Element not filament. Filament is a fine resistive wire that is designed to produce light. Element is a thick resistive wire designed to produce heat. Having a filament would probably add days to the warm up! Worth mentioning that the new frame is apparently black painted stainless steel now (no more rusty frame under the drip tray).
I was considering the earlier version of the Silvia for my first upgrade to a "prosumer" level coffee machine. Ultimately I went for a slightly more expensive HX machine because a single boiler seemed to be too slow for creating multiple milk-based drinks quickly. However, the machine I ended up with is bulky so I can readily see the appeal of a compact little Silvia or Gaggia Classic, especially in a small kitchen or flat.
I loved my old epoca system which is basically the commercial version of the Silvia. This is just a less bulky and less ugly equivalent. It’s a great little machine and does a huge amount for the money. I have never tried a gaggia but know that they are fairly similar, I think the power this holds make it value for money
Jon I chose the Silvia with PID because not only does it make great coffee, it is not a big, bulky, shiny chrome machine that dominates the kitchen. For others considering size and finish: The Silvia blends nicely with brushed nickel appliances. I don’t like the shiny chrome of other brands. Some of the other brands you cannot fit cups on top to slide under cabinets, or some stick out way too far and take up all the depth space of the counter. I thought I would point this out to others considering a machine.
The recommendation to run water through the steam wand you are doing when you start the machine? I had heard and been following the recommendation to do this after steaming, but have mine on a timer so don’t generally do it on startup
I did it on start up as a recommendation that I had, it meant that the boiler would fill at the start. That’s what I followed, however the way you are doing it is also fine
At 2:48 You shouldn't say "maximising the functionality and the care of the machine". You should say it's preventing MAJOR DAMAGE from occurring because if you run it dry the heating element will die.
The heating element should be fine. I believe the new machine comes with a high limit switch on the wall of the boiler that will trip first. This is a pain as it is a safety and will require manually resetting (unplug, removing the top to access and push the pop switch) but way less inconvenient than the consequences of no limit.
@coffeewithgpa just picked up the 2020 for Xmas as a 7yr old Nespresso replacement. Finally got it dialled in and it's producing OK coffee, working my way through the last few grams of a bag of Lavazza 'dial in beans'. Still learning a lot but struggling massively with workable 'latte art' milk, suspect it's me and not the machine though! Have some Origin beans waiting to go in and can't wait!
William Belcher yeah the origin beans will make a difference, especially if they are fresh. With the milk (I still find it tough sometimes) plunge the steam wand after a few seconds, this will stretch out the milk a bit more and help with the consistency needed for latte art. That part of it takes some time though... I’m still learning that part haha
Element not filament. Filament is a fine resistive wire that is designed to produce light. Element is a thick resistive wire designed to produce heat. Having a filament would probably add days to the warm up! Worth mentioning that the new frame is apparently black painted stainless steel now (no more rusty frame under the drip tray).
Do you still recommend the Silvia
I was considering the earlier version of the Silvia for my first upgrade to a "prosumer" level coffee machine. Ultimately I went for a slightly more expensive HX machine because a single boiler seemed to be too slow for creating multiple milk-based drinks quickly. However, the machine I ended up with is bulky so I can readily see the appeal of a compact little Silvia or Gaggia Classic, especially in a small kitchen or flat.
I loved my old epoca system which is basically the commercial version of the Silvia. This is just a less bulky and less ugly equivalent. It’s a great little machine and does a huge amount for the money. I have never tried a gaggia but know that they are fairly similar, I think the power this holds make it value for money
Jon I chose the Silvia with PID because not only does it make great coffee, it is not a big, bulky, shiny chrome machine that dominates the kitchen. For others considering size and finish: The Silvia blends nicely with brushed nickel appliances. I don’t like the shiny chrome of other brands. Some of the other brands you cannot fit cups on top to slide under cabinets, or some stick out way too far and take up all the depth space of the counter. I thought I would point this out to others considering a machine.
The recommendation to run water through the steam wand you are doing when you start the machine? I had heard and been following the recommendation to do this after steaming, but have mine on a timer so don’t generally do it on startup
I did it on start up as a recommendation that I had, it meant that the boiler would fill at the start. That’s what I followed, however the way you are doing it is also fine
Hi
For a daily routine, how long do you have to keep the power on for the machine to heat up before you start brewing the coffee?
That’s a really good question. It does heat up quick in a round a minute I believe so that you can start brewing.
@@coffeeandproperty Thanks for getting back to me. So I don't need to turn it on for 30-45mins before I brew?
great review! was tossing between this & a gaggia. think i'll go with this one
Thanks eve so much David! It’s a tough choice between the two but I do think it’s money well spent, such a great bit of kit
At 2:48 You shouldn't say "maximising the functionality and the care of the machine". You should say it's preventing MAJOR DAMAGE from occurring because if you run it dry the heating element will die.
Thanks for the feedback
The heating element should be fine. I believe the new machine comes with a high limit switch on the wall of the boiler that will trip first. This is a pain as it is a safety and will require manually resetting (unplug, removing the top to access and push the pop switch) but way less inconvenient than the consequences of no limit.
@coffeewithgpa just picked up the 2020 for Xmas as a 7yr old Nespresso replacement. Finally got it dialled in and it's producing OK coffee, working my way through the last few grams of a bag of Lavazza 'dial in beans'. Still learning a lot but struggling massively with workable 'latte art' milk, suspect it's me and not the machine though! Have some Origin beans waiting to go in and can't wait!
William Belcher yeah the origin beans will make a difference, especially if they are fresh. With the milk (I still find it tough sometimes) plunge the steam wand after a few seconds, this will stretch out the milk a bit more and help with the consistency needed for latte art. That part of it takes some time though... I’m still learning that part haha
You can't wait what 2020 bring to us ? 😂😂😂😂😂
What do you think now ?
😆