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Main
Date: 05 Jan 2007 09:29:13
From: Guy Snape
Subject: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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What is it about Silvia that makes it so much better than the Gaggias? I
make about three cappas a day and roast my own beans - what differences
would I notice in the cup and in the operation between these two machines?
Thanks,
- guy
--
Remove the obvious to reply.
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Date: 08 Jan 2007 07:26:47
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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hey, I don't sell 'em -- I just look 'em up!
Jim P. at 1st line is my contact
dave
www.hitechespresso.com
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Date: 08 Jan 2007 05:26:13
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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1st-line
> > ...........an HX Bezerra (around $725)...
>
> Where?
>
> nb
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Date: 08 Jan 2007 08:30:02
From: notbob
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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On 2007-01-08, daveb <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote:
> 1st-line
Tank BZ02S models value priced at $799.00
(Backorder for ch 2007)
nb
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Date: 08 Jan 2007 09:00:50
From: Lloyd Parsons
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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In article <OaCdncPCtvj3yD_YnZ2dnUVZ_u2dnZ2d@comcast.com >,
notbob <notbob@nothome.com > wrote:
> On 2007-01-08, daveb <davebobblane@gmail.com> wrote:
> > 1st-line
>
> Tank BZ02S models value priced at $799.00
> (Backorder for ch 2007)
>
> nb
How about Vaneli's?
http://www.vanelis.com/
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Date: 08 Jan 2007 09:12:35
From: notbob
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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On 2007-01-08, Lloyd Parsons <lloydparsons@mac.com > wrote:
> How about Vaneli's?
$695 wow!
better?
new Brasilia Century American DEL, $1000 (rotary)
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ele/257620463.html
....which is also listed on ebay, starting at $750.
Wish I had a $1K to blow. ;)
nb
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 04:28:50
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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Not a thing wrong with the Gaggia. I owned one for 5 years and wore out
a pump $40 and blew the thermal fuse. that's all. I've got a 25 year
old one in here for repair. It will be saved.
They are very popular and do a fine job.
-- but There is a strong bias here toward the silvia, which has many
stong points as well.
just don't store it with a WET boiler over the long term. the boiler
will corrode -- or crack if subjected to freezing.
Dave
877 286 2833
Guy Snape wrote:
> What is it about Silvia that makes it so much better than the Gaggias? I
> make about three cappas a day and roast my own beans - what differences
> would I notice in the cup and in the operation between these two machines?
>
> Thanks,
>
> - guy
> --
> Remove the obvious to reply.
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 10:11:33
From: Coffee for Connoisseurs
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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Slightly richer shot, touch more crema, lots more steam. Add milk and the
differences mostly disappear. In my opinion, difference is due mostly to the
showerscreen configuration. Flat plate showerscreens just don't cut it these
days.
OTOH, when you're talking about longevity.......
(Got a pile of donated dead Gaggias.)
--
Alan
alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au
www.coffeeco.com.au
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 11:21:34
From: Stuart Hudson
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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Coffee for Connoisseurs wrote:
> Slightly richer shot, touch more crema, lots more steam. Add milk and the
> differences mostly disappear. In my opinion, difference is due mostly to the
> showerscreen configuration. Flat plate showerscreens just don't cut it these
> days.
>
> OTOH, when you're talking about longevity.......
>
> (Got a pile of donated dead Gaggias.)
>
>
My Gaggia Classic is now 7 years old. The other day the second thing to
go wrong happened. The knob on the steam valve broke. Rang Gaggia for a
new one 2 days ago, arrived this morning GBP 5.25 inc. postage and
packing. I would not even begin to add up the hours that this machine
has been on and yet nothing major yet and I know that when it happens it
will be a good excuse to send it back for a service. When you have to do
that what appears to be a new machine gets sent back to you. It is not
of course a new machine but they sure do service them. Someone reported
on here a few years ago that they had even replaced the stainless steel
carcass during servicing because it had a few rust ks.
As it says on the website
"We encourage Long term use"
I don't think there is a thing on Gaggia machines that can't be fixed so
do Gaggia a favour and donate your pile to Gaggia so that they can do
what they say on their website:
"Gaggia believes in helping the environment by reconditioning machines
for re-sale. Machines are returned by customers for various reasons.
Some machines may have been damaged slightly in transit, some machines
are faulty on arrival to the customer but the fault may be a minor one
that can be rectified quickly. Every machine is inspected thoroughly
before it is offered as a re-conditioned machine with a 12 month
warranty. Re-conditioned machines are available on our website or
through selected retailers."
Stuart Hudson
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 21:53:08
From: Coffee for Connoisseurs
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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>The knob on the steam valve broke. Rang Gaggia for a new one 2 days ago,
>arrived this morning GBP 5.25 inc. postage and packing.
Try moving to Australia and getting the same service, or indeed any service
at all. Here they are regarded more as appliances, probably due to the
importer, www.shriro.com.au . Check out the other brands they import.
