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The Bottom Line Up Front
Home baristas who are looking for a budget friendly espresso machine with decent components will not want to miss out on the Rancilio Silva V3.
Rancilio HSD-SILVIA Silvia Espresso Machine
Rancilio’s budget friendly, newly redesigned Silvia V3 offers a durable and feature-filled addition to any kitchen and the power to create quality espresso drinks right from home.
The Silvia has been one of the brand’s most popular models for years and it now features a collection of upgraded components that make it even more powerful than before.
Features such as a large 12 ounce boiler, ergonomic commercial portafilters, articulating steam wand and easy to use control system all come with this home espresso machine.
The Rancilio Silvia features a compact design, making it the ideal size for standard kitchen counters. At just 13.5 inches high, it can easily fit under most kitchen cabinets.
While the design may be simplistic, the team at Rancilio didn’t cut any corners when it comes to quality with this device. The single boiler system was created with top-of-the-line finishes to insure longevity in this device that is perfect for the casual home barista.
This compact device is recommended for home use (20 espresso shot per hour output).
The following accessories are included with purchase:
- Two filter baskets (single and double)
- Plastic tamper
- 7 gram coffee scoop
Build Quality
The Rancilio Silvia V3 features a durable iron frame and a brushed stainless steel outer shell that gives the device a modern, polished look. In addition to its cosmetic appeal, the sleek stainless steel shell also provides a durable covering for the machine as this steel coating is resistant to staining and rusting.
Exterior features such as the drip tray and drip pan are also crafted from this stainless steel, making virtually every aspect of the Silvia easy to clean and maintain.
The group head and boiler on this device are made of forged marine brass to insure long lasting durability and quality heat retention. The brewing group is plated with a thick chrome layer.
Rancilio has been known throughout the industry for creating reliable, high quality devices and the Silvia V3 more than lives up to this standard.
The machine is crafted with clean lines and a classic shape. All of the black switches on the front are clearly marked with black or yellow symbols that provide a stark contrast, making them easy to read even from far distances.
Specifications
- Height: 13.75 inches/ 34.9 centimeters
- Width: 9.25 inches / 23.5 centimeters
- Depth: 11.25 inches / 28.6 centimeters
- Weight: 30 pounds / 13.6 kilograms
- Amps & Volts: 15 Amps 110 Volts USA/NA or 220 volts Europe
Features
Front Control Switches
On the front panel of this espresso machine, there are four snap-acting rocker arm switches. This is the same switch system found on the brand’s S20 series of machines. Each switch is responsible for controlling a different component of the machine
Center Switch– In the center of the panel, users will find the primary power switch. When flipped, this switch activates the machine’s heating element and will turn on an orange light located on the front panel. Once this light turns off, the machine has heated up and is ready for use.
Middle Left Switch– This switch is used to operate the hot water dispenser on the Silvia V3. There is a knob on the side of the device that needs to be turned to access hot water instead of steam.
Top Left Switch– On the top left of the machine’s front panel is the brew switch. This switch can be flipped to stop and start the brewing process by turning the machine’s pump on and off.
Bottom Left Switch– This switch activates the steaming function of the machine. Turning the switch on heats up the boiler. Then users will want to turn the steam/water knob found on the side of the machine on to start steaming and frothing.
Commercial Grade Brewing Group
This machine’s commercial grade brewing group is made of chrome plated marine brass. The design of this component allows for easy connections with the machine’s portafilters. The commercial grade design of this group creates a superior brewing environment and provides the utmost in heat stability. This allows for a more consistent brew and prevents issues related to heat damage.
Temperature Control System
This Rancillio model comes with three different temperature controls as part of its internal design. There are two thermostats included in this system that help maintain consistent brewing and steaming temps.
Stable brewing temperatures are essential for quality espresso pours. The system also comes with a high limit that will cut off the boiler power if there is a malfunction within the machine; preventing issues with overheating.
12 Ounce Boiler
The Silvia V3 has one of the largest volume boilers in its class. The machine’s boiler has a 12 ounce capacity and is made of marine grade brass.
The boiler is insulated to insure proper heat control, while the brass construction makes it resilient to pitting and scaling issues. The boiler produces the utmost in steaming power and can easily recycle time as users brew multiple shots.
Commercial Grade Portafilter Component
The Rancilio Silvia V3 comes with included commercial grade brass portafilter. The design of a machine’s portafilters is essential to the quality of the espresso shot, which is why the Rancillio team has crafted commercial quality portafilter for this model.
The included portafilter is 58 mm in size and is made of durable brass with a chrome plating.
Cup Warmers
For home baristas who want to heat their cups before use, there is an included cup warming device on the top of this espresso maker. This stainless steel coated warming tray can hold up to six espresso cups at a time. The heat is generated from the residual heat of the boiler.
15 Bar Pump
The Silvia V3 comes with an included heavy duty pump, designed to effectively push water through the coffee grounds and to assist with full flavor extraction. The pump in this machine is a 15 BAR pump; one of the highest quality pumps found in machines of this class.
Large Water Tank
Included with the Silvia V3 is a large capacity water reservoir. This water tank holds up to 2 quarts of liquid at a time and can be easily refilled through the top loading access point.
The water reservoir can be refilled even during operation, when levels run low. The water tank, as opposed to a direct plumbing hook up, makes this model ideal for home users.
Three Way Solenoid Valve
Although often only found in commercial espresso machines, the Silvia V3 is outfitted with its own three way solenoid valve.
This valve is designed to relieve the water pressure from the coffee after the brew switch is off. This dries the coffee out and leaves a firm, coffee puck that allows for easy disposal and cleaning of the portafilters.
Hot Water Spigot
The Silvia V3 comes with its own hot water dispensing system; a valuable tool for creating speciality drinks like teas, hot chocolate or cafe Americanos. The spigot can be accessed by turning on the brew switch to activate the pump and opening up the steam knob.
Swiveling Steam Wand
This model comes with its own swiveling steam wand, made of durable stainless steel. The movable design allows for easier use and greater range of motion while steaming.
Powered by the machine’s high quality boiling system, this steam wand has the power to deliver high efficiency when steaming and boiling.
Drip Tray
At the bottom of the Silvia V3 is the included drip tray mechanism. This tray is covered in stainless steel, meaning it won’t rust or stain when acidic liquids like espresso are spilled on it. The drip pan is easy to remove, allowing for simple drainage and cleaning.
Foodal’s Rating
- Espresso Performance
- Latte Performance
- Build Quality
- Ease of Use
- Warranty
- Value
Espresso fans that want a budget friendly home machine that allows for the easy creation of espresso drinks, will find that the Silvia V3 has enough features to satisfy most home baristas.
Check prices and read reviews at Amazon.
With quality design and a stylish stainless steel finish, this machine can make a great addition to any coffee fanatic’s home kitchen.
Confused about which Espresso Machine is right for you? Check out our Espresso Machine Buying Guide.
About Mike Quinn
Mike Quinn spent 20 years in the US Army and traveled extensively all over the world. As part of his military service, Mike sampled coffee and tea from all virtually every geographic region, from the beans from the plantation of an El Salvadorian Army Colonel to "Chi" in Iraq to Turkish Coffee in the Turkish Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. He spent nearly a decade in the Republic of Korea where he was exposed to all forms of traditional teas. Mike formerly owned and operated Cup And Brew, an online espresso and coffee equipment retail operation.
