Rancilio Silvia Pro x Dual Boiler Home Espresso Coffee Machine

Excellent machine. It’s like Rancilio saw the modifications people were doing to the Silvia and took note. Obviously the elephant in the room is the price, but if you were to buy a regular Silvia, add PID and pressure gauge, you’re not far off the cost of the Pro X, but you still have a single boiler machine. Some of the materials like the steam knob feel a little cheap, but there are fancy replacements out there if it really bothers you. The machine is quite big, but then that’s expected with a dual boiler. You will hear a lot of people moan about the drip tray, but it really isn’t a big deal. I’ve not had a single spill so far. This machine feels like the only one I will need for the rest of my life, it does all you could ever want and there’s plenty of spares ... MoreExcellent machine. It’s like Rancilio saw the modifications people were doing to the Silvia and took note. Obviously the elephant in the room is the price, but if you were to buy a regular Silvia, add PID and pressure gauge, you’re not far off the cost of the Pro X, but you still have a single boiler machine. Some of the materials like the steam knob feel a little cheap, but there are fancy replacements out there if it really bothers you. The machine is quite big, but then that’s expected with a dual boiler. You will hear a lot of people moan about the drip tray, but it really isn’t a big deal. I’ve not had a single spill so far. This machine feels like the only one I will need for the rest of my life, it does all you could ever want and there’s plenty of spares available.

An absolutely worthwhile challenge for beginners

Are you a complete newbie to home-brewed espresso and just want an easy way to make a latte with minimal fuss? If so, this is NOT the machine for you and you can probably stop reading this review.If like me, you are a complete newbie to making proper espresso but really want to learn the ins and outs of what makes a shot of espresso taste great without completely breaking the bank, the Rancilio Silvia may be the harsh but loving mistress you need.Right off the bat what I appreciate about the Silvia is its simplicity: 4 physical toggle switches (main power, dispenser, hot water, steam), a power and "boiler on" light, and a knob for the steam wand/hot water dispenser. No fancy electronics means fewer things to fail, and easier, cheaper repairs if something does go ... MoreAre you a complete newbie to home-brewed espresso and just want an easy way to make a latte with minimal fuss? If so, this is NOT the machine for you and you can probably stop reading this review.If like me, you are a complete newbie to making proper espresso but really want to learn the ins and outs of what makes a shot of espresso taste great without completely breaking the bank, the Rancilio Silvia may be the harsh but loving mistress you need.Right off the bat what I appreciate about the Silvia is its simplicity: 4 physical toggle switches (main power, dispenser, hot water, steam), a power and "boiler on" light, and a knob for the steam wand/hot water dispenser. No fancy electronics means fewer things to fail, and easier, cheaper repairs if something does go wrong. The tamper it came with actually seems pretty nice? I can't tell if the handle is wood or plastic but it feels solid and not that much different from the Cafelat Aluminum tamper I also bought.I've had the machine for about a month now so these are my observations based on that. I usually give it at least 10 minutes to heat up properly. Even when the boiler light first turns off the water coming out really isn't hot enough which is why I wait longer, and I also understand the appeal of getting the PID control mod for the machine which I may do in the future. You can speed things up a bit by flicking the steam switch and heating it to steam temperature but you'll probably need to flush steam out of the brew head first which might affect things? The North American model does not have an "eco mode" so I tend not to leave it on for more than a couple hours at a time so I don't risk it boiling dry but that's more my paranoia based on what I've read online than something explicitly necessary. It is a single boiler so if you want to steam milk as well, you'll have to wait another minute or two after pulling your shot.But now for the important part, the coffee. The Silvia comes with 2 portafilter baskets, a 7g and a 14g, and a dual spouted portafilter. The Silvia (understandably) does not do very well if you overload it so it is very important that you use a scale. I'm using a new Baratza Sette 30 grinder and found that I had to set it a few clicks more coarse than what was recommended for espresso, otherwise I got little to no liquid flowing. In general, you will need a grinder that can make very small adjustments. I'm finding with the Sette 30 that 14 results in the shot pulling too quickly (and is noticeably sour) whereas 13 winds up a bit overextracted, but is nonetheless a pretty decent espresso. I spent several hours in the first few days just fiddling with the grind and my tamping pressure and now can generally pull a decent shot (imo) with minimal fuss. My americanos have never tasted so smooth, and I am now consuming way too many calories with all the lattes I am making.Overall I would say the machine presents a challenge, but the results are absolutely worthwhile if you're up for spending the time to learn about the process of dialing in your shots in conjunction with a good grinder. In the future I will likely do the PID mod but I'm generally happy with the current results even without.

