Modified Saeco Via Venezia with 5 bar pre-infusion

I managed to find a couple washers that fit perfectly inside the relief valve. The first washer on its own took the pre-infusion pressure up to 4 bar, which is only JUST enough to get a drop of water coming out of the group head. I then added a second washer, which took pre-infusion up to over 5 bar, but I loosened the relief valve so that it sat at exactly 5 bar, and there was an acceptable amount of water exiting the group.

This is just a quick demonstration of that. Yet to order the part(s) to control maximum brew pressure, but will do so tonight.

Enjoy :)

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Entertainment

Tags:

• MVI
• 1117

[TheSTiGUi]

@n1tro1337 Good work depressurizing the portafilter. Makes a big difference, especially with all that plastic out of the way now. Yes you can make some great coffee with this machine. It's the machine that really got me into coffee!

I can't really keep track of the pricing. I think I mentioned somewhere that if you were to do all the mods I did from scratch, you'll pay the same price as the machine. It's worth waiting and getting a better machine when your skills are up to scratch :)

[n1tro1337]

@TheSTiGUi exactly, I was talking about the black box that is on top of the water tank.

because I own a Via Venezia myself as beginner setup I really enjoy to see what modifications can be done! first thing I did was to depressurize the portafilter... :D and considering the few cons on this small machine, you can make some serious espresso (good beans assumed)

mind to tell how much you spent for the mods?

[TheSTiGUi]

@n1tro1337 Lol thanks :)

Do you mean the black box that the relief valve sits in? It works fine. Doesn't seem at all effected by the hot water. Nothing else is plastic. The T-piece I had machined up is solid brass, as are all the threaded connections.

[n1tro1337]

you, sir, are a genius!

btw, how do the plastic parts cope with the hot water from the valve?

[TheSTiGUi]

@craigdamico1 Thanks :)

Water will flow in the path of least resistance. What I've done is added a valve which I control by that red switch on the right side of the machine, which allows water to flow towards the brass relief valve. The relief valve is rigged to open up when pressure reaches about 5 bar, therefore pressure will not go above 5 bar when that switch is on. Then I close the valve (with the switch) and it ramps up to 9 bar (a little higher at the moment) :)

[craigdamico1]

that is Super Cool !!

how did you get it to do 5 bar and then 9 Bar ?