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Attention All Rancilio Silvia Users - Check the Brew Pressure!

Postby rhodges on Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:20 pm

Hey all! Ive been using my V3 for about a year now, and have been what i thought was pretty good espresso. Well i finally ordered a pressure gauge last week. It arrived today and i quickly put it on and to my surprise my silvia was set at 11 bar! I adjusted down to 9 bar, and wow is all i can say. I espresso actually taste as people describe it on the forums not just really strong coffee. This has been money well spent. So if you are considering buying a bottomless portafilter, new tamper, etc. please do yourself a favor and spend that money on pressure gauge instead, it has improved my espresso 100%
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Postby bmsermd on Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:48 pm

Can you post an image, or perhaps a link to where you purchased the gauge and how you installed it.

Thanks.
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Postby HB on Sat Dec 10, 2011 2:57 pm

Lots of espresso machines are shipped with the maximum brew pressure set to 11 bar, presumably because the ESE standard calls for it. But unless you're pulling ristrettos, the actual brew pressure may be lower. I still don't get it: Why adjust the OPV? explains why in detail. Below is a short excerpt:

HB wrote:In a nutshell, the over-pressure valve on a vibratory pump espresso machine's raison d'être is the elimination of maximum brew pressure variance due to the flow rate. Twiddling with the grind to produce the desired pressure doesn't really make sense and is physically impossible for espresso machines equipped with rotary pumps.

That said, you can adjust the maximum brew pressure to produce different flavor and texture profiles. Most recommend around 9 bar, but I've set the brew pressure as low as 7.5 with good results, depending on the blend. And then there are those who methodically manipulate the brew pressure within an extraction, such as Greg's Experiments in programmable, variable brew pressure profiling, part 2, and part 3.

Most home baristas adjust the maximum brew pressure to 9 bar instead of the factory 11 bar. Some vendors do the adjustment before shipping it out, some don't. As you noted, the lower brew pressure increases the forgiveness factor, though it will slightly reduce crema production; if below 8 bar, it will also result in "smoother" but less interesting flavor profiles.
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Postby rhodges on Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:06 pm

here is a link http://www.espressoparts.com/V_512 (or at least i think so, never posted a link before). Its just a pressure gauge kit from espresso parts.
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Postby HB on Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:53 pm

Building a Portafilter Pressure Gauge shows some DIY versions that cost significantly less using parts from any hardware store. Below is a fancy one that includes a bleeder valve for more accurate measurements:

Image
Static pressure readings are usually higher by 0.5 to 1.0 bar
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Postby bmsermd on Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:26 am

Thanks for those replies.

Cheers.
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