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Main
Date: 23 Dec 2006 12:23:46
From: T-Bag
Subject: Silvia Pressure Mod... Need or Want?
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Hi all,
Been lurking here forever.. following lots of adivce.. and now after 2
years finally comfortable enough with temp surfing that it's become a
chore.. the PID from Jim's website is finally ordered.. can't wait.
With all the recent Silvia Mod searching I've been doing, I'm wondering
about the usefulness of the pressure mod for Silvia?
I understand the washer mod works well enough... but I was thinking if
I'm going through the trouble, I could just pick up a whole new
adjustible OPV valve and replace the whole darn thing.. it's about $50
at espressoparts.com. Ya... it's alot more than a washer would cost,
but i'd have better adjustibility...
I guess I'm wondering if it's really worth it.. I have no idea what my
Silvia's pressure is or any way to measure it.. (btw.. anyone know
where the traveling portafilter is or if it's even still making
rounds?). My shots have been darn good... and after the PID i'm
expecting even better..
Has anyone found that the pressure mod isn't all that much of an
improvement.. anyone not do the mod and have no intention of doing so?
Just looking for thoughts and opinions...
Tony B..
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Date: 25 Dec 2006 11:04:02
From: T-Bag
Subject: Re: Silvia Pressure Mod... Need or Want?
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> I'd install a stock NEW version valve -- most all now appear to permit
> 10 bar
Lots of opinions here...
Well.. the PID and a new bottomless portafilter are on the way.. so
maybe the best plan is to experiment with the PID a bit and see how
things go... There are so many variables in play, maybe I need to
eliminate a few before I can consider the pressure to be a large factor
at this point.
I guess I'm going to have to find a way to measure the pressure on my
stock Silvia first and see... if it's closer to 10 bar I don't think
I'll mess with it from some of the reading I've been doing. If its
really off as some older versions seem to be, then maybe replace the
valve with a new adjustable pressure version.
I think I have a way to go consistancy wise... Most are drinkable..
some really outstanding, leading me to believe the pressure isn't that
big a factor... but so far inconsistant. I'm hoping the PID will
eliminate a good deal of the inconsistancy.... right now eliminating
the temperature variations seems to be the most logical place to
start.. once I get that down, and can work more on my filling/tamping
skills.. I may be better able to determine if pressure is making a
difference... one variable at a time seems to be most prudent...
Arrgh... practice practice practice..
TonyB.
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Date: 24 Dec 2006 05:31:11
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Silvia Pressure Mod... Need or Want?
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Earlier Sivias like yours were NON-adjustable and some were off by a
MILE.
so,
I'd install a stock NEW version valve -- most all now appear to permit
10 bar
-- the actual to the pressure to the coffee puck is lower and should
deliver the goods.
Dave
www.hitechespresso.com
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Date: 23 Dec 2006 21:05:16
From: gscace
Subject: Re: Silvia Pressure Mod... Need or Want?
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ramboorider@gmail.com wrote:
> On Dec 23, 3:23 pm, "T-Bag" <tonyandjul...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > I guess I'm wondering if it's really worth it.. ..... My shots have been darn good... and after the PID i'm
> > expecting even better..
>
> It's sounding VERY non-broken and desperately in need of a non-fix. I
> wouldn't mess with it unless you're having problems you might be able
> to attribute to the lack of that part. Doesn't sound like the case.
> Those "darn good" shots are a big clue - the PID will probably make
> them more consistent unless you're really good at the temp surf. I
> started with a PID and find it pretty invaluable. After a couple of
> months, I think my technique has gotten pretty consistent and my shots
> consistently look good, are well timed, etc. Adjusting the temp a few
> degrees one way or the other has seemed to be a pretty big key to
> getting the best taste out of a given batch of beans. I've never even
> thought about the OPV and would likely only get myself in trouble if I
> started to. Enjoy the PID.
>
How do any of us know we're reaching the pinnacle of espresso taste
unless we try new things and evaluate them for ourselves. My answer to
the OP is that it depends on how old your Silvia is. New Silvias are
purported to have an easily adjustable pressure relief valve. Older
Silvias don't, and would benefit from such. Mine was modified so that
brew pressure was easily adjusted (by externally adjustable valve), and
I thought it was a worthwhile mod.
-Greg
> -Ray
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Date: 23 Dec 2006 12:53:51
From:
Subject: Re: Silvia Pressure Mod... Need or Want?
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stan.sh...@gmail.com wrote:
> T-Bag wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Been lurking here forever.. following lots of adivce.. and now after 2
> > years finally comfortable enough with temp surfing that it's become a
> > chore.. the PID from Jim's website is finally ordered.. can't wait.