Best Machine money can buy under $3000 CAD

Wow! This machine is a treat. We decided it was time to upgrade from our 5 year old Breville Infuser. Unbelievable difference right from the first shot. The PID with temperature control + pre infusion is a game changer! Love the consistency in temp and since I was used to a pressure gauge, it’s great this has one to dial in the grind. Reasons we bought this machine in order of importance:Time: One of the most important factors in getting the pro x over the Silvia v6 or other e61 group heads. The heat up time in the morning is quick ~5 mins, and you don’t have to temp surf to know what kind of shot you will get. I wanted a machine I would get the most use out of and I didn’t want to waiver to other coffee brewing methods because it would take too long for the ... MoreWow! This machine is a treat. We decided it was time to upgrade from our 5 year old Breville Infuser. Unbelievable difference right from the first shot. The PID with temperature control + pre infusion is a game changer! Love the consistency in temp and since I was used to a pressure gauge, it’s great this has one to dial in the grind. Reasons we bought this machine in order of importance:Time: One of the most important factors in getting the pro x over the Silvia v6 or other e61 group heads. The heat up time in the morning is quick ~5 mins, and you don’t have to temp surf to know what kind of shot you will get. I wanted a machine I would get the most use out of and I didn’t want to waiver to other coffee brewing methods because it would take too long for the machine to warm up.Ease of use: Another huge factor. This is a very simple machine to use right out of the box. There are no confusing switches, or options to complex things.Value for $: after hours and hours of research, this is the only dual boiler I could find under $3000 that we expect to last for 25+ years. The quality is better than I could have imagined.Looks: I love the industrial look. I know some of the entry level dual boiler machines in similar price range have a more “fancy” look. I prefer the humble look of the pro x.Quality: This thing is built like a tank (commercial grade). I expect to get over 25 years out of it. Reputable name and easy access to parts and service. Before our infuser we had a Breville 920xl and there is no comparison to this machine.Yes this is $1500 more than the v6. I figure over 25 years, the time savings and enjoyment of this machine will far outweigh the extra cost. Well, I guess it is week 1 and it already has :). Thanks iDrinkCoffee for the excellent customer service. Best experience online buying experience we have had from any company.

Great machine for single people or home with only a few people.!

I actually bought this from Seattle coffee gear company but still leave a review here anyway.Heard so much raves about this brand from the quality to functionality. First off this thing build to last and even if its broken, thousands of resources that you can find online to fix this machine by yourself and super easy. There are also facebook group and reddit group to help you know how to fix this or use the machine better.For coffee quality, I would say it is consistent with both pulling shots and steaming milk. You can set the temps and the time to depend on how you like your espresso and milk taste.Design wise, I love it but it can better. And when I said better, I would like it the setting option to be easier to navigate. Although you can learn how to set this ... MoreI actually bought this from Seattle coffee gear company but still leave a review here anyway.Heard so much raves about this brand from the quality to functionality. First off this thing build to last and even if its broken, thousands of resources that you can find online to fix this machine by yourself and super easy. There are also facebook group and reddit group to help you know how to fix this or use the machine better.For coffee quality, I would say it is consistent with both pulling shots and steaming milk. You can set the temps and the time to depend on how you like your espresso and milk taste.Design wise, I love it but it can better. And when I said better, I would like it the setting option to be easier to navigate. Although you can learn how to set this up easily through guide book. This thing is not for people who clueless and aiming for easy to use interface. Although I appreciate the clean design and less is more look. I love that they provided more than just stainless steel color option. I went with the white option and it is actually more of Ivory cream white. I would love to have the pink tho but at the time it was sold out.As for wholelattelove, i dont like that they only have one financial option when it come to large purchase. I wasnt qualify for Klanar but on Seattle Coffee Gear, they used Affirm and I was approved instantly.

Great machine, pairs well with PID and produces great espresso

Got this machine with PID in Nov 2022, so I've used it for just over a month now.First impressions; the service at CCB is great. I asked for the technician to adjust the group head pressure to 9 bar when installing the PID and I was provided with a picture of the pressure gauge at 9 bar which is great!The PID install looks amazing, they used a black anodized enclosure so it blends in well with the black finish of the machine.The white lighting looks great too and the pre-infusion yields an even puck after every shot.I was also surprised to find that the portafilter that comes with this machine is a new ergonomic Rancilio branded portafilter similar in shape to the Silvia PRO, just with the Rancilio logo on the end of it.Something to note, this portafilter ... MoreGot this machine with PID in Nov 2022, so I've used it for just over a month now.First impressions; the service at CCB is great. I asked for the technician to adjust the group head pressure to 9 bar when installing the PID and I was provided with a picture of the pressure gauge at 9 bar which is great!The PID install looks amazing, they used a black anodized enclosure so it blends in well with the black finish of the machine.The white lighting looks great too and the pre-infusion yields an even puck after every shot.I was also surprised to find that the portafilter that comes with this machine is a new ergonomic Rancilio branded portafilter similar in shape to the Silvia PRO, just with the Rancilio logo on the end of it.Something to note, this portafilter will not fit a triple shot basket, you'll need a bottomless PF.The steamwand is super powerful and only has one hole in its tip. Which means you get your milk steamed fast but you may want to pre-freeze your pitcher a bit when learning to give you more time to incorporate the foam into the milk.Also note that the double basket it comes with is only rated for 14g, which yields less espresso.Overall I am very happy with this machine, my only gripe is the small basket and portafilter it comes with which is an easy upgrade to make.

