It’s absolutely not something you should definitely go ahead and get. By all means, you can still make yourself a nice espresso with the stock shower screen from Rancilio. But then there are options – some of them look convincing enough! That’s how i ended up upgrading the shower-screen with one made by IMS.
The IMS competition shower-screen is more durable and resistant than the stock one. It also has a high nano-quartz coating, which enhances non-stickiness of the screen, improves the water flow, allegedly increases extraction consistency and makes cleaning very easy.
It’s recommended to use the screen with the product code RA200NT for the Rancilio Silvia. It has an external diameter of 57mm and a central hole of 5,5mm (or M5 screw size). More on the screen can be found here :
https://www.imsfiltri.com/docce/ra200nt/
Another upgrade worth considering is the screw holding the shower-screen. Some users are afraid that it may cause issues with the extraction (such as channeling). The screw imprint has in my opinion little to no impact on the extraction, but i did eventually get one of these bolts :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/12mm-Slot-Mushroom-Machine-Screw/dp/B07PBX44Q3
The results are very pleasing. The new screw is much more gentle on the puck, leaves no imprint and the shower-screen is very clean, easy to maintain and the extractions seem to be more consistent.
The screen itself cost me 26,99€ and the screws were £5.49. But what i actually paid for are cleaner pucks, cleaner shower screen and no imprint in the coffee puck. Well worth the effort.
Jaroslav
I am not affiliated, associated, authorised, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Rancilio, IMS, Amazon or any of their subsidiaries.
March 31, 2021
Hey Jaroslav, I noticed you seem to have a rubber handle from a La Marzocco Portafilter, or is it from somewhere else? I like how it looks with the Silvia. Any chance you could share a link or how you assembled/built it?
Greetings & thanks
March 31, 2021
Hi Maxim,
thanks for asking! This portafilter is being sold together with Rancilio’s commercial RS1 machines exclusively. More on that here:
https://www.ranciliogroup.com/rancilio-specialty/
I hope that helps!
March 31, 2021
Hi Jaroslav,
Many thanks for the quick reply & info. I didn’t know that existed. Absolutely beautiful! Has me dreaming 🙂
Also like your website and content. Looking forward to future posts !
Take care, Maxim
March 31, 2021
Hi Maxim,
thank you for your recognition! The RS1 is definitely a beautiful machine – i’m a huge fan.
Jaroslav
October 10, 2021
Hello jaroslav !
What filter basket you use for the rs1 portafilter ? And how many grams?
Thank you very much 🙏
October 10, 2021
Hi Stratos!
I’m using the IMS B702TH24.5M for 16g and B702TH26.5M for 18g.
Thanks for asking!
Jaroslav
November 18, 2021
Hey Bro,
I also bought a few different shower screens and returned them all because it seems they dont really fit on the V6… Do you experienced the same?
Thx!
Marcus
November 18, 2021
Hi Marcus,
I haven’t had any issues with the IMS screen, it fits perfectly as I’d expect. But I’ve seen some people describe a similiar experience which is very strange.
Thanks for asking!
Jaroslav
April 1, 2022
Hi Jaroslav, what filter basket do you have in your Silvia?
Would you reccomend upgrading the stock one?
I have pretty inconsistent results with lighter roasts of coffe, same weight, same puck preparation and tamping pressure produce from 45-50g up to 70-80g of coffee. I consider changing filter, as I blame the stock one, with rounded bottom and groove, for letting some water pass by the coffee puck.
April 2, 2022
Hi Bartosz,
I’ve upgraded from the Silvia and don’t own it anymore, but I’ve been using IMS baskets all along. I’m still using the IMS B702TH24.5M for 16g, and B702TH26.5M for 18g doses. Both are ridged.
If you’re using VST, you’ll need to grind finer. Some baskets are more suitable for higher flowrate.
If you’ve bought the V6 Silvia and you’re still using the stock baskets, I’d probably start there as these are also IMS produced.
What baskets are you using and what’s your dosage? What’s the diameter of your tamper?
Thanks for asking!
Jaroslav
May 30, 2022
Hi there,
Nice content! 🙂
Got the Silvia since a few weeks and had a huge learningcurve already
The bolt seems like a logical and cheap solution for the imprint I’m experiencing.
However I also often have a ‘soggy puck’ with a thin layer of water laying on the puck as well.
I’m using a 18gr VST basket
Any thoughts on this?
Regards
Job
May 31, 2022
Hi Job,
Thank you! I don’t think that soggy pucks are a problem if your espresso tastes good. I understand that dry pucks look preferable, but there’s nothing wrong with soggy pucks. Barista Hustle has a nice article explaining all this:
https://www.baristahustle.com/blog/for-a-good-puck/
I hope this helps!
Jaroslav
July 10, 2022
Hello, thanks for the great information and details!
I see above the screw is M5, but what length did you buy/recommend?
Thanks, Felix
August 2, 2022
Hi Felix,
If you click on the link I’ve mentioned above, you’ll find that it leads to the exact screw you need – M5 (5mm x 12mm).
Good luck and thanks for asking!
Jaroslav
November 24, 2023
hello jaroslav,
first thanks for sharing with us all these helpful informations about our silvia!!!
i am an recent owner of rancilio silvia black edition v6 machine.
i wanna buy an IMS shower screen than yours(nanoquartz coating), i find it on a site but there is a warning which says:
Nanotech coating needs special care and has a finite life:
When back flushing coffee group: Remove the nanotech shower screen, before back flushing with any chemical detergent. Clean nanotech shower with water only and wipe with soft cloth.
Chemical cleaners such as Cafiza and Pulycaff can strip the “nanotech” coating.
so , in this case , i have to avoid any chemical cleaners?
what do you you do at your machine?
thanks for all and waiting for your reply!!!
November 25, 2023
Hi Ioannis,
Cafiza will dissolve the coating very quickly. I got another screen without the coating as soon as I noticed the coating being washed off after backflushing. To be completely honest, the coating makes very little difference anyways.
Jaroslav