Quick Mill Silvano Review: I’m Sold!

In today’s Quick Mill Silvano review I’ll be taking a first look at a rather unique espresso machine. I say that because the Quick Mill Silvano Evo is somewhere between an entry-level espresso model and a prosumer espresso machine.

Trust me when I say that could be a really good thing. Especially if you’re willing to invest in an espresso maker that you’re unlikely to outgrow. So, let’s dive right into this Quick Mill Silvano review to find out more!

Overview: Quick Mill Silvano Review

Seeing as this is one of the first Quick Mill espresso machines I’ve reviewed, I should give you a little background on the manufacturer. Based in Milan, Quick Mill has been in the coffee gear game since 1945. So, I think we can safely say these guys know what they’re doing!

Aside from producing a range of popular and highly rated home espresso machines, Quick Mill makes super automatic espresso machines, commercial espresso machines and coffee grinders.

Speaking of, I may as well remind you that you’ll absolutely need to invest in a worthy espresso grinder to pair with the Silvano Evo. Sure, this is a convincing beginner espresso machine, but if you want to achieve decent results, don’t skimp on the essentials.

Getting back on subject, the Quick Mill Silvano Evo will set you back around $1,275. While that’s a decent chunk of money, it’s important to remember that this espresso machine will appeal to beginners and experts alike.

Seriously, this baby has everything you need, including a 58mm portafilter, PID controller and dual heating systems.

Incidentally, it’s pretty rare to see a machine at this price point that’ll allow you to make espresso and steam milk at the same time. So, for those who regularly enjoy a cappuccino or espresso macchiato, I can see the Silvano Evo being very appealing.

Finally, don’t be fooled by the Quick Mill Silvano’s compact size and straightforward user interface. In reality, this is a powerful espresso maker that can compete with much more expensive machines.

Quick Mill Silvano Evo Features

Now that you have an idea of what we’re dealing with, let’s continue this Quick Mill Silvano review by diving into the machine’s notable features.

Size and Design

I’m not sure that I can gush about how the Quick Silvano looks. I mean, having reviewed so many truly beautiful machines, the Silvano Evo doesn’t exactly stand out. Still, there’s nothing offensive about the machine’s aesthetic – it’s simply rather utilitarian in appearance.

With that said, I’m pleased to see an abundance of stainless steel in the machine’s construction. That certainly makes a nice change from the usual plastic found on similarly priced models.

As I mentioned earlier in this Quick Mill Silvano review, the machine is nice and compact, making it ideal for any kitchen. Plus, with a height of just 16 inches (40.6 centimeters), you won’t have to worry about it fitting under overhanging cabinets. Best of all, the 67.6-ounce (2-liter) water tank is side loading, so you won’t have to move the machine to refill.

I shouldn’t forget to mention the spacious warming plate on top of the machine. I love this feature, seeing as you’re able to preheat your espresso cups as you’re waiting for the machine to come to brewing temperature. And let’s not forget that espresso always tastes better from a warm demitasse!

User Interface

From what I can gather, operating the Quick Mill Silvano Evo is far from rocket science. I mean, there are three simple switches for turning the machine on, making espresso and turning on the steam function. So, I think anyone could handle that!

Elsewhere, things get a little more interesting. That’s because the Silvano Evo is equipped with a digital PID controller, which allows you to accurately tweak the boiler temperature. What’s more, the screen doubles as a handy shot timer.

Finally, I’m happy to see a pressure gauge on the front of the machine. This will allow you to monitor your extraction and gives valuable insight into your dose, grind and tamping.

Dual Heating Systems

One of the most exciting features of the Quick Mill Silvano is its dual heating system. I have to say I’m super impressed by what the manufacturer has done here.

For starters, there’s a 13.5-ounce (400-milliliter) copper brew boiler that only takes around 10 minutes to heat up. And while that might sound rather small, remember that this machine has a dedicated thermoblock for steaming milk. Oh, and there’s even a dedicated vibratory pump for the thermoblock.

As I mentioned earlier, the fact that you can make coffee and froth milk at the same time is rare at this price point. So Quick Mill certainly earns extra points in that regard. Plus, I love that you’re able to turn the thermoblock on or off, depending on whether you need it. Again, extra points for an eco-friendly machine!

PID Control

While novice baristas likely won’t care much about this feature, more experienced users can rejoice. Personally, I love using an espresso machine with a PID controller, especially when I’m experimenting with different espresso beans.

After all, a light roast single origin coffee is usually going to taste a lot better as espresso if the brew temperature is increased. And if you enjoy making espresso with a dark roast, reducing the temperature will likely give you the best results.

Portafilter

Although I wouldn’t classify the Quick Mill Silvano Evo as a prosumer espresso machine, it comes pretty close. Most importantly, the Silvano comes with a 58mm portafilter, which is standard issue on commercial machines.

