Saeco Via Venezia Panarello - replace with a Steam Wand!

[HudoFam]

Sorry to be a bother - I did get those seals, and installed them as per the instructions, but they're heaps looser than the original seals (and why my original seal got wrecked - it was so tight getting it out that it went sideways and got bent). Has anyone else had trouble with the 800ES seals not fitting the VV properly? Any ideas where I can get actual VV seals?

[CafeLotta]

Yes there is a washer above the upper half cup seal. See picture below. It may be difficult to see when installed. Use a torch to shine up inside the threaded mounting spigot on the machine. A bent papercilp with a hook on the end can help remove the old one if it's there. Remove any sharp edges on the hook so you don't scratch up the inside of the spigot.

You've probably worked out that you need to remove the steam tip from the wand to fit the lower half cup seal to avoid stretching it when fitting.

Check your PM also for a link.

[HudoFam]

One last question: I accidentally trashed my upper seal when I tried to remover the old steam arm. The new seal set seems to come with a small ring that sits above the upper seal, but my ild one didn't have one in it. Did you put these in when you installed the breville steam wand? Thanks!!

[CafeLotta]

Can you please tell me where you got your steam wand? Most of the breville wands I've found online are a lot more expensive than you mention. Thanks!!

Apologies for missing your query. As someone else has mentioned just look up Breville 800ES on Ebay and you'll find the steam wand, safety grip, seals etc.
If you check the ball on your existing wand and it looks shiny and smooth with no scratches then the existing seals should be OK. You can always replace them later if need be.

[dlqkdnf89]

Can you please tell me where you got your steam wand? Most of the breville wands I've found online are a lot more expensive than you mention. Thanks!!

p.s. just to be safe I think it'd be good to buy the seals as well

[dlqkdnf89]

Can you please tell me where you got your steam wand? Most of the breville wands I've found online are a lot more expensive than you mention. Thanks!!

You can find them on Ebay by looking up 800es. For my old VV I found that I didn't need the seal kit, I could just attach the steam arm to the machine so as Cafelotta said approximately $16 delivered.

[HudoFam]

I think from memory the 800ES steam wand is longer than the original Via Venezia wand. Didn't really think that $16 delivered for a new 800ES wand including tip was excessive? I'd imagine the saving would be only $10 or so? Adding the Breville safety grip to the 800ES wand is highly recommended to avoid that sudden rush you get when you absent-mindedly grab a hot steam wand! Only an extra $11 or so.

Can you please tell me where you got your steam wand? Most of the breville wands I've found online are a lot more expensive than you mention. Thanks!!

[CafeLotta]

So it would cost much less if in the future people were wanting to modify

I think from memory the 800ES steam wand is longer than the original Via Venezia wand. Didn't really think that $16 delivered for a new 800ES wand including tip was excessive? I'd imagine the saving would be only $10 or so? Adding the Breville safety grip to the 800ES wand is highly recommended to avoid that sudden rush you get when you absent-mindedly grab a hot steam wand! Only an extra $11 or so.

[dlqkdnf89]

Hi CafeLotta,

I have finally upgraded my VV with an 800ES steam wand and yeah the new wand does make a difference! BTW for future, I realised you don't need to replace the whole steam arm (for the old VV at least), you just need the tip of the 800ES steam wand. It screws in nicely to the VV steam wand. So it would cost much less if in the future people were wanting to modify


Paul

[dlqkdnf89]

nice catch! Yeah I was thinking of upgrading to a Silvia but just waiting and seeing how the VV goes. It's a good machine from the cups that I've been making (except for the poor milk foaming and the small boiler which prevents steaming many cups of milk) but besides that I've been able to extract some good shots

Hopefully I'll be able to upgrade the steam wand for it or maybe just upgrade to another machine... oh upgradeitis ...

[CafeLotta]

I've had the VV for over a year now. In fact I bought a second one also with the round silver buttons, in as new condition for the grand price of $90 in the original box!

