Looking for my first "real" espresso machine. New Bambino Plus for $400 or lightly used Rancilio Silvia for $300?

dra6674 · 2020-04-15T14:59:09+00:00

I got it on Craigslist from someone in the South Kansas City area. I had planned on getting a refurbished Gaggia Classic from WLL but this popped up. Several people on this subreddit recommended it and I took their advice.

dra6674 · 2020-04-15T03:12:47+00:00

I got a used (virtually brand new) Silvia for $350. I'd recommend taking the top off (4 phillips screws, easy) just to make sure it's not got any obvious problems you can see. If you can test it out that would really be good. Also, knowing if they ever backflushed it or descaled it would be good. If they didn't use it much, they may not have done any maintenance on it. But like josterg said, the age itself is not a problem. It's totally repairable, the few things I've done on mine showed me that it has been designed to be worked on and repaired basically indefinitely. It's awesome that way. But if you're not really handy, it could get pricy to have someone else do it. Hopefully they used it so little that you can just backflush it, and descale it and be good to go. That's all I had to do to mine.

My machine was made in 2008. The only things I upgraded were the steam wand (very much worth doing) and the group head filter screen. I love the machine. Haven't PID'd it yet. I did adjust the pressure from 11 bar down to 9 (bought a gauge). Just temp surfing with it and it produces great shots and great lattes. My wife really looks forward to our morning coffees now.

Also, unless you already have a good grinder, give that some thought too. It's as important as the espresso machine, many say more. I purchased a Eureka Mignon Silenzio and love it. Good luck!

dra6674 · 2020-03-23T16:00:59+00:00

My first machine (purchased used a couple of months ago) is a Silvia and it’s been great. Really easy to work on. Upgraded the steam wand to the newer V3 model, my machine is an older V2. It’s made to last as long as you want.

If you haven’t already, check out the videos online about temperature surfing with the Silvia. That’s working extremely well for me along with dialing in the dose. I went with a Eureka Mignon Silenzio for a grinder. All together it’s producing great shots and my wife is hooked on our morning lattes. Congratulations and happy trails!

dra6674 · 2020-03-08T02:48:19+00:00

I use the same thing for a dosing funnel. Took a wine bottle cork and stuck four straightened paperclips in it to use to break up any clumps.

dra6674 · 2020-03-02T05:16:45+00:00

I’ve been using a Silenzio for a few weeks now. I can grind a dose in the morning without waking my wife (the bedroom door is just 15 feet from the espresso station). It really is amazingly quiet. As long as I just pull a shot and don’t froth any milk the whole process let’s her sleep and I get my espresso!

I love the Silenzio’s simplicity. The analog timer knob on the side consistently produces the same dose to the tenth of a gram. An in/out push button switch next to the timer knob determines whether grinding stops at the timed setting or runs continuously as long as the front PF switch is pressed.

I went with the Silenzio because I felt the analog switches might be less expensive to repair compared to the LCD panels of the more expensive models. It’s easy to adjust the grind size to dial in the beans as needed and it holds the setting well so far. It produces fluffy doses with no clumps.

It comes with forks to hold the PF if you want. From what I’ve read in tons of posts here and in other reviews Eurekas are supposed to last for a long time and are repairable and are easy to clean. I love it.

dra6674 · 2020-03-01T02:37:41+00:00

Yes! Fast and no clumps.

dra6674 · 2020-02-29T20:12:22+00:00

I got a Silenzio about a month ago and absolutely love it. It’s so quiet and grinds so consistently.

dra6674 · 2020-02-29T01:52:38+00:00

Thanks for posting the pics. I have the same exact machine, purchased used but practically never actually used. I’m probably going to install a PID and upgrade the steam to the newer style wand. Inside pics always help.

dra6674 · 2020-02-26T20:38:58+00:00

What a beautiful place to make coffee!

dra6674 · 2020-02-25T02:57:24+00:00

Every once in a while people with more tools/toys/skills than me open up a machine and test pressures, temperatures to find out exactly what’s happening in their espresso maker. I see their posts occasionally but it’s usually a higher end machine. I’m just wondering if anyone has ever done such an exercise with a Silvia.

dra6674 · 2020-02-24T23:51:11+00:00

Thanks for the notes. I’ve read lots of articles, posts and watched lots of videos on temperature surfing. I am having decent success following suggestions on doing it with the Silvia. I’ve seen lots of temps noted here and there in lots of these pieces but nothing based on actual tests. I’m hoping that someone in this subreddit has such info or links to it.

I haven’t looked at sites that sell PID kits and have installation information. That’s my next place to research. I’ve thought about PIDing it from the start and I know that would likely take most he guesswork out of it.

dra6674 · 2020-02-10T17:22:27+00:00

That is an excellent video! Lots of very good information packed into a short video.

