Re: First impressions of Silvia

G:

thank you for the nice comments.

Dave

www.hitechespresso.com

910 616 0980

"Godzilla" <godzilla@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"Rusty" <kenrussellAToptushomeDOTcomDOTau> wrote:


"Godzilla" <godzilla@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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Santa finally delivered a Silvia to my doorstep. It was extremely
well packed, which allayed any apprehension about UPS destroying
it. I did notice that the plate covering the drip tray is now
painted steel, instead of stainless which I recall seeing in prior
illustrations. That seems like a rather chintzy touch for Rancilio
to have skimped upon.

All I had roasted was one shot's worth of 13 day old Malibar Gold.
I didn't expect perfection the first time around, and that was a
correct assumption. Using the grind setting that I had been
accustomed to with my old Estro Vapore, the two doubles reached
their mark in only ten seconds! There was no crema, which I would
attribute to a combination of the slightly old beans plus the
incorrect grind. The taste was better than it looked, though.

Looking at the holes in the Silvia's basket, they are MUCH larger
in diameter than those in the Estro basket. Obviously, I will have
to go through many shots before I am able to tune the Macap
grinder's setting to achieve a "normal" 25 second pour plus great
crema again.

Since I am going into the city to shop at Costco tomorrow, I plan
upon purchasing one of their roasted coffees to use for all of the
experiments that will go down the drain. Ultimately, this will be
more time and cost effective than using my precious home roasts,
which I still do 64 grams at a time. Once I find the ballpark grind
setting, I can switch back to my own beans.

I am not discouraged, just embarking upon a new adventure. :-)

Godzilla

Not to spoil your fun, but how soon do you expect to PID Silvia?

Rusty

I placed an order for a PID kit from Jim Galt before I got the Silvia,
inasmuch as he indicated that it would take several weeks for
delivery. This was done after serious consideration of sending the
machine to Dave for his installation of a PID. After much reading
online, I concluded that either source would do the job of tight
temperature control admirably. My decision on which one to use was
based on the following factors:

1. Sending the machine for a PID installation would involve the hassle
of two more shippings for the Silvia.

2. I truly enjoy getting my hands dirty and doing things myself.
That is why I have done over 1700 roasts so far on two different
roasters, and heat water in a kettle each morning to hand pour
over a paper filter into a Melita pot which is set over a Bunn
warmer plate. ;-)

In no way was my ordering a kit from Jim Galt meant as an affront to
Dave, as I come away with the impression that he does fine work,
as attested by his many satisfied customers. Some people need others
to do electronic work, and others prefer doing it themselves.
I belong to the later group.

Godzilla



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