We've looked long and hard to find a pump-driven, semi-automatic espresso machine that offers espresso-bar quality, and a footprint that won't overwhelm your kitchen -- or your wallet. After lots of hands-on evaluation one machine stood head and shoulders above the rest: the Rancilio Silvia.
Customers are saying...
I have owned this machine and used it daily for two years, and every morning I say the same thing, "I love my coffee maker!" I have become an afficianado, and have learned to make cool designs and groovy lattes, just like a barista.
- Cynthia, Fairfield Iowa
We've looked long and hard to find a pump-driven, semi-automatic espresso machine that offers espresso-bar quality, and a footprint that won't overwhelm your kitchen -- or your wallet. After lots of hands-on evaluation one machine stood head and shoulders above the rest: the Rancilio Silvia.
"Miss Silvia" features a hefty marine brass portafilter, group head and boiler. That heft and construction translates into even heat retention -- a must for quality espresso extraction -- as well as durability. The 12-ounce boiler is unmatched by other machines of this size, which means you have steaming capacity to spare for your double cappuccino or super-sized latte. Lighted, heavy-duty rocker switches provide clear feedback of brewing, steaming and hot water functions, while the rotating steam valve and highly adjustable wand puts you in complete control of steaming and texturing milk.
With Silvia, beauty is more than skin deep. Brushed stainless steel body panels offer an "industrial chic" sensibility, while a hefty iron-and-steel frame and quality fittings throughout ensure you'll enjoy trouble-free performance for years.
Product Specifications:
- Color: Brushed stainless steel
- Power: 1100 watts / 120 volts
- Size: 12.25"H x 11.25"W x 9.25"D
- Weight: 30 lbs.
- This product is available for shipment within the U.S. only.
Commercial Size and Style Grouphead and Portafilter The Silvia offers a standard, commercial-size (58mm) grouphead and portafilter. This is the same size that's used in Rancilio's line of equipment for espresso bars -- in fact the portafilter is wholly interchangeable with Rancilio's (and many other's) pro equipment, and vice versa. Both grouphead and portafilter are made of heavy, marine grade brass that's plated with chrome. The portafilter alone weighs one pound. The portafilter handle is sturdy thermoplastic.
Boiler
Silvia's boiler, too, is made of marine grade brass, and sports the largest volume (12 ounces) we know of in any home machine. A large boiler helps produce plentiful steam for texturing and foaming milk, and its fast heater makes for a short cycle time between brewing and steaming temperatures. The brass boiler resists corrosion and scale, and is much longer lived than aluminum.
3-way Solenoid Valve
Silvia features a three-way solenoid valve that relieves back-pressure on the grouphead immediately after brewing. This eliminates most instances of wet, soupy pucks (making it easy to knock a spent puck from the portafilter with a single tap) as well as "portafilter lock" (where water- and vapor-pressure can lock the portafilter in the group-head until the pressure eventually dissipates). A three-way solenoid is commonly found only on true, commercial espresso makers.
Controls and Displays
Silvia sports individually lighted, commercial rocker switches; one each for power, brewing, activating the water pump, and steaming. A separate "heating" lamp lets you know when you've reached optimal brew and steam temperatures. Silvia's water/steam valve is rugged and built for lots of heavy use.
Cup Warmer
Sylvia features a passive cup-warming area (meaning it soaks up some residual heat from the boiler below it). While a row of stylish espresso cups looks nice on the warmer, it's really not enough heat to properly pre-heat your cups prior to pulling a lovely ristretto.
Hot Water Dispenser / Steam Wand
Want hot water for tea, or to top off an Americano? You got it. Flip the water switch and rotate the steam valve for hot water on demand. The stainless steam wand features no silly frothing attachments, and a single steam hole, so you're in complete control of milk texturing. (Be sure to wipe that wand with a clean, damp bar-towel after every use... it gets hot, and invites milk to stick.)
Water Reservoir
Silvia's water reservoir is a sizable two quarts and can be removed (though we think it's easier to fill in-place.)
More Information from All Over
Miss Silvia has been wowing espresso enthusiasts for five years now, and she's built up quite the reputation as a flexible, reliable and eminently usable espresso machine. But don't just take our word for it... her fans are legion, and they're more than willing to share how-to advice with all comers. Here are some of our favorite web sites that are dedicated to Rancilio's Silvia. (Note that all are external links, and, while we've reviewed their content, we cannot be responsible for it... the web changes constantly.)
- EspressoMyEspresso -- Randy Glass's web site offers most *anything* you might want to know about the Silvia (and lots about coffee in general!)
- Cheating Miss Silvia -- a primer on zooming your Silvia up to operating temperatures in a jiffy by Mark Prince.
- Silvia Espresso HowTo -- an excellent resource of tips and tricks to help you make the best use of your Silvia (and Rocky)
Remember, shipping is free if the order includes any of the following:
- a Keurig Brewer
- 4 or more boxes of K-Cups
- any 80ct. box of K-Cups
Rates for shipping within the contiguous USOrder Total | Standard | Two Day | One Day |
| Up to $30 | $5.95 | $19.50 | $24.50 |
| $30 - $75 | $7.95 | $19.50 | $24.50 |
| $75 - $150 | $10.95 | $19.50 | $24.50 |
| $150 - $250 | $13.95 | $19.50 | $24.50 |
| $250 - $500 | $16.95 | $19.50 | $24.50 |
Free shipping offers apply to addresses within the contiguous United States only.
For shippping information on addresses outside this area, please click here.