The Rancilio Silvia espresso and cappuccino machine has been a leader in its class for over eight years for good reason. Rancilio took their experience in manufacturing some of the finest commercial machines available and put it to work to offer a high quality machine for the home user at an affordable price. Version three offers a new steam knob and commercial style steam wand, making the best even better! It's no wonder that the Rancilio Silvia has become the gold standard against which other home espresso machines are judged.
QUALITY MEETS THE EYE
The Silvia shows itself to be a quality appliance right from the start. With the exception of the black, heavy steel framework, the entire exterior surface of Silvia is gleaming stainless steel. Not only will this machine blend beautifully with most any kitchen decor, it is also easy to keep clean and looking new for years to come.
Open the box and lift Silvia and you will immediately be impressed— this is not just another appliance. At 30 pounds it will be immediately clear that heavy-duty, quality materials are used throughout to create a superior machine!
EASY TO USE AND CONVENIENTLY LOCATED CONTROLS
All the controls for the Rancilio Silvia are located right on the face of the machine. Turn the switch in the front-center and Silvia is now powered up. The small indicator lamp on the switch itself illuminates indicating that power is being supplied to the machine. The large lamp next to the power switch is lit whenever power is being sent to the heating element. Once the power switch is on, Silvia is warming up— getting ready to make an espresso, a latte, or a cappuccino.
BREWING ESPRESSO: At the left side of the front of Silvia are three switches. The top switch is the "Brewing Switch" which starts the brewing cycle. When you are ready to make espresso, turn the brew switch on and heated water is pumped to the brewing group and through the coffee.
HOT WATER: The center of the three switches is for hot water. Turn this switch on, place a vessel under the steam wand, and open the steam valve (the knob on the right side of the machine's face) and hot water is dispensed trough the steam wand. This is handy for making an Americano or even a cup of tea.
STEAM: The bottom switch of the three turns on the steam function. This raises the temperature in the boiler to produce steam for stretching milk for a cappuccino or a latte. After this switch is turned on, and when the heating element lamp turns off, you will know that there is sufficient steam. Open the newly re-designed steam valve slightly to clear the steam wand of water, and you are now ready to steam milk.
STEAMING MILK
Silvia earned her reputation in part from her astounding steaming power. The Silvia is considered by many to have the best steam production in its class— as good as machines costing much more. Indeed, the Rancilio Silvia will outperform every machine under $700 in steaming ability.
Turn on the steam switch, and in well under two minutes you will have sufficient steam to quickly stretch enough milk for a large latte or two cappuccinos.
You may notice that the steam wand is a simple, chrome tube without attachments to artificially enhance frothing— these aren't needed. The smooth, chrome surface of the wand easily wipes clean with a damp towel, like a commercial machine.
Quality Brewing Group
The chrome-plated, brass grouphead (where the filter basket is locked into place) is designed after Rancilio’s line of commercial espresso machines. The mass of metal evenly distributes heat and reduces “hot spots” for greater temperature stability. The dispersion disc and shower screen are designed to evenly distribute water across the coffee grounds for a better extraction.
