Rancilio Silvia V3

She works hard for the money – I've had this machine for 2 years making 1 or 2 drinks a day and so far it hasn't missed a beat. It is possible to make espressos better than most coffee shops with the Silvia so long as you get the basics right. ie. Good quality, freshly roasted beans and a grinder that delivers a consistent, fine enough grind. The Silvia is about as… Read more

primitive as a pump driven Espresso machine gets. It has a Single boiler, vibratory pump and a thermostat with a fairly large deadband which means you have to "temperature surf" to get the right brew temp. This simplicity makes it fairly bulletproof, but there are a few things you need to be careful of. The boiler does not automatically refill, so you have to manually refill it after steaming, using the brew or hot water switch. Turning the heater on with an empty boiler can blow the element. There are also some design flaws. While the panels are stainless steel, the base is powder coated non stainless. The outlet of the three way solenoid sits near the edge of the drip tray, so water invariably drips on to the powder coated base. As a result, I am seeing some blistering of the powder coating due to rust.

There are 3 useless items that are included with the Silvia:

1) The flimsy plastic tamper which seems to be a standard accessory on most Italian espresso machines. Throw it out and get a 58 mm steel tamper.

2) The single filter basket (6g). It is almost impossible to get a good extraction out of this basket as it cannot hold enough coffee. I replaced it with a La Marzocco (7g) basket which works way better.

3) The double filter basket (12g). I could get this one to pull decent shots, but I needed to overdose the basket and tamp really hard. I replaced this with a larger 14g basket and things got much easier.

Having said all that, there is much I love about the Silvia

1) Reliability, as previously mentioned

2) A good quality commercial portafilter is included

3) Pretty good steaming power for a machine of its size

4) She's a good looking girl

Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase and I'm pretty sure the machine has paid for itself in less than a year.

Silvia gives me pleasure – I have had my Silvia for about three years. I have operated a range of espresso machines owned by friends and family and in my opinion Miss Silvia is the best. It is perfect for making one or two cups at a time but is no good at instantly churning out half a dozen for a dinner party. I like this machine for a few reasons. Firstly, I enjoy coffee.… Read more

Apart from feeding my mild addiction ( 2 cups per day) I enjoy learning about the detail of what makes a really good shot. Being a manual machine I have taken the happy journey of learning about bean quality, grinders, tamping, shot timing etc. Even so, while there is always room to improve, anyone can pour a good shot after 45 mins of practice.There is heaps of easy to understand stuff on the Internet to immerse in and learn what makes a "God Shot". I enjoy the hiss of steam and hearing Miss Silvia 'sing' as it builds pressure. Secondly, I like the solid and sturdy feel of the machine. It is fairly heavy and virtually all metal. Other machines feel flimsy in comparison. Providing you develop a sensible daily routine that includes a bit of cleaning the machine is virtually indestructible. Finally, I really enjoy the coffee a Silvia makes. Made properly it's as good or better than Most cafes. You will require a good burr grinder and fresh, quality beans. In terms of cons, there are a few weaknesses. The drip tray fills quickly and needs emptying regularly. The steaming wand can only heat enough milk for two cappuccinos before it starts labouring and over years some of the chrome around the group head is flaking.

Rancilio Silvia V3 – In a nutshell, in choosing a Miss Silvia, you are taking a demanding but ultimately rewarding apprenticeship into the world of espresso. A "semi-manual" enthusiast's machine, it can be hit-and-miss until you perfect the fresh roast, appropriate grind, tamping and temperature control process. Each of these steps are inherent in making a good coffee… Read more

anyway; it's just that with the Silvia, if you misjudge a step you won't be forgiven, as you would with some more expensive mid-range machines (eg Rocket, VBM to name a couple). What you DO get is a rock solid construction, brass boiler, stainless steel body, quality switch gear and internal plumbing and a funky look that's functional but not-quite-retro enough-to-be-fashionable-again.

Talk to Silvia owners and those who have persevered with it are an intensely loyal bunch, loving its demands and enjoying the rituals (temperature surfing, back flushing etc) as others would enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony.

