Rancilio Silvia M Espresso Machine

20 reviews for Rancilio Silvia M Espresso Machine

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Dickran T – December 1, 2017

   I have had the good fortune of having several beautiful women take care of me, not least among them Miss Silvia. But she has been temperamental, partly because I was used to a Saeco, which delivered good crema. I was dismayed to learn that the Saeco had a “cheat” element in the cup. My pride hurt, I now had to demonstrate that I could make a good cup with Miss Silvia!

   I had been forewarned that Miss Silvia required a very fine grind, partially gained with a Solis grinder, though I’m still not quite satisfied with the grind.

   Miss Silvia is handsome and quite sturdy in her stainless steel raiment, so I was surprised when something in her gut went haywire in little over a year. The water would not heat up. I finally found a repair shop that identified the problem. For some reason, however, they were unable to find the part. I brought Miss Silvia home after a few weeks in the shop.

   A friend of mine, a retired professor of economics, noticing my gloom, recently volunteered to examine Miss Silvia. He claimed some expertise in repairing toasters. With the schematic that came with her instructions, my colleague was able to identify the problem and ordered the part from Ist-Line, which miraculously had the proper part, sent it out with dispatch, and the switch (or thermostat) was installed. Like Lazarous, Miss Silvia is risen from the dead!

   Do I make good espresso with her? I currently use Espresso Forte from Peets, more or less fresh. I continue to wrestle with the grinder. Even so, I fail the 20 second test, with those infamous “rat tails” wriggling into my cup!

   Taste is, well, taste, and I refuse to borrow cliches from the wine industry. I don’t make a perfect espresso, but it’s more palatable than what you get at the coffee shops, and I have no one to blame but myself for a mediocre cup. I can always try again. Miss Silvia, of course, remains inscrutable but perfection beyond attainment. She gets me up in the morning

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Mike W – December 5, 2017

   I’ve owned the Silvia for about eleven months now, and it has turned out so much better than I really expected.

   It took a fair amount of learning to get the best results with the Silvia, but the best is so-o-o good. One thing I have never liked about coffee is the bitterness. When I read that espresso could be produced with zero bitterness, I didn’t really believe it. But it’s true. It takes some work to get there, but it’s well worth it. I recommend David C. Schomer’s _Espresso Coffee: Professional Techniques_, even for non-professionals. It explains the key factors in producing excellent espresso, and much of it is applicable to the Silvia.

   It does take a while for the Silvia to heat up, but that fits my lifestyle just fine, since I have to prepare my wife’s breakfast before I fix my first cup. For those who want to have a cup at an moment’s notice and who don’t want to spend a lot of time learning, I recommend Taster’s Choice Gourmet Roast instant coffee.

   The only real mechanical problem I’ve seen is that the steam valve doesn’t stay tight after the machine cools, so you have to tighten it again later, or you end up with a puddle of water on the counter top. Now I keep a cup under the end of the wand, just in case I do forget. I managed to break the retaining spring on the valve handle by over-tightening, but 1st-Line is sending me a new one.

   The machine doesn’t quite get up to the temperature required for a perfect cappuccino unless the steam switch is on, but if you turn it on too early, it gets too hot. So, I turn it on after the initial 25-30-minute warm-up, while grinding the beans and getting everything else ready. Then, I brew the espresso as soon as the light goes out. The result is perfect espresso.

   One final point. To get the best out of this excellent machine, you should use the best coffee. Grind your own beans (see my review of the Rocky) and, if possible, roast your own beans (I use the Hearthware Precision roaster).

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Reasnor – December 8, 2017

   I have now owned my Silvia for a little over six months now. With Silvia, you’ll be able to make great espresso that matches or beats that which you purchase from a coffee shop. Most people have written that it is built like a tank, which it is – so I won’t dwell on that aspect. If you’re reading this, you know the Silvia is an awesome machine.

   As long as you don’t mind the short “”wait time”” between brewing and steaming, this may very well be the last machine you purchase. Personally, I have a little “”upgrade fever”” to a machine that is a heat exchanger…namely the Oscar (depending on the price or a package deal with a new grinder). But, if you don’t need steam on demand, there really is no reason to upgrade; this machine will do anything you ask (I’ve served up to 18 drinks consecutively, but it takes a little time).

