QUICK MILL SILVANO EVO REVIEW: A CLEVER DESIGN UNLIKE THE REST

The Silvano Evo is an espresso machine with a special trick up its sleeve!

An espresso machine that can pull a shot and froth milk simultaneously is crucial if you’re serious about lattes and cappuccinos. But these tend to be bulky and expensive. Is there any hope for an espresso lover with a small home and budget?

There is! Recently, I’ve been testing the unique Quick Mill Silvano Evo espresso machine, which delivers the functionality of a double boiler at the price and size of a single boiler. Keep reading to learn how.

Where To Buy The Quick Mill Silvano Evo Online

Prosumer machines are expensive investments, so I always try to offer multiple trusted sellers. Both companies below sell the Silvano Evo and have sterling reputations for quality and customer service.

	RETAILER
	Chris Coffee	Reliable family-run company Specializes in prosumer machines Fantastic customer support	CHECK PRICE
	Majesty Coffee	Offers wide-array of equipment Comes with limited warranty Free ground shipping (Expedited shipping available)	CHECK PRICE

The Full Quick Mill Silvano Review

The Quick Mill Silvano Evo is an amazing machine unlike anything else on the market. Its price is competitive with other entry level prosumer espresso machines, but its clever design sets it apart from these models in a very important way.

In this detailed review, I’ll look at what makes the Silvano Evo home espresso machine so special and whether it’s the best option for you.

How I Rated It

• Brewing Capacity
• User Friendliness
• Milk Frothing
• Build Quality
• Value For Money

3.7

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What Makes The Silvano Evo So Special?

Brewing capability is where the Quick Mill Silvano espresso machine really stands out from the crowd. Though priced to be competitive with single boiler dual use machines, you can, in fact, brew espresso and steam milk at the same time.

How is that possible?

The Quick Mill is a semi-automatic espresso machine with a brewing system unlike any I’ve ever encountered. Inside, a 0.4-liter dedicated copper brew boiler is paired with a vibration pump to generate the necessary 9 bars of pressure for making espresso (1). But instead of relying on this same boiler for steam, it has a separate thermoblock heater, also known as a steam bank, with its own vibration pump.

There are pros and cons to using a steam bank versus a steam boiler, and I’ll discuss those further when I talk about milk frothing below.

The boiler-and-thermoblock system is not only far more compact than a dual boiler, but it is much faster to heat up. In my testing, I found it could reach the ideal temperature and stabilize in about 10 minutes – excellent news for anyone with a rushed morning (2).

If you’re investing your time and money into quality home espresso, you owe it to yourself to properly savor the results!

PID Temperaute Control

Another huge selling point of the Silvano for serious espresso enthusiasts is the PID temperature control. And I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, but it is also an impressive addition at this price. Most entry-level espresso machines rely on a pressure stat to manage temperature, but a PID controller delivers better temperature accuracy with fewer fluctuations (3).

Using the digital PID display, it’s quick and easy to adjust brewing temperature. You can raise or lower it as you change beans, which specialty coffee lovers will know is crucial for optimizing extraction and making the best espresso (4). 

Managing Brew Pressure

You’ll find a brew pressure gauge on the front of the Silvano. These are never guaranteed in a low-priced model, so I’m happy to see it here. Monitoring the pressure as you pull a shot of espresso helps you understand what’s happening inside the group, so you can better dial in your espresso and achieve reproducible results.

There is also an easily accessible adjustable expansion valve under the group for adjusting brew pressure. My Silvano came from the factory a little higher than I wanted – around 10 bars – so I lowered it slightly.

A User-Friendly Entry-Level Model

The Quick Mill Silvano espresso machine is very forgiving to use, with a short learning curve appropriate for a first espresso machine. In my experience, this model’s unique hybrid design makes it easier to operate than more traditional double boilers, like the Vetrano, and heat exchangers.

Operation is carried out with three switches. First, the three-position power switch can be either on, off, or in a middle position for refilling the boiler. Below that, there’s a switch for brewing. And the bottom switch starts and stops steaming milk. It’s all very straightforward. An indicator light accompanies each switch to update you on the machine’s status.

The PID display doubles as an automatic shot timer. As soon as you flip the switch to start your shot, it begins counting up. This is a handy feature that is starting to be incorporated into more higher-end models to meet user demands, and it’s great to find it on this entry-level machine as well.

The only real difficulty I had with the Quick Mill Silvano’s operation was that it was relatively slow to recover compared with others I’ve tested in its price range. I found the boiler needed at least a minute or two between shots.

Steam Bank Independence

A feature I love about the Silvano Evo’s design is that it is effortless to switch the steam bank on and off when not in use – a great energy-saving strategy. While many dual boiler machines offer this same functionality, the thermoblock is unique in that it only takes two minutes to come back to temperature. No steam boiler can heat up even close to that fast!

How To Clean The Quick Mill Silvano

Keeping the Silvano Evo clean and in good working order is no more complex than any entry-level prosumer machine. As with all espresso makers of this caliber, it’s better to prevent problems before they arise.

Use filtered water or install a compatible water filter to avoid build-up of scale and other contaminants in the boiler and plumbing. After pulling each shot, it’s take a second to flush some extra water through the group to rinse the shower screen, which is an easy place for coffee grounds and oils to build up. Backflush the machine regularly with filtered water and with a cleaning solution according to the manufacturer’s schedule.

