Archive for January, 2010
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee
The Right Coffee Maker for your Cup of Coffee?
Are you the one of the many people who needs that perfect cup of coffee in the morning? I mean that one cup that will make your day by satisfying your taste buds. Then, it happens. You are in need of a coffee maker or need a replacement for that old coffee maker.
If you need a coffee maker and don’t have one or are going to have to look for a replacement, how do you know what you should be looking for? How can you tell the differences between different coffee makers? Without the answer to these questions, you are going to be making a stab in the dark when it comes to buying one. The first thing to do is to ask yourself what features do I want or do I really need. The best buying advice begins when you know your specific needs. What do you want your coffee machine to do? How many people are going to be using the coffeemaker? How many cups of coffee will need for a special occassion with guests? What features do you want or does it have features that you will never use, such as stay warm for 2 hours when you only have a cup and then leave for work. Tomorrow; does this scenario fit your situation?
I was just talking to a friend. He lives with a room mate who likes coffee more than he does, but not 12 cups worth. Yet, that is what they make every morning. I asked if he drank a lot of coffee too. He said, no. I only drink one cup of coffee a day in the morning. So, why do you use a 12 cup coffee maker? Well, that’s the coffee maker we have, and it keeps the coffee hot. These two bachelors are not any different than many others. It is what they have, and it makes a full pot so that they want another cup, it is there, hot and ready to drink. It doesn’t seem to matter that they are wasting coffee that they do not drink or that the coffee is probably bitter later in the day. It is what they are use to and that is all right with them… And they choose not to change.
Toastess Delfino Coffee Maker
Toastess International from Canada has unveiled the Delfino; it is a new style of small kitchen appliances that are upscale and of brushed stainless steel. The DLFC-381 is a 12 cup programmable coffee maker that automatically brews the freshest cup of coffee. The unit features a 24 hour programmable timer, pause and serve anti-drip feature and 2 hour “keep warm” function with automatic shut-off. These features are usually seen in the more expensive coffee makers. However, this household coffee maker adds a removable water tank, which is easy to fill right at the tap, with graduated cup markings for under $50.
Redesigned Rancilio Silvia V3 Espresso Machine
Care of the Redesigned Rancilio Silvia V3 Espresso Machine
Under normal household use we recommend descaling, i.e. decalcifying, your household espresso machine at least once every 2-3 months. This removes minerals from the inside of the boiler and the interconnecting tubing. This will minimize problems and maintain durability. It will depend on the type of water you use and how many cups you brew. Using filtered or bottled water does not reduce the need to descale your machine. The minerals will also degrade the integrity of the boiler, decreasing its capacity and jeopardizing your warranty. The same is true if you use vinegar or lemon juice to clean your machine. If you have a reverse osmosis filter, or use distilled water, you will not have to decalcify.
We recommend Cleancaf for descaling the Silvia or any espresso machine you may have. Cleancaf descaler comes in the 3 per package size and by the case. We also recommend that you consistently clean the machine by removing all the old coffee and coffee oils. Tomorrow, how about something new?
Redesigned Rancilio Silvia V3 Espresso Machine
Controls of the Redesigned Rancilio Silvia V3 Espresso Machine
All the controls for the Rancilio Silvia are located on the face of the machine. The switch in the front-center, lights up when you are powering up. The large lamp next to it comes on when power is being sent to the heating element. The three switches on left side of the Silvia are: top, the brewing switch, which starts the brewing cycle; middle, the hot water switch. When you open the steam valve on the right, water is dispersed through the steam wand. Be sure to have a container ready. The bottom switch turns on the steam function by raising the temperature in the boiler. The Silvia has noted outstanding steaming power in under two minutes at 15 BAR, 217 psi of pressure. After enhanced frothing, the smooth chrome surface of the steam wand wipes clean with a damp towel. When you turn the brewing switch off a 3-way valve instantly relieves the brewing pressure. In addition, the Silvia is equipped with three thermostats, mounted right on the boiler. One maintains proper brewing temperature, the second controls a higher temperature for creating steam and the third is a safety device. If for some reason the Silvia overheats, the thermostat automatically turns off the heating element. This can be easily reset. The Silvia comes with a solid plastic handled heavy-duty chrome plated brass portafilter and two 58mm pressed stainless steel filter baskets: a single shot and double shot version. An espresso pod conversion is also available. Care for your car? Care for your commercial quality Rancilio Silvia.