   With my Silvia, I have since purchased the commercial portafilter and the three-hole steam tip. I consider both to be valuable purchases. Steaming is a little different with the three-hole tip, but doesn’t take much practice to begin making the great velvety micro-froth that encourages latte art. The commercial portafilter is just another improvement in temperature stability. My stock portafilter broke after a few months of use (not sure why), so I upgraded. I have no fear of this portafilter breaking, it’s massive and strong.

   Finally, your friends at 1st-Line are FIRST RATE. I was a little intimidated when first shopping for a machine because I live in the midwest and the three companies I was considering buying from weren’t. But, those fears were relieved when I talked to Jim on the phone. He’s a very personable guy, who loves what he does. He shares in the excitement that you have when looking to get a machine. Their service is outstanding as well. The minor problem I had (with the portafilter) was handled very timely. If you’re going to buy, buy from 1st-line…they’ll take care of you.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   jpcord – December 9, 2017

   The Rancilio Silvia is a truly amazing home espresso machine. Your first impression of it will be surprise at the weight of the machine. This is due in part to the iron frame and stainless body, but even more important are the heavy marine brass brewing components. Once heated up, they help to maintain a very consistent temperature in the brewing process, which is very important to the flavor and consistency of the espresso. The machine looks and feels like a smaller version of a commercial appliance.

   After developing a little finesse with the very simple controls, and using properly ground fresh-roasted beans, you can produce shots of espresso covered in thick layers of crema that will absolutely blow away what you have come to expect from 99.9% of commercial coffee houses. It produces excellent steam for frothing milk, if cappucino or latte is your preference (though once you get a Silvia and find out what espresso should taste like, you might, like me, find yourself drinking espresso instead).

   The Silvia does require that you learn to grind and tamp consistently, and that you provide it with good quality coffee (home roasting is so easy and inexpensive, and guarantees freshness). There are other machines that are easier to use, but from what I’m told, the espresso they produce does not compare with Silvia’s.

   Thought I haven’t had any problems with my Silvia, I can’t recommend the service from 1st Line highly enough. The unit arrived in just 2 days after ordering and in perfect condition. As I learned to use it, and questions arose that most dealers would have found annoying, Jim has been patient and helpful, even answering my questions through the alt.coffee newsgroup before I even had a chance to call him directly. In the nine months I’ve owned my Silvia, I have not had the least regret. Do I sound a little too enthusiastic about an espresso machine? Well, it’s just that good!

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Danielle A – December 13, 2017

   Bought over two years ago – making a purchase of that size, buying it over the internet and not being able to touch the machines in person before the charge hit my visa made me understandably nervous. I would have never predicted that I would be as happy as I am with it over two years later.

   The box arrived well packed and sooner than anticipated after I made the purchase. The ordering went smoothly and I got the shipment so quickly it was scary.

   I will tell you that it took up much more space than I imagined. After using them both with the base and without, I will advise you that the base is well worth the money and space that it occupies.

   Having worked a commercial machine, I knew what a machine was capable of – the question was, how close would the Sylvia come to this standard. I was impressed. There are of course, some short falls in comparison – but for the money I am very pleased.

   The Rocky… hmmm, I am not sure there is not a better grinder out there for the money. With a career, husband and three children, I have yet to stop and take the time to modify the grinder as so recommended by many reviewers. I the actual grinding is great. The dosing is still hard after two years and the beans we use stick and need stirred/shaken on a reg basis. I know there are ways to fix these problems, but I unfortunately have much more mundane but important things that consume my time.

   The only thing in two years that has been any problem is the handle on the porta-filter broke off. It is plastic, it happens. The new porta-filter was purchased from 1st-line and they came thru with flying colors.

   Over-all… it all sits in my kitchen and truly is my pride. It is used daily, not always free of a scattering of grounds, dried milk or splashes of espresso – but continues to impress me, make a damn fine americano every morning and lattes that impress the friends.

