Hey,

Just bought a used Silvia and a Rocky. So far it's been a bit of a process. From the beginning I couldn't get a slow enough espresso shot. It takes maybe 5-10 seconds before it's done, hardly any tiger striping, and it sprays all over the place (w naked portafilter). There appears to be a big hole because the center water spout is off, but there is also usually a small pinhole that shoots off at 45 degrees.

I've tried adjusting my tamp, but nothing has really changed at all after about a dozen shots pulled.

I cleaned out my Rocky, which was packed with old grounds, and was causing the coffee to clump when it came out. This was left over from the previous owner. I also ended up cleaning the grouphead because the flow was bad because of black stuff. So it's now clear and clean. I haven't descaled it though. But there has been no improvement.

When I took apart the Rocky I even found the zero point and am now using the grinder at one level above zero, but I still can't choke her. It's something like 1-2 seconds before the liquid comes out.

I'm updosing at about 16g now, hoping to slow it up, but it doesn't work at all. I realize that the Silvia likes headspace, but should I still expect to see the impression of the screw on the top of the puck? Should I stay at 14g? I've gone between those both.

Sounds like you are getting channeling. This would explain the fast extraction times and the spraying.

Many folks here really like the WDT method to help remove clumps and get a nice even distribution in your basket. I would give that a try first.

The "spray," which we refer to as "sprites," is usually caused by things such as distribution problems, poor tamping, over-dosing (a problem with Silvia because of the center bolt on the shower screen and shallow Rancilio baskets) and maybe even a damaged or worn portafilter basket. Lock the PF and then remove it before extraction, there should be, at the most, only a very slight mark from the center screw. You probably would do well to change to the La Marzocco basket or equivalent. Also, are you using a proper-sized tamper and not the plastic joke that came with Silvia?

In my opinion, either there is a problem with Rocky, or you only think you found the zero point. Grind finer until you can choke Silvia, then go more coarse one step at a time. Don't worry about the burrs. If you can't choke Silvia the burrs in the grinder most likely need replacing anyway.

Check my 12+ page article of instructions which are aimed at home users trying to solve problems and improve their espresso:
EASY GUIDE TO BETTER ESPRESSO AT HOME

12+ pages is easy

Burrs are probably shot or another espresso incapable Rocky

It's not uncommon to find owners of basic equipment pulling the most awful dreck for years and calling it espresso.

Some blogs about it

There is a pretty pronounced mark from the bolt. I will down-dose to see if that helps.

I noticed that my Rancilio naked-portafilter doesn't lock in all the way compared to the other portafilter that came with the machine. I'm not sure if that's unusual or not as is appears to lock in tightly enough.

I am indeed using a 58mm tamper with the PF.

I'm starting to think it's my Rocky, thanks. I'm surpised since it's a v3 Silvia so it couldn't be too old. But the grind is decent, touching it it feels fairly fine. Coarser than flour but finer than salt is where I read somewhere. Are worn out burrs really this bad for the water flow?

Changing the burrs on Rocky can make a huge difference. I have both a Super Jolly and a Rocky and although it is more finicky, the latter can definitely produce coffee ground for espresso. Good clean burrs are essential. So is good coffee by the way!

But there could be so many other reasons for the failure right? I'm not sure if they actually need replacing really. So I'd rather save the ~50$ and make sure it's not something else I suppose. The coffees are good regardless. But I am still pursuing a good shot.

napierzaza wrote:But there could be so many other reasons for the failure right? I'm not sure if they actually need replacing really. So I'd rather save the ~50$ and make sure it's not something else I suppose. The coffees are good regardless. But I am still pursuing a good shot.

You should try what other posters have suggested; as Randy said, it's important to make sure you found the real zero point on your Rocky: if you can't grind fine enough to choke silvia, something is definitely wrong. I can definitely say that when I changed the burrs on my Rocky, and started using a synesso double basket with Silvia, it made a significant difference to my espresso.

In the +/-7 years I owned Rocky I replaced the burrs twice (so three sets since I bought it new). The first set should have been replaced sooner. In both cases, I noticed the difference with the new burrs; a change for the better.

Rocky should be able to grind fine enough to easily choke Silvia. Finding the "zero point" is just about meaningless. Feeling the ground coffee is also not accurate. One click on Rocky is about .001" and about three to four seconds of extraction time, all other things being constant. So theoretically, if you are getting ten second pulls, then you may only be three or four steps off from what is about the correct grind. Just keep grinding finer, one or two clicks at a time, until you find the correct grind. Even poorly distributed coffee, ground fine enough, when tamped, will choke Silvia.