Seeking autofill options for Rancilio Silvia

[paisley]

Hi:

I ordered a Silvia that should arrive tomorrow along with a Rocky. I have no interest in a full PID.

I hope this makes sense. I want some way to autofill the back of the Silvia using something like a syphon tube pulling water out of a water bottle. Is there a way to do this without having to purchase the Flo-Jet pump. It is too expensive?

Thanks a bunch.

Paisley

[PaulTheRoaster]

You can just put the two tubes from the reservoir into a water bottle or replace them with longer tubes if need be.

[paisley]

Are you sure? Do the tubes change out fairly easily if longer ones are necessary?

I will not receive the machine until tomorrow. I cannot wait. I am not the best person when it comes to patience. (grin) The only refill options I found online had to do with the PID for the machine or the use of the Flo-Jet pump. I am hoping I can get it to fill as needed with a larger resovoir such as one of the 1 or 3 gallon spring water bottles. I am not sure where I will put the bottle but I hope I can work something out so I can make sure the machine doesn't run out of water. One of my biggest worries is having the machine run out of water.

This is my first *real* espresso machine. I have to say that I feel extremely fortunate to have dealt with the folks at Chris' Coffee Service. The sales lady I spoke with about the sale was extremely sweet. I will be more than glad to recommend the company to others.

If you have any ideas that might help with setting up something like I mentioned, I would appreciate it.

Warmest regards,

Paisley

[HB]

I am not sure where I will put the bottle but I hope I can work something out so I can make sure the machine doesn't run out of water. One of my biggest worries is having the machine run out of water.

Unless you are serving large parties, you can fill the reservoir in the morning and have plenty for the entire day, maybe even a couple days. Silvia's boiler is filled manually, so there's no risk of it spontaneously calling for water (heat exchanger machines generally have auto-fill, but they also have a sensor that detects if the tank is empty and shuts the machine off).

Dave's Quit Filling That Water Tank! documents how to use a mini-float to automatically refill the tank (similar setup as for toilet tanks). However, if this is your first espresso machine, trust me, you'll have plenty to keep yourself occupied learning about making espresso and can put off worrying about the convenience of an endless water supply to another day.

[paisley]

HB:

Thanks for the info. That still seems a bit more than I hope to do. I am not the party animal these days and haven't been for years. Blindness and lupus sort of put a kink in those plans but not before children kinked it up pretty well first. (grin) Adding the tubing to pull from a gallon or so water bottle may be a option I can deal with because I really do not relish having someone cut into my first nice machine. I went for a long time before I began modding any of the computer cases I have in the house and even then there are only one or two with any type of modifications at all.

Thanks so much. I can't wait. Tomorrow is the day.

Paisley

[Psyd]

Adding the tubing to pull from a gallon or so water bottle may be a option I can deal with because I really do not relish having someone cut into my first nice machine.
Paisley

You can turn the top of your Silvia into a mini water cooler as well. Just call Chris' back and ask them send you new lid for the tank. Drill a hole large enough for the neck of a one gallon jug to sit down nicely into the reservoir (make sure that its low enough that the water level won't come up over the slots for the stock tubes) and you can see the level of the water as you pull shots. Think of the water still in the reservoir as 'reserve tank'. Works just like the five gallon version of the water cooler.

[paisley]

My email is down right now but I did think to stop by to see if anyone posted a reply. Well, my machines didn't make it today, Dang-it. (In my head I am thinking something much much stronger. (grin)) It should be here by Monday as long as UPS doesn't screw up. I just knew I would be playing with the machines this weekend. I guess it works out best since my little one is sick and I am not feeling that great either. It isn't as if I could enjoy coffee this weekend anyhow between nursemaid and mom duties.

The holder over the lid sounds excellent but it would leave me nowhere to put the machine unless I moved it completely to the other side of the kitchen to the island-like cabinet. It may be something I consider but it will require severely breaking the habit's of my cat. I keep a CCTV reader on that cabinet along with a bin for my guide dog's food. The cat is always jumping on top of the reader to sit. He thinks he is a statue and has actually been mistaken for one numerous times. He sits there still as a statue until he does scare someone. (grin).

I am hoping to find a way to sit the jug/gallon+ beside the machine with a tube of types going from it to the machine. The concept you mention is exactly what I am looking to do without having to put it on top of the machine. My overhead cabinets are too low for it. My kitchen is fully cabineted on the bottom and top. The island-like cabinet sits on the opposite side of the kitchen where there aren't any cabinets. The kitchen is huge but lined with cabinets everywhere but that one spot.

Thanks again. It sounds like the ideas are becoming extremely close. All I need is to find a way to have the jug beside the unit instead of over it. Hmmm, sounds like the same concept may work. I'll have my husband take a physical eyeball look to see if he can implement it but for now I will have to let him cool off. He found out today how much I spent on both machines unfortunately. He wasn't pleased with the extra money but I know he will get over soon enough especially with me paying off most of the CC charge.

Warmest regards,

Paisley