
@@NJSInstructional Thanks! Will start from there and play around
After steaming milk. How long do you recommend I wait for the temperature to come back down before I pull my shot? Sorry if that’s a silly question, I wasn’t entirely sure.
I recommend you bleed the steamer by opening the valve and activating the hot water switch. Let the water come out enough and shortly after the orange light will come on. Once the orange light turns off you are ready to pull your shot. It's a technique known as 'temperature surfing'.
@@NJSInstructionalthanks for the prompt response. This is really helpful advice. I’ve been getting to grips with my Silvia over the last week and your videos have been extremely informative.
It’s a great video.
My father just passed down his Silvia purchased in 2005 in USA. And for Christmas, he gave me THE EXACT Breville grinder you have. Isn't it one of the best conicals you have used?
Really appreciate the thoroughness including all the tips and tricks for maintaining a consistent, clean, happy espresso machine! I probably need to start getting new thermisters for the unit which is nearing 20 years old, sometimes the temperature target is really incorrect.
I will be looking at installing aftermarket PID control once I sick of the hysteresis present in temp control of the traditional 1-way on/off thermistor temp control (I am a chemical engineer so this is exactly up my alley).
Temperature crashing you did was EXACTLY as a chemical process engineer with refinery experience would do when preparing a milk drink! :)
Cheers from Indy
superber video! Thanks you very much
Glad you liked it!
Very informative mate.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the great video. I was wondering, at what grind size do you set your Breville grinder? I have the same grinder and I try the 8 to 11 size and my coffee is not quite good. Should I try a much finer size?
Cheers, thank you. I have moved on from the Breville Grinder, I was finding I couldn't get the grind right for this machine. I believe I used to be as fine as 3 or 4... I have since moved on to a Mazzer Mini and highly recommend this grinder. (Check out my comparison video on the Breville Smart Grinder Pro vs Rancilio Rocky vs. Mazzer Mini.)
Have you ever checked or modified your pressure? I recently learned it's fairly common for vibration pump machines to put out >9 bar which does not give you an optimal shot (weaker crema, harder to dial in light roasts, flavor etc). Was thinking of getting a portafilter ready pressure gauge to see what my silvia is putting out.
You will forfeit your warranty if you do that. Maybe do it after the warranty is over.
@@melonmelon7427 Are you sure? Instructions for pump pressure adjustment are in the manual. Although with a warning that it should be only done by a qualified technician, but you literally just loosen or tighten a nut. It's a very repair friendly machine, there are even electric and hydraulic schematics in the manual - not that it's too complicated in the first place.
Brand new Rancilio Silvia v6. Is it normal that some times when I turn on the machine wait for the heat up and then open the steam valve, water comes out then some steam and finally it stops. Am I doing something wrong?
No, that's quite normal. There will always be some water in the steam wand just before steam comes out.
I always brew espresso first, then build temp to steam milk. Seems to make it easier from a workflow perspective, but that's my preference
One advantage of doing the steam first and then the coffee brew is that you cool the heating element when water re-enters the boiler. Importantly, you need to prime the boiler after steaming to prevent the element from burning out.
@NJS Instructional Yeah, wholelattelove had the same opinion across their staff, and I can't fault it. I guess I've just experienced issues with brew temp after steaming compared to other way around. Running water through the wand on hot water setting normally keeps the boiler nice and full for me (as per the manual)
You have the best workflow I’ve seen on this machine. Is there an email I can ask you a few tips?
Cheers. Be sure to check out my latest comparison videos on Grinders which also feature this Silvia machine.
@@NJSInstructional Do you ever do the coffee first? Sometimes I don’t use milk but when I do I do it the same as you and can never do latte art.
Thank you very much!
You're welcome!
Hey great video!
Just a quick question, do you need to prime every morning if priming is done after steam is used I.e. steam first then make the espresso to ensure boiler has water
Thank you, I like to prime the machine any time I turn it on. Reason being, if the steam valve was left open or slightly open (when the machine is cold you can turn the steam valve further to close it off then when the machine is hot), any water may have drained out since the last time it was used. It only takes a few seconds, so I do it just to be sure...
