From using a commercial machine on a daily basis, this Silvia follows suit nicely.
Positive Product Points
Great extraction through a commercial group head and portafilter. The steam pressure is incredible for the size of the machine, one of this best I have come across. The espresso tastes good which I suppose is the most vital of components.
Negative Product Points
Having to release the pressure between frothing and pulling the shot can become tiresome, however, for making a few good coffees at home this problem is minimal. The tank size provides for a reasonable amount of coffees but must be checked to ensure the element doesn't burn out and damage the machine. It would be good to see, as with other domestic machines, an automatic cut off switch when the water level is too low. Aestheticaly the machine is neat and tidy but could be funked up to create a more attractive home piece.
Detailed Commentary
From the first fire of this machine I was suprised at the consistency I was getting for every shot I pulled, The look of the machine was not overly good at convincing me of that. Beyond that, steaming the milk was an ease from the beginning, the high pressure enables the possibilty of beautiful velvety milk with almost no need to surf the milk at all.
When putting each aspect together I was faced with both a great flat white and good espresso coffee from this little machine. Not quite up to cafe standard but for that price I was willing to accept it.
Overall a very good machine, the positves definatley do outweigh the negatives I have mentioned. I look foward to enjoying many years of brewing.
Buying Experience
The sales rep was great, with extensive knowledge on the machine and extremly helpful at filling in the blanks of the operation manual.
