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Quick Mill Alexia vs Rancilio Silvia

This guide is all about the Quick Mill Alexia vs Rancilio Silvia. We're going to compare these home espresso machines in detail to give you all the information you need to choose between them. 

QUICK MILL ALEXIA VS RANCILIO SILVIA

Here's what we're going to cover...

  • The key similarities between the Quick Mill Alexia Evo and the Rancilio Silvia M.
  • Important features that make these machines different and what they mean for you.
  • How to figure out which machine will deliver the highest value.

Quick Summary

Quick Mill Alexia Evo

Quick Mill Alexia Evo Espresso Machine

This prosumer espresso machine is ideal for home kitchens and office break rooms. It's the perfect choice for anyone looking for commercial quality, cafe-level functionality, and total control of the brew process.

Rancilio Silvia M

Rancilio Silvia M Espresso Machine

Highly affordable, this model is a great first-time espresso machine for beginners. It's the best bet if you're looking for professional quality on a tight budget, or if you need a pod-adaptable machine.

Similarities

Semiautomatic Machines

If you prefer an analog feel to your espresso equipment, a semiautomatic espresso machine like the Quickmill Alexia Evo or the Rancilio Silvia M is for you.

The semiautomatic's brew process is fully controlled by the user. You'll decide when to end the brew cycle for the perfect volume and timing, versus having the machine end brewing according to a programmed setting (as in an automatic machine).

While users will need to have enough training for manual dosing, it will allow for plenty of flexibility with every single shot. 

1 Group

Are you in the market for a home espresso machine to make your morning lattes and afternoon cappuccinos on? A single-group machine is probably what you're looking for.

With one group, the Quickmill and Rancilio models offer the ideal espresso capacity for one to a small handful of users.

They can even be perfect for an office. If you dream of being able to have an espresso any time of the workday, these machines are good options.

Pour-Over Design

Sporting large water tanks, these pour-over espresso machines can hold plenty of water to set you up for the day's caffeine requirements.

What makes a pour-over machine different from a plumbed-in model? With a pour-over machine, you'll be manually refilling the reservoir.

The plumbed-in type hooks up to a water source, so you don't need to worry about supplying the water.

The great thing about a pour-over machine, however, is that it's highly portable. Since it doesn't connect to a water line, it can be operated in any location.

Stainless Steel Construction

The benefits of a stainless steel case are numerous.

For one thing, stainless steel is resilient. It's long-lasting, able to stand up to wear and tear where many plastic parts won't.

The look of stainless steel is another pro. These polished machines are more than accents in the room—they'll add style and a professional touch to an office or home kitchen. 

PID Temperature Control

A PID controller is a high-quality component seen in many commercial espresso machines. It regulates temperatures for optimal brewing conditions. 

The PID works via an algorithm that takes a series of variables into account for continuous adjustments, ensuring that temperatures are accurate at all times.

The Quickmill's PID controls the brew boiler temperature with total precision. For the Rancilio, the PID is optional—you'll need to select it upon purchase.

Insulated Single Boiler

These machines' single boilers are insulated for better thermal management. The more efficient temperature management is, the more efficient energy usage will be.

The Rancilio's thermal wrapped boiler lets the machine conserve up to eight percent more energy.

With insulation and a T.E.A. coating, the Quickmill has extra protection against metal leaching.

Cup Warmer

Do you love a hot latte in a ceramic cup? The Quickmill and Rancilio will ensure that you always have preheated cups.

Preheating the coffee cup lets it retain heat for a longer period of time than a cold cup. You'll see cafes using cup warmers or filling cups with hot water for this reason.

The cup warmer area is also a convenient spot for demitasses. Save space in the cabinets and keep espresso cups within easy reach on top of the machine.

Key Differences

Reservoir Size

Though the reservoirs in both of these machines are decently sized, one is substantially bigger than the other.

The Quickmill's three-liter water tank can supply a small office with espresso well into the workday, and possibly even the entire day without needing replenishing.

With typical use, the two-liter Rancilio reservoir won't be needing too much frequent refilling, either.

Boiler Capacity

Generally, larger boilers are installed on powerful espresso machines. The bigger the boiler, the more back-to-back drink making is supported.

The Rancilio has a smaller 0.3-liter boiler, which is nice and steady for a home machine. But because the Quickmill has a 0.75-liter boiler, you'll notice that it has quicker recovery time and more steam power.

Rest assured that the Rancilio and Quickmill are both equipped to keep up with standard home espresso needs.

Brew Operation

With the Rancilio, you'll start and stop the brew process via a switch on the front of the machine. This is a typical semiautomatic machine setup.

