Rancilio Silvia

Bottom line

Well worth its price tag. Overall, reviewers say the Rancilio Silvia espresso maker offers the best combination of durability, espresso quality and ease of use. In fact, many call it the best machine available for less than $1,000. However, some say the Gaggia Classic (*Est. $450) is simpler to use and can utilize prepackaged coffee pods.

Performance

Coffee shop-quality espresso. Owners say the Rancilio Silvia is a "high-performance machine" that delivers exceptional espresso. This semi-automatic model uses nine bars of pressure to extract rich flavors from freshly ground coffee for the perfect cup of espresso.

The Silvia is expensive, however, and like all home machines costing about $1,300, it doesn't have a separate boiler. That said, editors of SweetMarias.com explain that investing the extra $900 for this tank will set the Silvia on par with other light-commercial machines such as the Pasquini Livia, Exobar or La Marzocco.

A large majority of owners say that purchasing a burr coffee grinder is an absolute must to accommodate this machine's precision requirements. "Don't let anyone tell you there is a way to make great espresso without a high-quality grinder…it cannot be done," say SweetMarias.com editors. It takes about 15 minutes for the Silvia to warm up, and for best results, some users suggest running warm water through the machine to warm up the pipes and portafilter.

Ease of use

Finicky machine requires precise grind coarseness. The Rancilio Silvia is a somewhat sensitive model, and users must experiment a bit to find the right espresso grind and tamping pressure. Most espresso enthusiasts say they enjoy this process, but other machines offer simpler operation.

Temperature is another issue, with several owners saying at Amazon.com that users must learn to "temperature surf" to avoid burnt or sour espresso. However, SweetMarias.com editors say the temperature varies only 2 to 4 degrees during extraction, and the overall range is between 210 and 240 degrees Fahrenheit, with the optimal temperature being 220 degrees. They suggest it's just a matter of learning when to start the extraction process during the brew cycle.

Expert reviews say the Rancilio Silvia is simple to use, and appeals to both novice and professional users once they get the hang of it. Professional barista Erin Meister writes in a review for SeriousEats.com, "A boxy little unit, the Silvia is incredibly user-friendly, and even offers the option for geek-leaning coffee people to… [add] features like temperature-controlling PID technology." PID, or proportional-integral-derivative technology, is an add-on digital temperature controller.

Durability

Built like a tank. Reviewers praise the machine's design, with many saying it's built like a tank. One owner says at Amazon.com that the Silvia "is the perfect blend of quality, durability and ease of repair," and notes that all parts are commercial or semi-commercial grade, constructed primarily with stainless steel and cast iron, two materials known for long-term durability.

We found one complaint posted at CoffeeGeek.com, from a user who says the base of the unit is made with regular steel and after three years of consistent use, the spill tray has started to rust. Yet the overall consensus among both professionals and owners is that the Rancilio Silvia is well constructed and will last for years.

Appearance

Bulky but attractive. Owner feedback at Amazon.com and CoffeeGeek.com calls the Rancilio Silvia a nice-looking kitchen appliance, but it doesn't win any awards for being especially modern or retro. That said, its stainless-steel housing fits in with most décor. It's a heavy machine at just more than 30 pounds, so it's best left sitting on a countertop if you have the room. Editors of SweetMarias.com say, "The Silvia is a machine you really want to see on your kitchen counter, even when it's not in use... and that does count for something. It's one nice-looking box!"