Nice video!! I’m a beginner and still thinking about buying the Silvia. This might be a dumb question but when just brewing back to back shots and NOT steaming, is it necessary to cool it down or you just flush the group head and that’s it to continue to the next shot? Also, when brewing regular americanos, same question, I have to cool it down through the steam wand? Thanks!
Thank you. The cooling down of the boiler is primarily once you have finished steaming, or if you have been steaming for more than 2-3 minutes. Between espresso shots, there is no need to 'cool' the boiler.
@@NJSInstructional Thanks for the tip!
@@NJSInstructional Hi again 👋🏼! Another quick question about the Silvia, is it ok to turn on the steam switch to start hearing it WHILE you are brewing a shot? I mean to save around 20-30 seconds?
nice video👌👍
Do you have to shut the machine down when not making coffee? I plan on having 3-4 espressos a day and do not want t wait 15 minutes to warm the machine each time. Is it ok to leave it on all the time?
The model I have is the Rancilio Silvia V6 'E'. If you get the 'M' version it doesn't switch off after 30mins like the 'E' model does. But ensure your boiler is full of water if you plan on keeping it on all day.
No need to let the unit bake for 15 minutes before you brew. Throw the steam heat and poer swith stright away when firing up from cold with the portafilter in place. Withing 3-4 minutes the temperature of the water in the boiler will exceed the brew temperature and be above the boiling point. Turn the pump on, force a few ounces of hot water through the portafilter. Now it is super0hot and ready to accept ground coffee. By the time the coffee is ground and tamped, the boiler is ready to froth milk. You can have a cappuccino from this thing ready to drink in under six minutes from a cold start.
I have the same grinder and machine combination
Pl can you advise what’s the grind size you are using
I can’t seem to get as much crema
Thank you
I have since replaced the Breville Grinder with a Mazzer... However, it does vary depending on the coffee beans, freshness, roast, temperature etc.
What grind size and how long you set for the SGP? I am using the same combination and seems very difficult to make good espresso.
I have found with this Grinder I have to use a very fine setting. However, there are many factors which can affect the pour like; freshness of the beans, type, temperature etc.
@@NJSInstructional true. I dont know where to start to figure out the reason. Even though I use same dose and grind size...the coffee is still so unstable...
Thank you so much anyway;)
Do you recommend a back wash on older silvia machines (v1) ?
Yes, indeed.
It's a really complete tutorial. I hope there will be a video covering grinder calibration along with Rancilio Silvia v6 to make a good espresso. I'm using Sette 270wi and have yet to get perfect settings..
What setting do you use on your grinder. I have the exact same model with my Silvia.
That's going to depend on your coffee beans. I found most good beans I use around the 12 to 13 setting.
Tks. Very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
every time I go to my relatives who have one of these I'm really hesitant to ask for coffee, it takes so long to make a cup for everyone, when the first one finish the third still doesn't even start and you have to drink it fast as it's never hot even straight out of machine
Thank you for a very informative guide. I have the sam setup as you and I'm curious, do you have the inner bur at 6 and grind size at 12 on your smart grinder pro?
Thank you, I have long since switched to a Mazzer Grinder. However, every coffee bean is different, freshness, temperature and humidity also make a difference to your grind settings. So you may find that one setting which worked well on one day may require some tweaking on different days.
The shower head leaves an indent in the coffee in the basket. Is that normal?
A month after purchasing the Silvia, and still can't pull a decent shot like this one.
Keep practicing. I have since upgraded my grinder to a Mazzer (be sure to check out some of my later videos). The shot pulled in this video wasn't the best... I'm still learning myself.
My machine pulls shots very quickly. I noticed yours was quite fast too. But mine pulls a double shot (14g) In about 4 seconds :( with tamping better and needle distributing I've got a "good"time of about 10 or so seconds but from what I read it should take 25-30 seconds?
Correct, 20-30 seconds is ideal. Mine is too quick in this video...
excellent voice
No mention about how much espresso grind you're using? Whether it's the double/single portafilter? how fine you're grinding? Literally the most important steps of entire process outside of the milk steaming.