If you love lever machines, you'll get a kick out of the Quickmill. You pull the lever into the on and off positions, giving you even finer control.

Rancilio Silvia M Optional Pod Kit

For beginners, espresso pods can be a great thing. They'll allow you to make espresso drinks without having to worry about getting your grind right, tamping correctly, etc.

The Rancilio is compatible with pods, but even better, it can be switched to work with freshly ground espresso at any point.

That means you're not stuck with pods in case you want to work your way up to fresh espresso.

Rancilio Silvia M Compact Size

No real space for another piece of equipment? No problem—the Rancilio is a compact machine.

It's 13.75 inches high, 9.25 inches wide, and 11.25 inches deep, so it will fit nicely on a countertop and avoid overcrowding.

The Quickmill is also a smaller machine at 15.5 inches high, 9.5 inches wide, and 17.5 inches deep. It's just not quite as compact as the Rancilio.

Always be sure to take exact measurements of any space you're planning to put an espresso machine (and grinder) in. 

Quick Mill Alexia Evo E-61 Commercial Group

The E-61 commercial group gives the Quickmill certain capabilities that make it a top-tier machine.

An E-61 group provides excellent brew temperature stability with thermosiphon circulation, keeping hot water moving throughout the group head from the boiler.

The Alexia's E-61 group also features passive pre-infusion, which saturates the coffee grounds in the group head before the pump hits nine bars of pressure to create even extraction. This way, you'll get the most flavor out of your espresso.

Quick Mill Alexia Evo Shot Timer

Without a shot timer integrated in your espresso machine, you'll need to use an external one, whether it's a kitchen gadget or your smartphone.

Timing shots is necessary to ensure that they're properly extracted. A shot that pulls too long runs the risk of being over-extracted and intensely bitter.

With the Alexia's built-in timer, you won't have to grab any extra equipment to brew espresso.

Quick Mill Alexia Evo 3 Position Power Switch

The Quickmill's three-position power switch offers additional safety features for the heating element. 

If you push the power switch to the left, the boiler will fill without the heating element turning on. Just in case the boiler doesn't fill for any reason, the heating element will be protected.

Operation of this switch is easy—push it all the way to the right and the power and heat will come on, return it to the middle position and you'll turn the power off.

Quick Mill Alexia Evo Dual Pressure Gauge

Monitoring the brew and boiler pressures with the Quickmill pressure gauges, you'll have better insight into your process.

The brew pressure gauge displays the number of bars the pump is producing during brewing. An inadequate supply can indicate that you should be tweaking your brew ratio.

You'll also see the boiler pressure, which shows when the machine is ready to brew and steam. You won't have to guess after waiting for the machine to warm up in the morning.

Quick Mill Alexia Evo Cool Touch Steam Wand

Have no fear of accidentally touching a scorching steam wand while you're cleaning it after frothing milk with the Quickmill no-burn steam wand.

Unlike standard steam wands, this one will stay cooler so that you can clean a little more safely.

And since the wand is cooler, the milk won't stick as much, making cleaning not only safer but also easier.

Quick Mill Alexia Evo Non-Compression Steam Valve

A non-compression steam valve on the Quickmill makes steaming milk easier than ever before.

The great thing about it is that if you ever need to replace it, it will be less expensive to take care of than a compression valve, saving you money.

Price Considerations

At Majesty Coffee, we believe in providing professional espresso equipment at affordable prices.

We offer the Quick Mill Alexia Evo for $1,395 and the Rancilio Silvia M for $715.

So Which Should You Buy?

There are a few things to consider when you're trying to decide which of these espresso machines is going to be the better fit for the home or office.

If you're a home espresso enthusiast, consider your skill level. For absolute beginners, a pod-adaptable machine like the Rancilio can be a good choice. And if you ever want to graduate to freshly ground espresso, you can.

But if at that time you want some finer control of your brewing, the Rancilio won't be as accommodating as the Quickmill with its passive pre-infusion, shot timer, and dual pressure gauges.

The Quickmill can also be the best option for an office with multiple employees as its safety features make it easy to use, even for those with little experience on an espresso machines. 

Machine size and budget are also important to think about. If you're looking to spend under a thousand, the Rancilio is a great budget model with prosumer appeal, and it will take up very little space in your kitchen.

Bottom line: Both machines are great for home and office setups, but the Quickmill is more advanced and adaptable. 

Keep your budget, skill level, and personal preferences in mind when choosing the espresso machine that fits your individual needs.

For expert service and the best prices online, check out the Quick Mill Alexia Evo and Rancilio Silvia M here on Majesty Coffee…

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