laurence9300 Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2012 Posts: 2 Location: United Kingdom Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sun Jul 22, 2012, 1:20pm Subject: Rancilio Silvia not producing steam
Apologies if this problem has already been dealt with in another thread, but I'm struggling to find any answers.
I have a 2009 Rancilio Silvia, which I have owned from new and has always worked perfectly.
I have recently moved house and on first use of my silvia I found that it no longer produces steam. The machine seems to function perfectly well making espresso and delivering hot water through the steam wand. However, when steaming only a very small amount (almost non-existent) amount of steam is produced.
I don't think the problem is due to the machine not getting up to temperature as the heating light seems to cycle on and off as normal and when attempting to make espresso with the machine primed to steam, the silvia splutters and steam exits from around the portafilter.
As the other functions appear to be working normally I'm at a bit of a loss to explain the problem and would very much appreciate any one else's input.
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,191 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Sun Jul 22, 2012, 1:37pm Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia not producing steam
Since it happened at first use since the move, I would look for a loose connection or wire. Open the lid and see if there is a wire not connected. Try a digital thermometer on the boiler and see if it gets hot enough. They get to about 280 - 300F. It will probably read a little lower since you do not have a great connection touching the top of the boiler, but well over boiling. I suggest that to test the temperature you heat it with it closed, unplug, and then open. You will want to open it cold to check the wires.
If that is intact, think scale. When did you last descale?
Agree and would add that scale/residue that was moved during the move could also caused it.
I would start by taking off the tip, clean and check that its hole/s is open and if it is, disassemble the want and clean it well with scale remover. If heater lamp is working in steam mode and you say you get brew/hot water, it means the problem must be in the path from the boiler to the tip.
let us know if you solved this matter
Coffee is not a drink...it is an adventure... Author of Rancilio Silvia Mega-Mod and Rocky Timer Mod (see my website)
No loose connections, but I did a thorough descale and that seems to have solved the problem - I think it may well have been caused by residue that had moved in transit.
No loose connections, but I did a thorough descale and that seems to have solved the problem - I think it may well have been caused by residue that had moved in transit.
that is great Laurence, glad it is working again I recommend a descale of the whole system as well and not only of the wand if this was caused by scale...
Coffee is not a drink...it is an adventure... Author of Rancilio Silvia Mega-Mod and Rocky Timer Mod (see my website)
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