Love my purchase

After using the Rancilio Silvia for over fifteen years, I decided to upgrade to the Pro X. I had already read that it was noisy (for about 15 seconds) and that the steamer takes about 20 mins to warm up. Which is not a problem to me. I get up, start the machine, clean my teeth, feed the cats, weigh the coffee beans to grind and voila, my machine is ready before I am! I love its feature to customize things, like changing the soft infusion setting, and backflushing the machine to clean it. It is so easy to do! I did need help at the beginning, and it was nice to know that Clive Coffee was there to help me out, both via email, and phone call. And, their classes are wonderful! After all these years of making my lattes at home, I am making an even better cup of coffee.

No Ragrets - Love this machine!

What a fantastic machine. It's been a few weeks with it so far and I look forward to getting up in the morning and having it already on and ready for me. I used to not be a morning person, but now I actually find myself getting up earlier.Brewing is consistent, love the pre infusion.Steam is extremely powerfuly, still getting used to it but I am making some really tasty milk already.Cleanup is a breeze, some claim that the drip tray is annoying, and yes, it could be better, but I really have not had any issues with it. I empty it once a day and it is never too full that it spills.Love the look, and the fact that it comes in fun colours. (I got the pink one to add some fun to the room)No Ragrets

Rancilio Silvia is still the queen!

I bought my new Rancilio Silvia to replace the one I had also bought from Whole Latte Love, back in April of 2004. Arrived in a few days. Operates just like the old one, and, as far as I can tell, is identical to it except for a few details: re-styled portafilter and steam valve knob (I actually liked the old ones better), re-designed and re-styled drip-tray cover (easier to remove), drip tray itself is a stamping instead of being welded up (likely an improvement; certainly easier to clean, having no sharp interior corners), now has separate power-on and heating-element-on indicator lights (easier to tell the machine is on). Still the king of the non-prosumer machines. My old one was still working after over 18 years of daily use — though it needed its pump replaced ... MoreI bought my new Rancilio Silvia to replace the one I had also bought from Whole Latte Love, back in April of 2004. Arrived in a few days. Operates just like the old one, and, as far as I can tell, is identical to it except for a few details: re-styled portafilter and steam valve knob (I actually liked the old ones better), re-designed and re-styled drip-tray cover (easier to remove), drip tray itself is a stamping instead of being welded up (likely an improvement; certainly easier to clean, having no sharp interior corners), now has separate power-on and heating-element-on indicator lights (easier to tell the machine is on). Still the king of the non-prosumer machines. My old one was still working after over 18 years of daily use — though it needed its pump replaced (it was on only its second) and the steam wand dripped water from its swivel fitting. Those are normal wear and tear items, with cheap, readily-installed OEM replacements available. Great unit, looks great, works great.

