Hello,

Sorry if it has been discussed before but I tried searching and did not find a recent answer on this. There is so much conflicting opinions online about this question:

Can you use a La Marzocco inclined portafilter on a Rancilio Silvia M without any modifications?

Thanks Again

Probably. I have a Silvia but it's in storage so can't try for you right now. But I have fit Pesado LM-fit portafilters into the Silvia in the past. It works, but it doesn't fit that great - there is a tight spot somewhere so it doesn't lock in as smoothly as you might like.

Anything wrong with, say, a Rancilio bottomless triple PF? The new ones I've found are about as ergonomic and nicely made as any other brand.

Thanks for the reply.

Primarily it was because LM portafilters are 15 degree inclined and I read somewhere that it pulls a better shot as well.

The basket can certainly affect the extraction, but the portafilter? OK, there's prior discussions of bottomless vs. spouted differences in texture, but I'm skeptical that there's any taste difference between a La Marzocco and Rancilio portafilter.

For what it's worth, the Rancilio portafilter isn't as heavy as the La Marzocco, but otherwise it's very nicely finished and obviously has a perfect fit for Rancilio espresso machines. If you're concerned about tamping angle, get a tamp stand (or make one yourself out of a PVC fitting for less than $1).

zaibzaib12 wrote:Thanks for the reply.

Primarily it was because LM portafilters are 15 degree inclined and I read somewhere that it pulls a better shot as well.

From Prima Coffee, you can get a Rancilio bottomless for $75. LM bottomless is $110. I can tell you that the metal part of the portafilter is better finished on the Rancilio, and it is very ergonomically pleasing. It has somewhere around a 10 degree angle to the handle.

I've owned $150 portafilters that are finished more poorly and suck to hold in the hand. You really can't do better for the price, and it comes with a pretty nice triple basket.

If you're looking at pulling better shots, there are many other mods that can improve your shot quality significantly:
- Better water
- Better grinder
- Precision baskets
- PID
- WDT (free!)
- Better dose/tamp technique
- Learning to dial in better (also free!)

zaibzaib12 wrote:Hello,

Sorry if it has been discussed before but I tried searching and did not find a recent answer on this. There is so much conflicting opinions online about this question:

Can you use a La Marzocco inclined portafilter on a Rancilio Silvia M without any modifications?

Thanks Again

I just tried my normal LM porta filter in my RS v3 and it just about fit. Though I did not tighten it all the way because the Silvia has been sitting a while. I also tried the bottom less LM porta filter but the lug nuts were just too large to fit in the slot.

Hope that helps.

Thanks everyone. You guys Rock