I own a rancilio silvia 2009 model (its only in europe until now) and i cant for three days get a good shot. All my shots smell like burned.I dont have grinder but i tried a fine grounded nannini ,lavazza from coffeehouse 1 , illy from coffeehouse 2 and illy grounded coffee from supermarket. I cant buy a grind right now. Can i tell to the coffeehouse a precise grind for silvia?what is that? Is anybody using silvia without grinder? My shots are very fast and are not such a creamy. I had tamped with all my muscle power. I also dont know the dose of the double portafilter. Sometimes the portafilter cant attached because of the coffee overdose and sometimes i feel like its underdose. As you see i am really newbie....

CUBANERO wrote:Is anybody using silvia without grinder?

Sorry, yours is an exercise in frustration. Espresso machines with standard (non-pressurized) portafilters like Silvia require coffee ground to a fineness that depends on the coffee, humidity, and dose, to name only three factors. To make matters worse, as coffee drys, the necessary grind setting becomes finer.

No grinder = no love from Silvia. Use preground coffee while saving for an espresso grinder? discusses this same point.

I believe that everyone in these forums will tell you it's a waste of money (and coffee) to have a Rancilio Silvia and no grinder. I don't own a Silvia but from what I have read it's a serious and very demanding machine. Like my Pavoni Europiccola - virtually impossible to get decent espresso without a good grinder (and freshly roasted coffee). In their absence it would be better to use a more modest machine with a pressurized portafilter.

calb wrote:I believe that everyone in these forums will tell you it's a waste of money (and coffee) to have a Rancilio Silvia and no grinder.

I'm sure everyone on Coffeegeek will also agree, where he's posted the same question.

I really can't see the problem with posting on multiple forums. It is not the same as multiple posts within the same forum. It's like saying "If you ask my advice, you can't ask anyone else" Some people read only one forum, others read several.
The net result of the message at the top of the posting page about cross-posting and the snippy remarks made above are to make this forum seem unfriendly. It seems a shame because overall I have found this to be a friendly and helpful place.

I haven't gathered formal statistics, but I believe the majority of HB regulars are regulars on other forums, including Coffeegeek. I recommend picking one site that you believe is best suited to your question; then if you don't get a response, widen the net. Speaking as someone who's been forum hopping for years, I've noticed that many experienced members will ignore cross-posted threads.

Here's the note on the posting window:

PLEASE READ THIS REMINDER wrote:Many of our members frequent multiple coffee sites. Please avoid cross-posting your question, or mention the other site(s) to avoid repetitive responses. This reminder message will be displayed for your first ten posts. Thanks!

It doesn't say cross-posting is forbidden; instead it suggests as a courtesy to other members that you mention you're cross-posting. This saves potential posters from needlessly repeating themselves and provides a breadcrumb trail to related discussions for future visitors. Finally, it says please twice and thanks once. I don't know how to ask more politely than that.

Even if i believe looking up the forums for same posts is psychotic , you are right but i am new here and i didnt know it.I will have in mind.