Similar to Quickmill Silvano

by **jamiedolan** on Fri Dec 17, 2010 8:21 pm

HI;

None of the used machines I looked at have paned out (either wants too much or they were sold). I finally decided I was going to spend a few more buck than I wanted to and get the Silvano (and have it here for Christmas). Well when I went to their site several days ago, it says all units at that prices are sold.

I was back to looking at the Silvia and almost talked myself into it, but I really like the idea of the extra thermoblock so I can steam and pull at the same time.

Is there anything else that is available now that can steam & extract at the same time, that is in the same $800 ish price range as the Silvano?

The only thing I have found that is somewhat comparable is a Pasquini Livietta T2. However, I read a review that said it takes 2 minutes to steam a fairly small amount of milk. Which if that is true, that's a deal breaker for me. In the Silvano video, it took about 40 seconds to steam the milk, and it steams at the same time as brewing, so I decided that was pretty workable.

Thanks
Jamie

by **another_jim** on Fri Dec 17, 2010 8:28 pm

$900 - $1000 will get you a basic HX machine; the Oscar or Expobar, maybe the Bezzera BZ02.

The dual thermoblock machines have always had the problem of either being useless or nearly as expensive as a basic HX machine. The Silvano, if it works out, would be pretty unique in actually establishing a solid price/quality niche for itself.

by **jamiedolan** on Fri Dec 17, 2010 9:05 pm

Thanks Jim.

The Bezzera BZ02 looks pretty interesting at $950.

Would I have to do very much flushing / temperature surfing with this machine either between shots or after it sits for a while?

Thanks,
Jamie

by **another_jim** on Fri Dec 17, 2010 9:11 pm

The basic drill is to flush as long as the water is boiling, then go 2 to 5 seconds (for hot to cool shots) after the boil stops. On the BZ02, if I recall right, it ran around 2 to 4 seconds while boiling.

There is no waiting on any HX machine I've ever used, since the proper drill is to flush while filling the basket, leveling and tamping.

by **jamiedolan** on Fri Dec 17, 2010 9:31 pm

Looking at practical differences between the Bezzera and the Silvano would I be correct in;

The Bezzera is going to have more steaming power due to the boiler.

The Silvano is going to have less steaming power due to the thermoblock, but possibly better temperature control for the shots due to the PID.

I did read that the Bezzera could be a bit more difficult to use (need to be more precise with tamp and grind) than with a E61 machines like the Silvano is. Do you think this would be an issue at all for me since I have a good quality grinder (Mazzer Mini e)?

Thanks again,

Jamie

by **sweaner** on Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:30 pm

Jamie, you should give Chris a call. Maybe they will get a buyers remorse return on a Silvano, and you may get an even better deal.

by **tcaton** on Sat Dec 18, 2010 1:08 pm

jamiedolan wrote:E61 machines like the Silvano is

FYI: Silvano is not an E61. QM's E61 lines begin with Alexia (SBDU) or Anita (HX).

by **jamiedolan** on Sat Dec 18, 2010 1:51 pm

tcaton wrote:FYI: Silvano is not an E61. QM's E61 lines begin with Alexia (SBDU) or Anita (HX).

I looked at the page more closely and it said

"Uses E61 8mm group gasket"

I guess that must be something different than it being an E61 machine.

Jamie

by **da gino** on Sat Dec 18, 2010 2:12 pm

The gasket is just the rubber seal that goes between the portafilter and the grouphead so one could use an E-61 gasket, but not the E-61 grouphead itself (I haven't looked at the Silvano to see what type of grouphead it uses). The group by itself runs $664 through EPNW http://www.espressoparts.com/W_511_ so I guess it would not be shocking a machine that isn't much more than $664 for the whole machine wouldn't use it. Note that while the E-61 is a great group there are also other great groups out there.

by **Bluecold** on Sat Dec 18, 2010 5:02 pm

$664 is a lot of dough.
http://www.espressomaschinendoctor.de/E...11694.html
€166,60


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