--
Alan
alanfrew@coffeeco.com.au
www.coffeeco.com.au
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Date: 06 Jan 2007 20:08:03
From: Gus
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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> Try moving to Australia and getting the same service, or indeed any
> service at all. Here they are regarded more as appliances, probably due to
> the importer, www.shriro.com.au . Check out the other brands they import.
>
Actually Alan's experience isn't limited to Australia. Before I bought my
machine (an ECM) I'd owned a few Gaggia's, the first of which was very good,
followed by a steady decline. I didn't have nearly the positive experience
that Stuart mentions. In fact after I bought the ECM I asked the supplier
if they carried Gaggia. He said they had, but the customer service had been
non-existent, which compromised his relationship with customers so they
dropped them (this is in the UK). It's great if things have improved. On
the other hand a few friends have had Silvias and I've not heard any one of
them regret it.
Gus
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Date: 07 Jan 2007 06:00:22
From: Stuart Hudson
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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Gus wrote:
>> Try moving to Australia and getting the same service, or indeed any
>> service at all. Here they are regarded more as appliances, probably due to
>> the importer, www.shriro.com.au . Check out the other brands they import.
>>
> Actually Alan's experience isn't limited to Australia. Before I bought my
> machine (an ECM) I'd owned a few Gaggia's, the first of which was very good,
> followed by a steady decline. I didn't have nearly the positive experience
> that Stuart mentions. In fact after I bought the ECM I asked the supplier
> if they carried Gaggia. He said they had, but the customer service had been
> non-existent, which compromised his relationship with customers so they
> dropped them (this is in the UK). It's great if things have improved. On
> the other hand a few friends have had Silvias and I've not heard any one of
> them regret it.
>
> Gus
>
>
I have always had good service from Gaggia UK. I noticed on their
website a new warning about not using acredited dealers or websites as
the service was not up to their standards. Perhaps they have had
problems too.
Stuart Hudson
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 10:13:28
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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Stuart Hudson <mhh21cremovethis@hotmail.com > wrote:
>My Gaggia Classic is now 7 years old. The other day the second thing to
>go wrong happened. The knob on the steam valve broke. Rang Gaggia for a
>new one 2 days ago, arrived this morning GBP 5.25 inc. postage and
>packing.
>
The main reason that the Gaggias generally rank second to the Silvia
around here are that they have aluminum boilers. This means that when
mineral content builds up in the boiler, the "normal" descaling agents
cannot be used as they eat aluminum. The Silvia has a ine brass
boiler which has long been established as an excellent material for
boilers in commercial as well as home espresso machines.
The rest of your message concerning reconditioned machines is, IMO,
their advertising hype, and what they are bragging over is really no
different from what any manufacturer understandably does to increase
their profit gin. it is why we often recommend folks call their
favorite supplier and see if any reconditioned machines are available.
For new, currently at WLL:
Gaggia Classic - $499
Rancilio Silvia - $495
Between those two it would seem like an easy choice given the Silvia's
excellent track record and amount of information available.
Randy "phenolic tastes good too!" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 18:24:06
From: Jack Denver
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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No way is the Classic a good value at $500. Keep in mind that all the
Gaggias with a full size PF use exactly the same boiler, the only difference
being the cases and whether or not there is a 3 way. You can get the
Espresso or the Carezza for around $200 and the coffee will be no worse
than from a Classic.
"Randy G." <frcn@DESPAMMOcncnet.com > wrote in message
news:pl4tp2lo5tgvdqb1ppdm1vumc1mdfn6u19@4ax.com...
> Stuart Hudson <mhh21cremovethis@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>My Gaggia Classic is now 7 years old. The other day the second thing to
>>go wrong happened. The knob on the steam valve broke. Rang Gaggia for a
>>new one 2 days ago, arrived this morning GBP 5.25 inc. postage and
>>packing.
>>
> The main reason that the Gaggias generally rank second to the Silvia
> around here are that they have aluminum boilers. This means that when
> mineral content builds up in the boiler, the "normal" descaling agents
> cannot be used as they eat aluminum. The Silvia has a ine brass
> boiler which has long been established as an excellent material for
> boilers in commercial as well as home espresso machines.
>
> The rest of your message concerning reconditioned machines is, IMO,
> their advertising hype, and what they are bragging over is really no
> different from what any manufacturer understandably does to increase
> their profit gin. it is why we often recommend folks call their
> favorite supplier and see if any reconditioned machines are available.
>
> For new, currently at WLL:
> Gaggia Classic - $499
> Rancilio Silvia - $495
>
> Between those two it would seem like an easy choice given the Silvia's
> excellent track record and amount of information available.
>
>
> Randy "phenolic tastes good too!" G.
> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
>
>
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Date: 08 Jan 2007 00:05:37
From: Cordo
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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One thing no one has mentioned: the Gaggia's design means that it gets up
to steam temperature in a few seconds (I'd say about 15 seconds). This
means I can make milk drink after milk drink. Yes, steam power declines
after about ten seconds of very powerful steaming, but closing the valve for
7 seconds and then opening it, gives me nearly unlimited steam (as the
heating element stays on). I love not having to wait for the steam.