Silvia Pro X: 2 weeks in, So Far, So Good

Firstly, my wife and I were very pleased with the speed and service from Whole Latte Love. The order was processed really quickly and the shipping person at WLL even called in advance to verify my Washington, DC address 'cause she recognized my cell # was from Alaska. The machine was REALLY well packed - one stout cardboard box inside of another stout box with hard foam corners in between the boxes. High marks for the packaging.Machine is pretty much everything I figured it would be. It has the features I think are a logical step upwards from our 10-yr old Nuova Simonelli Oscar 1, i.e., PID(s), pressure gauge, temperature control - without the additional bells & whistles that I thought would be superfluous (or beyond the ability of my tastebuds to appreciate).The ... MoreFirstly, my wife and I were very pleased with the speed and service from Whole Latte Love. The order was processed really quickly and the shipping person at WLL even called in advance to verify my Washington, DC address 'cause she recognized my cell # was from Alaska. The machine was REALLY well packed - one stout cardboard box inside of another stout box with hard foam corners in between the boxes. High marks for the packaging.Machine is pretty much everything I figured it would be. It has the features I think are a logical step upwards from our 10-yr old Nuova Simonelli Oscar 1, i.e., PID(s), pressure gauge, temperature control - without the additional bells & whistles that I thought would be superfluous (or beyond the ability of my tastebuds to appreciate).The SPX has a clean, utilitarian aesthetic, like the Oscar 1. I like the idea of the $ being spent on the guts and the functioning of the machine, not on a glitzy exterior. Judging from its heft and the 'feel' of the machine, it seems to be sturdy and well built. One example is the drip tray - it's made of surprisingly heavy gauge metal, although I think it's a little under-sized and needs to be emptied after every brewing session.The SPX produces a LOT of steam, too much IMHO for the 4 hole steam tip it ships with. I ordered and received a 1-hole tip which, I think is much easier to work with. Also, I ordered a bottomless portafilter which really does give me additional insight into how well by grinding/tamping/etc techniques are working. However, the bottomless portafilter doesn't seal quite as well with the brewhead as the standard portafilter - there are some minor leaks and additional torque is needed to seat it into the brewhead. The SPX ships with a very nice tamper, as well as a packet of water softening beads that goes into the water tank. Oh, the water tank is accessed by removing a black cover on the top rear of the machine. Re-filling the tank is very easy and it's easy to see the water level.The electronic controls and menu system on the SPX for setting the brew temperature, timing shots, setting shut-down and start-up, running the cleaning cycle, etc are very straight forward and don't require a steep learning curve. Again, it all strikes me as very functional. Interestingly, the system for automatically re-starting the machine at a future time doesn't actually allow you to specify a 'time'. Rather, you need to tell the machine how many hours from now you want it to re-start. After entering and confirming the number of delay hours (in 1/2 hour increments), the SPX goes to sleep and re-awakens at the appointed time. The system does retain the prior setting, so the system for setting the re-start time is only a little less convenient than being able to just set a time. The SPX also has a setting for specifying how long it will remain on, from 1/2 to 2 hours (I think), before it turns itself off - a good feature.We're still working on tweaking our espresso making techniques for the SPX, but we are, so far, happy with the results. Over the last couple of days, our lattes have been substantially better than our first efforts. I feel like we made a good choice!

So far so good

This is for the Rancilio Silvia Pro XI upgraded to this machine after 10 years pulling shots every day on my gently modded Gaggia Classic. The dual pid dual boiler set up is great. No more temp surfing, and truly excellent steam pressure and pro quality steam wand have immediately enhanced my mourning routine. Gripes so far: hot water from the steam boiler produces about 2-3 oz before sputtering a mix of steam and water out of the spout. This means making a 6-8 oz americano (total volume) requires letting the steam boiler refill and reheat. Not a very big deal but I was hoping for enough on-demand hot water to make a cup of tea/americano more easily. Drip tray is small as everyone has pointed out. The group head flush function is great (hold down brew button for a ... MoreThis is for the Rancilio Silvia Pro XI upgraded to this machine after 10 years pulling shots every day on my gently modded Gaggia Classic. The dual pid dual boiler set up is great. No more temp surfing, and truly excellent steam pressure and pro quality steam wand have immediately enhanced my mourning routine. Gripes so far: hot water from the steam boiler produces about 2-3 oz before sputtering a mix of steam and water out of the spout. This means making a 6-8 oz americano (total volume) requires letting the steam boiler refill and reheat. Not a very big deal but I was hoping for enough on-demand hot water to make a cup of tea/americano more easily. Drip tray is small as everyone has pointed out. The group head flush function is great (hold down brew button for a few seconds to rinse group head) but it only runs ~1.5oz through and doesn’t appear to be adjustable, so I find it takes a couple of flushes for the water to run clear after pulling a shot, at which point you might as well hit the brew button and run a phantom shot. Last complaint is that the machine has an auto wake-up setting but you have to set it every night. A bit lame. Small complaints.Shots have been very good, but I do need to upgrade to a stepless grinder. My Gaggia MDF is too fine on #1 and too course on #2. Looking to pull the trigger on a new one soon and move my whole Gaggia setup to my office.Overall very impressive build quality and the dual pid takes so much variability out of the process that shots are much more consistent and off flavors from overheating are non existent. The variable soft infusion is a nice feature, and in general I really like the simple function menu and features. I’m very happy with the purchase and am confident when I have it fully dialed in the shots will be far superior to the already very good shots I had learned to pull on the Gaggia. It feels like this machine is capable of pulling shots across a range of roasts and origins where the Gaggia was best in the more traditional dark espresso roasts. We’ll done Rancilio, thank you for the dual pid dual boiler in the classic package at a reasonable price.