Bill Laine
New member
I brought my new PID Rancilio Silvia espresso machine home last night after waiting 2 1/2 weeks for delivery. I have been cooking my home roast in a French press for 3 months and I was ready to move to the next phase of coffee enthusiasm.
I chose the Silvia because there was general consensus that it was a true top quality shot machine. There was also consensus that it takes a certain finesse in operation. It seemed that the PID modification would deal with the major problem and the machine was still the lowest price option I could see. I also ordered a Rocky grinder.
After I ordered I pored over all the forums and blogs and built up a pretty firm expectation that I would be 'sinking' a lot of shots before I hit my stride. The grinder didn't arrive with the machine so when I set it up last night I had my Breville grinder and some 2 week old Ohana beans to work with. I figured shots under these conditions would be purely for the exercise.
I fired it up, let it warm, packed the portafilter, using a good tamper, and let her rip.
Watching the shot come out I couldn't believe what I was seeing: crema! I anxiously tried the shot. It was good! I have pulled 4 doubles now and every one has been better than some of the mediocre coffee shop shots I have had recently.
I still have lots to learn, of course. My shots are erratic in their duration. I know what to work on to get more consistency there. My homeroast beans don't make as good a shot as the Ohana. I can try origins, roasts, and blends 'till I get what I'm looking for. But, after the anticipation, trying out the machine was a very nice surprise!
I may grow out of the Silvia sooner or later. But the first 16 hours has been a lot of fun.
Bill
New Orleans
I chose the Silvia because there was general consensus that it was a true top quality shot machine. There was also consensus that it takes a certain finesse in operation. It seemed that the PID modification would deal with the major problem and the machine was still the lowest price option I could see. I also ordered a Rocky grinder.
After I ordered I pored over all the forums and blogs and built up a pretty firm expectation that I would be 'sinking' a lot of shots before I hit my stride. The grinder didn't arrive with the machine so when I set it up last night I had my Breville grinder and some 2 week old Ohana beans to work with. I figured shots under these conditions would be purely for the exercise.
I fired it up, let it warm, packed the portafilter, using a good tamper, and let her rip.
Watching the shot come out I couldn't believe what I was seeing: crema! I anxiously tried the shot. It was good! I have pulled 4 doubles now and every one has been better than some of the mediocre coffee shop shots I have had recently.
I still have lots to learn, of course. My shots are erratic in their duration. I know what to work on to get more consistency there. My homeroast beans don't make as good a shot as the Ohana. I can try origins, roasts, and blends 'till I get what I'm looking for. But, after the anticipation, trying out the machine was a very nice surprise!
I may grow out of the Silvia sooner or later. But the first 16 hours has been a lot of fun.
Bill
New Orleans