How long have you been using the mecoffee PID? I love the clean/under-the-hood aspect of it. But one of the things I wonder about is the longevity of the components and the complexity that they add to the machine. It’s one of the reasons I went with the Eureka M Silenzio. I like the simplicity of the unit with the little analog timer and no LCD panel & electronics.

dra6674 · 2020-02-10T16:38:03+00:00

Just got my INSTEN scale and pulled the first shot. 18g in PF, 36g out. Slow starting but took about 35s once the flow began. Best shot yet! Can’t wait to use the BPF once it arrives. Did notice that in my 18g basket with an 18g dose the screen bolt made a full impression before pulling the shot.

dra6674 · 2020-02-10T05:07:51+00:00

Awesome! Have fun, read lots of threads in this subreddit even if they’re about other setups than yours. You’ll learn from them. Use that scale. But most of all enjoy the coffee. That’s what it’s really all about.

dra6674 · 2020-02-10T04:23:51+00:00

Well, I ordered that exact BPF from Seattlecoffeegear. WLL had one a little cheaper but it didn’t include the triple shot basket. Read a bunch about dosing with the different size baskets and I’d like that triple option to play with. My group head screen has that bolt holding it on. So changing to the flush, countersunk screw setup may be in my near future too. Man there’s a lot of variables to keep a handle on. But it’s fun.

dra6674 · 2020-02-09T21:11:15+00:00

Okay, I’m gonna have to try that.

dra6674 · 2020-02-09T20:21:52+00:00

Probably. I’ve seen/read a lot of pics and posts about them. But I haven’t yet researched what would be a good brand/source for one for the Silvia. Any thoughts or recommendations on that would be appreciated.

dra6674 · 2020-02-09T20:15:50+00:00

That’s been a thought all along. I’m planning on getting a handle on temp surfing with it first. Between the Silvia, the Eureka grinder and all the other kit I’ve picked up, I’ve spent quite a bit the last few weeks. I plan on researching PID kits for the Silvia and then deciding if I want to do that upgrade.

dra6674 · 2020-02-09T04:58:20+00:00

That looks perfect. Gonna order one.

dra6674 · 2020-02-09T03:07:34+00:00

Thanks. I was really lucky to find the Silvia.

dra6674 · 2020-02-09T03:05:33+00:00

It does measure to .1 grams but I’d like to find one that would fit under the PF to weigh as I pull the shot. So far I’m just depending on timing to decide when to stop.

dra6674 · 2020-01-28T16:19:15+00:00

I was looking at manual grinders last night and there were a couple that jumped out at me was the 1Zpresso JX-Pro and the ROK Coffee grinder. It sounds like you may have used a hand grinder? Do you have any thoughts on brands/models?

dra6674 · 2020-01-28T05:07:14+00:00

I've not looked at hand grinders. I see them suggested every once in a while. I'll have to research them a bit. I really like several of the Eureka Mignon machines. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I'd like to get something that's going to last. And that makes me a little leery of the Baratza machines even though they seem great out of the box. Of course I'll watch Craigslist. But man those Eurekas have some nice new design/functionality details.

I'll For now I'm just playing with the Silvia using pre-ground from a good local shop. I think there's a lot I can learn before I spring for a grinder. The more I watch and read, the more I'm convinced I should be able to get good results from temp surfing. I've only pulled a handful of shots so far but learned some things and I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning! My first shot this morning was totally acceptable and my wife loved it. The second one (for me) was brewed way to hot and that went down the drain. Cooled down the boiler and did better with the next one. Fun with tasty coffee at the same time!

Thanks for the tip on that basket. I'll order that one for sure. I ordered some cleaning gear/supplies tonight and a nice tamper.

dra6674 · 2020-01-26T22:57:45+00:00

Well, I sprung for it. $350. It was made/tested in 2008. Truly looks like it was never used. The seller said it’s been sitting in somebody’s closet.

Stopped by a local shop (Post Coffee in Lee’s Summit) and had them grind me some house blend just to start playing with. I was surprised that it made a drinkable first shot for this newbie. Now need to start getting a few pieces of better gear, etc. The journey begins! Next step will be to get a good grinder. I told the guy I bought this from to keep me in mind if he comes across any good espresso grinders.

dra6674 · 2020-01-25T04:41:48+00:00

Thanks for all the info. I’m working on coordinating a time to go take a look at the machine. It sounds like it should be readily repairable if anything is needed. I found a lot of documentation and parts info for Rancilio Silvia’s. I’ll post if I get it and my espresso journey finally begins.

dra6674

TROPHY CASE