Rancilio Silvia Shot Walkthrough

Video showing how to brew a shot on the Rancilio Silvia, including tips on how to "temperature surf" the machine by getting the boiler to cycle to it's top temperature (about 101C with a "float"), then running a bit of water to flush out the excess heat.

Shots pulled are "traditional doubles", pulling 60mls in 28 seconds, using Kid-O from Intelligentsia (I called it Black Cat by mistake once in the vid). Dose is about 17g in a Synesso 14g basket. Grinder used is the Anfim "Best" home grinder, about $420Cdn / $300 US.

PS - because of the white balance (shot under old florescent lights), the shots look blonder in the vid than they are. I'd say the colour in person was a mediumbrown / hazelnut tiger flecks. No blond dotting.

• Category

  Howto & Style

[Teh LuNaTiC]

Can you upload a 1080p version ?

[CoffeeGeek]

No, sorry - this was shot years and years ago in 640x480..

[TheBauermv]

Thanks for your detailed instruction video. I will definitely be trying your technique for frothing milk. Have a question regarding the coffee. I haven't had the Silvia for very long and can't seem to get a good tasting shot. It's always very bitter. It seems to pour at the right speed and the grind seems about right. I can only think about the timing for brewing and/or the coffee. Any recommendations?

[CoffeeGeek]

water temperatures can play a big role with how bitter a shot of espresso can be - hotter water temps = more bitter extractions. That's one possible cause.

[Back2Brent]

Hey CG,

Just got my Sylvia back out and started using again...i have noticed that when running water through the group head, i will often get a shot of water streaming out of to the left, so much so it shoots beyond the drip pan. Any thoughts?

[CoffeeGeek]

yes - clean the grouphead. Unscrew the dispersion screen, soak it in lots of purocaff, scrub, etc. Clean everything. You've got a clogged dispersion screen.

[Robert Powell]

If you want to spend >1000$ for a machine that does make sense, however single boilers are the way to go if on a budget or can't justify spending more.

[Robert Powell]

How long should it take for the flow to start? I've waited and waited (8 secs. or so) wondering if I will choke the machine before the espresso starts to flow. Is that too long? Is it burning the coffee?

[Kári Stensen]

Thanks a bunch! Love from Denmark!

[coffeeNviolins]

Fantastic!!  What a wonderfully clear video! I'm sure the temperature surfing will improve my Silvia espresso consistency :) I was getting some sour shots due to low brew temperatures.

[SilviaSchool]

Awesome walkthrough to get people started

[Jake Thonis]

Thanks a lot!

[djack lowery]

Awesome thank you!

[TheHarryMann]

Now that's a good tutorial and it all makes sense as explained from basics onwards.. thanks!

One thing, is there a grind setting Vs shot extraction tutorial around for the Silvia, everyone sasy how critical it is, but seem to leave it there.. nada :)