Seems the Gaggia boiler problems are either a crap shoot, water quality
related or both. You had terrible luck replacing multiple boilers in
multiple Gaggia machines while Alchemist John has had no boiler problems in
4 years. Where you using water softened (if needed) down to 6pmm or so?
As far as Andreja shot quality not being on par with Silvia find that most
perplexing. Not saying what you are saying isn't true for you! Just don't
recall anyone ever saying that before and I know my head to head comparisons
with Silvia vs HX E61 (though rotary not vibe) found Silvia's shots at her
best not able to compete with Bric' at her best. Not talking convenience of
using or anything, strictly resulting shot. Have you worked out your needed
HX flush routine for consistent shot temp control? Hard for me to believe
you haven't. Or maybe what I found as more clarity, more distinct flavors
with the Bric' shots compared to more rounded homogenous shot flavor with
the Silvia you did experience but to your taste was inferior.
If you really want to go back to a Silvia undoubtedly many would trade you
their Silvia in a heart beat! Of course you could sell your AJ with the
buyer saving $400 over new cost and still buy two new Silvia's. Or one new
Silvia and about 100# of greens.
Heck, I don't even have a Silvia anymore but I'll trade you a Silvia with
boiler PID installed and OPV pressure mod done for your Andreja Premium no
problem, just say the word:-)
Kona Konnaisseur miKe mcKoffee
URL to Rosto mods, FrankenFormer, some recipes etc:http://mdmint.home.comcast.net/coffee/Rosto_mod.htmUltimately the quest for Koffee Nirvana is a solitary path. To know I must
first not know. And in knowing know I know not. Each Personal enlightenment
found exploring the many divergent foot steps of Those who have gone before.
	From: homeroast-admin
[mailto:homeroast-admin] On Behalf Of jim gundlach
	Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2006 9:06 AM
	
	Let me first list my experiences so you can put my recommendations
in perspective. 
	I have been through three Gaggias and with those three, five
boilers, one Solis SL-90, one Silvia and now have the Quck Mill Andreja
Premium. I still have not pulled as good a shot with the Andreja as I was
able to pull with the Silvia after I got good at temperature surfing and
learned to properly distribute and tamp through using the crotch-less
portafilter. If I started over, I would probably go directly to the Silvia
and stay there. Some people are concerned about aluminum pollution, I'm not
one of those but if you are, it just makes sense to avoid them. My concern
is that the aluminum boilers spring leaks and I am left without espresso for
a week to ten days waiting for the delivery of a new boiler. I have no real
experience to base it on but my guess is that the stainless boiler is more
of a marketing ploy rather than any functional improvement over a good brass
boiler. Stainless boilers should be stronger but I don't think it is needed
here.
	Jim Gundlach
	
	On Jul 8, 2006, at 7:35 PM, Sherry Hausner wrote:
				I have been lurking for a couple of months
and have learned so much from everybody - thank you! :)
				I have a question regarding espresso
machines. I was looking at the Gaggias and was concerned about the aluminum
boiler. Does the water come in contact with the aluminum? I read that the
Silvia has a brass boiler. It sounds like the Silvia is finicky and hard to
get used to. I am a complete Newbie! :(
				There are some out there like the Espresso
that have stainless boilers. Is this even something to be concerned about?
				Also, I am not sure about just getting the
lowest priced one to get started or start out with something in the Silvia
price range.
				Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
				Sherry