Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine with PID Kit Installed

The Rancilio Silvia is possibly the most celebrated semi professional espresso machine of all time. The Rancilio Silvia espresso machine offers excellent dependable service and allows its users (with proper technique, practice & training) to produce the highest quality espresso beverages at the home or office.

Since 1927 the Rancilio company has been known and appreciated around the world for its quality craftsmanship and superior espresso machines and grinders. The Rancilio Silvia is no exception and is our absolute favorite espresso machine value in the under $1000 category.

The Rancilio Silvia espresso machine features an iron support frame and it's body and control panels are stainless steel with a satin finish.

Espresso Machine Accessories Include: 1 filter holder, 1-cup filter, 2-cup filter, measuring spoon, coffee press.

The Rancilio Silvia is one of the most popular home espresso machines ever and the reasons for this are simple. This espresso machine is very reliable and built to last for years. One might even say that this is an espresso machine/maker with a cult following. A quick search "Google" on the internet for 'Rancilio Silvia' and will reveal the plethora of results.

The commercial size group excepts it's full size commercial portafilter and/or a bottomless portafilter. For the best results we recommend the use of a 14 Gram Double La Marzocco espresso portafilter basket part number MZ.107. This has been proven by many to be the perfect basket for use in a Silvia. In fact at your option you can order the Silvia from Espresso Parts with a commercial portafilter and La Marzocco 18 or 21 gram basket for only 30.00 more, a great deal. Silvia's 12 oz. boiler is one of the largest in its class. Match this with Silvia's three way solenoid valve and you are as close to a commercial machine as you can get in this price range.

The fit and finish of the stainless steel body is fantastic and will look great in any kitchen. The Silvia is the right machine for many reasons. Ask about our extras when purchasing.

I love my Silvia - why do I need a PID?

Experiments have shown that temperature is one of the most important factors to control when making espresso. Even small temperature deviations away from optimal can have an adverse affect on taste.

With its heavy brass construction, the Rancilio Silvia (sometimes called Rancilio Sylvia) espresso machine is capable of temperature stability and control that rivals costly heat exchanger machines.

Unfortunately, a new Silvia is not configured to take full advantage of those capabilities and comes to you with an inexpensive bimetallic thermostat. This stock thermostat permits more than a 40F range in boiler temperature. Some experts believe that espresso quality is affected by temperature variations of less than 1F.

Wouldn't it be nice to virtually eliminate brew temperature from the list of variables that stand between you and repeatable "perfect" shots?

Luckily it is possible to take full advantage of Silvia's capacity for stable brew temperatures. With a straightforward modification you can control Silvia's boiler temperature to within approximately 1F. The key components of this modification include:

* a digital temperature controller (commonly referred to as a PID),
* a solid state relay (SSR) to quickly and silently switch the heating element on and off,
* and a thermocouple probe.

MLG Watlow SD3C PID Kit Info.

This kit has been professionally installed by an Espresso Parts technician. Rest assured that your kit has been correctly installed, tested and is guaranteed to work.

Watlow SD3C Kit

The Watlow SD3C is a digital temperature controller that displays both current temperature and set point - but is still the 1/32 DIN size that fits MLGs smallest stainless steel enclosure (same as the 935 series). Click here for detailed users' manual from the manufacturer. This controller can be used on both 110V and 220V systems, both in the US and internationally.

This may be the perfect controller for adding a PID to Silvia. It offers a 2-line display with the capability of simultaneously showing set point and current temperature. This is Watlow's current state-of-the-art single loop controller - and carries a full 3-year manufacturer's warranty. And, it fits in a 1/32 DIN size enclosure! So if the larger size of MLGs other 2-line display controllers is an issue for you, then the new SD3C line of kits may be the answer.

Based on the testing done to date with this controller, we are very impressed. Previously, among the Watlow controllers offered by MLG, the Series 93 and 965 controllers had provided both the most stable setpoint control at idle, and the best recovery from pulling a shot. But the SD3 seems to outperform them both. Take a look here at some real data showing impressive performance by this controller on a brand new Silvia.

In addition, Watlow has apparently made some improvements in the thermocouple circuitry with this line of controllers. Our distilled water ice bath tests gave results that were nearly perfect, and our testing at high temperature showed similar excellent accuracy as compared with a very accurate digital thermometer.

In short, we are very excited about the SD3 controllers!

What's included in an MLG kit?

• Premium quality Watlow or other fine quality temperature controller. As noted in our price list, we offer both new controllers (still boxed), or lightly used controllers. Whether new or used, each of our controllers is fully tested and calibrated and will be functioning perfectly when you receive it.
• Solid state relay (SSR) with a current rating of at least 25A. As with controllers, we offer both new, in box SSRs, or lightly used SSRs. Each will be tested for proper function on a real Silvia, with the actual controller in your kit, before being shipped to you.
• All required UL listed wiring, color coded, pre-cut to proper lengths, and with terminals pre-installed
• Custom made thermocouple probe (type T, SLE), with high temperature Teflon insulation (there is no fiberglass insulated wire in MLG kits)
• Simple push-on connectors that eliminate the need to cut, strip, or otherwise modify any of Silvia's internal wiring
• All screws, nuts, washers, wire ties, grommets, clamps, cable loom, and other misc. pieces required for installation (We'll even lend you a 7mm socket if you need one)
• Specially fabricated acrylic bracket for mounting PID to Silvia (no new holes of any kind required in Silvia - neither through stainless panels nor through black iron frame)
• Custom designed and built brushed stainless steel enclosure
• Detailed 40-plus page installation guide, with dozens of color photographs (provided in PDF format on CD)
• 90-day warranty from MLG on the entire kit. Return defective parts we will send you replacements, at no charge, within warranty period. In addition to our warranty, some of our controllers and SSRs also carry a manufacturer's warranty.