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Main
Date: 08 Jun 2007 17:19:00
From: Godzilla
Subject: First impressions of Silvia
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Santa finally delivered a Silvia to my doorstep. It was extremely well
packed, which allayed any apprehension about UPS destroying it.
I did notice that the plate covering the drip tray is now painted
steel, instead of stainless which I recall seeing in prior
illustrations. That seems like a rather chintzy touch for Rancilio to
have skimped upon.
All I had roasted was one shot's worth of 13 day old Malibar Gold.
I didn't expect perfection the first time around, and that was a
correct assumption. Using the grind setting that I had been
accustomed to with my old Estro Vapore, the two doubles reached their
mark in only ten seconds! There was no crema, which I would attribute
to a combination of the slightly old beans plus the incorrect grind.
The taste was better than it looked, though.
Looking at the holes in the Silvia's basket, they are MUCH larger in
diameter than those in the Estro basket. Obviously, I will have to go
through many shots before I am able to tune the Macap grinder's
setting to achieve a "normal" 25 second pour plus great crema again.
Since I am going into the city to shop at Costco tomorrow, I plan upon
purchasing one of their roasted coffees to use for all of the
experiments that will go down the drain. Ultimately, this will be
more time and cost effective than using my precious home roasts,
which I still do 64 grams at a time. Once I find the ballpark grind
setting, I can switch back to my own beans.
I am not discouraged, just embarking upon a new adventure. :-)
Godzilla
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Date: 09 Jun 2007 18:01:08
From: Godzilla
Subject: Re: First impressions of Silvia
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Godzilla wrote:
> Santa finally delivered a Silvia to my doorstep. It was extremely
> well packed, which allayed any apprehension about UPS destroying it.
> I did notice that the plate covering the drip tray is now painted
> steel, instead of stainless which I recall seeing in prior
> illustrations. That seems like a rather chintzy touch for Rancilio
> to have skimped upon.
>
> All I had roasted was one shot's worth of 13 day old Malibar Gold.
> I didn't expect perfection the first time around, and that was a
> correct assumption. Using the grind setting that I had been
> accustomed to with my old Estro Vapore, the two doubles reached
> their mark in only ten seconds! There was no crema, which I would
> attribute to a combination of the slightly old beans plus the
> incorrect grind. The taste was better than it looked, though.
Follow up tests:
I purchased a 2-1/2 lb. sack of Seattle's best Costa Rican at Costco
today, having selected that particular one because it was their
darkest roast. At $7.99 for 2-1/2 lbs. I feel that I can afford to
experiment and toss shots down the drain. On my third finer grind
adjustment, I was up to 21 seconds with 1/4" of crema. And, remember
that this is not considered an espresso single origin or blend.
Then, I went a little too far making the grind finer. It trickled out
of one of the two spouts and the other one seemed blocked.
(I was going into two 2 oz. espresso glasses that I bought way back
when from $bucks)
Now, I understand what people have referred to when they spoke of the
Silvia "choking."
While we are on related subject matter, what is the simplest most cost
effective method of intentionally blocking ONE of the Silvia's two
spouts, when one only wants one drink?
Thanks,
Godzilla
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Date: 09 Jun 2007 19:10:57
From: Moka Java
Subject: Re: First impressions of Silvia
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Godzilla wrote:
> While we are on related subject matter, what is the simplest most cost
> effective method of intentionally blocking ONE of the Silvia's two
> spouts, when one only wants one drink?
>
1. Unscrew the spout.
2. Get a bigger cup.
R "2 for the price of 1" TF
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Date: 09 Jun 2007 16:27:02
From: Rusty
Subject: Re: First impressions of Silvia
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"Godzilla" <godzilla@monsters.org > wrote in message
news:62613$4669d5d5$cf9b1316$28733@ALLTEL.NET...
> Santa finally delivered a Silvia to my doorstep. It was extremely well
> packed, which allayed any apprehension about UPS destroying it.
> I did notice that the plate covering the drip tray is now painted
> steel, instead of stainless which I recall seeing in prior
> illustrations. That seems like a rather chintzy touch for Rancilio to
> have skimped upon.
