Replace my Rancilio Silvia?

#1: Post by **tivurr** » August 11th, 2022, 5:08 am

I need some help with a "problem" I've got... I wonder if anyone have a recommendation when it comes to choosing an espresso machine to replace my Rancilio Silvia. I mostly drink V60 coffee, I have to admit, but occasionally I like an espresso-based coffee, so after some research I bought a Rancilio Silvia. It's mostly just me who drinks coffee at home, so it works well for my use to a certain extent. Because my problem is that if I'm going to make a cappuccino, it takes so long that I usually don't bother.

So now the Silvia is just there for display, really.

So since I use it so infrequently I could think of changing it to a full or semi automatic machine that I could just push a button to get a decent shot. But I've read quite a few product reviews online, and it doesn't seem like there are machines that are easy/fast, and at the same time give a decent result? Maybe there isn't such a machine? Do you have any recommendations? What would you do in my position? I don't really care about price, the most important thing is that the result will be good. But it's not necessary to spend a fortune either, for a man who drinks 1-2 espressos a month.

I really appreciate it if you have any good advice to me!

#2: Post by **Jeff** » August 11th, 2022, 6:42 am

Here's a recent thread that might help - Super Automatics

There are a couple superautomatics that make passable coffee.

Have you considered something like a moka pot for the occasional times you want a concentrated coffee drink?

August 11th, 2022, 7:10 am

Hi, and thanks for the tip.

I have also tried the moka pot, but it also becomes a bit too much "hazzle", not least with cleaning afterwards. You might call me lazy, but to defend myself a little: When I'm the only one in the family who drinks coffee, I just end up making coffee for myself. It's a bit like cooking dinner alone - in the long run you just want to make it as easy as possible. If there are more people to eat/drink, it is much nicer to spend a little more time and effort as well. I don't know if that made sense, but at least that's my excuse.

#4: Post by **Jeff** » August 11th, 2022, 10:20 am

I'd look into the routine of disassembly, cleaning and maintenance of a superautomatic that is required.

August 11th, 2022, 11:40 am

I assume you don't like waiting for the boiler to heat up? Maybe try one of the units from Breville like the Bambino. Or the Solis Perfetto. These units use thermoblocks rather than a boiler to heat the water so they are ready to use very quickly. They don't cost a fortune either and for occasional use should be pretty durable.

#6: Post by **luvmy40** » August 12th, 2022, 4:20 pm

I'll second the Bambino recommendation. If you get the Bambino+, the auto froth feature works pretty darn good(well?).
It's about as simple as it gets for a decent latte. You'll not quite get a cap with the auto froth, but you can froth manually with it for the stiff cap foam if you want to.

#7: Post by **Tseg** » August 24th, 2022, 9:29 am

For me, buying the $200 Auber PID made all the difference... I usually let my Silvia heat up for 30-45 minutes, but once heated, my Sette 270WI pours me 18g of grinds in about 5 seconds, I distribute, level and tamp in another 20 seconds, spend <30 seconds to pour a shot of espresso, then in the less than 1 minute to get my steam to proper temp, I clean the portafilter and pour my milk, then another 15 seconds to froth... then another 1 minute to clean up everything else. Other than heating the machine, my whole cappuccino making process in the morning, including clean up, for my first cup is definitely under 5 minutes... and can be 3 minutes if I'm in a hurry. A big taste improvement was setting my OPV to 9 bar, using the 130 G of OPV tube water in 30 seconds method to measure... which then made me have to dial in my Sette grind again.