Daniel N. wrote:I am using my two cup basket in my three cup portafilter and using WDT. Still trying to dial in the grind setting... I think I need to a finer grind. Can you suggest a suitable pointy implement; or a place purchase a dissecting needle to sure the grounds for uniform distribution? I hope to have a video clip next week for all the evaluate.

Just about anything will do, including a straightened paper clip. Some use a needle stuck in a cork. A yogurt cup with about 1/2" trimmed from the bottom and one-third off the top works great. It's a nice workaround for grinder clumps / portafilter distribution errors.

Hi Dan,

OK! I have a straight paper clip and a modified yogart cup.

Based on your experience with Miss Silvia and the Rocky Doserless, what grind setting would you recommend starting with?

Thanks, Daniel

From Espresso Gear's FAQs and Favorites: Starting espresso setting for Rancilio Rocky.

OK sorry my return/result post has taken so long. I actually posted this last night but as I was proofing it we lost power due to high winds. I tell you I almost cried, it was a sweet post about the 18 vs. 21 gram basket. Its tough to re-create art but I'll try.

So... After the Silvia PID install I did try 18 gram portafilter basket. I have to say once you have your dosing/tamping technique down it is difficult to try to simulate channeling and so I wasn't about to try to.

The "Synesso" 18 gram basket is an awesome basket and a great mid-point between a standard 14 gram double baskets and a 21 gram triple basket. I pulled several double shots using a bottomless portafilter with both the 21, 18 and 14 gram baskets. Did one resist channeling anymore than the standard double? Possibly, that's hard to say. I didn't notice channeling on any of the baskets, as all my shots hit perfect dead center . Ok maybe one leaned to the side a bit. I think that with the standard 14 gram double there is less room for error in dosing, leveling and tamping. Which is why it may make it a little more difficult to pull perfect shots with.

Here is more of what I observed. The 18 gram had great crema but the 21 gram basket had a bit more crema, I think that could be expected. I've been using a 21 gram basket for quite some time and always pull doubles with it. I prefer both the 18 gram and 21 gram baskets purely for the extra flavor both deliver over a standard. With a 21 gram basket if an espresso is particularly "big" in flavor I will just pull the shot a bit longer. However if with the 18 gram and a rich espresso you could pull the normal shot and not waste the coffee or make it too rich. Personally for me too rich isn't usually a problem.

In conclusion I can't say anything either way about channeling besides try different baskets and see what might work for you. And... I think I am buying a 18 gram basket to add to the arsenal and keep at home on a regular basis. I might even switch over and start using the 18 gram full time.

OlywaDave wrote:
So... After the Silvia PID install I did try 18 gram portafilter basket.

Didja use a stock Silvia PF? I've found that my 18g Synesso' basket doesn't fit the stock or the Rancilio 'pro' PF. You musta been goin' nekkid or something...

Psyd wrote:Didja use a stock Silvia PF? I've found that my 18g Synesso' basket doesn't fit the stock or the Rancilio 'pro' PF. You musta been goin' nekkid or something...

Good point and question. No not using the stock PF and I am always Nekkid as that it is my preference.

Actually my Silvia is way old and came with the chincy old style PF so I've been using a commercial PF since I got her.

OlywaDave wrote:Actually my Silvia is way old and came with the chincy old style PF so I've been using a commercial PF since I got her.

I think I may have gotten the last Silvia to come with that PF, as every one I've seen after that came with the Rancilio commercial PF. So I got one. The chintzy one makes for a great blank holder for cleaning flushes, tho!
My Astoria PF's fit in the Silvia, but won't take the 18g. Once I get the new Astoria PF (On the way, and supposedly takes the 18G) I'm gonna nekkidify one of the stock PF's. If the Astoria doesn't sell. One of the local espresso machine repair guys said that he might have an interested party. Wooho! I'll be able to get an Alex!
Yeah, the only kid on the fora happy about 'downgrading'...

Hi everyone,

I really appreciate everyone's help!

I'm still plugging along with my Silvia... at times I want to give up. I've gone through 3 pounds of Black Cat and I am not sure if I am any closer to "zeroing in" on a good shot. Today I started my test by finding the "zero point" of my Rocky grinder. With the grinder power off and with no beans in the machine, I gently turned down the dial until I could go no further. I assume this is the true "zero point" on my Rocky grinder... which was a minus 6 on the grinder scale. Then I move the setting up to the plus 1 setting which should = a corrected 7 setting. Right?

At that point I started pulling shots using the same dose and tamp technique with a 2 cup Rancilio commercial basket in the naked portafilter handle until I could get a good 30 second shot. After five test shots I am at corrected 10 setting and I had a decent 30 second shot with crema but not as much crema as I have seen on the posted videos.

I think I need to get a good measure Shot Glass to see the espresso/crema (any suggestions).

I tried to repeat the decent shot a few minutes later but the double shot got worse.. there was less espresso. Is it possible the Silvia is not hot enough on the second shot? Do I need to PID my Silvia to get the correct temperature before I start my shots? If so, which PID Model would you recommend and who sells them? I wish one of you experienced barista could give me onsite training!

Thanks, Daniel

Daniel N. wrote:Hi everyone,

I really appreciate everyone's help!

I'm still plugging along with my Silvia... at times I want to give up. Thanks, Daniel

I can't add much to any of the advice given as fresh beans/grind/technique/practice/skill are obviously of utmost importance, but I will tell you one thing.....I spent 6 months with Silvia and had nothing but grief until I did one thing...the pressure reduction mod. After that, it was like a different machine that didn't fight me every step of the way.

I had PID'd my Silvia as well, and while resulted in taste improvements, far and away reducing pressure to about 8.5 bar made about 100x more difference as I could focus afterwards on temp etc. I had always thought my technique was at fault until that point with the great # of shots that channelled.

Does your Silvia have the new pressure regulator I have heard about? If so, drop that pressure....if not...look into the copper washer pressure mod. Dirt cheap and IMO a required mod.

Grant

Hi Grant,

I have a new 2006 model... so I guess I can adjust the pressure. In available instructions on this modifications would be appreciate.

Regarding the PID kits... where can I buy a kit?

Thanks, Daniel