> >
> > With all the recent Silvia Mod searching I've been doing, I'm wondering
> > about the usefulness of the pressure mod for Silvia?
> >
> > I understand the washer mod works well enough... but I was thinking if
> > I'm going through the trouble, I could just pick up a whole new
> > adjustible OPV valve and replace the whole darn thing.. it's about $50
> > at espressoparts.com. Ya... it's alot more than a washer would cost,
> > but i'd have better adjustibility...
> >
> > I guess I'm wondering if it's really worth it.. I have no idea what my
> > Silvia's pressure is or any way to measure it.. (btw.. anyone know
> > where the traveling portafilter is or if it's even still making
> > rounds?). My shots have been darn good... and after the PID i'm
> > expecting even better..
> >
> > Has anyone found that the pressure mod isn't all that much of an
> > improvement.. anyone not do the mod and have no intention of doing so?
> >
> > Just looking for thoughts and opinions...
> >
> > Tony B..
> Tony
> Hadn't be totally happy with my new (7 week old) Silvia. Shots were ok.
> Thought I was doing everything suggested on this group i.e. good
> grinder, fresh beans, consistent bean weight, tamping pressure, yada,
> yada.
> Finally made a pressure measuring pf.
> Silvia was at 11.5-12 bar. She has the adjustable OPV.
> This morning I opened her up, and adjusted the pressure to 9 bar.
> Immediate improvement in the shot quality; blonding begins much later,
> better mouth feel, etc.
> So for my 2 cents, the correct pressure made a big difference. Your
> mileage may vary
> Stan (crank down the pressure) S
Make that first sentence "Hadn't been totally happy...."
Stan (way too many shot today) S
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Date: 23 Dec 2006 12:51:24
From:
Subject: Re: Silvia Pressure Mod... Need or Want?
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T-Bag wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Been lurking here forever.. following lots of adivce.. and now after 2
> years finally comfortable enough with temp surfing that it's become a
> chore.. the PID from Jim's website is finally ordered.. can't wait.
>
> With all the recent Silvia Mod searching I've been doing, I'm wondering
> about the usefulness of the pressure mod for Silvia?
>
> I understand the washer mod works well enough... but I was thinking if
> I'm going through the trouble, I could just pick up a whole new
> adjustible OPV valve and replace the whole darn thing.. it's about $50
> at espressoparts.com. Ya... it's alot more than a washer would cost,
> but i'd have better adjustibility...
>
> I guess I'm wondering if it's really worth it.. I have no idea what my
> Silvia's pressure is or any way to measure it.. (btw.. anyone know
> where the traveling portafilter is or if it's even still making
> rounds?). My shots have been darn good... and after the PID i'm
> expecting even better..
>
> Has anyone found that the pressure mod isn't all that much of an
> improvement.. anyone not do the mod and have no intention of doing so?
>
> Just looking for thoughts and opinions...
>
> Tony B..
Tony
Hadn't be totally happy with my new (7 week old) Silvia. Shots were ok.
Thought I was doing everything suggested on this group i.e. good
grinder, fresh beans, consistent bean weight, tamping pressure, yada,
yada.
Finally made a pressure measuring pf.
Silvia was at 11.5-12 bar. She has the adjustable OPV.
This morning I opened her up, and adjusted the pressure to 9 bar.
Immediate improvement in the shot quality; blonding begins much later,
better mouth feel, etc.
So for my 2 cents, the correct pressure made a big difference. Your
mileage may vary
Stan (crank down the pressure) S
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Date: 23 Dec 2006 12:46:56
From: ramboorider@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Silvia Pressure Mod... Need or Want?
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On Dec 23, 3:23 pm, "T-Bag" <tonyandjul...@yahoo.com > wrote:
> I guess I'm wondering if it's really worth it.. ..... My shots have been darn good... and after the PID i'm
> expecting even better..
It's sounding VERY non-broken and desperately in need of a non-fix. I
wouldn't mess with it unless you're having problems you might be able
to attribute to the lack of that part. Doesn't sound like the case.
Those "darn good" shots are a big clue - the PID will probably make
them more consistent unless you're really good at the temp surf. I
started with a PID and find it pretty invaluable. After a couple of
months, I think my technique has gotten pretty consistent and my shots
consistently look good, are well timed, etc. Adjusting the temp a few
degrees one way or the other has seemed to be a pretty big key to
getting the best taste out of a given batch of beans. I've never even
thought about the OPV and would likely only get myself in trouble if I
started to. Enjoy the PID.
-Ray
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