Please go to my blog as I have documented new improvements to my Silvia, including those described here, as well more significant ones.


From 2004:
I have been brewing espresso on my Rancilio Silvia every morning for about three years now. I created my first acrylic top two years ago. The inspiration comes from the computer modding culture. Modding, short for modifying, is very much in the spirit of hot-rodding cars and motorcycles. Often I will explain my espresso machine as my own version of a Harley. It features lots of shiney hardware, top quality contruction, and it often helps to wear goggles.

The process of making espresso, especially on a machine such as the Silvia, is a real joy. It offers complexity, challenge, and a great drink if you get it all right. After years of practice, I am still learning more about the Silvia and making espresso. It is an art and a science that rewards endless attention. After installing my Clear Top, I enjoyed the added dimension of glimpsing the mechanics and electronics while I worked through my morning routine. It answered many questions I had, but more importanly, it brought more questions to mind.

The spirit of modding is fantastic because it continues the enjoyment one feels when researching a new purchase. The first day of ownership isn't the end of the road, it is instead a starting point for a new process of personalization, customization, and modification. The Silvia has already earned a few cool mods (the PID mod, and the pressure mod in particular- send me other mods if you know of any). I would be interested to hear from anyone who sees the Clear Top as worthy of showing off mods you've already completed. One of my hopes for the Clear Top is that it becomes just one of an increasing number of espresso machine mods.

Currently, following the lead of PC modders, I am working on installing a set of Cold Cathode lights in my Silvia. Look to the site soon for more info. Send pictures of your modded Silvia or other espresso machines. Most of all, I encourage you to be crazy and make your machine like your coffee, fresh and original.

Thanks for visiting,
Tim Hirzel