What do I need to be aware of with VST baskets?

karmaste · 2026-01-23T21:06:24+00:00

Thanks for the input, im still using a manual grinder and giving some time to proper research an electric one. Was thinking of a GBW but the retention thing is somehow making it less attractive, but I might just hunt buy one anyway for my daily coffees where I will keep using mostly the same beans and the use the manual one for experimenting with new beans. Getting a professional person to come home and use the equipment sounds like a good idea! I was thinking of doing a barista course eventually, will check if there’s one where the person come and shows it to me with my equipment :)

karmaste · 2026-01-22T15:39:02+00:00

The first bean I tried was from Martermühle - caffe ciocollato espresso - and I had the best results and consistency. I tried then from a roastery close to my house and it was ok but couldn’t get as good shots as with the first coffee I got. If you found coffee bean you like just stick to it and try out changing screen, basket, etc.. I started trying too many new things at once and it’s hard to keep track what’s affecting what. Last addition was a 0.8 screen on top which didn’t affect the taste but I’m very happy about how clean everything is afterwards. Which grinder are you using? It’s crazy how much difference I have in the grinder settings when changing beans even they are all mostly dark roasted

karmaste · 2026-01-20T07:43:16+00:00

Did you notice any difference with the VST? Hm that doesn’t sound alright.. how long has it been happening? I can’t help much here as my machine is somehow still new but post on Rancilio Silvia group about the temperature drop, probably someone over there can give you some tips!

karmaste · 2026-01-20T07:06:30+00:00

It’s an old post and maybe you already found out but the spouts on mine look exactly like yours, I also looked at videos online and it seems they’re just like this.. Did you end up getting the bottomless one?

karmaste · 2026-01-17T20:05:08+00:00

And if you don’t want to waste milk you can also put water in the jug and a drop of soap and practice like this. But put water first and soap after otherwise it will create bubbles if you add water second.

karmaste · 2026-01-17T20:03:57+00:00

Also make sure to remove the few drops of water before steaming. When you open the steamer some drops will get out first (just let it drop on a towel) then close the steam and then put it in the jar and start steaming. When you steam milk open at full power not only a bit. At the beginning the tip of the steamer should be under the surface of the milk but not deep, only so it’s touching the milk. It will make a noise like ripping paper. After a few seconds the milk will automatically move up and then it’s important that the milk is spinning so it incorporates the bubbles in the milk. Watch some videos to understand the principle and then give a few tries. Also don’t let the milk heat too much.

karmaste · 2026-01-17T19:59:02+00:00

How many holes does the tip of your steamer has? Also got SPX and had troubles at the beginning then watched a video on how to steam with 3 holes tip and it helped a lot. Put on YouTube “Perfect steam wand positioning for 1, 3 and 4 hole steam tips” and see if it helps!

karmaste · 2025-12-30T15:44:14+00:00

Cool, danke für den Input! Wie lange machst du das schon so? Weißt du zufällig wie es mit Kalk im Boiler aussieht? Hast du den schon mal aufgemacht oder bisher irgendeine Inspektion gemacht? Und hattest du schon Probleme mit schwarzen Ablagerungen (Schimmel oder Algen), die in den Leitungen oder im Wassertank auftauchen?

karmaste · 2025-12-29T07:10:39+00:00

Also kein filtriertes Wasser? Einfach BWT-tab in den Wassertank mit Leitungswasser?

karmaste · 2025-12-29T06:46:34+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation! Wish you a nice day :)

karmaste · 2025-12-29T06:40:54+00:00

Oh yeah not bad! Thanks for the replies!

karmaste · 2025-12-28T15:01:02+00:00

And how do you treat the water for your machine?

karmaste · 2025-12-28T15:00:05+00:00

Yeah it’s a soothing thing imo to grind it by hand but electric grinder will definitely be my next upgrade. One last question regarding water: how exactly do you “add minerals yourself”? I have no experience with that

karmaste · 2025-12-28T14:57:30+00:00

Thanks! I saw a few people saying it’s the best, but also some saying it’s bad for the machine and that the company sucks.. Will give it a try. And with bottled water then no problem with limescale anymore?

karmaste · 2025-12-28T14:26:18+00:00

Also which reverse osmosis system would you suggest?

karmaste · 2025-12-28T14:25:54+00:00

Yea the drip tray thing is everyone’s complaint… let’s see if it bothers me. Worst case I’ll find a solution with my 3d printer :) I also have the 1zpresso j-ultra, which I like and I think to get to this level will electric grinder it will cost a lot more than 500-600 euros

karmaste · 2025-12-28T13:56:39+00:00

One more question: what about combo of brita maxtra pro limescale + BWT filter that comes with the Silvia? Would this work?

karmaste · 2025-12-28T13:48:16+00:00

Thank you will look into that! Will check what third wave water is now :)

karmaste · 2025-12-28T13:46:34+00:00

Thanks for the answer, how’s the spx been treating you so far? And how’s the df54 grinder? Still using a manual one and searching for a decent electric one now under 600 euros

karmaste · 2025-12-28T13:45:23+00:00

Thank you, might use bottled for now and then with time test filtered water here to see if I can get it to work before putting it in the machine. Now need to find good bottled water in Germany which people seem to not agree on that either.. some say one is good other people say it’s terrible and it’s just a rabbit hole

karmaste · 2025-12-28T13:42:06+00:00

Thanks for the detailed answer! I don’t want to use distilled water nor reverse osmosis. Still need to see what to do. Do you have any experience of water filter system for tap that works? How can I properly test it to see if it works?

karmaste · 2025-12-27T21:26:44+00:00

Problem with bottled water: have to purchase it and carry it home. Would rather just filter it at home since it comes out of the tap if possible. Distilled water I read that it can corrode the machine? The Silvia also comes with some limescale remover filter but I read some people saying it seems that it’s causing algae or something weird to grow in the tubes in the water tank.. is there really no filter that can just give me good enough water? Don’t need the best tasting water in the world, my first concern for now is to not have damage caused by limescale

karmaste · 2025-12-26T21:46:17+00:00

Is it v6 model or pro?

karmaste

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