Consumer Reviews of the Rancilio Silvia

The following reviews were collected from Amazon.com, WholeLatteLove.com, CoffeeGeek.com, Epinions.com, and Wize.com.

There are no shortage of reviews for the extremely popular Rancilio Silvia. A perennial favorite, the overwhelming majority of reviews from consumers who have purchased “Miss Silvia” gave the espresso machine their enthusiastic approval and said they would recommend the product to their friends.

We want to help you make a comfortable and confident purchase decision if you are considering this machine for yourself or as a gift. To help you we have gathered what we feel is a comprehensive, very fair, and balanced collection of consumer reviews for the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine.

All of the following reviews are from actual owners of this espresso machine. We think that reviews made by real owners of the Rancilio Silvia are the best source of honest, reliable feedback, which you will find invaluable when choosing a home espresso maker of your own.

Our hope is that we can help save you many hours of time scouring the Internet yourself in order to gather this type of information by doing the research by doing that research for you, and collecting a wide variety of reviews for this extremely popular and affordable espresso machine.

Review By William Hendrix

Mainly like the Rancilio Silvia with the exception of the brewing process.The coffee should be better tasting. My other machine produces better tasting coffee using the same coffee and grind. The thermostat failed within a year of purchase. That seems to be a problem with the other machines I have bought.   I have a Gaggia. It still works, but when steaming the coffee maker waits until the steam has just about topped steaming before the heater trips on again. This is pretty irritating in that it takes a lot longer to produce steamed milk.

Review By Jennifer Cowle

I bought my Rancilio Silvia to upgrade from my Starbucks Barista machine I got for Christmas several years ago because my more sophisticated taste in coffee required a better machine. I was very impressed seeing it in person. Its all stainless steel and is a good size for sitting on my counter.

It took a few weeks of repeatedly grinding espresso at different settings to get the espresso to extract at the perfect timing. This was not very fun at first because I was very impatient and wanted to use my machine. But it paid off big time. I got the grind setting down, and I noticed that if you use Starbuck’s espresso (not recommended) its really hard to get a good shot because the beans are so oily and dark and the machine has a hard time pushing water through the grinds. I found using a roast that isn’t as dark as Starbucks is best and the shots pull amazing!

The steaming is so much better than my Starbucks machine, it steams 12 oz of milk in about 30-45 seconds (not commercial, but good for home!) It is really easy to get micro foam for amazing cappuccinos. If you are steaming a lot of drinks (I’d say, more than 3) then it does better taking a little heating break after the third steam… turn the steam off and run some water through the brew head and let it warm back up… then it’ll be good for another three drinks. Other than that, it has great performance on the steaming.

Only bummer is it needs to be flushed a lot and the drip tray is very small, so you have to be near a sink or come up with creative measures for holding the water.

Review By Stanley Wong

Previously, I had a Krups consumer-grade Espresso machine.  It was good for what is was but it felt like a toy compared to the Rancilio Silvia.

Solid metal structure.  Stainless steel housing.  A real solid machine.  The water tank holds about 2 liters, more than enough for many, many cappuccinos.  Four years on and it has yet to develop any issues.  The portafilter is the commercial grade E61.  It retains heat well.  The group head is a solid piece of metal, also helping to maintain the correct temperature.

Combined with a good grinder and fresh beans, the Rancilio is able to produce quality shots of espresso.

I heard that the original set came with a plastic tamper.  I did not see it.  I was fortunate enough to purchase a specially ordered tamper for the Spinelli’s cafes in Singapore.  It fitted the portafilter just right.

Negative points:

You DO need to “learn” the machine.  DO the warm up for the portafilter and cups.  DO the temperature sufing.  Make it a habit.  It is now second nature to me.  I know exactly when the boiler will cycle up (17s).  And about when to begin the pull (after water flash).

For steaming, again you need to know how and when to steam.  For me, I wait till the light goes off, then on again, wait 20s.  At this stage you can gradually bring up the steam.  Do it right and the heater light continues on and the power is more than equal to any other domestic machine.

The major gripe and the thing that will probably lead me to buy a new machine sometime later; it only has one boiler.  I KNOW it is designed that way but it is a major issue for me.  Making 2 cappuccinos, no problem.  Anything more than that..  Well, it is not pretty.  When I entertain, which is once in a while, I so abhor the notion of making multiple drinks with the machine, that I finally offer them 3-in-1 instead.   The last party, to make 8 cappuccinos, I had to pull, then steam, then pull, then steam.  All the while waiting for the heater to bring the boiler to the different temperatures.  It took me more than 30 mins.  With a double boiler, I am sure I can do it in less than 5.

Review By Samurai K

Background: The Rancilio Silvia is my first espresso machine. A barista from a local coffee shop in San Francisco recommended me the Silvia for home use since I had to move away to burbs and no longer be a regular customer.

Quality: I bought the Rancilio Silvia from Whole Latte Love as part of a package with a Rocky grinder. After a week the boiler broke, but Whole Latte Love shipped me a new replacement Silvia for free. Construction and materials feels solid and if you compare it to some of the cheaper “plastic” looking machines you see on display at your local dept. store or Starbucks, you can tell the Silvia is an over-engineered product that is built to last. Proof to that is she still runs like a champ after four years of daily caps and espressos for myself and my wife.

Usability: In terms of usability, the Silvia has her challenges with brew temperatures. Assuming you give her time to warm up properly for 30 minutes, the stock brew thermostat is still terrible. The Rancilio Silvia needs extra love since the brew temperature can swing as much as 40F over after the brew light goes off. Installing a PID temperature controller is the optimal solution to this problem, but it is an additional $100 (DIY) to $250 (pidkits.com) upgrade. You can still get decent results temperature surfing with a timer and even better with installing an inexpensive electronic temperature probe on the boiler. Before the PID, I bought a cheap Extech digital multimeter that was bundled with at Type K thermocouple for $25. Installed the thermocouple on the boiler like the DIY PID instructions. This gave me real-time temperature on the digital multimeter so I new when to pull the espresso shot based on actual brew temperature than guessing it based on time after the brew light went off.

As for multiple milk drinks back to back, the Silvia can only make two (one small steaming pitcher) at a time before you run out of steam. Good for personal use to pull a couple drinks at a time, but not good for dinner parties unless people are willing to wait. I found that steaming milk first before pulling espresso shots is the most efficient use of time since it is easier to cool down the boiler to brew temperature from cold reservoir water than waiting for the boiler to heat to steam temperature.

The steam nozzle is functional, although I wish it articulated up and down like the professional machines (which is a new feature for the V3 machines) so I can move a full steamed milk pitcher out of the way without having to tilt the pitcher and spill steamed milk all over the place. Right now I have to tilt the machine to the side and slide out the pitcher.

Value:
I recently fried the pump from accidentally leaving on the brew button during its daily morning warm-up I have setup with an automatic timer. I had the option of sending it to a local espresso machine repair shop in the Bay Area, but decided to do the work myself since there was a ton of blogs, YouTube videos, and other internet content to do a DIY repair. The newer 52W Ulka EAX5 brass pump seems to run smoother and quieter than the original 41W Ulka EP5 plastic pump. Since the Silvia panels were still off, I decided to install a Watlow PID temperature controller for both steam and brew.

What a night and day difference a PID temperature controller did for the Silvia. I didn’t really notice before how poor the espresso shots were with the stock thermostat since I drank caps exclusively. Since the PID install, I have switched to drinking espresso again. I built my own kit, which you can find my wiring diagram here Click Here (www.slideshare.net) . You can also buy an assembled kit from either pidkits.com or auberins.com.

Since the PID install, all I have to do is warm up the machine for 30 minutes and it will automatically get the Silvia to perfect operating temperature to pull an espresso shot. Before I would have to stand in front of the machine with my stopwatch and temperature gauge and guesstimate the best time to pull a shot.

Overall, I rate it a 7 due to the following:

Quality- 8 – The original unit was a dud, but my replacement has been a tank
Usability- 5 – The PID controller is a no-brainer upgrade to make it more usable. Without it, it is a PITA to get good shots
Value – 10 – We broke even in less than 6 months so it has been a great investment
Aesthetics – 5 – The machine is plain with nothing striking about its appearance

I am not sure why there are bad reviews of Silvia for pulling shots. She can pull good ones, but it does take proper technique and PID helps a lot. I suspect people are blaming the machine for user error.