Once mastered it will* give you a better coffee than the swill served up at many cafes. (*usually - operator dependent!).

Trap for young players: you will need a good burr grinder to be able to get a grind fine enough for proper extraction - count on spending an extra few hundred, or don't bother with the Silvia. Bang for buck one of the best real espresso machines on the market

7 years and still going strong – This little gem produces great espresso (better with triple basket than double) and steams perfect milk. Results usually better when the machine has been preheated for at least 15 minutes. Good quality construction - had mine for 7 years and not had any problems so far (daily backflushing and monthly cleaning with a machine cleaner). Recommend for… Read more

the home barista who wants to get more serious about improving the taste of their shots without spending a fortune on higher end, fancy-looking models.

Best coffee machine at an economical price – We are VERY happy with this machine. It has outlived the previous machines we had and produces better coffee than any of them. We thoroughly recommend it. The weakness of most other similarly or lower priced units is the boiler, which has a limited life. The Ranciilio has, (going on memory here), a cast iron boiler and simply doesn't rust. When this one finally gives out (if it ever does!), we will certainly be buying the same brand next time.  Show details

Just upgraded my old machine and still in love with this brand! – I am a long serving Rancilio user and have been using the V1 machine for about 10 years. In the last 3 months it slowly died, still making coffee but leaking regardless of maintenance performed. Unwilling to pay the full $850 for a new V5 I found a V3 model just a few years old and in excellent condition on eBay for half that price so took the… Read more

risk on a used machine because I know how long these machines last! Straight away I could feel the improvements and was able to just begin using without any guidance due to the similarities between the machines. I did a backflush just because I could monitor the cleaning schedule and my first coffee made me happy with my choice to not go to the V5! I'm hoping this machine lasts as long as my V1 and the coffee taste cannot be beaten!

Good value for money, Poor customer service from Rancilio – A very neat and nice little espresso machine which can make great coffees. Small boiler means you can't make too many coffees in one session, and you have to wait for the boiler to re-heat for milk steaming. Good value for money though i think at around $800 new. I have had mine for a while and it has performed well and been well looked after. It… Read more

is let down by poor quality manufacture of the grouphead cover which is chrome plated plastic. The chrome on mine has lifted and gone flaky (this is a known QC problem on some machines). I have emailed Rancilio to buy a replacement part but Rancilio have not even responded. Thats the disappointing bit. I have now bought another better machine from a different manufacturer and use this one at work now.

Boiler beware – The machine will make a great cup of coffee, and I think it goes without saying that you need to Tune the beans, grind and so on. The problem is that the design is flawed with the boiller and while it seems some older reviews have a good experience, we used our machine for about two and a half years before the boiler element failed. Fine, this… Read more

can happen, so we replace the boiler which worked well for a month, under very careful watching for water issues, and the boiler failed again. The second failure is due to failure of the outer brass covering of the heating element, and as it has been installed is not warranties. This failure type is typically poor quality manufacture of the heating element, as it is very difficult to deliberately cause this type of element failure.

So, don't buy one unles you like supporting repair shops, and having to go back to buying coffee Worked well, briefly Poor quality control and no warrantee

OK – Silvia made great coffee while it was working, I cannot be sure if my problem is just bad luck or a more significant quality problem with the boiler (hope is just bad luck). BTW, I was the only operator of the machine and look after her extremely well, certainly is not a case of "operator error." A great coffee machine if you appreciate good… Read more

quality Italian style coffee. Easy to clean and to keep clean. External (visible) component as of superior quality. My machine stopped heating the water after 3kilos of coffee, less than 2 months of use. I took it to my local dealer in Canberra who seems not to understand the word "customer" Now what should have been a straight replacement is becoming annoying, as I have to wait the technically under-resourced shop to deal with the big guys first and come back to me "in the fullness of time". From great coffee to no-coffee after two months is certainly not a good result.

