Posted Sat Sep 1, 2012, 2:56pm Subject: Rancilio Silvia.....moving on....but to which machine?
Hi we have a well loved Rancilio Silvia which we rely on for making 2-6 coffees per day. We love a latte so milky microfoam is important and at times the Rancilio comes up a little short in this dept. Also having to wait for the steam to get up to temperature is a pain...if I had to be picky!
Can anyone recommend machines in the next 'level up ' of coffee machines which would enable us to produce shots + amazing milk at the same time? Am I asking too much!
Any advice welcomed. I am not expert just an enthusiast!
Posted Sun Sep 2, 2012, 1:10am Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia.....moving on....but to which machine?
thanks good points to consider. I think an HX model is what we are after. we don't drink espresso so milky drinks ae important to us. We don't require the machine to be plumbed in either. I have been looking at a Rocket Giotto premium plus. Any thoughts on this? Thanks
I'd certainly say that is a few steps up from a Silvia. I've heard lots of good things about Rocket machines. The model you are looking at is near the high end of HX models which are out there.
qualin Senior Member Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 458 Location: Calgary, AB Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto 3 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Elect. Type A Vac Pot: Looking to buy Drip: Manual Roaster: Considering?
Posted Mon Sep 3, 2012, 12:58am Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia.....moving on....but to which machine?
Basically, here's what I would consider...
New vs used ... Buying a used machine from someone who doesn't know what they are doing can either be a blessing or a nightmare. Did they descale bi-annually? Did they backflush weekly with detergent? Did they run the boiler dry? Is the machine clean or dirty?
A few other things you should consider considering the price range you mentioned:
- Do you want a machine which you can plumb in or is reservoir operation good enough? For your needs, this is a matter of convenience. - Do you want an exposed E61 style brew group or do you want a more "Modern" style of machine? - Do you want precise brew group temperature control? (This depends on the ratio of straight espresso to milk drinks you make.) - Do you want a drainable drip tray? - Do you want a vibratory or rotary pump? (The latter is quieter and heavier duty, but carries a premium)
Your price range isn't that far from double boiler land.. That might be something you may want to consider, especially if you like making lots of steamed milk drinks.
.......................... Your price range isn't that far from double boiler land.. That might be something you may want to consider, especially if you like making lots of steamed milk drinks.
This is an area that has a bit of debate and the fact that one costs a bit more than the other may cause the person who pays more money to think of it as a "step up" vs the personal perfference that it truly is.
HX and DB are basically equal, the difference is in how you like to work, I have used many machines and both HX and DB can produce excellent shots with the difference being how you like to work, not in the quality of the shot or machine.
Some like one or the other but that is a personal preference, mine is to HX, while others may be DB. If we were talking about cars it would be a maual/automatic transmission kind of thing. One is not better or worse than the other, just different. YMMV!
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,609 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Tue Sep 4, 2012, 7:01am Subject: Re: Rancilio Silvia.....moving on....but to which machine?
The Rocket Espresso Giotto is an excellent, durable, solid, prosumer HX espresso machine, capable of brewing great espresso and frothing milk simultaneously. You can easily pull several shots in a row with it. The current model (Plus V2) offers two manometers to display both pump and boiler pressures, and an insulated boiler, which saves energy and increases its thermostability. The workmanship of those machines is of a very high standard. You can't do much wrong with buying a Rocket Espresso.
However, take a look at its sister machine, too, called Cellini. It's identical in construction exept for a different casing, but it's $100 cheaper. So it all depends on which design you like better. Take a live look at both machines at a local dealer, because that might even change your mind about any machine on your shortlist. I've seen people coming to a shop wanting to buy a Giotto, leaving it with a Cellini, and vice versa.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
Not really relevant to your upgrade discussion but the Silvia's certainly capable of microfoam. If you're having problems it's your ability and/or a problem with your specific machine. I'm a latte drinker and if the Silvia didn't hold up in this regard I wouldn't have kept mine for the past 10 years.
Quennoo Said:
Also having to wait for the steam to get up to temperature is a pain.
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