It has been a great starter machine, but I finally moved on to a Giotto Premium which I can now fully appreciate the significant benefits of a e61 HX based machine.

Review By Petey Overton

Bought the Rancilio Silvia and received it a week later. Came with a portafilter (double) bought a single to, came with blind, chemical. brush and a few rancilio cups. Everything thing about this is awesome.

The wand is heavy and well built. The machine is full of brass components that last in heat when hot. The portrafilter is heavy and built to last. The extraction is great.

I use the rocky to grind my beans. The machine is perfection and at a great price. If you pay any more you will be buying a 1500 that is probably not much different from the silvia.

The wand is powerful when the temp maxes out. The temp is different for the wand and the group head. This is why the temp thermostat sucks. Its jumping from group head to wand, about 20- degrees difference. Temp surfing sucks. I am going to buy a PID (proportional integral derivative.) to maintain a stable temp. The temp drops for the group head and eventually the light flicks on to indicate heating. The PID will blink the light indicating it is staying at a level of heat.

I cant stress enough how good this machine is. I read some reviews and they stated how bad the machine was built and came with out things such as a portafilter. No longer is this case. Also i watched some videos and the Rancilio Silvia is now better built. Better wand and wand knob. This is a great buy, the best you will get at the cheapest price.

Remember to have a grinder that can match the machine

Review By Brian Rose

I had achieved a level of frustration with my “15 bar pump” Krups espresso machine sufficient to get me over the sticker shock that comes with that first leap into the world of true home espresso production. I found this website and HomeBarista.com, looked at the reviews, and decided the Rancilio Silvia and Rocky were the way to go. I found an offering of a used Silvia on eBay from [...], but I decided to purchase them directly from [...]at a discount since both Rocky and Silvia were pre-owned. They arrived in excellent shape. I was pleased with the more commercial quality of Silvia in its’ appearance and heft. I started right away on the journey to learn Silvia’s (and Rocky’s) secrets. The first lesson: do not pay attention to what posters say the correct grind setting is on any grinder- even the same one you are using. Lots of sink shots wondering why I wasn’t getting the same results as they were at the same settings. Every grinder is probably a little unique, and I think mine is more unique than most. I have repeatedly set the grinder at zero to correspond to very slight touching of the burrs, and can only get good shots with Rocky set at 1 or 2 at the highest. Your results WILL VARY, it’s OK.

There certainly have been many reviews and discussions about temperature surfing Silvia, and I will only add my 2 cents here. First, I would avoid any surfing technique that involves starting the extraction while the heating element is on. It just makes sense that the slope of the temperature curve is going to be flatter going down than up on a machine that has been allowed to warm up. For me, this involves allowing Silvia to warm up with the portafilter in place until the portafilter spouts are painfully hot (usually 20-25 minutes), running the pump (into the cup to warm it up) for about 4-5 seconds, and occasionally repeating for a second or two, until the boiler light comes on. I put enough coffee for a double shot into the grinder and wait for the light to go off. When the light goes off, I start timing for 2 minutes, which allows me time to grind, dose, level and tamp without rushing. At the 2 minute mark I start the extraction, and if all goes well (which it usually does), 20-25 seconds later I will have about 2 ounces of high quality espresso. I will not try to say I make “god shots” ever- but they are better than 95% of the shops locally (Cartel Coffee rocks their Synesso – they beat me every day of the week).

WLL forgot to include the Rancilio double basket with the machine, but when I called about that, they provided a ridgeless LaMarzocco double basket which works great for me. I have never weighed my doses, but I fill the basket as high as I can while avoiding hitting the screen with the top of the puck.

Review By James Albanese

My Starbucks Barrista (oem Saeco )  machine went dead after 10 years of true service.  Starbucks no longer sells it so we ran out to the Silver Lake Intelligencia and  put down the cash for a new Rancilio Silvia.

WOW – I had to look inside so I took off the covers – inside was a huge brass boiler and full up professional parts.   The workmanship was truly beautiful.

It takes a while to get a good shot, practice and experimentation is the key.  She is very sensitive to the grind and tamp.  Toss the cheap plastic on in the box in the trash and get a first class tamper like a Reg Barber or Albabarista – the Silvia basket is 58mm.

All in all a wonderful machine that will probably last forever.

Review By Peter Hinton

The craftsmanship is apparent from the moment you lift the Rancilio Silvia out of the box. It weighs a lot more than it looks and you can see why if you lift off a few of the panels (I couldn’t help myself). It was then that I saw all of the commercial-grade components that I’d read so much about. Very exciting.

I also read that Rancilio Silvia can be a temperamental mistress and this too was apparent within a few minutes. Make no mistake, she’ll drive you crazy before you fall in love with her… but you will fall in love with her.

I spent the first WEEK trying different roasts, grinds and techniques.

Here are a few hints & tips that might (hopefully) make things easier for you:
1) Buy a timer and have the machine switch on automatically one-hour before you need it.
2) I use a 2.5 grind.
3) Milk jug should be at least 1 liter capacity.
4) You really need to be heating at least 300mls of milk to achieve good micro-foam. The steam output is so intense that any less than this reaches boiling point too quickly. This means making coffee for two or wasting milk.
5) Hit that steam switch immediately after pouring your espresso. The boiler takes around 60 seconds to reach the right temperature for steam so you don’t want to waste time (and drink a cold espresso).
6) The steam wand will shoot water for the first 3 seconds, so aim it at the drip-tray before sticking it in your milk.
7) DO NOT forget to prime the boiler after steaming your milk.

Review By Susan Hasting

love my Rancilio Silvia have reset my boiler twice without difficulty…..you need to get the right grind and tamp properly for a good shot  its not for you if you dont want to experiment….if i get espresso grind from starbucks  i have to just tamp very lightly…if its too course you will get a very fast shot with no crema…so it takes a week to get adapted…i purchased a fairly cheap burr grinder but it did not grind fine enough for my machine….so do not try a cheap burr grinder with this machine it will not grind fine enough for a good shot…..i have had this  machine for 7 years with no problems…i left in on twice and had to reset the boiler….it just turns off will not do anything….there is a little reset button inside  if i had not known this i would have ended up throwing it away…….

Review By Dave McLennan

heard a lot about it  didn’t like the crema, for the money new VERY OVERPRICED, FELT CHEAP AND SMALL,SHOTS OK AT BEST,  LOTS OF STEAM POWER,  I HEARD A LOT OF GOOD THINGS  FROM THIS TINY LITTLE MACHINE,  ITS WASN’T CHEAP THOUGH,  YOU CAN GET A GoOD USED  expobar OFFICE LEVER  for a few  hundred over this little box type machine,   if you can’t afford a  professional machine, i’d still look at other brands,  shots  OK  till you try a proper machine  save up for a real one,  i did soldier on with the little ones myself till i could afford a good one,   i might of  just had bad luck with mine as i see they sell a lot of them   i  just did not  like it

Review By Michelle Cecile

I haven’t owned my Rancilio Silvia long enough to go into details (will most definitely do the 3 mo. follow-up review)  and my ratings re: quality etc. aren’t based on experience with similar products but I did want to get my opinion out here for others who may be doing what I did–reviewing, reading, wondering what machine is best.

I owned a Krups steam “espresso” machine for 14 years which as we all know is not even close to being in the same class as Siliva and Silvia-type/price products and many of the reviews made me a little and sometimes a lot nervous as many indicate experience in espresso machines would be good to have with Silvia.  I have zero experience with “real” espresso machines and wanted to let others like me know not to be nervous if considering this machine.  I can’t compare ease to other machines but I can tell you I haven’t had a bad shot yet And to those folks with loads more experience than me and therefore a much more refined palate than a Krups steam “espresso” machine, my review will not be for you  With Silvia, I’m getting excellent coffee with rich, thick crema on 30-40 second pulls–yes, too long, working on that–but still to me every shot has been oh so delicious smelling, beautiful to look at and yummy to drink.  I’m guessing to the more experienced home barista some of my pulls would be bitter, but not to me.

So for those of you who might be like me, don’t be afraid of this machine.  It was a huge decision for me and scary given the amount of money (I purchased a Rocky grinder as well and so can offer no opinion if you buy Silvia but don’t have a decent burr grinder) and scary given the fact that I really like my coffee and didn’t want to plop a bunch a money down and not have really good coffee.  Going from a $50 Krups to a $600 Rancilio Silvia was TOTALLY worth it. Just hope Silvia lasts as long as the Krups did–will keep you posted on longevity.

