Greetings all

I have spent the last couple of week becoming a coffee nerd and boring my wife to tears. I poured over many posts in various forums and find loads of people who are very serious about coffee and have bags of experience of various machines.

I spent more money than I intended to initially but I'm a very happy owner of a new Rancilio Silvia and Rocky combo. I've spent some of today trying to pull shots (about 8 so far) and think I've finally got a technique down. I did have a few water coming out the sides, pucks that look like they've been in the rain but my very last shot was smooth, crema on the top not too blonde, managed to pull off (I think) some very nice microfoam milk for a cappa. In all so far I'm pretty impressed with the kit.

I need to get myself come proper cappa cups and I have youngest daughters birthday party tomorrow to show off my coffee skills

Stu

Hmm... Pulled a double shot this morning which started off crema which was weak. I normally drink straight black Americano type so tried it with this and it watered down too much.

2nd pull just now was a little better but still not too strong although the pour did seem to be more of what people describe as the correct look of a pull. I've adjusted my grinder one step finer and we'll try that later on today.

I seem to be dosing and tamping okay now and not creating too much mess (happy wife), but the strength isn't quite there yet. It'll come I guess. Its a bit like Othello I think, 10 mins to learn, lifetime to master.

Stu