Great machine – 7 years old and used twice daily. Have replaced a group head seal - easy to do. Cleaned and flushed regularly. Makes great coffee and simple to use. Drip tray is warped and its a bit noisy - but hey, it's Italian. Show details

Solid construction, works well – It makes a good coffee, doesn't have the double boilers that a lot of the newer machines do or the dials and sensors that you could get in a similarly priced machine now. Simple and easy to use, though you need to let it sit for about 10minutes to warm up, even though it may say it is ready the head and group need to be warm as well to make good coffee. Pressure and temp are good Cleaning is simple, robust design, mines lasted 5 years.  Show details

Working flawlessly for 4 years now – I was a little hesitant at first because at the time $850 was a lot of money to spend on a coffee machine, and I was going through a bit of a coffee phase which I didn't know was going to last. Bought the Rocky grinder as well. I am pleased to say that after 4 years and an estimated 800 cups of coffee, it is still working flawlessly. Produces… Read more

great espresso shots with crema, and with a little bit of practice you can froth the milk to perfection.

Simply the best – Had one for years. Makes the best coffee. Takes a weekend to practice and try settings. Buy a couple of bags of coffee and a couple of litres of milk. After that - just quality all the way. Consistent output. Clean it every few weeks and you will have years of life

A Brilliant Single Boiler Machine - Quality Coffee at home – I've owned my Silvia for about 5 years, it's given no trouble, is easy to clean, looks good on the bench and visitors keep asking for coffee! High quality construction (with 1 exception), simple operation and highly reliable. Also parts if you did need them are readily available. Let's get this straight - this is not a cheap machine but is very… Read more

good value for money the quality of construction, ease of use and reliability is first class and much better than the whitegood brands. Oh and it pays for itself very quickly if you're used to buying coffee at a coffee shop.

If you entertain a lot it does have a single boiler, so pulling espresso and heating milk require some patience. Quality Construction, Excellent Value for Money The group surround is chrome plated and wears, the only negative in the machine. Cheap to replace though.

Great manual espresso machine! – I decided to write this review when I noticed the banner at the top of this page advising that the Rancilio Silvia had been discontinued. Apparently not - it is still showcased on Rancilio's web site, and it is still readily available - thank goodness! Twelve months ago I discovered a 3-year-old used Silvia going cheap, and immediately pensioned… Read more

off my old Gaggia Classic. What a difference! Beautiful coffee, heaps of steam, vastly improved milk frothing. The previous owner clearly hadn't bothered with maintenance, and some rust had developed on the bottom of the iron frame at the back, but this was relatively easy to treat and repaint. I'd also seen examples of the chromed coating flaking off the plastic collar around the group, spoiling the machine's rugged good looks. Mine showed the earliest signs of bubbling, so I bought a spare collar. So far, I haven't needed it - but I have it on hand, just in case. Reviewers who claim the machine is built like a tank are correct; and best of all, unlike most appliances today, replacement parts are available and can be installed by anyone with the time and patience to do a little internet research. Silvia's excellent reputation is well-earned. Value for money. If you take the time to learn how to use and maintain it, it will reward you with beautiful coffee for many years.

Great coffee once you have the knack! – I have had this machine for about 12 months. Even though I have a coffee house near me I find I am perfectly content to spend the time to brew my own cup most mornings. Whilst I wish there would be a bit more room for my cup (I manage to just get an average size cup in there), the rest of it is a breeze so long as you get your technique down. … Read more

Filling the water holder is a bit of a pain, but unless you get a machine that is plumbed into your wall you have to live with that.

Anyway all in all, its been a good little machine. Nice modern and chic look. There is not quite enough room for bigger cups.

Chassis Rust – Great machine [3+ years old - not this model exactly, but same stable]. My problem could only be experienced with time and so there is a lesson here. The back-flush discharge sends water into the chassis seam and extensive rust has occurred [remove front panel and observe]. This would appear to be a design problem. I removed flaking powder… Read more

coating, ground out the rust [used a Dremel tool] and sprayed with black rust eater - 3 coats.

I removed the discharge pipe and fitted a loose piece of pipe over it and then reattached it. Bottom of this pipe has a diagonal cut to it and set to face towards you. The length of this outer pipe is such so as to allow it to be pushed up to enable the tray to be removed, and replaced back again. The back-flush discharge is now aimed to the centre of the tray and the seam's integrity is protected. Fully manual machine that takes some learning but the result are well worth it. A time problem - rust gets into the chassis seam but my review suggests a simple solution.

