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4 questions from our users
Douglas Wasked
Hi I turn my rancilio Silvia on like I do every morning. Turned on the steam button was waiting for the light to go off and walked away got distracted for 10 or so minutes is this bad for my machine? Thank you in advance
1 answer
Hi Douglas,
Based on what I've read, it is best not to leave the steam function on for extended periods as the heating element does get extremely hot and will burn out. I always ensure that I run water through the group head after I use the steam function to reintroduce cold water into the boiler. I don't think you will have damaged your machine doing what you did but I wouldn't make a habit of forgetting that your steam switch is on. I am a new user of the Rancilio and I have found that it requires a bit more attention and concentration than other machines I have owned.Sounds like you might be getting used to it, too. Hope this was helpful. All the best.
Andrew
Scott Brasuellasked
My silvia was manufactured 0514.It is a 220 volt machine.Do you know if it is a v3 or v4 version?Dont have to temp surf maybe due to the higher voltage making it more stable.It gets hot and stays very stable.Have never seen a video review of a 220 volt machine.Thanks for the help.
1 answer
Sorry, can't help other than to suggest that you dig a hole in the backyard, dump your machine in it and get something else. I'm stuck with mine and can't afford to replace it. Can't tell you how much I regret buying this thing. Antique, clunky technology, PAINFULLY slow, inadequate spill tray, woefully inadequate dose holder, completely particle-size specific/dependent, this thing is a con job, buy it at your peril and then make sure that you have instant coffee as a fall-back option.
Harvasked
I have used at least 3 time a day the Ranchilio Silvia to prepare espressos in the last 3 years and most of the time very happy with the results. Recently I'm getting less impressive results, its looks like heating up quickly and warming up more than normal (checking the heat on the top cover), the coffee is pouring faster than before with much less crema. I have tried to put a round piece of aluminium foil with central hole and placed it in the bottom of the basket, it have improved results, but this is not the way it should work. I also started getting a very strong steam from the machine which make it difficult to make a good frothing. I am using the KG-100 grinder which till now did a good job, and using good quality coffee beans, have noticed the grinder was always set up on the finest scale, doesn't matter the type of coffee, maybe its performances degraded? Although the grind coffee looks good, any suggestions on how I can improve this?
Charlotte41asked
In my machine the coffee comes out far too fast and it is very thin and with no taste can you help me as to why please?
5 answers
chances are that you grind is not fine enough
1st point get a good grinder? I use the Rocky grinder and can get down to a very fine grind. 2nd are you using the 1x or 2x basket in the portafiller. The single is tricky to use, the grind must be fine, the amount and tamper needs to be sufficient. I rarely use the single.
Not really essential but I got a solid chromed tamper, I could easier feel and control the tamp.
Besides the more difficult single shot basket, I can make it as restricted as I need to the point the coffee is so tight it wont even come out. It does take some time to work out, but your problem is actually 'upstream' of the brew, ie the grind and the tamper. I have a ritual/habit that gets me a repeated good result - Grind, tap portafiller with the tamper 2 times each side to settle the grind, rest on table and tamp down(easier to control the pressure), lock in place and brew. Also make sure the machine is warmed sufficiently, though still works well from a cold start and brew as soon as the light goes out.
I do not believe that about the grind. When I went back to my trusty Sunbeam, I used the commercial gound coffee which was blended and ground locally and the same coffee I used with the Rancilio and the coffee had a beautiful crema on top which I could not get with the Rancilio. No, I believe these temperamental machines are not much chop.
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