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Bob R1 – December 14, 2017

   Continued from Rocky Review:
   https://1st-line.us/buy/rancilio-rocky-espresso-grinder-v3-doser/
   After I go through my Rocky & Silvia routine which I’ve perfected over the last 3 months which takes only about 10 minutes, including clean-up, I sit down with my pre-heated, thick Italian ceramic cup of Danesi Gold espresso and sip the most wonderful, frothy, rich-textured, brown-marbled crema-covered, deep strong chocolate-tinged flavored elixir. If I ever had doubts about selecting the right equipment, finding the right source, spending the money, taking up the kitchen space, spending the time performing the ritual tasks, they easily float away as I sit comfortably back sipping myself into espresso heaven [have I gone off the deep end?]. There is a downside to this whole affair (pun intended), my poor wife must listen to my incessant ravings about the Crema! the Flavor! the Perfect Espresso!
   Silvia is substantial in spades. You can crank that heavy portafilter onto her grouphead with full torque and she doesn’t budge from her spot. I do have to flip the on-switch to warm her up a good + hour or more before use which is never a problem for me. 1st-Line’s included Marzocco filter basket and optional African Rosewood, flat-bottomed, heavy tamper are a perfect combination for holding a full dose of finely ground and properly tamped espresso. I don’t find the lack of reservoir indicator any problem at all, I simply fill it back up after each use. Same with the heavy, shallow stainless drip tray, I just dump it, rinse it, dry it and replace it after each use. She’s easy to keep beautiful with a quick wipe of her stainless surfaces. It’s all done along with everything else during my cup-preheating, grinding, dosing, tamping, cranking, shot-pulling, cleaning-up, and enjoying, daily ritual.
   Unless you haven’t already guessed: I’m a happy customer.

7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Tom V – March 15, 2018

   This machine can make some great coffee and coffee drinks but it can just as easily make swill you wouldn’t serve to anyone. There is an art to getting a perfect espresso out of this unit and it takes time and practice to be able to consistently pull the perfect shot…………………………………………………………………………..

   It’s very sensitive to changes in tamp pressure, grind and even portafilter temperature. You absoultely need a top of the line grinder to take full advantage of this machine. I tried using a cheap Capresso burr grinder and the results were very inconsistent. Upon swithcing to a Mini Mazzer my results have greatly improved……………………………………………………….

   If you are going to steam milk I would suggest getting the three hole replacement tip for the steam wand. It does a great job in producing a dry foam perfect for Cappacunio. You should also open the nozzel first to let the water blow out until you are only getting steam before putting the wand in the milk……………………………………………………..

   In summary to get the most from this machine you need the following:
   1) Good quality grinder.
   2) Good quality, fresh roasted beans.
   3) Freshly ground coffee.
   4) Practice, practice, parctice.
   5) Hot machine, including portafilter head.
   6) Hot espresso cup.
   7) If you want Lattes or Cappacunios you should get the 3 hole tip……………………………………………………………….Once you get it right with this machine you will never find as good an espresso in any restaurant or in most coffee shops.”

8. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Les Nadon – March 15, 2018

   I started a few years ago with one of those simple steam jobs, did okay, but I knew that real espresso must taste better. I finally got a decent deal on ebay for a Krups 2300. This made the espresso a little better, but sometimes the machine just couldn’t pump it through and I struggled for a few months looking for something better… All in the same week, I got a good deal on a used Rocky and I purchased his sister, Silvia, brand new. Talk about heaven! Some say that there is a definite learning curve to using Miss Silvia, that she can be tempermental. I must treat her okay, all she has done for me is to make great coffee (espresso). From the first shot every thing has been great. My wife prefers cappucino, and Miss Silvia can definitely handle the steam side also. (Get a thermometer for the milk, I thought I was scalding the milk all the time, but when I stuck a thermometer in it, it was not even close to being done) I quite often pull a double for myself, make her cap, then pull another double for me again. Silvia makes it easy to cool the boiler back down from the raised steam temperature. (Open the steam valve, press the switch to pump hot water, wait for the light to come on and you will have cooled down the boiler temp) Rocky, a definite must! You don’t necessarily need Silvia’s brother to grind your beans, but you definitely need a decent burr grinder that can give controllable and systematic results. Otherwise you end up with a clogged filter basket like I did, or shots that run through to quickly, under-extracted. Would I buy Miss Silvia again if I had to do it all over — Definitely. But I don’t plan on buying another machine for a good time to come, Silvia is built like a brick $#it house – she will last forever! Good strong, heavy machine, quality throughout…

9. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Daniel B – March 15, 2018

   I’m not sure that I can say anything about this machine that hasn’t been said, but here goes:
   1. This machine definitely has a fairly narrow “window” in which is produces excellent espresso. The grind needs to be right, the tamp needs to be right, the portafilter needs to be nice and warm, etc. Once you get all the variables put together, it produces seriously good espresso.
   2. Whoever first said that the grinder is more important that the espresso machine hit it right on the head. I’ve used this machine both with and without a quality grinder, and frankly, it’s like two different machines. I use a Rocky set at 9, but I’m sure there are other machines just as good. Bottom line, don’t buy this machine unless you have or plan to buy a good grinder.
   3. Because the tamp is so darned important, unless you’re really good I recommend the tampers that “”click”” at 30 lbs. It won’t create a God shot by itself, but it will prevent a terrible shot due to a lousy tamp, and your cups will be much more consistent. I’m not a slave to consistency, but if you eliminate the tamp pressure as a variable you can better isolate the other variables like grind and play with them.
   4. Don’t cheat Ms. Sylvia! You’ll see instructions elsewhere for “”speeding up”” the process. The problem with this is that one component of the process (heating the portafilter) can’t be sped up. So if you follow the speed instructions you’ll be making coffee with a cold portafilter. This won’t make bad coffee, but it won’t make good coffee either.
   5. The FIRST thing you do when you turn on the machine is to run some water through the portafiler as if you were making coffee. This flushes out any old grinds. Then rinse the filter and let it heat up.
   This is no “set it and forget it” machine, but it is built well and does make good coffee.”

10. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Edwin de G – March 15, 2018

    “My first espresso machine was a Delonghi Bar 14. Until it broke down, probably due to the lack of descaling, I was quite happy with it. Almost immediately the need for a new machine was felt.
    A lot of internet study teached that the machine to go for was a Rancilio Silvia. A bit on the high end of my budget, but most reviews so far were very positive and looking at the the cost / weight ratio, it wasnÆt bad deal. One thing I especially like is the look of the machine. No fancy gadgets, retro styling, or other less functional additions. A few switches, a few indicator lights and a steam knob surrounded by a lot of stainless steel.
    Having used the machine for about a month now, IÆm very pleased with it. However, you will need quite some time to get acquainted with the machine. With the Delonghi I used to put (pre-ground) coffee in the basket, tamp a bit and hit the brew switch. Usually giving the same not so bad result without much hassle. With Silvia Iæm enjoying to play around with grind settings (Indeed, donÆt even think of Silvia without considering a decent grinder), tamp strength, temperature surfing, milk steaming techniques, and so on.
    Just spending the money on this machine is not enough to give you good espresso at all.
    Being happy with Silvia requires that you enjoy a lot of fiddling with the parameters in the quest for the perfect cup. In that case it seems you can hardly go wrong with this machine.
    Some positive notes:
    – Solid construction
    – Heavy commercial size portafilter
    – Tremendous steam power
    – Aesthetics
    And a negative note:
    – Temperature stability. Although temperature surfing is a sufficient way of obtaining the proper brew temperature, I think that a machine of this class should have a better way of maintaining the correct temperature.”

11. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    e-bobby – March 15, 2018

    After playing around with “steam toys” and then Melitta’s top of the line pump espresso machine. I finally made the right move and purchased the Rocky/Silvia/and Base combo. Jim gave me a great deal, and the customer service before and after the purchase has been excellent. Who da’ thought you could find this kind of customer service from an internet vendor. Certainly not me, I thought you lost that right when you shop the internet for best prices. How wrong I was!! I not only recommend this machine, but I recommend Jim and his staff at 1st line. I did alot of research and wanted the best machine for my needs and at the best price. Let’s face it, I could of bought the machine from other vendors but they didn’t take the time before the sale that Jim did in answering my 101 questions.

