Rancilio

Rancilio's earliest espresso machine was La Regina: a steam-driven vertical boiler model, similar to the original Bezzera, Gaggia, and Victoria Arduino machines in function and gilded Belle Époque styling.^[1]

In 1950, Rancilio released a horizontal boiler machine, the Invicta Horizzontal, showing evidence of the postwar shift toward spare, modern styling. The machine however, still used the same forced-steam brewing method from the early 20th century. By 1953, Rancilio adopted lever piston technology introduced by Gaggia. In 1957, Rancilio released a model which automated the lever process, the H/L Automatica. The company followed new technological trends towards continuous deliver brewing introduced by Faema in 1961.

In 1965, Rancilio commissioned design work from industrial designer Marco Zanuso, beginning with the Rancilio Z8, and continuing with the Z9 in 1974. Rancilio continued with several Z-series machines, with the Z11 being the last. The S-series machine would become popular in the 1990s, and become well known in the North American marketplace.^[2]

Rancilio entered the home espresso market in 1989 with the release of its Miss Rancilio line, featuring the Audrey espresso machine and the Rocky grinder with distinctively curved white plastic casings.^[3] The Audrey was equipped with a 300ml brass boiler, a three-way solenoid valve, an ULKA vibratory pump, and a commercial 58mm brass group and portafilter, and the Rocky with a 50mm Mazzer flat burr set and stepped grind size adjustment.^[4] The Rocky in particular is regarded as "revolutionary" in home espresso, becoming the standard home grinder "for the serious espresso nerd" through the next decade.^[5]

Variations of the Audrey were also sold under the names Rialto and Nancy, often with the honorific 'Miss' applied, e.g. "Miss Audrey," and sometimes with contradictory model labels.^[6] Some models in this series had Teflon-coated boilers and portafilters. ^[7]

Rancilio later introduced the Miss Kathy model, incorporating the components and functionality of both an Audrey espresso machine and a Rocky grinder in a single chassis. Later versions of this integrated espresso machine were named Miss Lucy.^[8][9]

In 1997, Rancilio created a home kitchen-sized espresso machine based on their commercial offerings. This was initially only available as a thank-you gift to importers and vendors of Rancilio's restaurant-grade coffee machines. This machine was later sold to consumers as the Silvia.^[10][11][12] The Silvia is a one group machine with a vibratory pump from ULKA and a single brass boiler that's controlled by 3 thermostats for both steam and hot water. It is frequently sold with its companion Rocky grinder that is available in doserless and dosered models with stepped settings.^[13]

Rancilio began collaborating with McDonald's in 2000, partnering in the development of the latter's McCafé initiative.^[14]

In 2001, Rancilio revamped their lineup, introducing the basic Epoca, and the Classe series. In 2011, they introduced a new advanced brewing system for the Classe 9 called Xcelsius, which gives precise control of water temperature during the brewing cycle.^[15]

Rancilio made an attempt at a super-automatic machine, the Classe 12, and used cafes in Borders bookstores as a test market. It was deemed a failure, recalled, and abandoned. They subsequently purchased the Swiss Egro brand of super-automatic machines and have built a presence in that market with their Egro One.

In October 2013 Rancilio was acquired by Ali group.^[16]

In 2022, Rancilio introduced the Stile home grinder, featuring 58mm Fiorenzato flat burrs and digital controls; the Rocky grinder is still available.^[5]

Museo Officina Rancilio 1926, Parabiago, exterior (2012) and interior (2016)

In October 2010, the Rancilio family, in partnership with the Rancilio Group, opened the Museo Officina Rancilio 1926 as the official museum of Rancilio coffee machines. The museum is located in Parabiago, via Don Galeazzi 18-22, and is modelled on the original offices of Roberto Rancilio.^[1]

The museum displays machines produced by Rancilio from 1927 to 1980, including La Regina (1927), La Ducale (1957), Z8 (1971), and Z9 (1974).

• Bialetti
• Cimbali
• De'Longhi
• Elektra (espresso machines)
• Faema
• FrancisFrancis
• Gaggia
• La Marzocco
• La Pavoni
• Lelit
• Saeco
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