Be sure to check out my recent video on Coffee Grinders...
Have you had your coffee already? Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines!
We’re do you get the cleaning tablets?
I purchased them from OfficeWorks.
@@NJSInstructional do u still like the Silvia?
@@timhanley4396 Yes, has been a great machine and hasn't let me down once. I have since bought a Mazzer Coffee Grinder to better suit the machine. Check out this in some later videos.
@@NJSInstructional have not having a PID been a problem? It’s behind this machine and the Profitec go
@@timhanley4396 Not a problem at all, I've learnt to temperature surf the Rancilio and in my opinion, better then a PID
GREAT VIDEO! Just subscribed. Is this the grinder that you would recommend? How can I tell what version of the machine I have? Thanks again!
Great, thank you. The V6 Silvia has the black group head cover as opposed to the plastic chrome. Additionally, the symbols on the switches are a newer look. I recommend a Mazzer Mini Coffee Grinder (check out one of my latest videos). Additionally, later this month, stay tuned for a Grinder Comparison, Mazzer vs. Rancilio vs. Breville.
any special steps or tips for someone who just picked up a Gen. 1 Miss Silvia? (it's got a modern steam wand and dial, but is otherwise a gen.1) with a PID that may have been added but looks stock.
Most of my tips are in this video, however, I recommend learning about temperature surfing. Essentially, brew your coffee only after the orange light comes on. If it hasn't come on for a while, activate the hot water until it does. This way, you get a hot pour through your group head. Please also check a newer video I did on servicing these machines.
this video help me so much please for understand better can show in a video how to do for two capuchinos becouse i see to do a new cup you need to wait or what need to do please my english is no so good and that help me so much
Dude, your preparation of the porta filter is upsetting. No leveling at all and tamping that coffee mountain...
Good video tho, thanks
I watched a video recently that stressed not to tamp! I need to do some more research but the tamping apparently creates bitter coffee etc etc. Since I have stopped tamping my shots tastes wayyyy better! Again, I need to do some more research and trial and error :)
Hi, I’m waiting my Rancilio Silvia and I own the same grinder, my question is: what grind number you set in the breville smart grinder pro for espresso? I need a reference to start, great video, thanks!
I have found that I have to adjust the grind to a very fine setting on the Breville Grinder for this coffee machine. However, it depends on a number of variables: Coffee bean type, coffee bean age, day temperature and humidity etc.
I have the exact same setup aswell! Haha I usually go from grind size 8 all the way down to 4- like what this guy said depending on all those variables
What type of coffee you are using?
Descaling is probably the most important task, but heard no mention.
I was wondering about descaling as well.
Hi, question -- I just got myself Rancilio Silvia V6, and I've never owned a semi-automatic coffee machine. So, the noise is kind of loud, and I cannot seem to stop the machine(unless I pull the plug out), am I supposed to wait until it fully heats up then quiets down?
Hi Tengoku, the machine is not semi-automatic... have you tried following the steps in the video?
Why doesn't my portafilter turn all the way to the red dot? It is very stiff
Good question, my machine doesn't have a red dot, but have seen some which do to my surprise... As long as you are getting a good seal and no water is leaking out then you shouldn't be worried.
To not wait 15 minutes to have a coffe, is it possible to heat water in a Microwave and put it in to the espresso machine ?
I wouldn't recommend this approach...
I could of sworn espresso was supposed to take roughly 30 seconds to brew? Is that incorrect information?
i'm having bad coffees at the moment from my new rancillio... your pour seemed quite fast and i noticed you didn't pull a shot for at least 3 minutes....would that water have been too cold??? i've tried 4 different coffees coffees with poor results,
It could be your Coffee Grinder. I noticed when I moved to the Rancilio (from my Breville) that the Rancilio's water pump is much stronger. I had to make my coffee grind really fine to get a nice, consistent pour. I usually leave the coffee machine for around 15 mins or more to heat up properly.... Hope this helps.