I was nervous setting up my first espresso machine and made sure to read and re-read the different sets of instructions I found–not so much the official instruction pamphlet that comes with Silvia, although I read that too. Also the instruction pages that Stefano’s Espresso sent plus the stuff I picked up here  and elsewhere (thank you all!) because I didn’t want to damage the machine unknowingly.

As far as all the talk about temperature surfing goes, again, I am not experienced enough to talk about that except to say again to others like me, I’m getting great coffee and crema from this machine without worrying about all of that. I am the only one using the machine, so I’m not trying to pull multiple shots in a short period of time which I understand can make a huge difference in temperature in single boiler machines so if you’re doing something like that, listen to others not me.

Cleanliness appears to be next to godliness as far as espresso machines go so that does take me a bit more time in the mornings than the Krups but the coffee is totally worth it.

I spent a lot of time reading reviews before buying this machine.  I had previously owned a Gaggia Classic which I had used everyday for five years.  I went for the Rancilio Silvia after reading rave reviews about quality of build and the double boiler.  The machine looks quite good although the switch are a little industrial.  If weight is anything to go by, you would think high quality but…..read on.

After just a year, the boiler went.  Great that’s it made out of brass, not much good when it dies.  I have spent a year now going back and forth with EspressoCoffeeShop to get it fixed with no joy.  Although I bought it off a UK site, it transpired that the site was based in Italy.  Coffee machine from Italy, sounds great until you have a problem.  I finally brought it to a Gaggia service centre in Ireland to be told that it was dead, beyond repair as the boiler (the heart of the machine) was dead.

This was an expensive machine and having to shell out again after such a short time really hurts.  Stay away from EspressoCoffeeShop, good experience until you need service.

Review By Eric Vos

If you are looking for an “easy to use” machine you may not want to go with the Rancilio Silvia.  If you are willing to put the time and effort into the art of espresso this is a great machine for the money.  It really take time to get your grind, your tap, etc. just right.  Once you get it down a small miscalculation will throw the whole thing off.  If you over/under fill the portafilter you will be sorely disappointed.  If you over/under do the grind, again, you will be sorely disappointed in the outcome.  You have to line up the sun, moon and stars with Silvia.  Once you do the outcome is great.  As good as can be.  Yet, it can be very frustrating dialing it all in.  If you love the idea of tinkering until you get perfection this is the machine.  I have the 2nd version and I can easily steam perfect foam with milk and soy.  Again, this is something which comes with practice.  I bought a second one from my friend for $100 because he couldn’t stand the product.  Just didn’t have the patience and yen for pulling it all together with practice and experimentation.  I would certainly go and buy a PID.  I went a good year w/o a PID and it was “okay.”  When I got the PID it made a world of difference.  Make sure you invest well in the grinder.  Rocky is a great fit.  Well built, great product and 100′s of hours of pure fun for the hobbyist.  Again, if you are looking for “easy” go to your local coffee shop and order your favorite coffee drink.  The nice thing about taking your time to learn is all the knowledge you gain about your favorite drink…COFFEE.

Review By Dennis O’Hara

Given the price of the Rancilio Silvia and the hype surrounding it at the time of purchase I expected much more than the machine delivered.  Rancilio has acknowledged my complaint and that is all.  The steamer control worked well for a very short period but soon become loose on the handle. I was surprised to see that the collar was plastic which explains why the chrome trim started peeling off – At no time did the machine ever run dry – the water was always filtered- the machine was switched off after each use. Overall I  think the machine is overpriced and overrated.

Review By Dean Palmer

I started doing research many months ago, and first thought that the Rancilio Silvia was going to be the machine for me. Then after reading reviews on different websites, reading online forums, it seemed like the only machines that produced good consistent espresso and could make milk drinks in a reasonable time were around $2k. I decided that I couldn’t justify such an expense, and decided to give up looking rather than buying a machine not capable of doing as good as the local cafes.

On a whim I called the only espresso machine shop in the area to find out if they had a showroom and some machines to look at. They had this like-new Silvia version two for a decent price. They assured me for what I really needed, this machine would produce quality shots as well or better than any cafe could. Glad they were correct!

Got it home, filled it up, plugged it in, warmed it up, and ran through the first brew checklist quickly. Couldn’t be easier. Ground up some freshly roasted beans that I picked up from CCM Coffee Mill on the way home and ground them on the “8″ setting of our Kitchenaid Pro-Line burr grinder. Filled the portafilter to the top, leveled, tamped, and then pulled the first shot. Perfect ~2.5oz in ~25 seconds and it tasted great with perfect crema as well. Why didn’t I just buy this machine in the first place?

To froth some milk you have to let it warm up the boiler for a minute or two, but that turned out to be a very minor wait, and this part seems to be greatly exaggerated in some online reviews. I almost thought I needed a bigger heat exchanger or double boiler machine if I expected to make decent milk drinks, but Silvia comes through. I don’t expect that you’d want to use this for continual production of milk drinks, but with a little timing and some common sense you could sure knock out four cappuccinos in short order. Just run a few shots then froth the milk, or do the opposite, froth all your milk and then run some water through the head to cool/stabilize the temp for brewing and pull the shots last. It has a very short recovery time between pulling espresso shots and is ready to go again before I can get the portafilter reloaded.

So… the machine is very capable, so no worries. My next concern was the temperature stability, and with all the talk about PID control for the boiler I was concerned that I’d have to do some strange ritual to get a good shot. Also not a concern. I have now followed the process for “temperature surfing” and also just pulled shots one after another. Both processes worked just fine, and there were no off-flavors or critical flaws that I could find with either method. So don’t believe that you have to do something special to get a good shot from Silvia. That said, the complaints about temp variation in the Silvia you will read about are valid. The control this machine uses from the factory may not produce a tight temperature range, and that can be the difference in your results. in my case there does not seem to be a temperature variation issue that affects my espresso to the point where it is noticeable to any tasters. I have not had to pour a shot down the drain for any reason, even when testing different coffees, different grinds, and different methods. Do you need a PID controller to make good espresso with Silvia? No, you don’t, and don’t stress over this point until you find that you need it from your actual experience with the machine and your own results.

Is this machine perfect in every way, of course not, but it has no flaws that should affect the normal daily user. I have found that Silvia likes a different grind for some different beans. That seems to be common and not specific to Silvia. I’d like to see a plumb-in option, but I can reach under my cabinets with a small container to fill the reservoir easily. The stainless construction is good, and the steel frame sturdy, and looks great. We love the look of Silvia on the counter and I wouldn’t change a thing. If you want to choose a machine on looks, either spend a lot more $$, or expect to get a machine that is not capable, but looks great.  A longer frothing wand would be nice, but it works perfectly with our 20oz pitcher, so no real complaints.

I should have bought this machine when I first decided it was the one for me. Too much reading of the information written by folks who are really deep into the technology of the machines may make you think that you need a much more expensive machine, but you don’t. Silvia fits the bill for most users, and produces what might be the best espresso shots that some people may ever drink.

Review By Ignu

Pros: Good espresso with a good crema; easy to learn the basics
Cons: Getting it perfect takes time and practice; pricey grinder almost necessary
The Bottom Line: The Rancilio Silvia is a great product, and the perfect way to bring a little taste of Rome into your daily life.

In May 2008, I moved back to the United States after two years in Rome. While I’ve always loved coffee, anyone who’s been to a coffee bar in Italy can tell you that the Italians elevate the quality and ritual of caffè to an entirely different level. On returning Stateside, I knew I needed a proper espresso machine of my own. Starbucks was in no way cutting it. After doing some research (and some tasting), I found that the Rancilio Silvia was the best way to bring my memories of Rome into my home.

One reason was the cost. While the Siliva’s price tag–about $700 at most online retailers–is by no means modest, it’s quite reasonable when compared to that of other high quality espresso makers. The second major reason was my own skill level. As a novice at using a machine (as opposed to a stovetop espresso pot), I wanted a product that gave me a great result without requiring much expertise. This proved entirely true of the Silvia. It’s quite easy to master the basics of making espresso, and while the obviously-translated-from-Italian manual is sometimes quirkily worded, the directions are in fact admirably clear.

The basic process is as follows:

1) Make sure the reservoir has plenty of water, but do not overfill. (A clear MAX line tells you where to stop.) Turn the machine on and wait for the “heating” light to turn off.

