[linuxworks]

any espresso machine gurus here?

after about 3 yrs, my breville gave up. its a $400 class machine but not quite pro level, from what I've been reading.

now trying out a gaggia 'twin'. only having semi-success with it.

lets have a thread about espresso machines with pro-level features (3 way valve, full size portafilters, replaceable/standard commercial parts, good build quality - all that neat stuff

if the gaggia does not work out for me, I'm thinking about the rancilio silvia:

anyone own that one?

 

[beerguy0]

You may want to check this thread all about coffee gadgets:

http:
//www.head-fi.org/forums/f90/coffee-gadgets-255744/

The Silvia is on my list. I think the consensus is that it's about the best espresso maker in it's price range. (Single boiler machines.)

Also check:

CoffeeGeek - News, Reviews, Opinion and Community for Coffee and Espresso

and

Rancilio Silvia, Rancilio Rocky: Home Espresso Equipment at Sweet Maria's Coffee -Rancilio Miss Sylvia, Miss Silvia

 

[Moontan13]

French Press.

 

[Skorpitarius]

i use a black n decker drip machine but I get my coffee ground powder-fine aka turkish . much more flavor and caffeine extraction this way ... i also usually only buy African beans, particularly Kenyan Grand Cru and/or Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, etcetra ...

 

[blubliss]

I used to have a Silvia and Rocky but I love the double boiler in my new machine.

Chris Coffee Service - La Spaziale Vivaldi II Single Group Dual Boiler

 

[linuxworks]

now THAT's what I'm talkin' about!

what made you get rid ofo the silvia? were there things that you couldn't change about it that forced you to upgrade to a whole new class of machine? (I understand the PID upgrade process is common on machines like this and it brings it up a class, with that kind of temperature control).

I would get around to doing one of the PID kits (or doing my own) - but not to start out.

I like the idea of having a machine that is repairable (!) and using more or less standard parts. that's one thing that I have read about the silvia (and higher end) machines - they use commercial grade parts. I like that. if I can enter that game at the $500 point, I'll be a happy espresso guy

 

[beerguy0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blubliss /img/forum/go_quote.gif I used to have a Silvia and Rocky but I love the double boiler in my new machine. Chris Coffee Service - La Spaziale Vivaldi II Single Group Dual Boiler

That's an entirely different class of machine. The second boiler adds a substantial amount of cost. It's more convenient, but it's also a lot of money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxworks /img/forum/go_quote.gif now THAT's what I'm talkin' about! what made you get rid ofo the silvia? were there things that you couldn't change about it that forced you to upgrade to a whole new class of machine? (I understand the PID upgrade process is common on machines like this and it brings it up a class, with that kind of temperature control). I would get around to doing one of the PID kits (or doing my own) - but not to start out. I like the idea of having a machine that is repairable (!) and using more or less standard parts. that's one thing that I have read about the silvia (and higher end) machines - they use commercial grade parts. I like that. if I can enter that game at the $500 point, I'll be a happy espresso guy

The Silvia is around $600. I've almost got the wife convinced to let me buy one. I've already got fairly decent grinder (Baratza Virtuoso).

Aside from adding a PID to the Silvia, there is a "temperature surfing" method for the Silvia that gives you better control over the extraction temperature. Sweet Maria's has some good links to temp surfing and modding the Silvia.

 

[blubliss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxworks /img/forum/go_quote.gif lets have a thread about espresso machines with pro-level features (3 way valve, full size portafilters, replaceable/standard commercial parts, good build quality - all that neat stuff

Yeah, the money is more up front, but long term it may be better to buy higher up the chain if you can stretch.

 

[blubliss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxworks /img/forum/go_quote.gif now THAT's what I'm talkin' about! what made you get rid ofo the silvia? were there things that you couldn't change about it that forced you to upgrade to a whole new class of machine? (I understand the PID upgrade process is common on machines like this and it brings it up a class, with that kind of temperature control). I would get around to doing one of the PID kits (or doing my own) - but not to start out. I like the idea of having a machine that is repairable (!) and using more or less standard parts. that's one thing that I have read about the silvia (and higher end) machines - they use commercial grade parts. I like that. if I can enter that game at the $500 point, I'll be a happy espresso guy

Sorry, I missed this post before I responded to the other guy.

I got rid of the Silvia because I was making multiple cappuccinos, 3-4, at a time and waiting on the single boiler was slow. It is a great machine, highly regarded, so if it will be just you, or espresso only, it may be an excellent fit.

 

[milkweg]

I don't like espresso coffee as it is too strong for me. I like cafe' latte though. I use drip coffee machine with thermos carafe. Carafe keeps the coffee fresher longer compared to the ones with a warming plate.

 

[linuxworks]

maybe a longshot - but any bay area hfi'ers willing to give me a demo of their silvia machine? I'm about 90% sure that's the one I want to order - but have not seen one in person, yet.

if anyone local has this machine, I'd really love to see it in use.

 

[linuxworks]

I have read that for larger parties, this machine is not 'fast enough'. otoh, there are froth mugs (motor and heat based) that could keep up with a larger dinner party.

but for the 99% case, it will be just me and one other person and not for office use or party use.

 

[DefectiveAudioComponent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by linuxworks /img/forum/go_quote.gif any espresso machine gurus here? after about 3 yrs, my breville gave up. its a $400 class machine but not quite pro level, from what I've been reading. now trying out a gaggia 'twin'. only having semi-success with it. lets have a thread about espresso machines with pro-level features (3 way valve, full size portafilters, replaceable/standard commercial parts, good build quality - all that neat stuff if the gaggia does not work out for me, I'm thinking about the rancilio silvia: anyone own that one?

I don't own it and I can't swear it's exactly the same. But the one I've had the pleasure to have an espresso from a few times brewed it just right.

 

[komi]

I got me thet one:

... and my favorite coffee:

 

[thread]

Oooh! I love my Espresso and Lattes! I use the Delonghi EC155 with the Bodum 2 oz thermally insulated shot glasses because there is not enough clearance under the portafilter for anything much larger.

My favorite quickie in the mornings recently has been filling the shot glass 1/2 - 2/3 with espresso, and topping it off with a generous amount of whipped cream. Oh it's delicious.