Review on ☕️ 2020 Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine with Iron Frame & Stainless Steel Panels - Updated Black Edition by Larry Blanco

After years of hesitation, I finally made my decision. I already had a Rancilio grinder and this is my second semi-automatic espresso machine. I chose the 2020 version for its energy efficiency, black coating on the body (to prevent fingerprints) and group head, and having a real tamper (instead of a piece of plastic). For me it was worth the €60 difference in price. The machine arrived in very good condition in well sealed packaging. Things I noticed when setting up the machine is that the stainless steel top cover has to loosen a screw to remove the foil, also the thickness of the steel top seems a bit flimsy. The portafilter handle is very light compared to the basket. When I unpacked the car, all the switches were in the "on" position, which is a bit counter-intuitive - follow the sticker instructions carefully to get the car ready and there won't be any problems. The car takes a little getting used to and all the comments in Rancilio Silvia's review are pretty accurate, the drip tray is small, the car is finicky and the water tank is small. I was able to get some very good shots on my first tries, but I had over 10 years of previous experience, a good grinder (Rocky) and lots of good accessories. I will definitely study on this machine for a while and it will take time. I'm not 100% sure the solenoid is working well and I'm struggling a bit with the port filter included in the group to see if it works over time. The machine looks great, it's compact (that's my main reason for not buying a steamer) and I'm very happy with the purchase. I've been totally into "learning" for a while and I think my game would improve a lot. The construction of the machine seems solid, except for the sheet steel used for the lid, which I don't think will make any difference. The water tank and lid are very solid, the drip tray and lid are very well made, and the handle, switches, and steam lever feel like higher quality bits. It's definitely an improvement over the average plastic home appliance and I hope it will last for many years to come.