Rancilio Silvia Semi Automatic Espresso Machine Review

Average Reviews:

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This machine is the perfect blend of quality, durability, and ease of repair for a home machine under $500. It makes espresso that rivals any you can buy at a coffee house.
I've been making home espresso for 25 years and have used many different machines of various prices which all died. I bought one for $250 from Starbucks which died in one year. They told me parts were not available. This machine is practically bullet-proof. I've had it for over 5 years and it is still running like new. Sure it hurts to spend this much on an espresso machine, but how many $250 machines will you go through? Learn from my mistake(s) and get a good one.
All the parts inside are commercial or semi-commercial grade. Anyone who works on commercial espresso machines can work on this one, and the parts are readily available. It's all stainless and cast iron. Very nice.
It has a 3-way solenoid, which you want, trust me. The 3-way solenoid lets pressure escape from the basket when you switch off the pump so that the coffee grounds fall out of the portafilter handle in a solid little disk instead of a soupy mess.
You DO NEED a good grinder made for espresso to use this machine. The pump puts out a solid 9 bar, which means most grinders can't get the coffee fine enough. A burr grinder is the only way to go. This makes the grounds fine enough that a shot will take about 20 seconds to make. Any less time for a shot and it means your coffee is too coarse. If you don't want to buy a grinder right now, there are some good preground espresso coffees in a can (such as Illy), but it will go stale fast. You'll want the grinder.
If you want great espresso, and a reliable machine, you can't go wrong with the Silvia. Take a bit of time to learn proper technique and you'll be happy with this one.

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Product Description

One of our best sellers, the Rancilio Silvia is a machine that’s reputation speaks for itself. With nearly five years of solid performance, the Silvia is one of the most highly recognized semi-automatic machines in the business. To ensure heat retention and lasting quality, the Silvia features a forged marine brass portafilter, group head, and boiler. The large 12-ounce boiler also allows for steam capacity that is unparalleled by other machines at this size and price. An iron frame, housed by brushed stainless steel, provides durability as well as sleek, Italian style. Miss Silvia takes a little bit of time and patience to master, but once you do you’ll never want to use anything else. As one of our customers said, “Superior performance, superior construction, superior period. This machine is worth it."

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Pasquini Livia 90 Semi Automatic Espresso Machine Review

Average Reviews:

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I bought the Livia 90 semi-automatic in 2003 and I was always pleased with the consistent results. Very good espresso with crema and excellent cappuccinos, not to mention the ability to brew a tea in less than 5 seconds. The machine is very sturdy and beautifully constructed with stainless steel and a 1.5 liter brass boiler chamber. The machine takes 7 minutes to warm up because it's all metal with only the porta-filter handle, the switches, and a couple of knobs made of plastic. For the first couple of years I used the machine with ground coffee, but then I switched to pods because it's less messy and I consistently get the crema every time I use the machine. Also this gave me the chance to try out several brands of coffee ( I believe I tried more than twenty varieties by buying pod samplers available on the web). I'm now mostly settled on Illy medium roast ESE pods, Starbucks, and Lucaffe Colombia pods.
After three years since I had the machine I had a problem with the steam water valve: at least once a day it wouldn't stop heating the machine after reaching the correct pressure, causing the safety valve to release the excess pressure with a very loud noise. I had to return the machine to Pasquini where they replaced the valve and rewired the machine to work properly. After that the machine always worked perfectly and I now turn on the machine early in the morning and I turn it off after dinner at night every day.
You need to take care of the maintenance of the machine, starting with cleaning the machine regularly ( I use the PuliCaff powder once a week) in order to get rid of the coffee oils that deposit in the group head and filters, as well as replacing the undercup gasket and the various O-rings at least once a year, or else the rubber will harden and water will leak from the porta-filter. The maintenance intervals vary with the machine usage: I brew about 6 to 8 coffees every day and I found out that cleaning the machine once a week and changing the gaskets once a year is a good compromise.
After seven years of use the machine still works great and looks like new. I love the espressos I can make with this machine, but now the problem is that I cannot drink regular brewed coffee anymore when I go out to a restaurant that doesn't serve espresso coffee.

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Product Description

Italy, the country that brought us the joys of espresso, savored in cafés all over the world, now brings that same fine espresso making capability to the home with Pasquini's Livia 90 Semiautomatic Espresso Machine. It's one of the most popular espresso machines for its capacity to be used equally well in the home, office, coffee bar, and restaurant and catered events. An espresso machine for discerning tastes, the Livia 90 is an investment in distinction and enjoyment for years to come. One of the finest semi-commercial espresso machines, it is loaded with features that contribute to its reputation for excellence. Borrowing from Pasquini's famous line of professional espresso machines, it is one of a select few machines of its type that can simultaneously brew coffee and steam milk, saving time and increasing the rate of drink production. These features, in addition to it NSF Sanitation Certification, (required for machines used in the foodservice industry), make it an espresso machine for all venues. Detailed Product Features Simple Semi-automatic Controls and Indicator Lights Simple to use and easy to read controls make brewing with the Livia 90 a joy. Heavy-duty rocker switches and two attractive indictor lights are conveniently located on the front of the machine. One flip of a switch gives you the green light and the power is on.

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