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PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

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Kristi
Senior Member

Joined: 6 Oct 2005
Posts: 2,281
Location: Boston
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Gaggia Evo w silvia wand
Grinder: Macap M4 mod to d&s-less
Roaster: (Jeff at Redbirdcoffee)

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006, 5:59pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

Ah, yes, DUH, very small opening down there - thanks!

#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2

cpl593h
Senior Member

Joined: 6 Apr 2005
Posts: 660
Location: San Francisco, CA
Expertise: I live coffee

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006, 6:12pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

ChrisCoffee.com has a photo of the heater on his website: Click Here (www.chriscoffee.com)

Kristi
Senior Member

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006, 6:23pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

Actually mine might be the one for the quickmills

#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2

JohnYossarian
Senior Member

Joined: 13 Jan 2008
Posts: 6
Location: UK
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Bezzera BZ35e
Grinder: Anfim Super Lusso, Cunill...
Vac Pot: N/A
Drip: N/A
Roaster: N/A

Posted Sun Jan 13, 2008, 2:06pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

Hello Dan, This is my first post here and after reading a lot about coffee machines (I need an upgrade in the near future) I have narrowed my choice down to Isomac Zaffiro. However expensive in the UK this is stiil the most attractive option. I have initially set my mind on Rancilio Silvia with a Rocky Doserless. These are an excellent combo but the need to PID Silvia put me a little bit off, although it is still an option. I have read the detailed review on Zaffiro and was very impressed by the temperature stability before I started reading about the PID modifications necessary to insure best shots. What is you experience with the machine? Have you been a happy user since your last contribution in this section back in 2006? I have been looking at some PID currently sold at a famous auction site for significantly less (ca. £ 40) than the $ 285 they ask for in the US and I would guess a similar (if not higher) price in the UK. I have not taken the plunge yet and would appreciate your comments/suggestions. I am a regular drinker of cappuccino but my wife has three times a day her double shots and she apreciates good coffee very much! I know that people do not conisder the Zaffiro steaming ability as a leading class in the field, but I will take a chance:). Thank you in advance for your time! I have been really enjoying the read, it is a great place full of dedicated people who like (should've said love) their coffee! Best regards, Jordan PS I am sorry for hijacking the thread but I thought that people might come back sharing their successful use throughtout the last almost 24 months.

"Nothing succeeds as planned."

Kristi
Senior Member

Posted Sun Jan 13, 2008, 4:49pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

Gad - 2 years!!! but to answer your question, a Zaffiro would be vastly better than a silvia. Virtually anything would be better than a Silvia. I had one and put 2 pids on it and sold it. damn p.i.t.a.! I love my Tea. The E61 on the Zaffiro makes all the difference. Just be aware that to steam milk you have to wait 30 secs for the boiler to heat up to steam as it's not an HX - same as with the Silvia. You will get a vastly superior brew with the Zaffiro! And E61s are easy to use.

#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2

JohnYossarian
Senior Member

Posted Mon Jan 14, 2008, 12:00pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

Hi Kristi, Thank you for your prompt reply! It sounds very re-assuring when you hear this from people who have dealt with both machines. This was my impression too. The Silvia is an excellent choice but is lacking the, literally, mass of the Zaffiro. Once I started reading about the E61 semi-commercial machines and I was sold:). I have to work out how to pay for the machine and a decent grinder, for the time being a Maccap MC4 C16 or a Rocky doserless are the contenders. This will be a serious financial jump, but I have to play with my "strategy influencing" skills on my wife:). I assume that all previous issues with your PID have been resolved (your reaction is rather informative:)) and you enjoy the smell of an excellent shot of espresso every morning. I am not so concerned about having to wait ca. 30 secs as the milk masks some of the espresso qualities anyway and I do not see this as a serious drawback (I hope people here would not take this as an espresso blasphemy:))). Thank you again! I will post once I have got the machine and start tinkering with the PID. Cheers, Jordan

"Nothing succeeds as planned."

Kristi
Senior Member

Posted Mon Jan 14, 2008, 1:13pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

The big problem with the Silvia is the 5" horizontal offset between the boiler and the group - it's impossible to get any manner of stability. Yet there is a group here who foster it and send newbies after it as the grail like lemmings are supposed to go over a cliff. Stupid in my opinion. There are so many better options! Good luck with it! I don't think you'll be disappointed!

#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2

andys
Senior Member

Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 766
Location: NY
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Speedster, Silvia
Grinder: Robur, M3, HG One
Vac Pot: Yama
Drip: Abid dripper
Roaster: PIDed Popper

Posted Mon Jan 14, 2008, 5:17pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

Kristi Said: The big problem with the Silvia is the 5" horizontal offset between the boiler and the group - it's impossible to get any manner of stability. Posted January 14, 2008 link Difficult isn't impossible.

-AndyS picture page: http://flickr.com/photos/andy_s/sets/ Extractmojo and VST filter basket beta tester

Kristi
Senior Member

Posted Mon Jan 14, 2008, 7:19pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

andys Said: Difficult isn't impossible. Posted January 14, 2008 link You are welcome to it. You couldn't pay me enough to take one. Life's too short. btdt. Hi Andy!

#--> I recommend Eric Svendson's adapter and thermometer for E61s (also Silvia) : easy surfing! # My photo albums have moved to http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema2

sjm123
Senior Member

Joined: 12 Oct 2007
Posts: 60
Location: California
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Rancilio Silvia (PID'd)
Grinder: Rancilio Rocky

Posted Mon Jan 14, 2008, 8:26pm Subject: Re: PID Isomac Single Boiler Machine

Momentary threadjack- Andy, out of curiosity, what did you find the temp offset to be in order to obtain the 203.5 in the grouphead as recommended for the Dolce blend? Thanks! Sorry!!!

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