Silvia espresso machine

System

Hi All,
Im considering buying a Silvia for home use, just wondering what everybody's thoughts on this machine are? Also is it a good combination with a Rocky grinder ?

FreshCoffee2

If you are in the market for a purely domestic pump driven machine this is the best one under AUS $1000.00 hands down. Despite all the hoo haa written about it all over the net when all is said and done, it is a very basic domestic espresso machine design dating back many, many, MANY years. The difference between it and others with alsmot identical internal engineering is the larger then "standard" (for a domestic machine this size) sized boiler. This gives it a good deal more temperature stability in terms of the delivery brew water. This also gives it the best steaming capacity for a domestic "boiler" machine (power and longevity). The stuff mentioned above gives this machine better capacity for "entertaining" friends, smaller machines,whilst they do a god job, lack the capacity to make a number of coffees quickly for dinner parties. And that's about all there is to it. They are not always easy to get, the factory only builds 1000 units each month for the total world market, and there is always a shortage. Traders advertise them on their websites, but they dont always have them! The Rocky grinder is one the very best domestic grinders, I wouldn't waste time with a doser grinder, the "doserless" rocky is the go. We do have both in stock at this moment. Cheers, FC.

Unknown

thanks for the info FC, You actually answered another question that i was considering. I was also considering getting a doserless grinder aswell and your info has reinforced my intention of getting the doserless rocky.  Ive also been having a look at the Mazza Mini and it looks pretty impressive. have you had any experience with the mini?

FreshCoffee2

Grinders like the Mazzer mini and Macap M5 are small commercial grinders of high quality and that is in terms of build and reliability as well as in the standard of grind. And they are also total overkill in circumstances of domestic use, boty in terms of purchase price as well as in the capacity they can deliver. The Rocky is a high end domestic grinder, and it is also of excellent build standard and reliability and owing to it's "lower" price (compared to the comemrcial standard grinders above) is more well suited to the Silvia in an economic sense. It is also the factory matching grinder. You would also be able to use much less expensive grinders and they will also deliver a high standard of grind, but they will be of smaller size, or have less attractive bodies, or potentially do not have the same expected lifespan or degree of reliability....but you will still get the same cuppa! What I am saying is the Rocky is MORE than suited to use with the Miss Silvia and you could spend a lot less and still get the same cup of coffee (assuming all other variahles are controlled accordingly), but it's your money and if you wish to go the other way and purchase a commercial grinder for double the price anyway, just because you can, then so be it! Enjoy, FC.

Unknown

i was looking for a grinder that was more suitable for the silvia so im leaning more towards the doserless rocky. Cheers

dantheristrettoman

While the mazzer mini is overkill for the house, it will last forever. They are unbelievably durable. Also, the adjustments are unbelievably fine, meaning you can change the grind ever so slightly depending on weather, type and age of beans etc. I would invest in the mazzer because in the future if you want a better machine, or just the ability to make the best espresso possible, you will never outperform it. However the rocky is still a great grinder and if you expect to keep the silvia for a long period of time, the rocky might be the better option. But the mazzer just looks so good too!  ;D