Rancilio Silvia and PIDs

[nickrey]

An interesting article on the effect of brewing temperatures on extraction and taste can be found here. Interesting that 95C is right in the middle of the temperatures that were trialled (92, 94, 96, 98).

Edited December 2, 2015 by nickrey (log)

[Chris Hennes]

But aren't you brewing at 62C (based on the temperature of the water coming out of the portafilter)? I'd expect you to want to have it hitting the grounds at 95C, not coming out of the boiler at 95C, right? That's what I brew pour-over at.

[nickrey]

Of course it is was 95C -- yesterday I put it in a cold cup which cooled the water before I measured its temperature. After pouring a number of shots to warm the cup before measuring, it read 95C. 

[Chris Hennes]

Got it. Where is the PID measuring the temperature?

[nickrey]

It's attached to the outside of the brass boiler as per the instructions.

 

The result with the cold cup really highlights the need to warm cups before pouring.

[Chris Hennes]

Pouring multiple shots presumably also had the effect of warming the internal plumbing: do you typically discard your first couple of shots so you are starting with a hot machine?

[Chris Hennes]

What's the heat-up time on the Silvia?

[nickrey]

On the basis of experience and recommendations on coffee forums, I leave it for at least 20-30 minutes. I turn mine on when waking up and it is well and truly ready to go when I'm making breakfast.

[weinoo]

I'll add that it  is like preheating an oven with a heat sink in it (or, as in my case, a Baking Steel). I heat the oven for a good 45 minutes.  Silvia can get heated up nicely in 30 - what I do is generally run it through a cycle or two as it's warming up without any coffee...I run through both the portafilter and steam wand...that will drop the temp so the boiler fires up again. And, it's only water.

[Jason Perlow]

On December 20, 2015 at 0:47 AM, nickrey said:

On the basis of experience and recommendations on coffee forums, I leave it for at least 20-30 minutes. I turn mine on when waking up and it is well and truly ready to go when I'm making breakfast.

 

I have my Silvia on an electronic timer, a WeMo plug, but there are many on the market including very cheap electromechanical ones. I have it set for 6am to 7pm, and override it during the weekends.