>
> All I had roasted was one shot's worth of 13 day old Malibar Gold.
> I didn't expect perfection the first time around, and that was a
> correct assumption. Using the grind setting that I had been
> accustomed to with my old Estro Vapore, the two doubles reached their
> mark in only ten seconds! There was no crema, which I would attribute
> to a combination of the slightly old beans plus the incorrect grind.
> The taste was better than it looked, though.
>
> Looking at the holes in the Silvia's basket, they are MUCH larger in
> diameter than those in the Estro basket. Obviously, I will have to go
> through many shots before I am able to tune the Macap grinder's
> setting to achieve a "normal" 25 second pour plus great crema again.
>
> Since I am going into the city to shop at Costco tomorrow, I plan upon
> purchasing one of their roasted coffees to use for all of the
> experiments that will go down the drain. Ultimately, this will be
> more time and cost effective than using my precious home roasts,
> which I still do 64 grams at a time. Once I find the ballpark grind
> setting, I can switch back to my own beans.
>
> I am not discouraged, just embarking upon a new adventure. :-)
>
> Godzilla
Not to spoil your fun, but how soon do you expect to PID Silvia?
Rusty
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Date: 09 Jun 2007 07:22:06
From: Godzilla
Subject: Re: First impressions of Silvia
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"Rusty" <kenrussellAToptushomeDOTcomDOTau > wrote:
>
> "Godzilla" <godzilla@monsters.org> wrote in message
> news:62613$4669d5d5$cf9b1316$28733@ALLTEL.NET...
>> Santa finally delivered a Silvia to my doorstep. It was extremely
>> well packed, which allayed any apprehension about UPS destroying
>> it. I did notice that the plate covering the drip tray is now
>> painted steel, instead of stainless which I recall seeing in prior
>> illustrations. That seems like a rather chintzy touch for Rancilio
>> to have skimped upon.
>>
>> All I had roasted was one shot's worth of 13 day old Malibar Gold.
>> I didn't expect perfection the first time around, and that was a
>> correct assumption. Using the grind setting that I had been
>> accustomed to with my old Estro Vapore, the two doubles reached
>> their mark in only ten seconds! There was no crema, which I would
>> attribute to a combination of the slightly old beans plus the
>> incorrect grind. The taste was better than it looked, though.
>>
>> Looking at the holes in the Silvia's basket, they are MUCH larger
>> in diameter than those in the Estro basket. Obviously, I will have
>> to go through many shots before I am able to tune the Macap
>> grinder's setting to achieve a "normal" 25 second pour plus great
>> crema again.
>>
>> Since I am going into the city to shop at Costco tomorrow, I plan
>> upon purchasing one of their roasted coffees to use for all of the
>> experiments that will go down the drain. Ultimately, this will be
>> more time and cost effective than using my precious home roasts,
>> which I still do 64 grams at a time. Once I find the ballpark grind
>> setting, I can switch back to my own beans.
>>
>> I am not discouraged, just embarking upon a new adventure. :-)
>>
>> Godzilla
>
> Not to spoil your fun, but how soon do you expect to PID Silvia?
>
> Rusty
I placed an order for a PID kit from Jim Galt before I got the Silvia,
inasmuch as he indicated that it would take several weeks for
delivery. This was done after serious consideration of sending the
machine to Dave for his installation of a PID. After much reading
online, I concluded that either source would do the job of tight
temperature control admirably. My decision on which one to use was
based on the following factors:
1. Sending the machine for a PID installation would involve the hassle
of two more shippings for the Silvia.
2. I truly enjoy getting my hands dirty and doing things myself.
That is why I have done over 1700 roasts so far on two different
roasters, and heat water in a kettle each morning to hand pour
over a paper filter into a Melita pot which is set over a Bunn
warmer plate. ;-)
In no way was my ordering a kit from Jim Galt meant as an affront to
Dave, as I come away with the impression that he does fine work,
as attested by his many satisfied customers. Some people need others
to do electronic work, and others prefer doing it themselves.
I belong to the later group.