Great entry level expresso maker – I am a fan of my Rancilio Silvia. Combined with a decent grinder (I have a Rocky) you have an entry level product which takes you into the world of real expresso. Basic set-up, easy to use and works well if you're making one or two cups at a time. (If your smashing out a lot more coffee you probably want to step up to a machine with a double… Read more

boiler.) The negatives of the unit are: the PID was an add-on & for consistent coffee making the temperature of the water is important (I think the PID should be integrated in every machine); the waste water tray is way too small and is a minor pita & you need to follow the directions about running water through the steamer so you don't burn out your boiler. Price point & performance PID not standard & waste water tray on the small side

Cafe quality at home – Decided to purchase the Rancilio Silvia after reading many positive reviews and watching many vids on You Tube. After having used my trusty Breville Cafe Roma for two years this is a huge step up. From my first shot It came pouring out like honey and had a beautiful crema. Milk also froths alot better as steam is so powerful. I seriously… Read more ·  2

recommend this to anyone who is thinking of purchasing a semi auto machine it looks good too a bit retro but I like it. You can tell instantly that its built in Italy as it looks like nothing else I have seen in the department stores ( looks like it has been crafted out of sheet metal).

Dont bother buying this unless you have a grinder it is no good for supermarket pre ground stuff, I have a Sunbeam emo 480 which is ok ish and does the job also best to use fresh roasted beans, I get mine from bay beans. I purchased from Jetblack Espresso and was very happy with price and service. Make sure you flush with water after steaming as you will damage the boiler and this is a major issue as no autofill and also burnt out boiler is not covered by warranty. Maybe one day I will move up to a Rockett Giotto but thats $3000! Performance, looks, build quality. Not for beginners as you need a good understanding of how coffee is brewed. Needs good grinder.

Lasts ages – I have had my silvia for 3 years, never had it serviced and always worked well, You do need patience in getting the correct pour, it took me 6 months before I got that right even with a rocky grinder, But I use it every day and wouldn't buy a different machine ever excellent coffee, best home machine out there hard to master

Rancilio Silvia Coffee Machine – My old breville coffee machine died so I went to get it repaired. But after finding out what the cost was and being show all the other brevilles and sunbeams in for similar problems I couldn't see the point in paying for the repair( about half the original cost). After weeks of research, forums etc I decided on the Silvia and glad I did. It makes… Read more

a great coffee, has plenty of steam pressure atleast 3 times that of the breville and reheats very quickly if making multiple cups. It's not too big and fits on the bench quite well. When comparing the Silvia to the other big brands it's hands down no competition winner in regards to price and performance. Friends have delonghi and nespresso machines and agree the Silvia is a better unit. The heavy solid group (handle). Well finished stainless steel casing, performance, price and has a brass internal boiler which holds heat better and hotter than the others. The drip tray could've have been a bit larger, needs to be emptied more frequently but not a major concern.

poor instructions - boiler burnt out after one weekend – Like one of the earlier reviews, our Rancillo Silvia burnt out after one weekend of careful use. the instructions are very poorly written (they're probably great if you read Italian) and the machine complicated. There is a safety fuse, but it didn't work to save our machine. It reminds me of a Fiat I used to own - a lot of style and great fun, but… Read more

not very well made, and you end up wanting reliability over style - to-day there's no excuse for being able to burn out a boiler without tripping a safety switch.

So now we are having to pay another $200 to have it repaired. Don't bother with extended warranty because this isn't covered.

I think I'll go back to the simple easy to use and reliable Gaggia Classic. Coffee was good, but didn't last long enough to get the hang of it. Poorly designed; shallow drip tray; complicated.

Bad – I bought this machine from these reviews on this site, upon ordering it, they give me a big warning ensure the machine to be primed all the time or it will void warranty, the problem is you spend more time priming and less time brewing, it might be OK for Coffee, but we like Latte's and it seems the 2 functions interfere with each other. For… Read more

example if you want 2 Latte's you have to first prime the machine, then make the coffee for both, once done you have to sit them aside, re-prime again and then wait for the steamer to heat up, all while your coffee is going cold waiting for the steamer, it is a real pain, and if you try to rush things up, you void your warranty.

