The single boiler, combined with inconsistent temperatures, also demand forward planning for milk drinks.
The Rancilio Silvia V6 is the sixth generation of Rancilios single-boiler espresso machine.
And to look good doing it.
And theres the catch.
So, is this one of thebest espresso machinesfor you?
Find out in my full Rancilio Silvia review.
Rancilio Silvia review: Design
The Rancilio Silvia is a beautifully styled machine.
The Silvias construction is just as epic.
Its put together extremely well using premium materials, and is built to last.
Browse some coffee forums or Reddit and youll see stories of people running these machines for a decade.
I prefer the 58mm size because of the broader choice of aftermarket commercial accessories.
Rancilio Silvia review: Espresso
When the circumstances are right, the Rancilio Silvia produces lovely espresso.
Without stable and consistent boiler temperatures, you wont get consistent shots.
Such is the case with the Silvia.
I was looking for a shot of 36g, so a standard ratio of 1:2 coffee-in to liquid-out.
There are various differentways to do this, regularly listed and debated online.
Im only talking about single drinks here, mind.
It feels like the wands on commercial machines Ive used.
It really is a pleasure to use.
This will form part of your temperature surfing process anyway.
The Silvia is easy to keep clean and requires the same upkeep as any other espresso machine.
Youll also want to backflush the group head using the rubber flush puck provided.
Day-to-day cleaning is par for the course, too.
The portafilter basket is quite stiff and requires a palette knife to remove and rinse after each use.
I really like the Silvias sturdy metal drip tray.
Rancilio Silvia review: How does it compare?
The Gaggia also uses the versatile commercial 58mm portafilter basket.
These heat up much faster, but have weaker steam wands and can suffer unstable temperatures.
These cost a lot more money, though, making them an unfair comparison.
With some effort, itll brew beautiful espresso, while its steam wand makes milk drinks a breeze.
I just hope you like surfing.
