There is a way to reset one of the thermostats on the boiler of the Rancilio Miss Silvia.  We do not, however, recommend that anyone other than an authorized Silvia repair technician perform this operation.  That having been said, such a technician would:

1. Unplug the machine.

2. Remove the top plate.

3. Notice that there are three thermostats, two on the top and one on the side of the boiler.  Locate the thermostat on the side of the boiler; notice that there is a red button on the top of this thermostat.  Press this button.  You may not hear a click, or any other sort of indication that anything has happened.

>See the picture here: http://www.jlhufford.com/images/ranciliotherm.gif for a look at the thermostat in question.

4. Replace the top plate.

5. Plug in the machine and fire it up.

The machine needs to be reset when the boiler overheats.  The boiler overheats usually only if there is a power surge or if the water runs out of the reservoir.  To prevent the heating element from burning out, the thermostat kills power to the element.  Keep your eyes peeled for any whitish residue in the water that comes out of the group head.  This is an indication that the heating element may have been damaged, and the boiler may need to be replaced. 

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't run your machine out of water!  This, along with sediment and coffee oil build up are the primary reasons we get many machines in for repair.


**This article was originally posted on our customer service forum, which this blog is intended to replace.**