    Between my wife and I, we only drink 2-4 drinks per day and weren’t needing a machine that needed to be plummbed and had to be left on 24hrs a day. We did however, want a machine that was solid, and of professional quality with the consistency to produce excellent espresso and steam milk like a locamotive(the look of the machine and grinder in the kitchen with all that stainless steel didn’t hurt either).

    We’re espresso aficinados and we know good espresso quality, taste, and texture and didn’t want to compromise on a machine that wouldn’t produce an espresso to our standards. On the other hand, we didn’t need to throw our money away on a bunch of bells and whistles. The Silvia and the Rocky was the perfect match. Get one in your life and you too will be as eager as I am to start each morning off with a crema filled espresso drink of your choice.”

12. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Marty Brown – May 14, 2019

    There are more expensive machines than the Rancilio Silvia. There are cheaper ones, too. But I doubt you will find a better made espresso machine than this one. I purchased mine in August 2002. I used it daily – sometimes many times daily – for about fourteen years. I now have backed off my caffeine intake a bit and use it 2-3X per week and it is now 17 years old. (What other appliances last 17 years?) It still looks great and still produces a better shot of espresso than I can purchase at Peets Coffee.

    Yes – the grind is important.
    Yes – the machine takes a little getting used to.
    Yes – you have to keep the reservoir filled with water and
    Yes – you have to let this machine warm up for at least 10-15 minutes if you want a good shot.

    But Miss Silvia will last you a lifetime. I have had two issues in 17 years: the power cord shorted out because I was leaving my machine on for hours – sometimes all day. After about ten years of this abuse, the cord broke. 1st-Line fixed it mui pronto. Second, the steam knob got loose and I had to buy a new one… I think it cost about $5.

    Buy this espresso machine. You will love it and 1st-Line will treat you like family.

13. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Al Viscito – July 24, 2019

    We’ve owned our Rancilio Silvia for 18 years. From the very start 1st Line provided excellent advise regarding Grinders that helped us turn out great lattes and also supplied us with screens and small parts like O-rings that wear out over time. After 18 years we had to replace the Steam Cock that started leaking, a very simple procedure involving loosening 3 bolts and installing the new part. We wanted to express how pleased we are with the quality build of our Rancilio Silvia and to thank 1st Line for their support of this product with a special thanks to Jim P.

14. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    Susan (verified owner) – September 2, 2019

    This machine is a monster. Great tasting espresso shots right from day one. All aspects previously described are true and I won’t repeat.
    The one problem I have is obtaining a big thick crema as I’ve seen pictured. No matter how I have altered the variables and how slow the shot, I just get a minimum crema layer.
    That said, every morning I look forward to making a stunningly tasty espresso on this stud of a machine!

15. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Dan H – November 15, 2019

    I’ve had my V2 since around 2000 and the two times it’s had a problem, most recently in 2015, they’ve always replied promptly, with detailed instructions, that saved me plenty of money in spare parts I didn’t need to replace. This is outstanding. Even Apple doesn’t give service this good. What’s amazing is that the Silvia is still making great espresso after all these years. I found 1st line after having several premium machines fail after 2-3 years with no way to fix them. The Silvia is designed to be always be repairable. So it not only makes better coffee, it has paid for itself several times over.

16. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    David D – January 20, 2020

