Rancilio Silvia M V6 Review – One For The Coffee Connoisseurs

Rancilio Silvia M V6 Review – My Ratings & Top Features

Who Should Buy The Rancilio Silvia M V6?

The Silvia M V6 espresso maker is for anyone who knows their way around an espresso machine and wants to take their barista skills to the next level.

While there’s a steep learning curve for beginners, espresso aficionados will find this to be a straightforward machine that delivers fantastic espresso.

If you’re looking for a long-term coffee investment, this is an amazing choice! [1]

Why I Decided To Review The Rancilio Silvia M V6

The original Silvia coffee machine was released in 1997, so it’s been around for a while. Of course, the Rancilio company has made upgrades and improvements over the years.[2]

I've always been intrigued by this company, mostly because Rancilio started out by manufacturing only commercial espresso machines.

They branched out into the residential market with the Silvia, but they still remembered their commercial roots.

When I found out that the Silvia espresso machine was made for home use but featured the same level of durability as commercial machines, I had to see for myself.

I ordered one on Amazon and started testing its performance as soon as it arrived.

Here’s a bit more info on how I tested the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine:

What’s It Like To Make Espresso With The Rancilio Silvia M V6

In order to give all you coffee lovers the full rundown of the M V6, I’ve tested everything from pulling shots and frothing milk to machine aesthetics and functionality in this Silvia espresso machine review.

What's In The Box?

In addition to the semi-automatic machine, the M V6 comes with a few equipment accessories for making coffee, including:

This is the essential equipment needed for pulling shots, but I would love for Rancilio to include a few more things to make my espresso-making experience even better.

For instance, it would have been nice to receive a milk jug for steaming milk. I would have also liked some cleaning tools, like descaling tablets and a cleaning brush.

All in all, though, you'll get everything you need to get started.

Pulling My First Espresso Shot

When getting ready to pull my first shot, I immediately noticed that there was some wait time for allowing the machine to heat up.

Before you pull, I recommend waiting at least 10 minutes for heat up; this isn’t a huge amount of time, and it’s a small price to pay for good espresso.

I also recommend leaving the espresso machine portafilter in the brew group head during heating.

This is something I failed to do the first time around, but it’s essential for keeping the temperature consistent throughout the entire machine.

Once everything was heated and ready to go, the fun began! Remember, this machine does not have a built-in grinder, so I used my dedicated coffee grinder to get the right consistency.

From there, it was time to fill the portafilter and tamp the coffee grounds. All in all, this was an enjoyable experience that any true espresso enthusiast will love. 

Unlike a fully automatic espresso machine, the M V6 requires some hands-on TLC, especially when it comes to grinding and tamping.

I personally love this, but if you want a less hands-on machine, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

With my first shot pulled, I also realized the importance of temperature surfing.

If you’re unfamiliar with temperature surfing, it’s the process of starting your shot at a specific time during the heating cycle.

This ensures that you get the same water temperature with every shot you pull - an essential practice for making good espresso.

I have professional barista experience, so this wasn’t a problem for me. However, if you’re new to pulling espresso, there will be a steep learning curve.

If that’s the case for you, I recommend choosing a machine with PID temperature control, like the Rancilio Silvia Pro.

It took me a few tries to get the hang of pulling shots with the M V6. Once I did, I can honestly say that the results were magical.

This was some of the best espresso I’ve had at home, even rivaling the shots I’ve sipped in Italian coffee shops.

The finished product was rich, strong, and flavorful, with a nice hint of sweetness.

First-Time Frothing Milk

One of the stand-out features of the Silvia M V6 is the machine’s steam wand.

It’s professional-grade in every way, and when used correctly, it has the steam power to create a thick, creamy microfoam that’s perfect for latte art.

My first time using the steam wand, it took a bit of trial and error. Unlike beginner-friendly machines, there’s no froth assist feature, so it was entirely on me to find the right motion.

I also noticed that it’s very powerful, which can be tough to control at first.

Still, with a bit of practice, I was frothing milk like a pro.

I quickly learned how to use the steam dial to regulate steam pressure, and the acorn-tip steam valve design is perfect for texturing milk exactly as I want it.

Look, Feel & Size Of The Rancilio Espresso Machine

Because of the commercial-grade components, the Silvia is quite heavy, weighing about 30 pounds.

Even so, it has compact specs of 9.3 inches wide by 13.4 inches high by 11.4 inches deep.

This is quite small compared to other espresso machines, but confirming that you have enough counter space is still a good idea.

Even though I have overhanging cabinets, I was pleased to find that this machine fit perfectly on my kitchen counter with plenty of room to spare.

The M V6 model currently comes in 3 colors - stainless steel, white, and black limited edition. It has very basic aesthetics, perfect for minimalists who are just looking for a simple design.

Considering the small size of the machine, I was surprised to find that it features a large 2-liter water tank.

This is standard for semi-automatic models, so you won't have to constantly refill the reservoir when it comes time to brew.

What Drinks Can It Make?

Miss Silvia can make several different coffee drinks with ease. It's perfect for single and double shots and even more capable of creating creamy cappuccinos and lattes.

As long as you get the hang of milk frothing with the steam wand, you won't ever have to leave the house for a latte or capp again.

The M V6 is also great for straightforward Americanos, but it's an unbeatable performer when it comes to milk drinks.

Ease Of Use

As I’ve said, this isn’t the easiest semi-automatic espresso machine under $1000 to use. 

The good news, though, is that it has a simple control panel that even newbies can get used to with a little bit of practice.

