Been using Silvia for like 10 years... Not as stable temps as I would like, but no complaints on the espresso. Replaced a few parts and is still going strong.

I do see a replacement on the horizon, distant horizon. Or as my girlfriend says "Put on the list..."
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The Rancilio Silvia was the grail for home espresso for many years. As bigger, heavier, fancier-schmancier more temp. stable machines started getting attention for home use (at half-again or more the price of a Silvia) some of the gloss fell off "old reliable."

Then the smart coffee-dweeb boys starting putting PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) controllers on their Silvias for much less than the price of a fancy-schmancy new brewer and claimed results equal to perfection. What's not to like about perfection? Add $300 to a very good machine and have a perfect machine.

I have considered putting a PID unit on my Oscar now that some pioneers have shown the same results can get had with PID'd heat-exchanger espresso brewers, too. The coffee has been fine but, again, what's so wrong with perfection?
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I am a newb pilgrim on the path of COFFEE.
I will shelve the idea of espresso...
Grinder and Moka POT? Huh?

Off to read about Mokas and grinders.
later
Tom
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Just grinders, Tom. Nothing to read about mokapots; just get a 1-3 cupper Bialetti Express or Brikka (if you're the lazy, non- mechanical hands-on fidget type).
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Just started reading on this. Heard about it for years, now I am curious! On the fense whether to try this or sell my grinder/machine set and just go new. The upgrade I would want is around $3K...
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looks like I better save my allowance so can play with the big boys when it comes to espresso... :-)

It is like anything, computers, cars, HiFi stereos or whatever else.. if you want the best you need to invest..
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I have veered away from alt.coffee but that's where the real technicians are, guys who were PID'ing everything (esp. the Rancilio Silvia) with excellent results. At least one man even PID'd an Oscar (HX machine) with similarly good results.

I don't know if your Silvia will provide the steam or recovery time you'd like, but it can deliver perfect water temp with a little help from the sidehack module.

Image
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I make my own. I roast my own. I am too lazy to blend my own. I do it 99% of the time now. It has made a dent in my regular coffee roasting/drinking. My wife looks at me cross eyed if she doesn't have her own every day. She cannot stand Starbucks anymore. My job is done with the exception of my art still being horribly abstract.
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Well, I'm getting better.....as compared to being a total retard, I'm now just a partial retard....

:-)

First pull when I got home tonight from work....(I KNOW I need improvement, but I'm working on it!!!)

And NO, that is NOT Guinness!!

Image

:-)
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Well, it LOOKS like Guinness.
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So what kinda machine you using?
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The one I was using during my last tour in Iraq (07-08)....and the tour before that (04-05)....:-)
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He does not surrender his secrets easily.

Pretty sure he got that pour from a Guinness bottle... :-)
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:-)

Nah, it wasn't a Guinness bottle....but I will tell you, some of the best espresso I've used in a while came from this......

Espresso Di Palermo

Dark Roast, Medium acidity, exceptional body, thick reddish crema, with strong notes of black cherry and dark chocolate
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Best place to get a Moka Pot? Stainless or aluminum?
Posted via Mobile Device
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Bialetti Moka Express 1-3 cup, aluminum. Moka, not espresso, technically spreeking.
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Thank you,

Do retailers carry them as a general rule, or is it best to get them right from Bialetti?
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They are sold everywhere. I see them at discount stores now & then. Bialetti is a huge brand and widely distributed.
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Shop around, Under $20 for a three cupper is good.

Grind and fresh roast is important. See examples and learn the basics at: http://fantes.com/espresso-stovetop.html

This is an espresso thread, btw. Mokapot coffee is not true espresso - close, but no cigar. Read and discuss more about moka at:
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=705.
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Why not combine both? Introducing...tobaccoccino
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