Godzilla
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Date: 09 Jun 2007 09:41:11
From: daveb
Subject: Re: First impressions of Silvia
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G:
thank you for the nice comments.
Dave
www.hitechespresso.com
910 616 0980
"Godzilla" <godzilla@monsters.org > wrote in message
news:d0e56$466a9b6e$cf9b1316$21606@ALLTEL.NET...
> "Rusty" <kenrussellAToptushomeDOTcomDOTau> wrote:
>
>>
>> "Godzilla" <godzilla@monsters.org> wrote in message
>> news:62613$4669d5d5$cf9b1316$28733@ALLTEL.NET...
>>> Santa finally delivered a Silvia to my doorstep. It was extremely
>>> well packed, which allayed any apprehension about UPS destroying
>>> it. I did notice that the plate covering the drip tray is now
>>> painted steel, instead of stainless which I recall seeing in prior
>>> illustrations. That seems like a rather chintzy touch for Rancilio
>>> to have skimped upon.
>>>
>>> All I had roasted was one shot's worth of 13 day old Malibar Gold.
>>> I didn't expect perfection the first time around, and that was a
>>> correct assumption. Using the grind setting that I had been
>>> accustomed to with my old Estro Vapore, the two doubles reached
>>> their mark in only ten seconds! There was no crema, which I would
>>> attribute to a combination of the slightly old beans plus the
>>> incorrect grind. The taste was better than it looked, though.
>>>
>>> Looking at the holes in the Silvia's basket, they are MUCH larger
>>> in diameter than those in the Estro basket. Obviously, I will have
>>> to go through many shots before I am able to tune the Macap
>>> grinder's setting to achieve a "normal" 25 second pour plus great
>>> crema again.
>>>
>>> Since I am going into the city to shop at Costco tomorrow, I plan
>>> upon purchasing one of their roasted coffees to use for all of the
>>> experiments that will go down the drain. Ultimately, this will be
>>> more time and cost effective than using my precious home roasts,
>>> which I still do 64 grams at a time. Once I find the ballpark grind
>>> setting, I can switch back to my own beans.
>>>
>>> I am not discouraged, just embarking upon a new adventure. :-)
>>>
>>> Godzilla
>>
>> Not to spoil your fun, but how soon do you expect to PID Silvia?
>>
>> Rusty
>
> I placed an order for a PID kit from Jim Galt before I got the Silvia,
> inasmuch as he indicated that it would take several weeks for
> delivery. This was done after serious consideration of sending the
> machine to Dave for his installation of a PID. After much reading
> online, I concluded that either source would do the job of tight
> temperature control admirably. My decision on which one to use was
> based on the following factors:
>
> 1. Sending the machine for a PID installation would involve the hassle
> of two more shippings for the Silvia.
>
> 2. I truly enjoy getting my hands dirty and doing things myself.
> That is why I have done over 1700 roasts so far on two different
> roasters, and heat water in a kettle each morning to hand pour
> over a paper filter into a Melita pot which is set over a Bunn
> warmer plate. ;-)
>
> In no way was my ordering a kit from Jim Galt meant as an affront to
> Dave, as I come away with the impression that he does fine work,
> as attested by his many satisfied customers. Some people need others
> to do electronic work, and others prefer doing it themselves.
> I belong to the later group.
>
> Godzilla
>
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Date: 08 Jun 2007 22:37:23
From: D. Ross
Subject: Re: First impressions of Silvia
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Date: 08 Jun 2007 20:15:15
From: Godzilla
Subject: Re: First impressions of Silvia
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D. Ross wrote:
>
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Date: 09 Jun 2007 16:00:08
From: Bill Satterthwaite
Subject: Re: First impressions of Silvia
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LOL!
I've had my Silvia for 2 1/2 yrs, and never thought about peeling
off the stuff (which was becoming stained/ragged). Gorgeous
underneath!
Thanks, David R.,
Bill in Seattle
In article <d7dde$4669ff23$cf9b1316$15248@ALLTEL.NET >,
Godzilla <godzilla@monsters.org > wrote:
>D. Ross wrote:
>
>>
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