2) Meanwhile, place the filter basket (either the single- or double-shot size) into the portafilter and lock in. Fill with ground espresso and tamp firmly. (This is important–the recommended pressure is 30 lb. It helps to have a heavy tamper made of stainless steel, and it also helps to try pushing down on a scale of some sort to get an idea of what applying 30 lb of pressure feels like.)

3) Lock the portafilter into the machine, twisting firmly to ensure that it’s secure. Place cup(s) under the filter’s spout(s). When the heating light turns off, press the espresso switch and let run for about 30 seconds.

Following these steps should result in a more-than-decent cup of espresso. So: making good espresso with the Silvia is simple. Great espresso–smooth and rich with a thick, sturdy crema–requires a bit more time and effort. Nevertheless, it’s within reach of even the most amateur barista.

Perhaps the fussiest component of getting great espresso from the Silvia is finding the proper grind of the beans. And to get the grind most consistently right (which can require adjustment with each new batch of beans), it helps enormously to have the associated Rancilio Rocky grinder. Unfortunately, the Rocky comes with a steep price tag of its own, but if you’re serious about outstanding espresso, it’s worth it.

Another tip for getting the most out of the Silvia: even when the machine has had plenty of time to warm up, the coffee doesn’t usually come out very hot. For a warmer cup, start with, literally, a warm cup. While waiting for the machine to heat, fill your cup(s) with your tap’s hottest water and let sit for a minute or two. For best results, use heavy porcelain cups. They’ll best absorb and hold the water’s heat. For even more warmth, also run hot water over the filter basket and portafilter before filling them.

Similarly, the Silvia makes it simple to steam milk adequately for a good cappuccino, latte, or macchiato. Getting the perfect lattice of small bubbles in your milk will take a few more tries. But even your failures are bound to be pleasant ones. Be warned, however: you’re sure to end up highly caffeinated as a result of your experimentation! In search of that perfect cappuccino, a good solid steaming pitcher helps, as does using non-skim milk. The 12-oz boiler gives the machine plenting of steaming oomph, so be sure not to overfill your steam pitcher. Also be aware that heating the machine up to steaming level takes a little while.

Last but not least, the Silvia is aesthetically pleasing, if in a rather classic and even borderline retro fashion. The top of the machine also serves as a great showcase for your favorite espresso cups. And with a quick and gentle polish after each use, the machine stays as pleasingly shiny as when it came out of the box.

Review By zanahoria9000

Pros: Solid construction, nice design, powerful steam, makes killer espresso!
Cons: Brass shavings in steam, modest boiler size, very sensitive to bean grind and quality.
The Bottom Line: Rancilio Silvia is a great home machine. Once you get the hang of using it, it’ll make FANTASTIC espresso and steamed drinks. You’ll also need a good quality Burr grinder.

A little background about my coffee tastes:

I have been drinking coffee for about 20 years, since my teens. In my 30′s, I discovered the joys of espresso, and purchased a couple “cheapie” home espresso machines. I was always disappointed. They never made espresso properly. Invariably, these cheaper machines gathered dust and eventually made their way to the Goodwill donation store.

This year, I decided to take the plunge and get a proper semi-pro machine. I did a lot of research, and found out that for price and quality, the Rancilio Silvia is a good buy.

Right out of the box, the Silvia oozes seriousness. I mean, the whole thing is made of plate stainless steel, and HEAVY! A big thing: the portafilter (the handle-cup-thingy which you place your ground espresso into) is virtually the same as the commercial ones that Rancilio sells. In fact, the vendor said a lot of the Silvia components are interchangeable with commercial Rancilio machines.

I have now owned the Silvia for 6 months, and am finally getting the hang of making espresso the way I want it. I had to experiment with varying grinds, tamping techniques, and draw times, but I am now making espresso as good or better as anything you buy at the coffee shops.

HERE’S MY SUMMARY:

o Silvia powers up fairly quickly, which is nice.

o It’s somewhat noisy, whether steaming or drawing espresso.

o The reservoir is OK, but could be bigger.

o The boiler is satisfactory, but again, bigger would be better. Steaming milk and switching to espresso taxes the boiler.

o The first week I used it, brass shavings would emerge from the steam wand. This was very disconcerting. I chalked it up to manufacturing left-overs.

o It’s built like a tank. The stainless steel finish looks very European and modern.

o Easy to clean and maintain.

o You MUST have a good-quality Burr grinder to get the most out of this machine. The Rancilio Rocky grinder is by far the best choice.

o Silvia’s espresso quality is EXTREMELY SENSITIVE to fineness of grind, as well as bean quality.

o It takes a lot of learning to get this machine to make drinks the way you want it. It is more of a craft process, you “become one” with the machine. Not for those people who are into computerized push-a-button type of espresso.

Review By Pat Pappano

Pros: Rugged, professional, great results
Cons: Not automatic, this is a manual machine in every respect.
The Bottom Line: So far this machine does what it says it can do – make great espresso!

It is December 30th; five days after my wife opened her new Rancilio Silvia from Santa. Why write a review so soon? Because Santa was intimidated in bringing it and we were both intimidated in trying it, anticipating long and boring Sunday afternoons learning the intricacies of the fickle and capricious Ms. Silvia, whom we read about in multiple reviews. She is nothing of the sort. Ms. Silvia is a humble dutiful servant doing all that is asked of her promptly and efficiently.

First we adjusted the Rancilio grinder per instructions, taking it back 6 rather than 7 notches. We then ground some LaVazza Gran Espresso beans, loaded the coffee holder tamped down hard on the ground espresso and inserted into the machine per instructions. We let’er rip, and got crema. We were both amazed. This isn’t supposed to happen according to the reviews we had read. If the grind isn’t exactly right (per instructions) or the tamp isn’t enough (per reviews) or the draw time is too long (per reviews) you get something that resembles Postum. We got crema on the first try and the coffee was good.

We drank our cup and made another. This time we got crema too, but the coffee was weak. What went wrong? We made three adjustments: more coffee, more shoulder into the tamping and shorter draw time (25 seconds). We got great coffee again and with crema. This time we even steamed some milk. This was a problem. The results were disappointing.

We re-read reviews on steaming milk and noted that one woman’s husband solved the problem by keeping the wand near the surface of the milk. This made great improvement but did not entirely solve the problem, which we are still struggling with. We use skim milk, which is supposed to be better, and we freeze a stainless steel cup, which is also supposed to be required, and we fill the cup only part way, which is supposed to be all the magic you need, but there is more we have not discovered yet. We have discovered some of the new magic however, and that is that the toggle switch for steaming has to be turned on well in advance of steaming, to get up to temperature. If you do that, you will see what separates Ms. Silvia from the boys’ toys.

Nevertheless you too, klutz that you feel that you are, can have great espresso at home and a decent cappuccino too. It is true this is not the first home espresso attempt we have made. We had other machines, but as one reviewer observed, they were toys, better used as gifts for those you want to get even with.

Santa brought my wife the entire kit, which arrived in two 25-pound boxes: one for Ms. Silvia and one for the grinder, knockout box, cleaner, brush, tamper, and 3 or 4 bags of coffee beans from several suppliers.

A word about the knockout box – at first we couldn’t figure this thing out – it looked like big ashtray. Then we were struck by the word “knock.” We remembered in Italy the operator knocking the used coffee pucks out of the holder. That was it. It is for discarding the used coffee. This too needs a word. Sometimes the coffee comes out without requiring much knocking and at other times robust knocking is required to dislodge a compact coffee puck. We have noticed that better coffee seems to be predicted by the more compact used coffee pucks. Put your shoulder into it. You will be rewarded with a fine brew and speaking of brews, for you Irishmen out there, don’t forget the possibilities for a fine Irish coffee brew.

Review By Mikey Pas

Pros: Reputation! Durable construction. Commercial components. Allows for tweaking and modifications. Heavy portafilter!
Cons: Autofill for boiler would be great! Could use hotter cup warmer. Long warm up time.
The Bottom Line: You might find cheaper machines, fancier machines or ones with more gadgets, but if you buy this one, you will not find a better performing machine.

This is a semi-automatic machine, which means that you, the controller, must activate the brew switch and control the amount of water that passes through the brew head.

If you are the type of person who wants to wake up, push a button, and get a cup of coffee, this machine isn’t for you. You want a SUPER-AUTOMATIC machine, which does everything for you, including cleaning itself, but at the sacrifice of quality.