Like Jack, I would buy the Carezza, Espresso, or Coffee before the Classic
and save the money.
My argument nowadays to friends and internet folks is that the price
difference between a Silvia at $495 and an HX Bezerra (around $725) means
I'd never buy a Silvia.
Bottom line? $500 for Silvia over a $200 Gaggia for nearly identical
espresso isn't worth it. $725 Bezerra (the Livia with a different case)
over a $500 Silvia? Priceless.
C
"Jack Denver" <nunuvyer@netscape.net > wrote in message
news:R7KdnWFboruLQwPYnZ2dnUVZ_u6rnZ2d@comcast.com...
> No way is the Classic a good value at $500. Keep in mind that all the
> Gaggias with a full size PF use exactly the same boiler, the only
> difference being the cases and whether or not there is a 3 way. You can
> get the Espresso or the Carezza for around $200 and the coffee will be no
> worse than from a Classic.
>
>
>
> "Randy G." <frcn@DESPAMMOcncnet.com> wrote in message
> news:pl4tp2lo5tgvdqb1ppdm1vumc1mdfn6u19@4ax.com...
>> Stuart Hudson <mhh21cremovethis@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>My Gaggia Classic is now 7 years old. The other day the second thing to
>>>go wrong happened. The knob on the steam valve broke. Rang Gaggia for a
>>>new one 2 days ago, arrived this morning GBP 5.25 inc. postage and
>>>packing.
>>>
>> The main reason that the Gaggias generally rank second to the Silvia
>> around here are that they have aluminum boilers. This means that when
>> mineral content builds up in the boiler, the "normal" descaling agents
>> cannot be used as they eat aluminum. The Silvia has a ine brass
>> boiler which has long been established as an excellent material for
>> boilers in commercial as well as home espresso machines.
>>
>> The rest of your message concerning reconditioned machines is, IMO,
>> their advertising hype, and what they are bragging over is really no
>> different from what any manufacturer understandably does to increase
>> their profit gin. it is why we often recommend folks call their
>> favorite supplier and see if any reconditioned machines are available.
>>
>> For new, currently at WLL:
>> Gaggia Classic - $499
>> Rancilio Silvia - $495
>>
>> Between those two it would seem like an easy choice given the Silvia's
>> excellent track record and amount of information available.
>>
>>
>> Randy "phenolic tastes good too!" G.
>> http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com
>>
>>
>
>
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Date: 08 Jan 2007 05:31:53
From: notbob
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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On 2007-01-08, Cordo <cordoveroRemoveThis@RemoveThisyahoo.com > wrote:
> ...........an HX Bezerra (around $725)...
Where?
nb
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Date: 05 Jan 2007 09:37:07
From: Jack Denver
Subject: Re: Why Silvia not Gaggia?
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Because of the aluminum boiler, Gaggia longevity seems to vary greatly
according to water conditions - in some areas the local water seems to eat
right thru them in short order, in others they go for many years with little
or no corrosion. I'm not sure I even know what type of water leads to the
rapid failure. It's possible that the use of non-aluminum safe descalers may
also contribute in some cases. Of course it's possible to replace the boiler
at a cost significantly less than a new machine in most cases but if you are
in an area where the local water is aggressive you may be better off with
something with a brass boiler than paying for annual boiler replacements.
"Stuart Hudson" <mhh21cremovethis@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:506qm4F1ddc0iU1@mid.individual.net...
> Coffee for Connoisseurs wrote:
>> Slightly richer shot, touch more crema, lots more steam. Add milk and the
>> differences mostly disappear. In my opinion, difference is due mostly to
>> the showerscreen configuration. Flat plate showerscreens just don't cut
>> it these days.
>>
>> OTOH, when you're talking about longevity.......
>>
>> (Got a pile of donated dead Gaggias.)
>>
>>
> My Gaggia Classic is now 7 years old. The other day the second thing to go
> wrong happened. The knob on the steam valve broke. Rang Gaggia for a new
> one 2 days ago, arrived this morning GBP 5.25 inc. postage and packing. I
> would not even begin to add up the hours that this machine has been on and
> yet nothing major yet and I know that when it happens it will be a good
> excuse to send it back for a service. When you have to do that what
> appears to be a new machine gets sent back to you. It is not of course a
> new machine but they sure do service them. Someone reported on here a few
> years ago that they had even replaced the stainless steel carcass during
> servicing because it had a few rust ks.
> As it says on the website
>
> "We encourage Long term use"
>
> I don't think there is a thing on Gaggia machines that can't be fixed so
> do Gaggia a favour and donate your pile to Gaggia so that they can do what
> they say on their website:
>
> "Gaggia believes in helping the environment by reconditioning machines for
> re-sale. Machines are returned by customers for various reasons. Some
> machines may have been damaged slightly in transit, some machines are
> faulty on arrival to the customer but the fault may be a minor one that
> can be rectified quickly. Every machine is inspected thoroughly before it
> is offered as a re-conditioned machine with a 12 month warranty.
> Re-conditioned machines are available on our website or through selected
> retailers."
>
> Stuart Hudson
>
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