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  • Converting a pressurised to a NON

    Hi All,

    1st Post.

    Started brewing 16yrs ago ( LOL How time flys) with a stove top & plungers.
    Ive had my Via for 5yrs, started off using store coffee, then coffee direct from a roster.
    A few weeks ago I read about "COFFEE SNOBS" in the Epicure & here I am.

    I placed a order for a Starters Pack (Havnt told the wife yet, I figure she dosent use the BM anymore)

    So here is my question.

    I have a Saeco Via Venezia & was wanting to convert the portafilter.
    To someone who done one.
    What do I need to do? & Is it worth doing?

    Thanks Guys,

    Shane

  • #2
    Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

    Converting from a pressurized to a non pressurized basket on your portafilter requires you to just pop the basket off and pop a new one back on!

    Is it worth doing? Yes sir it is. A pressurized basket is designed to cater for stale supermarket coffee bricks and produces what some people like to call "fake crema".

    All you need to do now is to look for one that fits your portafilter. Im sure some CSers will aid you in sourcing one

    All the best!!

    Gavin

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

      Originally posted by Gavin1 link=1212648932/0#1 date=1212652902
      All you need to do now is to look for one that fits your portafilter. Im sure some CSers will aid you in sourcing one
      You will also need to make sure you have a decent grinder too, capable of accurate, repeatable use with an espresso machine.

      The absolute basic entry point is one of the Sunbeam jobs, either EMO480 or 450 which start at around $150. Better though to get something a bit more capable such as an Iberital Challenge for just under $300 or something that will last you a lifetime such as a Macap M4 or Mazzer Mini at around $700+. Highly recommend that you contact one of our Site Sponsors listed over on the L/H side of the page, who will really look after you.

      All the best Hornet and Welcome to CoffeeSnobs....... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

      Mal.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

        Hi Hornet,

        I back up the comments of Mal and Gavin...personal message sent.

        All the best

        Trevorbeans

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

          Gday Hornet,

          Unfortunately in the Via Venezia its not as simple as a basket change. Ive used my parents Via a fair bit and Im pretty sure the pressurization is via the filter basket holder...

          Im not sure how youd mod it, though; its a fairly heavily-engineered beast. Any thought anyone?

          Hornet, could you post a photo of the holder for us?

          Cheers
          Stuart.

          ps. congrats on the starter pack. I got mine 2 weeks ago and Im tragically addicted to roasting already.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

            ps. try this link: http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/esp...achines/343159

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

              Its ok Stuart...Ive sent Hornet a PM and explained the situation, and where to get a new u/p portafilter to match the Saeco Via Venezia.

              Trevorbeans

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

                Thanks for your replys. Ive pulled it apart already & yes it was very simple. (Ill take some photos & post tomorrow).

                Thanks for the link Stu, I was in a Starbucks (Just to collect coffee grounds for my worms I SWEAR) & noticed the "Starbucks Barista" And Im sure they come out of the same factory as my Via.

                So Ive cleaned & srubbed the PF & put it back together. (Less the little bit of plastic & metal)

                Ill let you know what it taste like in the morning.

                Shane

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

                  Just got your message Trev. Thanks for your advice I may take it up.

                  Ill let you know how I go.

                  Shane

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

                    screws taken out

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

                      mmmm........... Coffee crud

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

                        Now, having done this conversion this is the after photo.

                        30ml double shot.


                        Please not: I dont have a tamp & just used the bottom of my shot glass.

                            The grinder im using is a Sunbeam EM 430.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

                          Ive now re-fitted the pressurised (bit of plastic) after a clean.

                          30ml double shot







                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

                            Persevere with the non-pressurized version.  I have the same machine and you need to also remove the black plastic floor in the metal half of the portafilter (which I didnt see in your pictures). Just poke a skewer or a milk thermometer through from the underside to push it out. A good tamper is obviously a necessity as already mentioned. Your shots will be of a entirely new quality.

                            Good luck.

                            SD

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Converting a pressurised to a NON

                              Gday Hornet,

                              [NOTE: you might already know all of the following!] The point of a pressurised PF is to create crema regardless of things like correct grind, correct dose, correct tamp, fresh beans etc. which normally combine to give you the crema. This is done by forcing the shot through a tiny hole, which froths it up - giving the appearance of crema.

                              Given that your "after" shot has less crema, you probably need to check some of those other factors. I would look at your grinder - unfortunately the EM0430 doesnt really grind finely enough for espresso. Upgrading sometime soon would be a good idea (but an expensive one). In the mean time, grind as finely as it allows you, dose your double basket to the brim, and get a good tamper (and use it liberally!).

                              IF your unpressurised shots are still coming through too quickly (30seconds for 30mL is ideal, but lets be honest ... 20-25 seconds is more common with home machines) then you MAY need to revert to the pressurised bits and pieces (assuming the shot time is significantly better). But its up to you.

                              Cheers
                              Stuart.

                              Comment

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