Upgraditis - From Silvia w/PID, recommendations needed

cjbailey1

tl;dr:

Currently running a PIDd Silvia with Niche zero grinder, looking for upgrade recommendations. Like the look of a lever machine but never used one, also like the look of an E61 e.g. Bianca. Tend to drink cortados myself, americanos for a regular visitor and lattes for my wife. Usually 3 drinks are being made at a time. What should I be looking at?

Full details:

I’ve come across from “the other forum”, it’s taken me quite a while as I’ve been attempting to avoid the temptations of “upgraditis” but circumstances are pushing me to think again.

My current setup is a (2nd hand) Silvia. I can’t remember when I bought it but it was probably 2010! My Silvia was PIDd by myself in 2016 using a MeCoffee kit, the boiler is insulated with an IMS shower screen and I use VST baskets, a Reg Barber tamper and usually a niche zero grinder, but occasionally my old mahlkonig vario. I have a dedicated (32A) supply available for a coffee machine and a reasonable amount of space but the closer I can keep to the silvia footprint the better for my relationship! I drink cortados, my wife drinks lattes and a friend who is regularly over drinks americanos. More often than not I’m making 3 drinks which is more cumbersome than I’d like on the silvia. I’ve just about managed to train my wife to use the silvia and we can both get decent cups out of it. We tend to err towards lighter roasts mainly.

I’ve been looking around at machines, I like the minima but it seems that for more than 2 drinks the boiler is a little lacking. I used to lust after a vesuvius but I’m no longer convinced I need the complexity. Current front runner in my mind is a Bianca, but I have not fully researched this.

I am very interested in lever machines but have never used one and, much as I love the look of the londinium, I am not convinced I can bring myself to spend that much on one without an extended trial. One thing I wondered is whether there is a “cheap” lever machine I could purchase and try (with the aim of reselling) to see if that world is for me, or is it the case that there is a vast gulf and therefore it’s not even worth considering trying a cheaper one?

I am quite content with a 2nd hand machine, I’m an electronic and software engineer by background and am mechanically capable but I am also relatively time poor so I’m happy with something requiring “fettling” but not something needing a complete rebuild. I am on the Isle of Wight which makes testing machines and shipping a little bit of an issue.

I am probably looking to buy a machine before the end of the year, I’m not in a particular hurry. Money is not a massive object (within reason) but the cost/performance trade off is definitely a consideration for me and the Bianca seems to be at that point from initial research.

Not sure what other information is pertinent? Apologies for this being a bit of a ramble!

DavecUK

cjbailey1 Bianca is a great machine, you will like it, and I think you will like the Evo Leva, don’t be frightened about not having used a lever before…it’s easy. @Cuprajake has done loads of videos and loads of people on here to help you with lever machines.

cjbailey1 I like the minima but it seems that for more than 2 drinks the boiler is a little lacking.

Actually that’s completely not the case…bigger steam boiler than most machines, certainly bigger than Bianca, at 2.3l, a steaming monster. Brew boiler the equal of any of the machines discussed. The Minima can deliver drink after drink. I used one in Host Milan 2019 to produce 100s of drinks. good thermal stability, nice slow ramp up…tad noisy, but you can’t have everything. 😁Very budget friendly and looks fantastic in black, or white.

Cuprajake

theres a used leva in the classifieds which is a great price if you fancy an evo

cjbailey1

Cuprajake I have to admit I know nothing about the evo leva, I must go and do some research. My biggest worry when splurging that much money is having not even used a lever machine.

hornbyben

It’s not a direct answer, but if you’re technically adept one been very pleased with the ito mod I did to my Silvia (https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/256-poor-mans-decent-espresso-itoleva/).

It recovers much quicker than it used, so by the time I’ve prepped a puck the boiler has recovered. For 3 I tend to do all 3 shots and then steam enough milk for all (I tend to flat white, so only 120ml milk per drink).

Just food for thought.

Ernie1

Bianca owner here, couldn’t be happier. I’ve had mine about 7 months now, made approx 4 drinks a day- 2 espresso, 2 flat-white.

It’s been flawless, worked great out the box and not a single problem with it. No adjustment or faffing needed. I still look forward to using it each day, as weird as that sounds. Also may not be a factor but the quietness of a rotary is a joy.

I’ve made 5 drinks back to back and it didn’t falter. I know the E61 isn’t for everyone but I can’t see ever wanting another machine.

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another if I was buying today.

cjbailey1

Thank you everyone for the replies! I think I have a lot of research to do…

The bianca is probably an easier sell due to the smaller footprint than the evo leva. How easy is the cleanup and maintenance on the two of them? I presume they are both relatively quiet compared to the silvia (especially as mine currently has a rattle I need to trace!).

With regards to the lever, is it a concerted effort required to pull it down? Our 13 year old god daughter recently learnt to make her own latte on the silvia and loves being able to do that but she is a bit of a weakling (by her own admission) is the evo leva likely to be a problem for her?

Ernie1

Bianca cleaning is straightforward and typical E61 maintenance.

I wash the water tank, screen, portafilter and backflush with water once a week - 10 minutes.

Quarterly I backflush with PulyCaff and grease the lever cam, paddle and wand ball joints. Takes about 20 mins once you’ve done it before. Not difficult at all.

And yes, the Silvia sounds like a pneumatic drill by comparison… I had a Silvia in the past also so can compare the two.

LMSC

Bianca or Evo - you can’t go wrong. We never had a decent machine in the past. Went straight to Evo. No issues.

cjbailey1

So… dragging up an “old” thread I guess, lots of things have been going on but I’ve just (finally) pulled the trigger on a bianca! I now await BB ringing me and telling me they can’t deliver it to the Isle of Wight! (Bitter experience even when the couriers say they can).

I am slightly disappointed in myself not to have gone for the 2nd hand evo leva which was on here, but if I’m honest with myself I don’t think the bigger size would have worked in my space.

Looking forward to a new learning curve after 6 years of PID’d silvia.