I'm in Adelaide and i thought i would boil my water started about a week ago, and that's when the problem started....somehow it changes coffee taste big time had three his am using normal water problem fixed!!!!!! Thanks
I’ve never seen switches toggle that way 🤯, I’ve been used to toggling them the opposite way in the part of the world where I live.
My steam knob is stuck, is that normal?
No it isn't normal. Did this happen gradually over time or all of a sudden?
@@NJSInstructional Hi, thanks for the reply, I actually fixed it by moving the valve stick around like I saw on a short TH-cam video, and now it works.
This video:
th-cam.com/users/shortsSQYncrD3AME
your espresso is clearly underextracted, make your grind finer. measure you ratios and time ie 18g coffee in, 36g coffee out, 25-30 secs
You are right, the more I use the machine and my grinder the better I'm becoming at it. Practice, practice.
This is our second K-Classic. We had our first one for many years, so when we had to replace it, we wanted nothing else but this exact th-cam.com/users/postUgkxBrV-RbF5Nk0Rlt9i15aao-YMzqzTG8Vf model. We use it for about three people everyday in the morning. The taste and quick brew is one of the reasons we like it so much. There are so many choices of brands of coffee that we would grab what was on sale and test the different brands from there. I would definitely recommend trying different brands of coffee to find the ones you like the most because there are brands that quite frankly taste horrible.
Your steam value isn’t closed all the way
I'm pretty sure something is horrible wrong with my machine. I can't get shots with that crema to save my life. Either it's not able to create enough pressure or I'm doing something very wrong.
Bro why are you tamping with the spouts on the table like that??? You're going to damage your table and portafilter.
Was considering buying a unit like this ... no, I'll let Starbucks do it for me.
Thanks for the comment. I guess we each have to weigh up if the reward is worth the effort...
So hundred steps are needed in order to make a decent cup of cappuccino.
What a hassle.
As we all know the Silvano has no temperature stability.
The diptray is a let down as well.
For decades nothing has been changed except for some minor updates.
Thus the Silvano is in badly need of some updates to fix these issues.
The Rancilio Silvia is a brilliant machine. Having used it now for a few years, the steps are fairly simple and now have become second nature. It's simple, elegant, classic and reliable. Part of its beauty is it hasn't changed too much over the years, at least for me personally. Once you get accustomed to temperature surfing with the Silvia, it really is easy.
way to complicated.when cooling down from Steam i heat up the group handle and my cup. this short heat up time
👋👋👋👋
A Silvia is capable of a far better shot than you managed. Look up temperature surfing, a process that’s been omitted here. Seriously it makes a “big” difference.
Indeed, post this video I learnt how to temperature surf with the Rancilio Silvia. Quite a difference with shot temperature.
Better yet, install a PID
The extraction is way too fast.
why is this
So complicated just to make a coffee, I can’t imagine doing all this in the mornings before work.
It’s rather for making an afternoon espresso, or at the weekend. In the morning I also prefer a quickie from my fully automatic coffee machine.
@@corneliusb_ I ended up getting the Gaggia Classic Pro and been loving it! Honestly all the trouble is worth it because the coffee is so good
My morning routine to make an espresso each morning... of course it's easier to use an automatic, but I want real espresso, and I've never had an espressos espresso automatic that was good enough to compete. It depends how important it is, it only takes me a couple of minutes to turn it on, grind and pour a shot
@@johnciombras5683 I agree, I pulled the trigger on the Gaggia and this has been my morning routine as well 😂 it is worth it if you want a real true espresso
Set your grinder properly ya goober! Ya got no idea.
These things are finicky and take a consistent process.
This was the most confusing , scattered presentation of it I have seen
and stuff like this is why folks get less than they could out of the machine.
appreciate the try , but, no. Though you did help me understand why Chinese instructions end up like they do.
Your inability to understand these instructions doesn't' make them bad instructions.
@@bluemystic7501 Not being understandable is kinda what defines bad instuctions
@@whazzat8015 Or maybe there are best practices with a finicky machine that seem confusing. I'm in the same boat. After watching this video, which I found very informative, I'll be looking at a dual boiler instead.
You're popping your mic. Listening through headphones was a hideous experience.