The control panel is designed with several rocker switches, including a power switch, a brew switch, a hot water switch, and a steam switch.

Each switch is completely manual, so it’s important to time extraction from start to finish (you’ll need to hit the switch to start and stop the water flow).

Unlike any other machine I've seen at this price point, there's a steam dial for controlling steam wand pressure.

It's actually very easy to use, but just note that the smallest adjustment can make a big difference.

Many people don't love that there's no PID control over the boiler temperature, as well as no pressure gauge. This just means that the machine requires some skill to operate effectively.

Once again, it's not best for beginners who want something easy to use with no learning curve.

Cleaning & Descaling the Silvia M V6

Last but not least in my Rancilio Silvia review is all about cleaning the machine.

While many other factors of this espresso maker are not ideal for beginners, you’ll be pleased to hear that cleaning is simple and easy.

The Silvia comes with a removable water tank as well as a drip tray, both of which can be run through the dishwasher.

The drip tray comes with a slatted design that’s perfect for catching water, and you can even purge the steam wand directly into it. This means very little cleanup on your part.

Just like any other semi-automatic machine, it's important to wipe off the stainless steel steam wand and portafilter after each use.

This is standard and will keep your machine looking new for years to come.

The only thing I don’t love about the Silvia is its lack of descaling instructions. It doesn’t even touch on descaling in the user manual, let alone provide you with descaling equipment.

Luckily, I was able to find a full tutorial with instructions online.

My Favorite Parts About The Rancilio Silvia M V6

While this semi-automatic machine has a lot of positive features, a few of them stand out more than others.

First of all, this is one of the best espresso machines based on durability.

Instead of focusing on useless features, Rancilio emphasizes high-quality parts and components - everything from the copper piping to the sturdy portafilter.

Compared to other single boiler machines, this one has a relatively small footprint. This doesn’t take away from the functionality, but it does mean that it’s likely to fit on your countertop.

In other words, it’s a fantastic choice if you’re limited on counter space.

Another stand-out feature is the intelligent heating system. The single-insulated copper boiler heats faster than the typical aluminum boilers used in many other machines.

I also love the commercial-size portafilter, which is 58mm in diameter. Not many home espresso makers have a portafilter this nice, especially considering it's built with a 3-way solenoid valve.

This means pressure won't build up after brewing for a no-mess experience.

My Least Favorite Parts About The Rancilio Silvia M V6

Like any espresso machine, the Rancilio Silvia isn’t perfect. There is some room for improvement, especially when it comes to monitoring temperature.

While I love the insulated copper piping in the single boiler, it's not easy to monitor boiler temp. Unlike Breville machines, the M V6 has no PID temperature control.

For this reason, it isn't easy to gauge brew temperature vs steam temperature, so users have to know how to temperature surf to get the right results.

Another con is that there’s no built-in burr grinder. You’ll either need to grind your coffee beans using a separate grinder or purchase ground coffee.

While it’s not a deal-breaker for me, it is for some people.

Rancilio Silvia M V6 Vs Similar Machines

Rancilio Silvia M V6 Vs Pro

The Rancilio Pro uses the same classic Silvia style, but there are some clear improvements with this updated machine. It is a bit pricier, but there are a few reasons for that.

First off, the Pro coffee maker comes with PID temperature control.

There’s no need for temperature surfing as users can set the exact desired temp they need for brewing or milk steaming.

Another significant improvement to the pro is the dual boiler system.

Compared to the single boiler of the M V6, dual boilers mean there's no wait time between brewing espresso and steaming milk.

Rancilio Silvia M V6 Vs V5

There aren’t many differences between the V5 and the V6 new machine.

However, Rancilio did make a few noticeable updates, like the higher quality stainless steel components to prevent rusting.

The V6 also comes with an updated brew group head and steam wand. All in all, the V6 is a better choice if you’re in the market for a Silvia model.

Rancilio Silvia M V6 Vs Gaggia Classic Pro

In terms of design, the Gaggia Classic Pro espresso machine is very similar to the Silvia coffee machine.

Both options are made with commercial-grade components, but the Gaggia is considered a better entry-level option.

At first glance, I could barely tell the difference between the M V6 and the Classic Pro.

I've personally used both machines, and I quickly learned that the Gaggia is a better value-for-money choice for beginners. Plus, it's almost half the price!

Rancilio Silvia M V6 Vs Breville Barista Express

All coffee forums will tell you that the M V6 and the Barista Express are both ideal choices for making espresso at home. However, there's one big difference between these two machines.

The Barista Express is an ideal choice for beginners, while the Rancilio Silvia is better suited to more experienced home baristas.

If you’re looking for something that’s easy to use, you’ll want to go with the Breville Barista Express, especially because it comes with a PID kit for temperature stability.

FAQs

Conclusion - Is The Rancilio Silvia M V6 Worth Your Money?

I’ve covered a lot in this Rancilio Silvia review, so let’s do a quick recap.

There are a lot of features that make this a great machine, like the commercial-grade construction and the ability to fully customize your brewing experience.

However, this is definitely considered a professional-level tool, so if you’re a newcomer, it can be quite overwhelming. For that reason, I don’t recommend the Silvia M V6 to beginners.

Beginners are much more suited to the Breville Barista Express or even the Barista Pro.

Still, if you're well-versed in espresso and want to take your home brewing to the next level, go for it with the Rancilio Silvia.

References: 

1. https://www.ranciliogroup.com/rancilio/silvia/silvia/
2. https://www.ranciliogroup.com/who-we-are/
3. https://www.ranciliogroupna.com/