Coffee Makers

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I have a 20 year old Rancilio Silvia espresso maker. I'm convinced it's overpressure....pours shots in like 10 seconds without much crema, regardless of the coffee I use (including Illy for a treat). Has anyone adjusted the pressure on a machine like this and how difficult is it? Any suggestions where to pickup a pressure metering basket besides Amazon?

How is your grind size?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I have a 20 year old Rancilio Silvia espresso maker. I'm convinced it's overpressure....pours shots in like 10 seconds without much crema, regardless of the coffee I use (including Illy for a treat). Has anyone adjusted the pressure on a machine like this and how difficult is it? Any suggestions where to pickup a pressure metering basket besides Amazon?

I've done the adjustment on a couple Gaggia Classic's. It's really easy on those machines(took all of 10 minutes), but you do need a proper pressure gauge(about $15). No idea on a Rancilio how hard it is, but I'm sure you could find instructions.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Wormius

How is your grind size?

Fine expresso grind or preground espresso. It doesn’t seem to make much difference.

[Sutter_in_law]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Fine expresso grind or preground espresso. It doesn’t seem to make much difference.

What beans are you using? and what is the roast date?

If they are from the supermarket and you aren't using a pressurized basket that alone might be the culprit.

What grinder do you have?

[station]

Any recommendations for a reasonably priced conical burr grinder? My Bodum Bistro just died after 4 years of daily use. Decently consistent grind but it’s pretty loud and the plastic hopper is kinda flimsy so I’d like to try something else. Mostly brewing with a french press.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Sutter_in_law

What beans are you using? and what is the roast date?

If they are from the supermarket and you aren't using a pressurized basket that alone might be the culprit.

What grinder do you have?

We use whatever ‘local’ roaster beans we find for a decent price - latest is Saltspring, June roast - strike one.

Cuisinart burr grinder my son gave us that I had to hack to get an espresso grind - strike two, but I swear it’s good consistency. Before that we used Lavazza or illy pre-ground espresso fresh from the vacuum pack. Marginally better.

Non-pressurized basket - strike three.

Ok, so my setup may not be the best but the coffee gushes out despite 2000 ft-lb tamping so I’m convinced pressure is part of the equation. Apparently Silvia’s can ship at 11 or 12 bar from the factory.

I ordered a pressure gauge, hooked it up, but now water is gushing from the top of the basket. Turns out the gasket is shot…20 years of abuse I guess.

I’ll replace that and try the pressure test.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by station

Any recommendations for a reasonably priced conical burr grinder? My Bodum Bistro just died after 4 years of daily use. Decently consistent grind but it’s pretty loud and the plastic hopper is kinda flimsy so I’d like to try something else. Mostly brewing with a french press.

I like the Baratza Encore. It's not perfect, but you can get every part for it if it breaks, and do upgrades.

[Sutter_in_law]

Originally Posted by edslunch

We use whatever ‘local’ roaster beans we find for a decent price - latest is Saltspring, June roast - strike one.

Cuisinart burr grinder my son gave us that I had to hack to get an espresso grind - strike two, but I swear it’s good consistency. Before that we used Lavazza or illy pre-ground espresso fresh from the vacuum pack. Marginally better.

Non-pressurized basket - strike three.

Ok, so my setup may not be the best but the coffee gushes out despite 2000 ft-lb tamping so I’m convinced pressure is part of the equation. Apparently Silvia’s can ship at 11 or 12 bar from the factory.

I ordered a pressure gauge, hooked it up, but now water is gushing from the top of the basket. Turns out the gasket is shot…20 years of abuse I guess.

I’ll replace that and try the pressure test.

Tamping pressure doesn’t matter tbh - here’s a good video explaining it. https://youtu.be/i70xWHhiFzI

My hunch is that your beans are too old, or your grinder just isn’t cutting it anymore - likely the beans though

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by edslunch

We use whatever ‘local’ roaster beans we find for a decent price - latest is Saltspring, June roast - strike one.

Cuisinart burr grinder my son gave us that I had to hack to get an espresso grind - strike two, but I swear it’s good consistency. Before that we used Lavazza or illy pre-ground espresso fresh from the vacuum pack. Marginally better.

Non-pressurized basket - strike three.

Ok, so my setup may not be the best but the coffee gushes out despite 2000 ft-lb tamping so I’m convinced pressure is part of the equation. Apparently Silvia’s can ship at 11 or 12 bar from the factory.

I ordered a pressure gauge, hooked it up, but now water is gushing from the top of the basket. Turns out the gasket is shot…20 years of abuse I guess.

I’ll replace that and try the pressure test.

This might be a stupid question... but has the machine been cleaned and descaled recently? I wonder if that along with the gasket were contributing to lower pressure than expected.

Additionally, if you had money to burn and you wanted to test the beans/grind... you could always spend around $80-120 to buy a minpresso or nanopresso rather than use a pressure gauge.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

This might be a stupid question... but has the machine been cleaned and descaled recently? I wonder if that along with the gasket were contributing to lower pressure than expected.