If you like to play around with multiple variables and experiment with your coffee, (basically if you like being in CONTROL) then here are certain things you should expect from this machine

a – being able to fine tune your grind very precisely. Silvia is a finicky machine and will not respond well to poorly ground coffee. Expect to invest in a GOOD grinder. Same resources listed above can help you with this.

b – learning how to tamp, pressing the coffee into a puck in the portafilter.

c – taking good care of Silvia. Cleaning regularly, etc..

d – having a potentially big learning curve. When I started with this machine, McDonalds made a better cup of coffee than me. Once you get to know it, the results are outstanding.

I won’t go into the technical details about this machine, others have listed them and are more knowledgeable than I. Other to say, this machine is regarded by ANY/ALL reviewers as one of the “gold-standard” espresso machines in its price range. You can do better of course, but you won’t be paying less.

This machine doesn’t have an auto-fill for the water, so its very important that you make sure the tank is always full. Leaving the machine on with an empty tank will damage it. This machine is not meant to stay on all day either, this is a home machine, not a commercial machine. Also, allow at least 30 mins warmup before brewing your coffee.

From the above, its clear that this machine is not for everyone. This is not a one buttom espresso machine.
But the PROS for this machine are numerous:
* Heavy duty solid construction. Hardly any cheap plastic like other machines.
* Included portafilter is solid and heavy, good for retaining heat.
* Large water reservoir compared to other machines of similar price range
* Consistent and reliable performance.
Many users also have modified the Rancilio Silvia for even more consistency and reliability by installed a PID (controls internal temperature of water). The modification potential is very big for this machine.

For me, the choice was clear. After deciding what kind of machine I wanted (super-auto vs. auto vs. semi-auto), there were no other machines in its price range that offered the same reputation and reliability. Forget about fancy features, stick to the basics, and this machine won’t let you down.

Review By Isabel

Pros: This can be a great machine for those who are picky about their coffee
Cons: Unless paired with an excellent grinder you may be disappointed in the results.
The Bottom Line: In my opinion this is probably the best machine on the market for under $400.00. but don’t handicap yourself by trying to use it with an inadequate grinder.

I have owned the Rancilio Silvia for almost three years now. It is a genuine espresso machine with many commericial grade parts. It is not a “steam toy” by which I mean that it has a pump designed to put hot water under several atmospheres of pressure which is the only way to make true espresso. You are not going to find a true espresso machine for under $200.00 except maybe at a refurb place.

The Silvia is a wonderful machine for those who want to make better coffee at home than they can get at their local espresso shop. But, it does require some experience to get good results. It also requires a good grinder. If you try to grind for this machine with a whirly blade grinder you will never get good results. So, if you are willing to spend some bucks for good home espresso, an adequate (and probably expensive)burr grinder should be your next purchase.

The Silvia does come with a cheap plastic tamper, as noted by the previous reviewer, but I have never found it to be much of a problem. The quality of your grinder and the freshness of you beans will be a much bigger factor in achieving quality espresso. This machine will take some experimenting to get a really good shot. I could write down a bunch of tricks and tips but this information is readily available at many coffee specific sites and in several good books written on the subject. A google search on the Rancilio Silvia will turn up more information than you can digest in a week.

I am trying to think of some negatives on the Sivia but other than the learning curve in making good espresso there are only a few things you should know. First, it is probably not good to keep the machine on all the time even with a full water tank since there is no direct water line keeping the boiler full. However, the machine makes better espresso when it has been on for a while and the portafiller is really hot. A good compromise is to put it on one of those auto timers to come on an hour before you are probably going to use it during those times of the day that you usually want coffee. The other caveat is to keep the Silvia clean especially around the portafiller lip as stray coffee grounds will stick to the gasket that seals the portafiler to the group head and eventually cause leaking. I have not had this gasket replaced yet although I know it is getting to be past time to do so.

If you are a serious coffee/espresso fanatic, do not be put off by the price of the Silvia, your chances of achiving good coffee will approach zero with the fake “espresso machines” sold by Braun and other companies. Gaggia makes some good machines that will do the job for a little less money than the Silvia but these machines generally have way more plastic parts.

Review By Mary Childs

Pros: Easy to use and clean, makes the best cup of espresso you’ll ever enjoy!
Cons: Can seem intimidating, not for the faint of heart.
The Bottom Line: Research companies and machines before purchasing. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Deal with someone who will help you before, during and AFTER the sale, like the outstanding crew at Chris’ Coffee.

The features of the Rancilio Silvia are simple and easy to use. Pictures indicating what each of the switches do really helps you get a feel for the machine. The steam wand and control knob make frothing the milk a breeze once you understand the basics of how to froth. The portafilter and group head are also easy to use and clean. Make sure you clean the group head after each use to ensure a good seal for the portafilter. I gave the Silvia a great rating for two reasons: First, it makes a great espresso with little effort on my part. Second, my husband and I purchased the Silvia from Chris’ Coffee and received excellent support. I needed help learning how to use the Silvia because the instructions that come with it are for experienced users not beginners like me. Chris’ Coffee supplied me with several websites and good advice (One of the best websites is “Cheating Miss Silvia” by Mark Prince/CoffeeKid). I had a problem with the portafilter not sealing after a few uses even though I had been trying to keep the group head cleaned after each use. I called Chris’ Coffee, explained my problem to their technicians who, in turn, told me a couple of things to try. I called back, saying I was still having problems, so Roger at Chris’ Coffee did some double checking and called me back in about 20 minutes with the solution. Roger and Chris sent me a blank plug for the portafilter to back flush the group head and a brush (at no cost to me) to help clean it after each use and suggested that I might be filling the portafilter too full. My problem is now solved and I am back creating a great cup of espresso with no fuss or mess. I gain more confidence with the Silvia each time I use it and feel more like a pro with every cup. I would highly recommend this machine to anyone who is truly interested in creating a first rate espresso at home with their own two hands. The instruction manual is “okay” at best. Get help from one of the very informative websites and a superb supplier like Chris’ Coffee, who can and will provide the kind of excellent service that makes all the difference. Take the time to research espresso machines on the market (like we did) then make your final choice regarding what’s best for your needs. However, the Silvia’s numerous glowing reviews ought to give you a clue where to begin narrowing your search. Additionally, you will need a real grinder and can probably receive a nice discount if you purchase both together.

Review By J.H.

I have owned several different espresso machines in different price ranges. Hands down, the Rancilio Silvia is the best I’ve ever used. The machine works exactly as it is supposed to – I use it every day, sometimes a couple times per day and the espresso never changes – it’s always delicious, and the steamed milk comes out perfectly. I’ve even left the machine on all day a couple of times, and it still does not affect the machine – it keeps working like it’s brand new. The only downside is that it takes about 45 minutes for this machine to heat up. HOWEVER, there are websites out there that can tell you how to get around this and have your shot of espresso in about 10 minutes.

Review By Stephen Bell

I had a steam machine for many years before moving up to a $150 Krups pump-driven model. It made much better quality espresso, but the steam wand was completely useless. When that machine recently broke for good (two weeks after the one-year warranty expired) I decided to make a major upgrade to something that should last for a while. After lots of online research, I settled on the Sylvia. I was a little scared of all the reviews on coffee-geek websites which warned that you have to be a jedi master to operate it: fine-tuning the perfect grind, applying just the right amount of tamping pressure, etc. But I’ve been living with it for a week now, and I’m perfectly happy with it. Haven’t yet worked up the nerve to spend another $300 on a decent burr grinder, so I’m using pre-ground espresso beans from the local cafe (I know, it’s heresy). One drawback is the long warmup time, but I’ve already worked out a cheat: running water through both the filter basket and the steam line three times over the course of five minutes. The steaming wand has the power of a rocket engine, making all the foam you need for a latte in a few seconds. And the whole thing looks like a million bucks sitting on the kitchen counter. I’m glad I invested the extra money in something that looks good, makes excellent espresso, and hopefully will last for at least a few years.

Review By Sandrin Olivier

Would you buy a Ferrari with a 4 cylinder chevette engine? that exactly what people do when they buy an espresso machine without a competent grinder. The grinder is the key… i would say that grinder, coffee machine then coffee bean are in importance order.

