Hello.

I recently bought a V3 Silvia, and the LM ridgeless double / bottomless PF.

This morning after three super fast shots, I kept up-dosing, and got a good shot with 21 grams of coffee (ground on the Rocky) about three notches to the left of zero.

I have never ground that fine, nor used so much coffee in my previous life with a Gaggia Espresso, or during my first week with the Silvia. The first week - a different blend- was ground a little less fine and 2 grams lighter.

Is this 'typical' of life with Silvia??

Barry

I've just bought the same filter basket, also using a Silvia (v2) with Auber PID, and the Rocky.

I've got some issues with channeling but I can usually get an adequate result (time, volume, taste) with 14g and a "normal" tamp (20-30 pounds). I have tried updosing but I did not get results that justifiy using 50% more coffee (not for my wallet nor my health ;o)

bman40 wrote: The first week - a different blend- was ground a little less fine and 2 grams

I'd have to say that it's probably the blend. There are quite a few blends that I'm getting my hands on lately that require remarkably different grind and dosing to get the results that I like. I had one that used 18.5g for a doppio in my Synesso 18g basket, and 22.5 for the next one with a finer grind.

I've noticed that there are some (whole) beans that will fill a basket with about 19 grams, and another that looks less full with 23g in it.
Different beans are, well, different.

S'why I tend to change one variable at a time when experimenting with unknowns. It lets me know right away what the change in kit does to the equation.

That is NOT typical for any Silvia as I remember using 15-16 grams with a variety of coffee with a ridgeless double basket.

However since you said you purchased a bottomless PF and a basket, it is my recall that the basket usually included with said purchase is, in fact, a triple ridgeless basket - i.e. one sized for a nominal 21 grams.

Eric:

I bought a different basket from the double that shipped with the machine - the double ridgeless LM from espressoparts - and put the triple away in the cupboard for a while.

I may need to re-examine my tamp pressure, too. I may need to tamp a bit heavier on a 16 gram grind.

I'm thinking its the blend to a large degree- the blend I used last week was working really well with about 17 grams of beans. This coffee is only four days out of roast, too - so maybe its a little fresh yet.

Barry

I bought a different basket from the double that shipped with the machine - the double ridgeless LM from espressoparts - and put the triple away in the cupboard for a while.

Well that's a real good move because the various baskets that ship with machines are less than desirable - of course that's one of those "your results may vary" statements. The 14g ridgeless double baskets (BTW, they should NOT be denoted as "LM ridgeless") from EPNW or Synesso or others are real good baskets for Silvia and E-61 machines - I have about 12 at last count.

As far as tamping is concerned, the idea is to move the coffee away from the shower screen AND to create a uniform density for the soon to be applied water. With that in mind, its the initial finger distribution that is important although there have been posts here on HB where is was shown to be not relevant, along with tamping force.

Eric:

I do a WDT thing, and then a 'chicago chop' with a straight-edge, and then tamp.

I don't want to even think about the OPV right now...although Im wondering if I should crank the valve down a 1/4 turn....

I'll go back to last week's coffee blend next week and see if the nice shots I had return.

Barry

try 14 gram doses only, but grind them even finer, so that you have around 30 grams in 30 seconds. How does it taste?

bman40 wrote:Is this 'typical' of life with Silvia??

Barry

Probably less to do with the Silvia and more to do with the selection of coffee and grinder.

I'm pretty much stuck with the grinder - I cant afford anything new.

I am using a 'black-cat' - type blend I found either here on Hb or at CG... and its pulling really nice shots - I had two excellent ristrettos this morning. I am using a digital scale and I find the best shot (with the coffee 5 days out of roast) is with 17 grams. My Auber PID is working like a charm, too, and the temperature swings of the stock thermostat are gone.

I am really pleased with the Silvia - its a big step up from my white plastic gaggia espresso.

its no Synesso or GS3, but I am happy so far.

Barry