Additionally, if you had money to burn and you wanted to test the beans/grind... you could always spend around $80-120 to buy a minpresso or nanopresso rather than use a pressure gauge.

I actually do have a minipresso…. Here are the results (spoiler: the one with crema is from the minipresso)




I’m going to replace the gasket first and finish my pressure test, then plan a complete overhaul.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I actually do have a minipresso…. Here are the results (spoiler: the one with crema is from the minipresso)

*SNIP for size*

I’m going to replace the gasket first and finish my pressure test, then plan a complete overhaul.

Ah, so you've already had success in disproving the grind size and bean issue with a minipresso? At least you know that you can focus on the espresso machine without worrying about those external variables.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Ah, so you've already had success in disproving the grind size and bean issue with a minipresso? At least you know that you can focus on the espresso machine without worrying about those external variables.

I'm not ruling anything out yet. I replaced the gasket, tried the pressure test, and .... 9 bar, which is what I read is recommended. But it's still pouring 2 oz shots in 10 seconds, which ought to be 30?

Something is definitely not right....

[ZedMan]

In my very limited home espresso experience, if you're using a non-pressurized filter basket your grind needs to be f'in DIALED IN to get good (as in, good enough to be worth drinking straight) results.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I'm not ruling anything out yet. I replaced the gasket, tried the pressure test, and .... 9 bar, which is what I read is recommended. But it's still pouring 2 oz shots in 10 seconds, which ought to be 30?

Something is definitely not right....

Hmm. What’s the weight of coffee you’re putting in? Try aiming for 21g in and 42g out in 25-30 seconds.

Noticing any channeling in your puck?

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I'm not ruling anything out yet. I replaced the gasket, tried the pressure test, and .... 9 bar, which is what I read is recommended. But it's still pouring 2 oz shots in 10 seconds, which ought to be 30?

Something is definitely not right....

You need to be using a pressurized basket if you're using pre-ground coffee or have a subpar grinder. I don't believe newer models of the Silvia even come with those baskets though.

The Cuisinart burr grinder you have will not be capable of grinding properly for espresso in a non-pressurized basket. I'm guessing its got the "false burrs" described in this article.

It will also be nearly impossible to pull acceptable shots with any sort of pre-ground coffee, whether it's stated to be ground for espresso or not (without using pressurized baskets).

I would recommend upgrading your grinder and working with freshly roasted coffee to see some massive improvements in your shots. An espresso-capable hand grinder like the 1zpresso JX-Pro is one of the more affordable options at ~$200. For an electric grinder, the minimum would be something like a Baratza Sette 270 or a Eureka Mignon Facile for ~$500 - $600.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by TopChed

You need to be using a pressurized basket if you're using pre-ground coffee or have a subpar grinder. I don't believe newer models of the Silvia even come with those baskets though.

The Cuisinart burr grinder you have will not be capable of grinding properly for espresso in a non-pressurized basket. I'm guessing its got the "false burrs" described in this article.

It will also be nearly impossible to pull acceptable shots with any sort of pre-ground coffee, whether it's stated to be ground for espresso or not (without using pressurized baskets).

I would recommend upgrading your grinder and working with freshly roasted coffee to see some massive improvements in your shots. An espresso-capable hand grinder like the 1zpresso JX-Pro is one of the more affordable options at ~$200. For an electric grinder, the minimum would be something like a Baratza Sette 270 or a Eureka Mignon Facile for ~$500 - $600.

I hear people say this, but I've used the Encore for years and make great shots. I think it is plenty capable for people who don't want to get to picky. You can find it for under $200.

https://prima-coffee.com/blog/articl...possible/31182

[Wormius]

If really want to rule out grind as a problem, go to a local coffee shop and ask them to grind for you. I have had success with freshly roasted beans and the Lavazza from Costco, but you need to be able to adjust your grind with some. You can easily go from 10 sec shots because you ground too coarse, to 10 sec shots because it was too fine and water channeled it’s way through.

Tamping should be level and make sure the coffee isn’t touching the screen after you lock in the portafilter. You shouldn’t see the imprint of the screw. Which brings up another pint, are you using the right sized basket for the shot size?

[edslunch]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. What I've learned here and elsewhere is that I need to get a new grinder, a scale, buy beans every week, and that the Silvia is an extremely temperamental beast.

I don't doubt that but all I want is to stagger out of bed and pour a decent shot or two to kick start my day, not become a high precision barista. i think the answer is to get a new machine that is more forgiving (but no, NOT a nespresso or other k-cup style one). I'll gladly settle for a merely decent pour at this point.

[Wormius]

The Silvia is a capable machine, but having a good burr grinder is very important.

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I hear people say this, but I've used the Encore for years and make great shots. I think it is plenty capable for people who don't want to get to picky. You can find it for under $200.

https://prima-coffee.com/blog/articl...possible/31182

Yeah I have an Encore also that I use for filter coffee. I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for an espresso grinder specifically, but it is for sure capable in a pinch. I think the major setback is just the size of the stepped grind adjustments.