The Additions

The Silvano Evo is equipped with a three-way solenoid valve, which diverts excess water and pressure out of the group head and into the drip tray after pulling a shot. No need to worry about that nasty spray of coffee sludge when you unhook the portafilter. Your used coffee puck should be dry and easy to knock into a knock box.

The 2-liter water reservoir is a reasonable size but by no means the largest in its class. Keep this in mind, especially if you’re doing a lot of flushes, because it will need regular attention. 

The drip tray is a good size in terms of overall volume but measures only 4″ from front to back, so it can be hard to avoid unwanted splashes on your countertop. Keep a microfibre cloth on hand for managing spills and wiping down the machine’s exterior regularly.

Frothing Milk: Can The Thermoblock Keep Up?

Milk frothing with the Silvano machine is good but not great – an inevitable consequence of using a thermoblock rather than a steam boiler. 

The main downside to the thermoblock is that it is slow. In my tests, it took the Silvano Evo about 75 seconds to steam 8 ounces of milk. This is compared to about 45 seconds for a competitor machine like the Rancilio Silvia. But remember that Silvia can’t brew coffee simultaneously, so your overall drink preparation time will be similar.

I have often complained that thermoblock steam is wetter than steam from a boiler, but the Quickmill Silvano Evo seems to have avoided the problem. I found the steam quality on par with others in its class (5).

The steam bank system has advantages as well. I already mentioned that it heats up about ten times faster than a comparable double boiler, but that’s not all. With the thermoblock, you have essentially unlimited steam, making it ideal for lovers of extra-large Starbucks-style lattes. And it recovers super fast for back-to-back drinks.

Using The Steam Wand 

The stainless steel steam wand is on a smooth swivel joint, so it’s easy to position regardless of the size of your pitcher. It has a two-hole tip that is well-balanced with the steaming pressure. 

I was a little disappointed to find you’re not offered any control over the steam pressure. It is simply on or off, with no knob to adjust intensity. 

Like most espresso machines of this size, the Silvano Evo doesn’t have a separate hot water tap. Nor, unfortunately, does it have a means of using the steam wand as a hot water supply. So if you’re an Americano drinker, be prepared to heat water in a separate kettle.

Compact, Durable, And Reliable

Quick Mill espresso machines are known for being durable and long-lasting. All Quick Mill machines are designed and manufactured in Northern Italy, a global center for high-end home and commercial espresso machines. The area is brimming with world-class expertise and competition, so you can trust a brand like Quick Mill that has stood the test of time (6).

The height is low enough to fit comfortably under upper cupboards, even allowing extra space for storing espresso cups on the topside cup warming tray. And if you go this route, as I did, you’ll love the side-loading water reservoir. 

The short depth is unusual, with few other machines occupying so little counter space. It’s a perfect espresso machine for anyone with a narrow, galley-style kitchen.

The exterior and the drip tray are mirror-finish stainless steel, giving the Silvano an elegant look that adds class to any kitchen. More importantly, it’s durable and easy to keep clean, though mirror-finish stainless steel tends to show scratches more than brushed stainless, so treat it with respect.

Accessories

The accessories with the Silvano Evo are a mixed bag when it comes to quality. 

It comes with one double-spout portafilter with single and double baskets. It’s a commercial-grade chrome-plated brass portafilter with a good, hefty feel and the standard 58 mm diameter. Both baskets are non-pressurized, as you would expect from a machine of this caliber. So make sure you pair it with a decent espresso grinder. 

The tamper is a cheap, plastic option that you should replace with something weightier as soon as possible.

Is The Silvano Evo Worth Its Price?

The Silvano Evo is a unique espresso machine, which means it inevitably targets a particular niche. If you fall within that target audience, the value is incredible. 

Not only is the Silvano Evo very well priced, at under $1300, but you won’t find anything else like it. If you want a machine that can brew and steam at the same time without the size and expense of a double boiler or the learning curve of an HX, the Silvano is the one.

Here are a couple of quick comparisons to give you an idea of the market. An affordable compact double boiler like the Lelit Elizabeth costs over $500 more, while the single-boiler Rancilio Silvia is about $400 less.

Don’t Buy the Quick Mill Silvano If…

• Steam pressure is important to you: Steaming with the Silvano is slow and steady. If you’re looking for something with a bit more oomph, check out the Quick Mill Andreja heat exchanger espresso machine, which can crank out a ton of pressure with its 1.8-liter boiler, or the slightly less expensive Quick Mill Anita.

• You don’t care about milk-based drinks: The steam bank on the Silvano is great, but if milky drinks aren’t your thing, a more traditional single boiler offers better bang for your buck. The similarly priced Quick Mill Alexia features a PID controller for temperature and an E61 group head.

• Programmability is a priority: If you prefer your espresso making to be a little more hands-off but would rather not go all the way to a super-automatic, take a look at the unique Quick Mill Evolution 70. The front of the machine is occupied by a massive touchscreen that makes it quick and easy to program your favorite drinks.

The Verdict

The Quick Mill Silvano Evo espresso machine is an exciting innovation. If you’re limited by counter space and budget but don’t want to give up your quest for the perfect latte, it’s well worth a look. Its unusual combination of a coffee boiler with a steam bank gives it the functionality of a dual boiler with a single boiler’s price and small footprint.

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