A real disappointment, especially after doing so much research, I would have to question who has been writing the previous 20 reviews on this machine, it is not a 4 star plus machine, not even close. It looks nice, it has the solid boiler. The steamer and boiler are the same unit, you always have to prime it, and that is even between 2 cups, if not primed it will start to splatter and make a huge mess.

The steamer rod is too low when it is on your bench, to get the milk pot under you have tilt it at 45 deg, this stops you making more than 1 cup at a time.

Excellent fully manual machine – This machine is brilliant, but it is not for the faint of heart. The beauty of the Silvia is that you decide exactly how your coffee is prepared. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a barrister then get this machine. If you can't be bothered to learn how to make a great coffee cafe style, then get an automated machine. It takes around two weeks… Read more

of learning to get good results. Log onto youtube and see the instructional videos, this is a good guide to see what you will need to understand/master to get a good cup. Grind, tamp and extraction. The learning curve was fun, and I didn't mind as I expected some 'experimental' cups in time whilst I learnt how to use the Silvia.

It is a very simple, entry level, manual machine. It only has a single boiler, so there is a wait for the steam to come to temperature after doing an extraction - again, not a problem if you understand how the machine works.

It is imperative that you pump water from the reservoir to the boiler after frothing your milk - again, not a problem once you learn how to use the machine.

The reservoir holds enough water for 8-10 coffees, depending how how much milk you need to froth.

The Silvia works best if you have fresh grinds, so I do recommend you buy the Rocky grinder and factor this into budget. Other things that I think are essential are a tamper (the one it comes with is very average), knock box & group head cleaner.

Quirks - The double shot baskets works best, good crema and a lovely pour, the single shot basket is a bit harder to use but it can be mastered, you have to adjust the tamp pressure. If you learn how to temperature surf the machine, you will get beautiful consistent cups. I found youtube the best for learning how to use the Silvia.

Set up - The drip tray fills up very quickly, so we've put a bowl under the group head to catch the water, we only empty our drip tray around once a week now. We have also positioned the machine next to the sink, so the steam wand can be expelled over the stainless steel drying area.

We love it, and now stay home to have coffee. Our friends also seem to stop by more often for a visit! Great coffee, fully manual machine, good pressure for coffee extraction and milk frothing small drip tray, takes a while to master

PID it! – Much has been said about this most popular machine on the market, but to me the major attraction was in easy modifiability of the machine with a PID controller. There are lots of PID controller kits on the market and to me they make tremendous difference converting a very good machine to an absolutely best. I PIDed my Silvia myself, so I got to… Read more ·  2

see the insides: it is built like a tank. No plastic, all metal, and no small metal parts at that. The thermostability is excellent and, matched with a good grinder and roaster, coffee is fantastic. tested design, simplicity, quality of assembly, easy modifiability tray is too shallow

not happy – Brought my machine on ebay from coffee roma, after 3 months the machine blew up. This was after careful usage & care!! Not impressed at all & now I have the hassel of trying to find a repairer to fix the machine under warranty. But after reading these reviews it was probably the boiler which wont be covered & Ill be slugged even money for it. It is so not worth the effort or money!! size it blew up after 3 months of careful usage

Much better than I expected after reading peoples concerns.. love it – Everything bad that people say about it is true... Everything good that people say about it is true... If you get the workflow right its a cool machine. You have to learn to get it right which makes the coffees better. The machine has all of the desired capabilities so its a shame some people have a bad experience, but if you trust all the… Read more

comments.. such as, heat the machine properly, grind your own and get a decent grinder, use fresh beans, get a decent tamp, temp surf the machine, careful not to cook the coils.... keep her clean.. then your likely in for a good experience.

If your still unsure about making espresso at home, then Silvia is great to learn on rather than spending thousands on an HX machine.

The machine is very robust and parts seem cheap and easy enough to replace for a DIY person. I had mine apart on day 1, just cause.

