It will work but the single boiler design requires you to cycle through the brew and steam temperature settings. I have a Silvia that is sometimes used to make a couple of lattes in the afternoon. However, it is mostly used as a backup I keep around just in case the HX machine breaks down which never happens.
An HX machine is much better suited to your needs. It doesn't need to cycle through temperature settings. It has steam available whenever you need it. It will break your $1000 budget by a few hundred dollars if you include the grinder but will be well worth it in terms of convenience and overall quality of the coffee. HX machines are much more forgiving than the Silvia. They start out around $1000 but you should be able to get a package deal with a machine and grinder to bring the overall cost down, say under $1500. If it were my choice I would be looking at the Oscar paired with a Vario grinder.
ronen Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2011 Posts: 4 Location: usa Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Fri Oct 28, 2011, 7:41am Subject: Re: Espresso Machine for my husband
NobbyR Said:
Sort of.
An alternative to the Silvia would be the Crossland Coffee CC1 which offers among other advanced features (like programmable pre-infusion, PID) thermoblock enhanced steaming, i.e. the hot water from the boiler is further heated by an additional thermoblock. Thus the temperature of the boiler remains the same. However, the machine can't brew and steam at the same time. The CC1 is in the same price range as the Silvia.
Hi , I am looking for something in the same price area, Why cant you brew and steam on the CC1 at the same time? if its has a thermoblock? Am i missing something ? that's the whole idea of thermoblock, as far as i understand Thanks
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,612 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Fri Oct 28, 2011, 7:57am Subject: Re: Espresso Machine for my husband
ronen Said:
Why can't you brew and steam on the CC1 at the same time? If it has a thermoblock? Am I missing something? That's the whole idea of thermoblock, as far as I understand
The thermoblock of the CC1 is used to produce steam from the hot water of the boiler. Other than with a SBDU, the temperature of the boiler remaines the same, so that you can pull your next shot without having to wait for the boiler to cool down. In order to brew and steam simultaneously you need a second pump like the QuickMill Silvano.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
ronen Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2011 Posts: 4 Location: usa Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Fri Oct 28, 2011, 8:25am Subject: Re: Espresso Machine for my husband
Ok, so the missing second pump answer my question, But i think its good enough for me ( I am a man , i cant do 2 things at the same time without falling) Does the CC1 hace good reputation in terms reliability? i could not find any reviews in CG about it.
I am looking for my first espresso maker (espresso for me, cappuccino for my wife) Thanks, i am really learning something here
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,612 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Fri Oct 28, 2011, 9:23am Subject: Re: Espresso Machine for my husband
ronen Said:
Ok, so the missing second pump answer my question, But i think its good enough for me ( I am a man , i cant do 2 things at the same time without falling) Does the CC1 hace good reputation in terms reliability? i could not find any reviews in CG about it.
I am looking for my first espresso maker (espresso for me, cappuccino for my wife) Thanks, i am really learning something here
Well, the CC1 hasn't been around long enough to say much about its longevity. However, compared to other machines in that price range (mostly SBDUs) is has many advanced features such as programmable pre-infusion, an integrated PID and a shot timer.
How many cups per day will you probably be making? What's your budget? Don't skimp on the grinder! You'll need a capable grinder, no matter what machine you'll end up with.
*** "This drink of the Satan is so delicious that it would be a shame to leave it to the infidels." (Pope Clement VIII on coffee)
ronen Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2011 Posts: 4 Location: usa Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Fri Oct 28, 2011, 10:37am Subject: Re: Espresso Machine for my husband
Thats what i am afraid of, features are nice, but i think reliability is more important, Do people buy the CC1? cause if there are no reviews on CG its strange (they have a review on almost any thing that relates to coffee)
I guess 5-6 cups a day, and sometimes more depends on the crowd The budget is about 1000$ for both maker and grinder, I am aware that a descent grinder is as important Thanks
MikeReilly Senior Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 277 Location: Vancouver Island Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Cimbali Junior D, Gaggia... Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Cuisinart Roaster: Behmor, I-Roast 2, Popper
Posted Fri Oct 28, 2011, 6:07pm Subject: Re: Espresso Machine for my husband
About 50% above your budget level you can get a Bezzera BZ02 and a Baratza Vario grinder. A good solid set up that skips past the SBDU range of machines right in to solid HX territory. Or look for a good used machine. Really though, the BZ02 should handle your coffee needs for a good long time.
NobbyR Senior Member Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 1,612 Location: Germany Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Poccino Opus One, Ariete Grinder: Eureka Mignon Istantaneo,... Vac Pot: N/A Drip: Melitta Linea Unica de Luxe Roaster: N/A
Posted Sat Oct 29, 2011, 1:43am Subject: Re: Espresso Machine for my husband
ronen Said:
Thats what i am afraid of, features are nice, but i think reliability is more important, Do people buy the CC1? cause if there are no reviews on CG its strange (they have a review on almost any thing that relates to coffee)
TonyVan Senior Member Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 269 Location: Pacific Northwest Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: GS/3, La Pavoni Grinder: Macap M7K, Rocky Drip: Kone
Posted Sat Oct 29, 2011, 8:02am Subject: Re: Espresso Machine for my husband
While the CC1 machine was only released this year, it is based on/built over/modified from a machine that had been out in the market for some time. Bill Crossland, the man behind the CC1, is a famously smart espresso engineer and would have chosen his base product with extreme care. That, combined with the very high profile and industry interest in the CC1 and the exposure to the fine reputations of vendors representing it - not to mention Bill's personal involvement - limits the risk of a CC1 choice: with all that visibility you're going to get attention if you ever need it.
By all accounts the CC1's $699 price makes for one of the best machines, as measured by price/performance, that the business has seen for a long time.
Regarding the grinder, besides the excellent Baratzas, you might also want to consider a good used grinder from a responsible party that might work even better. Usually there are good Mazzer Minis available, and I remember recently seeing a Macap M4, barely broken in, at a great price that I think may still be available from the Buy-Sell-Trade forum on this site. Combinations such as these would match your budget and deliver outstanding results and great satisfaction. Good luck!
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