So I've decided on the Gaggia Espresso for a machine, but I definitely want to do the Silvia wand swap mod. However, while I've read personal accounts of doing this mod on the Carezza and Classic, I haven't actually heard from someone who has done this with the Espresso. Has anyone here swapped the wand on their Espresso?

thx

i've continued searching and found this:

"Alas, the reported compatibility of the Silvia steam wand with other Gaggias does not translate to the Espresso, so we're stuck with stubby."

coming from: http://www.coffeecrew.com/content/view/245/27/

The guy doesn't appear to have tried it himself, so it's not confirmation, but it certainly isn't promising either. I'd still love to hear from an Espresso owner whose tried it if there's one out there.

You can still get decent microfoam if you use the plastic frother that comes with the machine without the outer sleeve. It slides right off the nozzle component, which reveals a small pin-head sized hole. The key is to use a 12 oz pitcher. The only thing is getting enough steam from the machine to finish, but you can learn how to maximize the time by having the boiler run throughout your steaming by starting a couple seconds before the ready light goes on.

FWIW,
I to, after reading the Gaggia /Silvia wand swap note, purchased a Silvia wand for a Gaggia Classic I am giving a friend. I hope to report on how the swap went etc. Sorry - nothing I can add to the ESPRESSO specifics.

I did note when I was picking up the Wand at EPNW that another Classic that was in their office seemed to have a slightly smaller compression nut, it caused initial concern. But I thought I would buy it anyway and solve the puzzle for myself. The Classic I will be trying to convert is a 2002 with the Coffee Urn badge on the front left.

Well, I tried to put the Silvia wand on the Classic( 2003 model)- no go. Even though I could get the original wand off easily; I was able to insert the Silvia wand into the hole, The standard female Threaded nut was was too big for the male union that is brazed onto the tube from the top of the boiler.

I thought about cutting the original wand and removing the nut to use on the Silvia wand, but it was too long ( about 3/4" long) and would not have been able to slide onto the Silvia wand and upto the area needing to be tightened.

Yeah, I could have done it if I could have straightened the wand , slipped the nut on and then re-bent it to original.....yeah, you get the picture- not happening. Any body want to buy a Silvia wand- ?

mogogear wrote:Well, I tried to put the Silvia wand on the Classic( 2003 model)- no go. Even though I could get the original wand off easily; I was able to insert the Silvia wand into the hole, The standard female Threaded nut was was too big for the male union that is brazed onto the tube from the top of the boiler.

I thought about cutting the original wand and removing the nut to use on the Silvia wand, but it was too long ( about 3/4" long) and would not have been able to slide onto the Silvia wand and upto the area needing to be tightened.

Yeah, I could have done it if I could have straightened the wand , slipped the nut on and then re-bent it to original.....yeah, you get the picture- not happening. Any body want to buy a Silvia wand- ?

As I wrote earlier you have to use the nut from the Classic wand with the Silvia wand Works great, without bending. Classic 2004 I think.

So you obviously cut the Classic wand to get the nut off,,, and it would slide on to , and all the way up the silvis wand ehh? It sure looked like I was headed towards a dead end here. I was afraid to cut the wand that fit to rescue the nut- only to find I couldn't utilize it like I thought.
Please clarify and I go grab the hack saw!!!

Thanks

No, I did not cut anything. The nut gets loose from the Classic wand if just rotated and pulled hard enough, it glides on the wand of Silvia.

Coool!

beaner wrote:You can still get decent microfoam if you use the plastic frother that comes with the machine without the outer sleeve. It slides right off the nozzle component, which reveals a small pin-head sized hole. The key is to use a 12 oz pitcher. The only thing is getting enough steam from the machine to finish, but you can learn how to maximize the time by having the boiler run throughout your steaming by starting a couple seconds before the ready light goes on.

Definitely on the 12 oz pitcher without the outer sleeve. I use just under 4 oz of milk in it. Yes, you have to angle the pitcher a bit to get the milk up to the right level, but it works.

Finally got latte art quality micro foam tonight for the first time. Of course, by the time I thought to take a picture, it wouldn't have looked optimum, but I'm getting there!