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Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine - New Silvia Makeover! | 
| Brand: Rancilio
Category: Kitchen
List Price: $649.99
Buy New: $590.00
You Save: $59.99 (9%)
New (2) from $590.00
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 47445
Color: Brushed stainless steel
Shipping Weight (lbs): 30
MPN: Silvia
Model: RAN-SILVIA
UPC: 826307000457
ASIN: B00076SCVG
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Brushed stainless steel | | • | 1100 watts - 120 volts | | • | 13.25"H x 11.25"W x 9.25"D | | • | 30 pounds | | • | 12-month parts anjavascript:submitEdit()d labor |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Rancilio Silvia Espresso MachineThe Legend of a Celebrated Home Espresso MachineThe Rancilio Silvia is possibly the most celebrated semi professional espresso machine of all time. The Rancilio Silvia espresso machine offers excellent dependable service and allows its users (with proper technique, practice & training) to produce the highest quality espresso beverages at the home or office.Since 1927 the Rancilio company has been known and appreciated around the world for its quality craftsmanship and superior espresso machines and grinders. The Rancilio Silvia is no exception and is our absolute favorite espresso machine value in the under $1000 category. The Rancilio Silvia espresso machine features an iron support frame and it's body and control panels are stainless steel with a satin finish.Espresso Machine Accessories Include: 1 filter holder, 1-cup filter, 2-cup filter, measuring spoon, coffee press.The Rancilio Silvia is one of the most popular home espresso machines ever and the reasons for this are simple. This espresso machine is very reliable and built to last for years. One might even say that this is an espresso machine/maker with a cult following. A quick search "Google" on the internet for 'Rancilio Silvia' and will reveal the plethura of results.The chrome plated commercial size group excepts a full size commercial portafilter and/or bottomless portafilter. For the best results we reccomend the use of a 14 Gram Double La Marzocco espresso portafilter basket part number MZ.107. This has been proven by many to be the perfect basket for use in a Silvia. In fact at your option you can order thte Silvia from espresso parts with a commercial portafilter and Marzocco basket for only 30.00 more, a great deal. The 12 oz. boiler is one of the largest in its class. Match this with Silvia's three way solenoid valve and you are as close to a commercial machine as you can get in this price range. The fit and finish of the
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Sweet Machine! December 21, 2007
A. Bruno (Pittsburgh, PA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The Silvia is a well-built, easy to use machine that makes great espresso. Yes, $600 is a lot to spend on an espresso machine, but you need to spend at least this much to get good espresso and a machine that will last. There are some prettier machines out there, but beauty is only skin deep. Silvia is built like a tank covered in stainless steel. She's durable and easy to clean. To get up and running you'll need a frothing pitcher and a new tamper (the one that comes with Silvia is plastic). You'll also need a good burr grinder.
Best espresso machine in this price range! November 10, 2007
DJM (New York, NY, USA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Buy this if you love espresso and espresso-based drinks and don't mind investing some time and effort into learning the art of making awesome espresso. It is the best espresso machine in this price range. If you can't or don't want to be bothered with this, I would look into an automatic.
I have had the Rancilio Silvia for a few years now, and it has been an exceptional purchase. Operationally, it is easy to use, but to get excellent results you need to consider the following:
1) As other reviewers have noted, you do need to invest in a high quality grinder (Rocky or better burr grinder). I know it is tempting to skimp on a grinder since the Silvia is a major investment and quality grinders are not cheap. But, if you think you can just try your blade grinder or buy a cheaper grinder to start with, you will be disappointed with bitter, bad espresso. Another thing to note in terms of purchasing a grinder is that you need to "dial-in" the grind for different coffee beans you use. i.e. for different types of coffee beans, you will need to adjust the grind to get the optimal espresso. Thus - if you want to drink regular drip or press coffee as well, you will need a separate non-espresso grinder, because it is very difficult to go from optimal grind for espresso to coarser grinds for press or drip coffee and back and forth (especially if you decide to get a stepless grinder).
2) You need to use high quality, fresh beans (1-3 weeks from roast - optimally more like a week or two, but I know this is not realistic for many). You will be disappointed if you use old beans or especially, pre-ground espresso. This will result in no crema, and flat tasting espresso. Note that the vast majority of vacuum-sealed beans you find at the local supermarket or cafes (Starbucks/etc) are many months old. While they may work okay for a couple days, they will go stale very quickly. There are plenty of great places to order fresh whole bean espresso from. Try googling: intelligentsiacoffee, eccocaffe, and counterculturecoffee to start for the best out there. While there are still debates out there, I have found good results from freezing whole coffee beans as soon as I get them in an airtight jar.
3) This is a single boiler machine - which means that after you make a shot of espresso, you have to wait for the boiler to reheat to pull another shot, draw boiling water, or steam milk. Thus, if you envision throwing parties and fulfilling requests for 4 espressos, 3 lattes, and 2 cappuccinos at one time, you will be manning the Silvia for a long time! If this is what you really want to do, I would look into an automatic or a double boiler machine (dedicated boiler for espresso, another one for steam/water) either of which will be much more expensive.
4) Invest in a good tamper to `tamp' your espresso after it is ground. I recommend the Reg Barber Tamper. This is also a very important part of the technique that you will learn about and hone (plenty of great websites and blogs about this).
5) Don't be frustrated if your first few (or even many!) attempts do not turn out that well. Technique is required, but will be rewarded well. Again - there is plenty of great advice on the web - whether it is on pulling an awesome shot, modifying your Silvia, or even creating latte art.
 Satisfied September 4, 2007
M. Petri (Marietta, GA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
After reading the (mostly) glowing reviews of this machine on this and other sites, I decided to buy it to replace a six year old Brugnetti Simona now relegated to weekend cabin duties. I'm very pleased with this machine. It produces more crema (consistently) than the Brugnetti and the steamer seems a little more powerful. I purchased it in conjunction with a Gaggia grinder that has made a big difference. Highly recommended.
Good coffee, if you really follow the instrctions. July 9, 2007
Carlos E. Ruiz Rodriguez (sj, usa)
0 out of 8 found this review helpful
The only problem is that the recipient of the coffee doesn't disconnect without the help of a screwdriver. Buy a stainless steel one to match it.
Professional quality espresso at home April 9, 2007
Zoe (Northfield, MN United States)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
I have a several year old (other brand) that I recently spent almost $200 on trying to get it functioning. A few months down the road and the steam valve is already leaking again. So, I was looking for a better machine. I bought the 'Miss Silvia' with the Rancilio Rocky (the burr grinder). After just a few cappuccinos, I just about have my grind and tamp dialed in. This machine makes a far better espresso than I was able to get out of my other machine - but, to be fair, it also has A LOT to do with the grinder.
If you want great espresso or cappucino at home, you MUST get a decent quality burr grinder. I didn't know this until now. It makes a HUGE difference. The Silvia is just a solid machine, and if you take a little effort to get the proper grind and the right tamp, you'll be making professional quality espressos and cappucinos at home.
I also found that this machine gave me a far better steamed milk than my older machine. It is a creamy milk foam that I was never able to fully achieve with the (other brand). So, if you can afford it, go for it. You won't regret it.
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