That being said, I’ve done extensive research before buying the Rancilio Silvia ( still big money for coffee) and after reading and analyzing i choose this one. The two others possible contender in this class range was the mokita and the solis 70. The 3 way valve and build quality make me decide on the Rancilio Silvia plus it seem an obvious choice when you do a bit of reading. The 3 way valve remove pressure from the basket, that way, no exploding puck all around the kitchen ( and believe me that a pain when it happen)

Paired with a rancilio rocky it give me pretty good coffee all time. The crema is rich even with older stale coffee. If you become more picky on the taste you gonna want to surf the temperature to have the right spot or put a PID. For me 25 to 30 seconde after the heater turn off i start my coffee and…. miummm. Also the machine have to be preheated for around 1 hours or the first coffee will not be that good. There is simple trick to reduce this time to 10 minutes like starting it on steam mode then let the water flow thru the group head.

Anyway, the quality of this machine give no doubt. But you don’t plan to buy a good Grinder at least a solis grinder or a baratza meastro. Forget all the Cuisinart, kitchen aid, krups, Delonghi grinder of this world for espresso. Like most of you, i have no pleasure throwing my money by the windows, and i looked around to see if a 50$ or 100$ grinder could do the job. you know that kind of unknow product that sometime exist and give you extraordinary value for your money…. there’s none.

Final word if your ready to invest in a good grinder for this machine then you can make no mistake. The resell price on ebay is incredibly high. But if your not ready to buy the grinder with it. Go with a pressurized model like breville or delonghi do. They will never give a good coffee as the silvia can, with a good burr grinder. But better then what the silvia can do with a cheap grinder…

Review By Scott Burton

Rancilio Silvia is a great way to get a pro machine at home. But like all pro machines, much depends on its environment; with proper equipment and training it can make excellent espresso, but without either it makes drek. Look for at least a Rancilio Rocky grinder, or (even more appropriate) a Mazzer Mini; a good grinder and a little technique makes all the difference.

Review By Spanky McSpanksalot

Received the ‘Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine’ as a gift and could not be happier! Excellent espresso! This paired with a very good grinder and you will never go to Starbucks again unless your WiFi is down : )

My bottom line is: If you think this machine is expensive, just do the math. It will easily pay it’s self off in savings of going to the coffee shop and it’s better to boot. That and there is something satisfying about knowing that you started your day by brewing the perfect shot each morning!

Review By J. Miller

Rating primarily the mod work, I just got mine and the mod work that HiTech Espresso does on installing the PID (exactly between the steamer arm and the brew-head, sticking out front by maybe 1/4″ but otherwise looking fr all the world like it just belongs there) is fantastic. Massive kudos to HiTech Espresso for this service.

The short of the PID is that it controls the internal temperature of the machine very precisely such that if you know how much of a change there is between the thermometer and the brew-head, then you can set the PID to roughly 201F plus that difference (mine came at 220, I dropped it a couple degrees) and have it give perfect-temperature water on all of your shots instead of hoping you’re catching the boiler at the right spot in its heating/cooling cycle. Very nice for whoever is making the morning shots of espresso in the house (and that would be me where I live).

The key thing you need to be prepared for after researching the Ms. Silvia (she’s very popular among amateur coffee geeks like myself) is that, with or without PID, Silvia needs to be accessorized. The tamper she comes with is garbage — it simply doesn’t fit. Her portafilter is fabulous, but it really really needs a knock-box. She doesn’t come with a brush for her brew-head. She doesn’t come with a dedicated 1-shot portafilter (despite having a 1-shot basket) which may or may not be a problem for you. And you must expect to but at least a $200 proper bur grinder or else Silvia will do whatever Silvia bloody well feels like doing and you’ll be wondering why you spent all of your money on her. Do yourself a favor and budget accordingly.

Review By Julio Salazar

I bought this espresso machine and the Rancilio Rocky doser-less grinder 18 months ago, and I couldn’t be happier with the quality of build, espresso / latte it makes! Yes, it does take practice to become competent with this setup, that’s why I bought a digital precision scale which allows me to weigh the exact amount of beans before I put them in the grinder. This takes care of the dosing variable, and the only thing I adjust is the grinder – either courser or finer – depending on the coffee age, coffee type etc.

You MUST get a good tamper with this, otherwise you will not get good results. I also bought a deeper “more forgiving” double basket to replace the standard one it came with – lets me updose and get richer espresso. I am now able to dose up to 18grams instead of the 14 or 15grams the standard basket can take. Makes my shots much more consistent.

The fresher the coffee used the better, and if you are up for another hobby, roast your own at home! go to Sweet Marias’ website to learn how and you will NEVER look back or use Boutique roasters again! Much cheaper per cup as well!

Make sure you descale the boiler and use cafizo or cafetto to clean the brewhead and you will have consistently AWESOME coffee – much better than any other upmarket snobby cafe in your city / state! Trust me, once you have mastered the technique to making consistent espresso and milk frothing, using 3 or 4 day old great quality home roasted coffee, you will know that it is one of life’s best kept secrets!

So forget Starbucks and all others who claim to be cafes, and get yourself a semi professional kit that will challenge you, but with practice you will be rewarded. Don’t get cheap plastic KRUPS, or sunbeam appliances that break down right after the warranty period is up.

PS – This machine is not meant for more than 4 coffees with milk at a time, as it is only a single boiler, ie, you can only brew coffee or froth milk at one time. You can make more with this machine, but you will be taking longer to do fill all the orders.

Review By Mel Hoppe

We’ve had a Rancilio Silvia for over 7 years and it just keeps on working. We use it 3x a day, every day. Great make, built like tank,makes excellent espresso.. I couldn’t be more satisfied with this well made machine.

Review By big biscuit

I’ve used our Rancilio Silvia for a year now and i cannot buy a cappuccino at Starbucks or any other mediocre place now. The espresso in my home is the best you can get outside of Italy. We are even buying a second one for our summer house!!!!

Review By N8andM

I used to screw up making espresso on this thing all the time, then I finally listened to my husband. The crema is there, the flavor is there, the froth is there- It just requires certain steps. This machine makes it really easy- and there is no risk of severely burning yourself like I did with a cheapy plastic machine. (krups) The Krups would keep residual steam in the grounds compartment, so if I wanted to try making another espresso, I would turn the handle and get burned with hot steamy water.

1) turn it on for at least 20min before you want to pull a shot, make sure the water is fresh
2) Buy only Lavazza whole beans
3) Buy a burr grinder with grind size options
4) Grind beans fine
5) Press really hard to compress your coffee puck, keep pressing as hard as you can for at least 2 minutes.
6) Get a glass ready to catch some water- you will steam it first to get the machine’s bowels going.
7) Steam some water out, keep it in your glass to warm it up.
start the espresso pull, pull out 2 oz. then save or toss this out, don’t drink this.
9) dump out the grounds and fill it up, compacting like last time.
10) Pull the2nd espresso, this should be your keeper, put in pre-warmed glass.
11) Check the color and make sure it’s opaque and creamy. It should resemble a Guinness.
12) Clean it out soon after, do water changes, use the right coffee machine cleaner.

For the right froth, you must keep your metal frothing pitcher in the fridge or freezer and have cold milk.
It work great and anyone can get it right- you just need to make the right compression on the coffee.

Review By JR Fent

The Rancilio Silvia is a fantastic espresso machine and with a little practice and some high quality beans – you can make better espresso drinks at home than in any espresso shop in your town. Quality is king (in this case Queen) because Miss Silvia is hand made of high quality materials in her home town in Italy. See more about this awesome espresso machine [...] and then come back here to order one.

Review By Jeremy Phillips

I’ve owned this machine for almost a month. It’s getting easier to produce a consistent shot. I read most of the reviews so I was ready for the “learning curve” associated with this machine. It is not a joke. You can pull 3 shots back to back and have all 3 come out different and I’m pretty sure its not the machine’s fault. Basically from what I’ve learned you need a good grinder, a good tamper, and a routine that you stick to over and over and over. Good beans don’t hurt either. This thing steams milk like a champ.

