celi08 Senior Member Joined: 8 Mar 2008 Posts: 8 Location: NJ Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Drip: Tassimo, Cuisinart
Posted Sat Mar 8, 2008, 2:23pm Subject: Need help asap
Hello Folks, I am new in the espresso, capuccino and latte fever. I am a milk based espresso drinker. I got the Rancilio Silvia and had been practicing to brew a good one by practicing the setting of the grind, tamp and temp surfing. After brewing the espresso, I clean the PF and the grouphead. I turn on the steam wand. Meanwhile, the pitcher and the milk is being chilled. I purge the water from the steam wand for 10 seconds into an empty pitcher. I wait for 30 seconds, open the valve and blast again. Water is still coming out from the steam wand. I stretch the time to 1 min, 2 mins and 3 to 4 mins to bleed out condensation from the steam wand. However, I still get 1/8 of an ounce of water coming out from the steam wand. Hence, my froth is liquid at the bottom of the pitcher. By this time the coffee is getting cold. Is 1/8 or a little less of 1/8 of an ounce of water coming out of the steam wand normal? Is this normal for Miss Silvia. My Miss Silvia is only 2 weeks old. I have 30 days to return it. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.
wideasleep1 Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 1,018 Location: Sausalito,Ca Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: VBMDoubleDomo Grinder: Mahlkoenig K30 Vario Vac Pot: nope Drip: Bodum Press Roaster: IR1 and 2,SC/TO,Behmor
Posted Sat Mar 8, 2008, 3:00pm Subject: Re: Need help asap
edit: Welcome to the fora! :)
Throw the steam switch after brewing, and wait approx. 1 minute...THEN slowly open the steam valve and just let it flow until nothing but steam escapes(usually 5-10 seconds). Once dry steam only, close the valve and wait for the steam-ready light to go out (PID users can begin steaming before light goes out around 295F), and steam normally. I use a large pitcher, but never steam more than 8oz. milk, as even that can overflow with froth.
Posted Sat Mar 8, 2008, 7:13pm Subject: Re: Need help asap
Yes, the Silvia puts out pretty wet steam. I had an old Silvia and I used to purge the wand of water and open up as much head space in the boiler a few times before she hit the top of the steam boiler.
I found the trick with the Silvia is hitting her just before the steam thermostat goes out. That way you have max pressure and the element stays on to keep the pressure as strong as possible while steaming. You don't want that boiler light to go out before steaming. There's nothing I could ever do to get dry steam out of my Silvia. She's a wet steamer.
BTW, the liquid you're geting may not be water. You could be going past the scalding point with the milk and it's separating. Even though the Silvia puts out wet steam I never found it enough to be noticable in the bottom of the pitcher. With frothing you can't go beyond where the pitcher gets too hot to hold. There's also a couple stages to frothing. Stretching and incorporating. It takes a bit of practice to get the feel of both to get the foam you want from cappuccino to latte.
To take our steaming tip a bit further..on a stock Sylvia, you can take timings on the steam light and arrive at an average duration, and pretty much hit it at Kirk's perfect time every time. Surfing everything is a way of life for her! :P A dual-PID fixed that too.
celi08 Senior Member Joined: 8 Mar 2008 Posts: 8 Location: NJ Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Drip: Tassimo, Cuisinart
Posted Sun Mar 9, 2008, 6:04am Subject: Re: Need help asap
Thanks. You mentioned that the trick with the Silvia is hitting her just before the steam thermostat goes out. May I ask how could I tell that the steam thermostat is about to go out? Thanks again.
Posted Sun Mar 9, 2008, 6:31am Subject: Re: Need help asap
It's simple. Pull your shot, hit the steam switch, begin your timing. Do a purge or two.
You'll note that the light is on. On mine, it usually takes approx. 2 minutes, from this point, before the light goes out. Let this happen and see how long yours takes. It should be pretty consistent.
Next time you froth, you'll know how much time you have before the light goes out.
I usually start steaming after about 1 min., 45 or 50 seconds while the light is still on.
This way, it stays on during frothing which is what you're looking for.
celi08 Senior Member Joined: 8 Mar 2008 Posts: 8 Location: NJ Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Drip: Tassimo, Cuisinart
Posted Sun Mar 9, 2008, 6:35am Subject: Re: Priming the estro vapore pump
I have read somewhere online about PID and how to install it. However, I had not bookmarked it and don't know or forgot where to get it and how to install it. May I ask if you have the link to my questions. Is this price wise and quality wise compared to getting an espreso machine with heat exchanger? Your reply is appreciated. Thanks a lot.
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