Crew Review: Saeco Via Venezia

[ALTSpencers]

Kat- any idea which grinder in the $200-$250 category for a non-pressurized porta filter for the Via Venezia? Thanks, Lisa

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ALTSpencers I'd go with the Virtuoso on this one - Kat

[ALTSpencers]

After doing research and upgrading from inexpensive Delonghi, I ordered my Via Venezia from your store. Can't wait to use it with the upgrade stainless panarello wand. I hope it will make better microfoam than the plastic one.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ALTSpencers It definitely does! Let us know how it goes once you get the machine - happy to help if you need any assistance - Kat

[HerrAl5ama]

At 1:46 Kat said "qué bonito" ???

But, I like that machine, it's a shame that there is no stores in Mexico like yours :( is really hard find good espresso machines here. Good videos.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@HerrAl5ama We have several customer in Mexico, who order the equipment and then have it freight forwarded. We are going to expand our international shipping this year and hope to include more machines in that :) - Kat

[HerrAl5ama]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Really? that's great. I really want order a good machine like Rancilio Silvia from you. I'll check your website for more details, thanks Kat :·)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@HerrAl5ama Of course! I believe the Silvia will be included in the expansion as we already have the ability to sell into Canada & Mexico if we can get the shipping sorted. Other manufacturers, it remains to be seen ... :) - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@checkoutmrpushypants Glad you're diggin it! :) - Kat

[ALTSpencers]

Anyway. Any suggestions? I'm hoping to be able to a good job with milk texturing with this one. Thank you.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ALTSpencers This isn't great for milk texturing as it has a panarello and you have limited control (unless you pull that sleeve off and just use the nozzle directly). - Kat

[ALTSpencers]

I love your videos! Very informative, amusing, and less commercial-like (don't need Vanna White here to do the job). I wanted to purchase a good entry level machine that does a descent job with producing crema and texturing milk. I'm relatively new to the espresso world, but have gotten pretty good with texturing milk with a cheapy Capresso steam driven one; however, I'm ready to upgrade. I really find that latte art is kind of fun to do on a cold day and want to upgrade to something in th

[roman21000]

Thank you...

I have been looking at your vid's

All I have to say is

You girls are great....

Thank you again.....

=-)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@roman21000 Thank you! Glad you are finding them helpful :) - Kat

[roman21000]

I made a hole coffee-bar in my home now I just need the machine..

You probably get this question a lot, but

Which would you recommend..

The Saeco Aroma or Via Venezias..??

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@roman21000 Via Venezia is where it's at for steamers; Aroma if you're doing just shots and Americanos. We have a video comparing the two that can provide you more detail on their differences, etc. - Kat

[Gig103]

I just learned about thermoblocks from your Breville videos. Does the Saeco use one as well, or is it just a boiler?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Gig103 No - Saeco's semi-autos are boilers; they use thermoblocks in their superautos, however - Kat

[gotacallforvishal]

Hey, thanks for the review! I just bought this used without the measuring spoon, and I'm wondering what amount of beans would be right for a shot? I'm using 3tbsp with some good espresso beans, and it doesn't taste as good as I want it. Is each shot glass in the video 1oz or 2oz? Did you technically create a double shot in the video or was that a single?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@gotacallforvishal It's a double in the video; I recommend just filling it to the top and then leveling it off. If you find your flavor isn't as rich as you'd like, you could try making the grind a bit finer or tamping it lightly before your extraction. - Kat

[Erwin449]

Im new to using coffee machines,but I must comment that I recently bought a via venezia and am very happy with it...I see many comments on...Must say for a home machine it's great...It all depends how you froth your milk as I disconnect the pannerello and use the inside bit which really works well ...The shots are pretty good considering you dont tamp too much...

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Erwin449 Great to hear! I do dig this machine -- and I admire your ability to use that tiny little wand tip! :) - Kat

[Gig103]

How big is the boiler in this guy? Enough to make a 4 cup french press?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Gig103 Eech - well, that would drain it. I think you're looking at probably 8 - 10 oz. - Kat

[Gig103]

@SeattleCoffeeGear Thanks for the response Kat, that information was nowhere online! I'll stick to the microwave or an electric kettle for my press pot.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Gig103 The kettle will probably give you the most temperature consistency, too, so if you can go that route it would probably be ideal - Kat

[giuseppes04]

Kat, I wanted to purchase the venezia and was wondering if i should just spend the extra cash and go with new rather than refurb? i guess just for piece of mind, what do you think? thanks.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@giuseppes04 Well, you are generally getting a few years shorter life on a refurb than a new one, but otherwise they function very similarly. - Kat

[Gig103]

@SeattleCoffeeGear I don't understand, I was told on the phone that the refurbished models come from Saeco returns within the 30 day return period. Please clarify...

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@Gig103 That's our general rule of thumb and expectation we set on all of these machines. They might have a shorter life (we don't know their history) and they might have cosmetic damage. For that, you get a reduced price. I am not going to tell you that a refurb and a new machine are the exact same just different prices, because the trade off you're getting for that difference in price is the stuff I mention above. Just being honest - Kat

[infamousmonster]

LOL @ Gail trying to convince us, "Not... bad..."

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@infamousmonster Hahaha :) - Kat

[TheOn3LeftBehind]

I bought mine in 2009 at Starbucks for $99 :D

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@TheOn3LeftBehind Cool :)

[prozone]

Hi, i've been doing some reading up on this machine... apparently you have to wait approx 5-10 minutes in between cups as the machine overheats and you can end up with burnt coffee.. would that be right? Thanks!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@prozone As long as you steam, temperature surf and then brew, you will be fine managing the temperature on the machine -- pulling cool water in the boiler and heating it up again. You can see how that is done on a similar machine (Saeco Aroma) in one of our videos -- called 'Temperature Surfing Single Boilers' - Kat

[Makka316]

Hi there, spent an addictive couple of hours trawling through your videos - thanks very much for all the info. At the lower end of the price range which do you think is a better choice: the Via Venezia or the Gaggia Color? Also is there any other model worth looking at in the same price band? Cheers.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Personally, I'd go with the Venezia because of its metal casing and it does a good job with pods, pre-ground and freshly ground -- it's flexible with brew options, etc. - Kat

[antsp1]

This machine looks exactly like the old Starbucks Barista espresso maker.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Yes - both this and the Aroma had previous lives as Baristas. - Kat

[MokaflorCoffeeAust]

Gr8 review ladies, as always. :)

I wish we got the black ones in australia but we have the brushed silver ones, i like black better.

ciao ciao... :)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Thanks! Yeah, I think I prefer the black over the SS on most machines. - Kat

[brunodesb71]

Thank you for all your reviews......

I want to know the pressure you put on the grind, even if it's a Saeco portafilter?

Thank you

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Very little pressure, if any -- that will be to your personal preference. I don't tamp, but Velton does do a bit of a tamp to polish off the top. I wouldn't do much more than 10lbs if that. - Kat