Review By Joy Marion

I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!! I had a Krups consumer espresso machine for 17 years which worked okay but never gave me very hot coffee but decent froth. I needed to step up my game and went for the Rancilio Silvia and the matching doserless burr grinder. I thought because I had so much experience this machine would be cake to operate but it’s NOT but don’t let this scare you! The learning curve for me was nearly a month. First I recommend right away that you get the bottomless portafilter! It makes a world of difference in how the espresso comes out and it’s so damned cool to watch. Second issue – frothing. You need to use a 12-20 oz picture and fill it 1/3 the way; any more milk and the froth will be a total dud. I use low fat organic milk because the almond milk I was using does NOT work. I’m going to try soy and see how that goes because I don’t like cows milk very much. If you follow these you’ll get it right every time. I wish it had a bigger tank but that’s not an issue that bothers me. Oh yeah- one other important thing- BEFORE you brew and steam your milk make sure you use the second button which works the hot water through the machine for about 15 seconds and then open up the steamer wand to get rid of the water. It’s quick and works like a charm every time. It’s a solid machine that is easy to clean but you have to get use to the dial on the frother; it’s very powerful and you can easily loose control of this function if you’re not careful so take your time to get use to it. TRUST ME, it’s a cool machine and I love it but it takes work and patience of which I have very little- of so if I can do it, ANYONE can.

Review By Cornelia Price

READ ME IF YOU ARE BUYING! This is a pretty little machine that I have heard about for years. It is highly recommended by folks in the coffee industry and although I have used professional machines, I was unable to get this to work for me. It steams nicely (good microfoam) but I thought I had tried everything to get a good shot and never succeeded. I tried getting the proper grind from my Virtuoso grinder, cleaning it ot ensure the perfect grind, I even tried pre-ground coffee (!). Nothing worked. After 3 weeks of misery, the terrific customer service at [...] told me that the tamper that comes with it is the wrong size for that machine. At that point I had owned it for 3 weeks and was risking owning a machine that would not deliver. [...] was kind enough to take the machine back and refunded my money. I STRONGLY recommend buying a tamper that works. I hear this is a great machine, but I will never know.

Review By Myron Engelke

I actually own the original Rancilio Silvia. I purchased it about about 7 years ago from Whole Latte Love, they were very helpful on phone before as well as after the sale and included helpful dvd. I’ve used this machine hundreds if not thousands of times to make perfect espresso/cappuccinos. I’ve never had any type of problem with any part of this machine so I guess that speaks volumes of the type of quality Rancilio produces!!!

Review By M. Parse

I got the Rancilio Silvia version 3 at the start of September. I bought her for the astounding quality to price ratio. From my experience, she seems to be a step above version 2. I’ve seen but not used version 2. The quality of the steam wand on version 3 is noticeable: It looks like a commercial grade steam wand and it works like one. It pivots on a ball joint and is quite sturdy. The boiler seems to be more functional than reports I’ve read of version 2′s. I can steam a pitcher of 20-26 ounces of milk without much trouble. Once the boiler is at temperature (which doesn’t take more than 2-3 minutes), the milk goes from ~40F to 80F quickly, the boiler kicks back on, and the temperature rises more slowly but consistently until I hit my preferred 130F. I’d say steaming is a 3-4 minute affair for my milk steaming. Brew temperature seems much more consistent than I’ve read about version 3, unless you brew immediately after steaming (without bringing the temperature down). I can’t say that I’ve had any problems with the machine. It took 3-4 weeks to really get to know Ms. Silvia, but now I know her like the back of my hand. My whole brew routine with cleanup is probably 20 minutes for two double shots, 26 ounces of milk, and a hot chocolate.

Review By Thomas Fisher

As former owners of a coffee shop, we have very high expectations for our espresso drinks. Our coffee shop machine cost $12,000 and obviously produced very quality drink. But, I have to say, for the money, this machine is absolutely outstanding. The machine looks good and is made of high quality steels and brass. It is very heavy and durable. It will take you about a month to get fully used to the Rancilio Sylvia but once you do, the results are outstanding! Use a commercial grade, heavy duty tamper to get a full press and the espresso is outstanding. Frothing is easy (fill pitcher 1/3 and hold wand at a slight angle) and the froth produced is very firm. The machine produces great pressure and unless you have ever used a commercial machine, you will be in awe. If you buy the Rancilio Sylvia, you will not be disappointed!

Review By David Ellis

I have owned and used my Rancilio Silvia machine daily for the past 7-8 years with its companion Rocky grinder. Overall, the machine has been profoundly reliable, and I have not needed to have any maintenance done on the machine. It still works and runs like new. I have used Reverse Osmosis and Distilled water in my machine to ensure there is no calcium/mineral buildup in the boiler. The only significant downside to the machine is the espresso brewing temperature control. My Sylvia runs hot, and will consistently burn the espresso if allowed to reach full operating temperature. My solution is to sneak the shot of espresso while the machine remains in the warming cycle (i.e. warming light on). This is a best-guess scenario. About once per month I net a perfect shot of espresso – one with considerable crème, rich flavor, and no burn. It doesn’t happen very often. Over the years, I have learned that good temperature control is essential to obtaining a good shot of espresso, and Mrs. Sylvia fails in this department. Aside from this, Mrs. Sylvia is a profoundly good coffee machine.

Review By Glen Berringson

I… am going to break up the love-fest herein. I have used my Sylvia for @ 8 years and have made @ 7 latte’s/wk with the Sylvia. While it is profoundly reliable, and produces great steam. The odds of producing a perfect shot of espresso are equally Unlikely. This is because the temperature control on the Sylvia is extremely poor. I have learned over time that the best way to come close to a tolerable shot of espresso with my machine is to extract the espresso while the machine is still reaching the operating temperature. Hence, I am completely guessing with regard to the machine’s temperature, but I know that if I allow the machine to reach the preset operating temp the espresso will be burned. I puttered with the machine for several years in a quandary of frustration. I now know that good temperature control is absolutely necessary to produce a good shot of espresso. And, Mrs. Sylvia doesn’t have the goods. In summary, the Rancilio is a good starter machine, but owners should not expect to approach the performance of a well setup machine at a coffee shop.

Review By Bradley Smith

Great Machine. Definitely need to let it heat up a little longer than they say. The only fault I found was the tamper that comes with the machine is plastic and not heavy enough. After the tamper got ground up in my sink disposal I purchase a heavy tamper (Rattleware) and was amazed how much of a difference it makes. Save yourself some time and get a professional grade tamper.

Review By Joseph Gessner

Previously I had a Gaggia which was in repair 4 times in 6 years. Repair shop said they felt confident in Rancilio Silvia so I decided to give it a try. I treat myself to good coffee twice a day and wanted one to do the job. The other maker can’t even come close to what the Silvia produces. Also, the Gaggia never offered the good, good crema that this one makes. This machine, however, takes a good 10 min. to heat up and the steamer about the same after the coffee is brewed.

Review By Douglas Ljungkvist

I only received the Rancilio Silvia the other day so I’m still working on my technique as I’m switching from a Gaggia Classic. I love the size, weight, and feel of the machine. All the stainless steel is nice. The portafilter holds less coffee than my old Gaggia Classic so it tends to get watery before I have what I need. But keep in mind I like to get two double espresso’s in one pull which I could with the Gaggia. So I actually tried the Gaggia portafilter, which fits, and it gives me a bit more and stronger coffee. The main challenge so far is the steam wand. It always seems to get some water into the milk so pay attention. I can steam a lot more milk, and faster, than with the Gaggia, but the consistency is not as nice. The milk is much thinner and more watery with bubbles on top. This could be a technique thing (I make lattes) and I might try more of a cappuccino technique and see if that comes out more like a thicker latte style milk. As nice as the stainless steel wand is it’s much more work to clean than the removable plastic one on the Gaggia and very loud. I’m sure I’ll love this machine over time. I would be interested to hear some other peoples impressions, especially if you’re switching from a Gaggia and use the same grinder/beans as I do.

Review By Dave Volden

My Sylvia’s invoice date is 12/31/2001. I’ve used it daily ever since and in fact it is the only coffee machine in my home. These machines are built with old school quality and I enjoy this machine as much today as I did when I got it. A few observations: The stainless drip tray must be emptied periodically depending on use. This simple evolution may prevent overflow that could degrade the steel frame. My machine has no serious corrosion whatsoever. In 7 years the only serious problem I’ve encountered is a pressurestat issue. Two years ago I had to jockey its loose connector to get it to close and heat the boiler. I ordered a new piece from [...] and received it promptly. To date I have yet to install it- Sylvia is working fine. I have never had to replace the group head gasket. My steam/hot water valve doesn’t seat completely when hot. This minor issue allows a few drips of water to escape when I turn on the machine for warm up if I forget to torque closed the valve a bit when still cool. I have used first bottled water and later Reverse Osmosis water exclusively for this machine. I have performed a thorough clean and flush only three times. Clearly, quality water makes a difference. Others have documented Sylvia’s operational strengths and quirks in this forum. This note offers a quality and reliability perspective. Overall, few consumer appliances have given me the pleasure and reliability of this machine. The quality espresso at home experience is great, the online support exceptional, and I haven’t craved a certain coffee shop chain’s offerings in years.