Single boiler has to heat up between pouring shots and steaming. For this reason I wanted an HX machine, but it was as much of a problem as everyone made out once I got the machine. Stoked.

Boiler element Has design fault – I love my coffee. After our Ascaso Dream machine started to die, I did lots of homework on a new machine. Rancillio sounded like just what I was after. Like others here the boiler burnt out first week we had it, $200 to repair. Thanks. Oh we were axtra carefull but who wants a machine you need to treat with kit-gloves. So it made good coffe BUT… Read more

the boiler element is set in the TOP of the boiler so if boiler is not 100% full good bye element. In 2012 this is nothing short of a design fault. Spend your money on a Gaggia Classic or Ascaso Dream. Good Coffee if grind is right Boiler has design fault. Your anxiety levels will increase as you live in fear of burning out the boiler.

More experienced user – I wrote a review after just having purchased the Rancillio Silvia and now having had the machine for a year or so am better able to comment. The Silvia is the gold standard against which domestic machines are judged and is a very good product. However it is not for everyone, it is very good at making the perfect cup of coffee, or two, for… Read more

folks who appreciate a fine coffee, and are prepared to spend the time and effort to get things right. It is not much use to someone who wants to entertain 4 or 5 friends with a quick cup or for someone wanting to get a quick cup before leaving for work.

With practice you can make two cups (perhaps 200 ml) of great coffee with art in about 15 minutes, but to do another two may take another 10 minutes. (No good for big numbers of friends)

The machine does not have the protections you would expect for domestic machines like boil-dry cut-out or drip-tray full indicator or water-level indicator, so one must be careful to ensure the boiler is always kept full, drip tray is emptied each time and water tank is full, otherwise you could blow up the machine.

The Silvia also needs finely ground coffee so it can not use pre-ground coffee from the supermarket.

Temperature is most important for best flavour and while the Silvia holds the temperature reasonably constant, it is important to get the machine hot by running 100 ml or so through the group, and extracting near the top end of the cycle. (perhaps 20 - 40 seconds after the light switches off).

I still find the drip tray a bit small, and always catch the flushing water into a cup which I use for cleaning anyway.

The steam wand is rather close to the bench; although, I am used to that and normally texture 250 ml of milk in a 600 ml jug without a problem.

It would be nice to have a separate boiler for the steam, although I find it only takes about 30 s from hitting the switch to build up dry steam. It is necessary to clear out water and wet steam into the tray before texturing. The small rubber grip in the wand is a bit too small and easy to burn the fingers if not very careful.

The main problem we now have is that the home made coffee is always better than what we get in the shops. Robust, heavy solid group, simple solid machine with back flush, makes the perfect cup of coffee with practice. Small drip tray, no mug-proof features, no boil-dry protection, takes some study and practice to get right.

Excellent – The quality and finish of this machine is superb. Everything from the casing to the group, the filter and even the drip-tray, feels rock solid and well made. Once you get the "knack" of brewing the shot and steaming the milk, (which only took me a few dud cups of coffee to master) the coffee is fantaastic - as good as top-end cafes and BETTER than… Read more

some I've paid $3 or $4 a cup for. It doesn't seem to take all that long to heat up either, especially if you use the coffekid.com trick to speed things up. I would absolutely recommend this if you are serious about good coffee. Night-and-day superior to the cheaper brands. Solid construction (of body and components) elegant design, exceptional steamer function. Makes great coffee. Easy to clean. Struggling to think of any cons at all.

Good little bugger – A mostly great machine but attention to correct procedure is important. One can make a great cup of coffee with little effort. Cost of machine, reliable, takes up little room and makes great coffee. A bit laborious when making cappuccino and one has to check the water level in the tank meticulously but then, it's not a $3000 machine!

Have a coffee made from it daily ! – My spouse makes the coffee with this for me daily, I can't start the day without it ! The quality of the coffee is perfect, like the baristas in the shops ! Easy manual to use, takes practice to make the perfect coffee though, we also have the Rancilio grinder. Made in Italy, a timeless design and so far so good. Easy to use.