Redesigned Rancilio Silvia V3 Espresso Machine
Specifications on the Redesigned Rancilio Silvia V3 Espresso Machine
The redesigned American version Rancilio Silvia is slightly larger measuring 13 5/8” x 9 1/2” x 11 3/8.” It operates on a regular 120Volt system pulling a maximum of 800 W at 60Hz. This is only noted on the machine itself along with the UL label. Heavy-duty, quality materials are used throughout for a superior commercial quality machine. The brass boiler heats evenly, resistant to corrosion and hot and cold cycles. It has a capacity is 12 ounces minus the heating element, which takes about 1 1/2 ounces of space and pulls 800W. The removable water tank, which holds 2L (67 ounces) of water, has a 10 inch clearance for removal. The reservoir’s 2 hoses, a submerged long one for the intake to the boiler and one short for the pressure valve. The drip tray on the top has been redesigned with a modern look as well as being very functional. The drip tray simply lifts out for easy cleaning. Warranty: 1 year parts and labor. Controls, controls, controls, tomorrow.
Rancilio Silvia
Around January of 2010 the Silvia Redesigned V3 Espresso Machine will appear. The newest features include a plastic guide around the steam wand knob so the meal body doesn’t cut in the knob and an adjustable overpressure valve. You can also adjust the amount of excess water pressure by bringing out the PV and tightening the nut. Some recommend doing this with the V512 pressure gauge.
You can now get this espresso machine with an optional stainless steel base. I recommend the two drawer so that you can have accessories in one and use the second for a knockbox of old grinds from your portafilter. Another great feature is a rubber protector on the steam wand to prevent burns.
It has some of the same reliable components in the rear and boiler front view along with a grouphead dispenser (holds your portafilter during brewing), steam nozzle, steam valve and chrome filter holder constructed of press forged marine brass.
The “new” Silvia has three thermostats: coffee, steam, and safety. The coffee one is not adjustable; if you want a higher temperature you’ll need a higher temperature thermostat. The three way solenoid valve opens after you depress the coffee switch, which may cause water to run into the drip tray. The specifications for this commercial quality machine are many. You’ll see what they are on Monday with a preview of the Silvia V3.
Rancilio Silvia
The Rancilio Silvia changes in 2007 continued into 2009 with new features. These included a new drip tray, a new OPV (adjustable pressure control) valve, an upgraded boiler and even a new pod adapter kit. So what were the consumer reports on these changes to the Silvia. The Rancilio manual is a good one and comes with the espresso machine. The updated portafilter is a full blown commercial one today. The service and offerings are always great. The following are customer reviews between 2005 and the first part of 2009. Where are the worst ones?
“I have owned several different espresso machines in different price ranges. I doubt there is a better machine out there!”
“Providing a neutral recommendation as there is nothing to say bad against the machine per se, except that it takes a lot of practice to do it right”
“After lots of online research, I settled on the Sylvia. I was a little scared of all the reviews on coffee-geek websites which warned that you have to be a jedi master to operate it: fine-tuning the perfect grind, applying just the right amount of tamping pressure, etc. But I’ve been living with it for a week now, and I’m perfectly happy with it.”
“Miss Silvia Rocks! If you want a consistently great espresso – this is the best. The Rancilio Silvia is a fantastic espresso machine and with a little practice and some high quality beans – you can make better espresso drinks at home than in any espresso shop in your town.”
This last review says it best. The consumer gave it a one star. See what he said next. “We tried to use our Rancilio Espresso Machine this morning and it would not heat. I am reserving judgement as to whether I will be able to get this thing repaired under some kind of warranty.
Update: I talked to someone at the company and he told me about taking off the lid and pushing the red thermal reset button. that was the problem. I have not had any problems since. This has been very reliable since then. If I knew how to change the stars, I would change it back to 5 stars…”
What were the Rancilio Silvia changes in 2009? See what some of them are tomorrow.
Research shows that drinking teas is a healthy activity as tea contains antioxidants that help fight cancer and can slow the aging process. Vitamin C which is found in some teas helps in fighting certain illnesses. Other teas contain polyphones which strengthen teeth by reducing plaque and also help in achieving proper digestion by increasing the flow of digestive juices in the stomach.
So why not start the healthy habit of drinking tea. You can also encourage your friends and relatives by spreading the words about the many wonderful benefits of drinking tea. Along with that, you can also gift them with various tea blends along with a precision electric tea kettle. They are gifts for better health and well-being.
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine
The Silvia, which was introduced as a prototype in 1997, was something the company didn’t initially intend to sell. But sell, it did; becoming the best selling espresso machine at a cost of over $300 ten years later. It even sold more espresso machines than the commercial market. Fan “club” websites sprung up all over the web. Many of the enthusiasts and consumers were surprisingly knowledgeable and understanding of the machine. Some of them were the first people to add PID (temperature control) to their Silvias. Two men were the first to show the espresso industry the way to temperature stabilize these commercial machines. Today, one company that is involved in PID technology has privately honored these early technical developers.
Today the Silvia has changed a lot, but has also remained the solid basic machine in other ways.
What changes happened by 2009? I will talk about that tomorrow.