    These days it’s fashionable to bash the Rancilio Silvia. It’s not “accurate” enough without a PID, it doesn’t sport a sexy Faema E61 Group-head, it is a plain-Jane single boiler design. All true but all meaningless. I have used a Silvia Version 1 since 2000, making excellent espresso and cappuccino daily without any significant issues. Having recently “upgraded” to a fancy dual boiler high-end machine, I am frankly going to miss my Silvia and wonder if I won’t end up evolving backward. Silvia requires a modest amount of attention to produce excellent results, but silly barista blog posts aside, yes, this machine will produce impeccable espresso and all the steam you possibly need, it heats up ready to run in 10-15 minutes, can easily be maintained, allows you to run distilled water should you wish to avoid scale issues, and is simple to use. There are various articles on line about tricks to attain a consistent brew temperature, some methods more sane than others. But really, it’s not hard to do and it’s the only possible issue one can come up with to complain about. Don’t be fooled, this is a heavy-duty, well-designed machine with a real pro group and plenty of brewing pressure. Like any espresso machine, it needs a consistent grind and tamp on the coffee, an issue likely to be overlooked by novice buyers of this entry-level device, but if you pay attention and feed it properly milled coffee, it will pay you back with fine results at a quarter the price of a high-end unit.

17. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Marty B – January 21, 2020

    Just how many household appliances do you have that still run after 14 years? Your dishwasher? Refrigerator? Quality seems like a bygone substance today, with throw-away-don’t-fix-them products. But my Rancilio Silvia, pruchased from 1st-Line in July 2002 still makes outstandingly great espresso every morning. And why shouldn’t it? The thing is built like a tank – it is heavy and simple to operate. It looks great on any countertop and cleans up like a charm. Not that I haven’t abused it, either. I have replaced just one set of gaskets in its fourteen years of service to me. Once, because I left it on practically all day, I burned out an electric cord. I run de-liming stuff through the tank about once a year. That’s it. When I was researching which espresso machine to buy, I remember reading reviews that said that Silvia can be temperamental and it takes a while to master making great shots. Poppy****. If you have the right fine grind of coffee and can warm the machine up for 15 minutes, you can make a great shot, with plenty of body and a gorgeous creamy crema on top. I don’t know how long my Silvia will last me. It shows no signs of growing old. Maybe I should make provision for it in my will. But if my Silvia takes a dive, I’m coming right back here and buying another one. She’s been making great espresso for me every day for 14+ years.

18. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    Keith – January 21, 2020

    I’ve owned the Silvia/Rocky combo for about 8 years. Excellent coffee, very reliable and when someting needs replacing, 1st Line has the parts and instructions to make it easy. I used to throw these machines out after 3-4 years because they were not serviceable. Everything on the Silvia is easily fixable. That’s the way it should be….we can’t have everything go to the trash when the problem is minor.

19. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    RFinley – September 4, 2020

    After 14 months of pouring over product reviews, consumer testimonials, and highly energized caffeine blogs, I purchased a Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine(v3). The time spent was well worth it because this is a well-built machine that produces excellent and consistent shots. For a low maintenance, small footprint, home machine, the Miss Silvia is a great choice. After using a Breville 800ESXL for a few years, it took me 4 weeks of tweaking my process to get the shots and foam correct. The Miss Silvia is a bit less forgiving but produces a far superior beverage. I had to exact the grind (Baratza Virtuoso grinder), the amount of grinds in the portafilter, the frothing cup, and even my coffee roaster before the morning cappuccino really started to show off. I haven’t visited my favorite coffee shop since because they no longer have the edge. When it came time to purchase I approached all the major online players. The decision on where to purchase was simply based on service first and then price, and 1st-line Equipment easily won on both. They have since helped me put together a cleaning and maintenance schedule and supplied all the tools for this. I fully expect years of great coffee (I pull on average 6 shots per day) from this machine.

20. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    Michael B (verified owner) – December 16, 2024

    Bought the Rancilio Silvia M machine after my other espresso maker needed repair, but parts were unavailable ( after 10 years).
    Machine makes great espresso. Easy to use. No frills. There are lots of videos on using the machine. The drip pain is a little small at 8 ounces. If you put the unit on the counter with cabinets overhead, it is hard to take the water tank out for cleaning. I feel like the tank runs through water quickly, so make sure you watch the level. Especially if you are making more than 4 coffees. I am using the water softener that goes in the water tank, and that is easy to use, but it slides off the hose, so a clip is needed.
    Boiler heats up quickly , and the machine is very responsive. Overall, a no-frills machine and will make great espresso. I purchased it for the availabilty of parts, the manufactuerer, and other positive user experiences. I have only had it a week, it has been positive purcahse.