I'm currently using a Silvia though. Originally I only wanted to upgrade my grinder and bought a used grinder/machine package with the intention of selling the Silvia. Unfortunately the seller misrepresented the Silvia's condition and I had to replace the boiler/element and the usuage test ended up with the Silvia staying on the kitchen bench. The main reason was that it steamed a 2 cup milk jug easily. The smaller boiler on the VV meant it took longer due to the boiler needing to be refilled. The VV had a quick heat-up and was great for that quick 1 cup on the run though.

Just yesterday I was looking at the Via Venezia and thinking I should give it a run for old time's sake as I really enjoyed using that little machine. Never did try it with the new grinder.

I still think it made better microfoam with the Breville 800ES wand than the Silvia does. Took a little longer but once you get the hang of it, very consistent. Brewing was a case of temp surfing to get the best out of it. The bottomless portafilter was a great addition too but the original portafilter can be depressurised also.

[dlqkdnf89]

Thanks for that! I shall try it when i get the chance I can't really get the microfoam going with the panarello wand...hopefully the new wand will improve this. Just curious, how long have you had your VV for?

[CafeLotta]

Hi CafeLotta,

Just a few quick questions. I have a VV as well but the older version (Starbucks barista) with the panarello wand. I've tried to shimmy the nut for the steam wand loose but it doesnt seem to budge. How did you manage to turn it? Maybe I just need to use more elbow grease... Also do you know if the BES800 wand fits on my older VV?

Regards

Paul

As far as I know the Breville 800ES steam wand should fit all the Via Venezia models. Hopefully you are trying to loosen the steam wand nut in the correct direction! As you look down from the top of the machine the nut loosens in a clockwise direction. Be sure that you have a tight fitting spanner so you don't damage the nut. If you still have trouble you may have to remove the cover and put a drop or 2 of WD40 into the top of the nut and let it penetrate for a few minutes. Unplug the machine before removing the cover and thorougly clean the nut and mating thread before reassembling.

Starbucks Barista Teardown - iFixit

[dlqkdnf89]

Hi CafeLotta,

Just a few quick questions. I have a VV as well but the older version (Starbucks barista) with the panarello wand. I've tried to shimmy the nut for the steam wand loose but it doesnt seem to budge. How did you manage to turn it? Maybe I just need to use more elbow grease... Also do you know if the BES800 wand fits on my older VV?

Regards

Paul

[CafeLotta]

Well I guess I still need to consider getting myself a dedicated non pressurized portafilter, (+ 53mm Tamper to go with it) the ones that I have seen are not cheap.

The only decent non-pressurised portafilter I found for the Via Venezia was this one -
Non-Pressurized Portafilter 53mm Upgrade | Seattle Coffee Gear

I bought the bottomless version of the same and it was very good quality. Made a huge difference being able to see when tamping/grinding wasn't up to par. Good training tool. See video on this link also further down page -
Bottomless Portafilter 53mm for Saeco and Starbucks Espresso Machines - Accessories - Seattle Coffee Gear

The killer on cost for this stuff is shipping so I bought a few spares at the same time to make it worthwhile. Maybe check if other CSrs might want to share cost on combined order with you?

So what in your opinion is the better machine out of the VV and the GC? Or do you regard them as equals?

To be honest I went with the Via Venezia at the time because I didn't like the idea of the aluminium boiler on the Gaggia.
The advantages the Gaggia has is a 58mm filter basket v 53mm on the Saeco and the Gaggia has a 3 way valve.
For me, it still wasn't enough to overcome the fact it had an aluminium boiler.

I still have a soft spot for the Via Venezia even though I'm currently using a Silvia. Very nice ergonomic feel about the Via Venezia and easy clean-up and no worries about rust due to being all Stainless and plastic.

Temperature control is definitely easier on the Silvia due to a Brass boiler but both require temperature surfing to get a good brew. The Silvia Brass boiler is slower to fluctuate in temperature than the Stainless Steel boiler of the Via Venezia which heats and cools very quickly. The Via Venezia needs more concentration to get it right but that's not neccessarily a bad thing early in the learning phase!