Some folks might tell you that portafilter size doesn’t matter, but I beg to differ. I think you always get a more even and complex extraction when using a larger 58mm basket.

The Quick Mill portafilter isn’t super fancy, in that it has dual spouts and a black plastic handle. Still, I’m sure you could upgrade to a bottomless portafilter if that’s your thing.

Steam Wand

While I love the fact that the Quick Mill Silvano Evo has a dedicated thermoblock for the milk circuit, there are some drawbacks.

For starters, thermoblock steam tends to be a little wetter than what you’d get from a real boiler. What’s more, you can expect the Silvano Evo to be on the slower side in terms of steaming performance.

With all that said, inexperienced home baristas will likely appreciate the opportunity to hone their latte art skills at a slower pace. Besides, the thermoblock will be ready to go in around two minutes, making this machine very convenient to use.

As for the steam wand itself, I’m not sure whether it offers 360-degree movement. Plus, seeing as it’s operated via a switch, it’s either full on or off. Still, the commercial-style wand with a two-hole tip should be capable of doing a good enough job for most folks.

Accessories

As you’d imagine, the Quick Mill Silvano comes with a decent collection of accessories, including a couple of filter baskets, a group cleaning brush and a coffee scoop.

Unfortunately, Quick Mill hasn’t caught on to the fact that including a plastic coffee tamper is kind of insulting. Seriously, how many times do I have to shame an espresso machine manufacturer for cutting corners?

Anyway, if you end up purchasing the Silvano Evo, do yourself a favor and buy a decent espresso tamper at the same time. Then, you can put the included tamper where it belongs – in the trash.

How to Use the Quick Mill Silvano Evo

For the purposes of this Quick Mill Silvano review, I won’t go into great detail about how to make the perfect espresso. Still, I can give you an idea of what to expect from this beginner-friendly machine.

For starters, I’d recommend washing all removable parts, including the portafilter, filter baskets and shower screen. Once that’s done, fill the reservoir with filtered water. This is super important and will prevent limescale from building up in the boiler.

Next, you’ll need to prime the boiler by turning the top switch to position 1 and then moving the brew switch to the right. There are detailed instructions in the user manual, but you can expect to wait around 10 minutes for the boiler to come up to temperature.

Now it’s go time! Using a coffee scale, measure out your desired dose of coffee, then grind into the portafilter and tamp. Once that’s done, lock the portafilter into position in the group head and start the brewing process.

Remember that this is a semi-automatic espresso machine, so you’ll need to stop the brewing cycle once you’re satisfied. If all goes well, you should have around 2 ounces of espresso in 24-30 seconds. Oh, and keep an eye on the pressure gauge during extraction – you should see it hover around 9 bars for most of the time.

Quick Mill Silvano Cleaning

Fortunately, keeping the Quick Mill Silvano Evo in tip top shape won’t require too much hard work. That said, you should get in the habit of cleaning the portafilter after each use and flushing water through the group head. Oh, and if you’re steaming milk, don’t forget to wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth.

Once a week, you’ll want to backflush the group head with water. You’ll use the blind basket for this. And once every couple of weeks you should perform the same procedure using espresso machine cleaning powder. Don’t worry, there are detailed instructions in the user manual.

As for descaling, you shouldn’t have to worry as long as you’re using filtered water. Besides, descaling an espresso machine like this can do more harm than good.

If you’re looking for more detailed information on maintaining an espresso machine, check out my bumper cleaning and descaling guide!

Quick Mill Silvano Technical Specifications

Quick Mill Silvano vs Rancilio Silvia

Regular Coffeeness readers will know how much I love the Rancilio Silvia. This classic home espresso machine is still around for a reason – it looks cool, performs like a champ and can produce exceptional espresso.

That said, getting to grips with Miss Silvia takes time and patience. You’ll have to learn how to temperature surf, as well as fiddle around with manual pre infusion hacks.

On the other hand, the Quick Mill Silvano offers the features Rancilio Silvia lovers wish their machine had. By that I’m talking about a PID, shot timer and dedicated steam bank. Sure, you can get more advanced features with the Rancilio Silvia Pro X. However, you’ll pay an eye-watering $1,990.00 for the privilege.

Both the Rancilio Silvia and the Quick Mill Silvano are excellent machines, but I’d say the Silvano is more suitable for beginners. Then again, the Rancilio’s $900.00 asking price is certainly more appealing.

See Also: Rancilio Silvia Review

Quick Mill Silvano vs Rancilio Silvia Comparison Chart

Verdict: Quick Mill Silvano Review

Having reached the end of my initial Quick Mill Silvano review, I must say I’m intrigued. This compact and approachable espresso machine looks like it could be an excellent choice for any home espresso enthusiast.

Sure, it ain’t cheap. However, when you look around at the competition it actually looks like excellent value.

I simply can’t wait to get my hands on this machine! So, if you’re interested in reading about my experiences using it, keep checking back!