Review By Rex Heftmann

It’s only been in to the shop once in five years, and I get at least a good espresso out of it every morning, usually a great one, but for the life of me I can’t get it to steam or pump the same way two times in a row. Some days, not so much steam, other days, Vesuvius. Generally very satisfied, except that, even with daily cleaning, monthly super cleaning, it is about dead, and for a stupid reason. The feet are rusting off. The chassis is painted metal and rots where it stands. For heaven’s sake, stainless for looks and paint for durability? I like the metal shop aesthetic, but it should be as durable as it seems on the outside. The steam knob retention pin rusted off. It isn’t as tough a box as it looks.

Review By Peter Laurence

After at least five years, I’m still very fond of my Rancilio Silvia. I must say that I don’t adore it– it has a personality, and that has some rough edges. I mean this literally. The Rancilio Silvia is constructed with an old-school metal fabricating shop sensibility. Its put together like a tank, or an old Mercedes, not a new Prius. That’s ok, and part of its charm, but the rough edges (you can cut yourself on the drip tray, on the underside of the drip screen, and anywhere on the inside of the machine where you remove the drip tray or water tank– and i have) give the think a dark side. That being said, the only real performance issue that i have experience after years of daily use is that the portafilter is not well received by the machine. The socket is not so well designed, and one only knows where to lift up and turn to tighten through much practice. None of this should dissuade the prospective purchaser, but just know that you will have a new relationship in your life.

Review By Micah Rapoport

I have been working with my new Rancilio Silvia now for about 6 months and after an initial break-in period — mostly Silvia breaking me in — I am about as happy as I could be. There is no question that this machine is not forgiving of operator error and is very finicky about grind, tamp, etc. But when you get it right, Silvia produces espresso that rivals or beats most cafes. and tho it can be frustrating, ultimately the learning/experimentation process is a lot of fun.

Review By Jonathan Busser

I have used this machine for over 6 years now with no real problems (this year I finally had to replace the portafilter as I broke the handle). It takes a while to get the grind and tamp right. Every time I switch coffee or even during weather changes, I have to adjust the grind on my grinder and the tamp. it takes a few cups to get right, but then Miss Silvia is perfect. Also, make sure to warm up the boiler to steam for at least 5 min (light goes off far before, but it won’t steam very well).

Review By Thomas Pastorius

I bought Silvia based on the positive reviews on this website and few others. While it took me a few months to adjust from my manual Pavoni machine, the past few years of excellent coffee have made it worth the effort. Silvia has paid for herself with the savings from my local coffee shop!

Review By Craig Fulmer

After two plus years of use, I can give the Rancilio Silvia 4 out of 5 stars. It is very sensitive to grind and tamp but once you master the settings you’ll get outstanding results. My next door neighbor, who owns a coffee shop here in Boston, asks me to make her a coffee now and then. This machine is solidly built, good looking and takes up less counter top space than most other machines considered during purchase process.

Review By Chi Chun Wang

Have this lovely lady everyday since 2003 and it never failed. It took some time to work with grinder and roaster to get the best quality out of this machine, but once you know your favorite setting, it’s really easy and straight forward to use.

Review By Leilani Beams

I love my Rancilio Silvia. It’s my first real espresso machine and it’s the perfect machine for the novice who wants some room to grow. When I first got into coffee it was mind boggling how many factors go into getting a great shot of espresso and the rancilio silvia takes a lot of the guess work out of it.

Review by Gordon Groff

I had to look up in our files when we got our Silvia. Feb of 2001! Every morning my wife(who used to hate coffee) and I start our day with our favorite espresso drinks. The Silvia has been reliable and delivers consistently great shots. A year ago, one of the thermostats failed and customer service here at Whole Latte Love was wonderful. Was very familiar with our machine and which T-stat to send. Quickly ID’d the part and had it in the mail same day. Easy to change out, very inexpensive. Top notch service. I love the construction of this machine. We rarely use the steamer, but when I want to serve froth, the steamer works wonderfully! I can get as much foam as I want by placement of the steamer wand in the milk.

Review By Jennifer Ham

Miss Silvia is a durable product. I purchased this espresso machine with Rocky over two years ago. I drink espresso drinks at least once a day, and sometimes twice. The combo has survived three moves and it has never failed or broken. I don’t steam my milk, so I cannot comment on the steaming abilities. I know it steams well as my husband uses it occasionally. It’s easy to use and as long as I keep my parts clean and my grind set on “the usual,” I get good espresso. With my espresso drinking habit, this machine probably paid for itself within six months of use.

Review By Jim O’Connor

I’ve had the machine almost four years and it has been perfect. I am very particular about espresso. Don’t be scared off by some reviews which harp on the difficulty of getting the grind right. It doesn’t take that long. I don’t know what they mean by tamp sensitivity, sometimes I tamp firmer than others and it doesn’t make any difference. Just don’t pack it down with all your might. A barista will demonstrate for you. I did buy a quality tamper with the machine, as I was warned that the plastic one that comes with it is not the correct size. I don’t steam milk so I can’t comment on that.

Review By Michael Greene

I came to this machine from a more-or-less entry-level, Barista that I had purchased at a Starbucks about 10 years ago. I found that machine to be fairly foolproof and reliable, and it produced consistently drinkable but not spectacular shots. I was looking to move on up, to see what a higher-level machine could do, and the Rancilio has provided me with that experience. I really love this machine (as well as the Rocky grinder which I purchased at the same time). It’s quality is excellent – very heavy and well-built, it sits on my counter like a battleship, ready to go ! The portafilter alone probably weighs a pound ! As I’d indicated, the Rocky/Miss Silvia duo is providing me with an education in what it takes to making higher-quality espresso. Unlike my old machine, Miss Silvia will give me yukky, weak dishwater-like stuff (won’t even call it espresso) if the grind/tamp combination is not right. Which is fine, this is just the machine telling me I need to grind a bit more bean and try again. Once I get it right, though, what comes out is definitely superior to what my old machine could do. I’m still learning, for sure, which is (for me) what it’s all about. I also love that I can now steam/froth milk in a flash, compared to my old machine. I’ms still working on getting the consistency of my foam right, but that’s another story.

Review By Skylar Putman

People … Sylvia is like a low maintenance girlfriend. She has VERY few quirks, and once you get to know them, they become second nature to solve them. I have had this Machine for 4 years – 0 problems. We’ve, to say the least, been a bit slim on the maintenance of the machine and she still pulls a great shot. I truly prefer her above anything “FiveBucks” (Starbucks) could give us. We got her with the doser/burr grinder (The Rancilio Rocky) and once you dial that in w/ some testing and some good coffee – you’ll not need to go anywhere else. Enjoy!

Review By Kevin O’Brien

I’ve had Ms. Silvia for over 3 months and it has performed perfectly. It’s easy to use and making more coffee at home has saved a ton of money. Even my wife, who never used our old espresso maker, is making flavored lattes and iced coffee drinks like a pro barista. I hesitated to get the grinder and tamper because of the added expense…but both items are essential to making a great cup of espresso. I would definitely buy this machine again.

Review By Ed Barkley

This espresso machine is fabulous. We have a vacation home in the mountains and decided to retire our old Barista and have Miss Silvia join us for vacation so we have consistent espressos in both our homes. So, now we have two and love every minute each morning waking up to the great taste of Miss Silvia’s espressos and lattes.

Review By Mike Smart

The Rancilio Silvia and Rocky are excellent. Once I got the grind and tamp down, everything else was a snap. My wife, who was very skeptical at first, loves her cappuccino in the evening. It was well worth the price. The Whole Latte Love people have been excellent at answering my questions and responding to emails.

Review By Ed Barkley

Why I didn’t go with the reviews on this espresso machine, I’ll never know. The guy who blasted me for praising the Breville was right . . . it petered out in just 5 months and never delivered an espresso like the ones I’m getting with Miss Silvia. I haven’t used the steamer yet, so I’ve rated it above average since there isn’t a Not Applicable rating to choose from.

Review By Anne McGrath

I’ve had this machine for four years and it hasn’t ever given me a second of trouble. I use it daily and it works as well today as the day I bought it. If it ever dies (heaven forbid) I would buy another one without question.