Posted Wed May 23, 2012, 4:13pm Subject: Re: Modifying my Saeco Via Venezia (OPV, pressure gauge, depressurized PF, etc)
Thanks Fred... that is a nice thread. Both Frank and I have old Saecos with no OPV's. I have considered adding an opv but since I have a used Gaggia Classic on the way I decided to put all further mods on hold. The Saecos we have were designed to use pressurized portafilters and the pumps are running at full-bore, which makes it a little tougher to pull a 25-second shot using a nonpressurized portafilter. However, I recently acquired a large commercial grinder and I finally just set it to grind fine enough to slow the old Saeco down. Stupid me... I should have done that from the beginning but it did take a bit of work to get the adjuster where it worked. I guess it must have had about 20 years of coffeeshop grounds in it. Now it will grind fine enough to choke a horse. Thanks again for the link and I am sure there will be a lot of folks interested in that thread.
D4F Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 1,192 Location: USA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic PID Grinder: Preciso
Posted Wed May 23, 2012, 5:00pm Subject: Re: Modifying my Saeco Via Venezia (OPV, pressure gauge, depressurized PF, etc)
I recognize the differences, I thought that he might know about various fittings and threads available. Also noticed your Gaggia, have fun.
There are similarities across the SBDU machines even of different brands, but also differences even within a brand. Gaggia Classic with 3 way and OPV and other models without.
beerANDmathematics Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2012 Posts: 66 Location: NYC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Via Venezia, La Peppina,... Grinder: OE Pharos+VDD, hario... Drip: hario woodneck, aeropress,... Roaster: popcorn popper
Posted Fri Mar 15, 2013, 2:57pm Subject: Great thread and info!!
(Hi Frank, this is great info!
I've had my VV since early Jan 2013 paired with my Encore. Intro set-up for a grad student on a budget (living in nyc is expensive!). I have been working on my technique (got a naked PF, work on dailing in shot, WDT, timing, weighing shots, you name it!), but am ready to take it to the next level. I got a better grinder for espresso coming in the mail--NS Grinta.
Mods so far: nakep PF from SCG, replaced steam wand with a steam wand from Brevil for about 16 bucks shipped from Australia (Click Here (www.ebay.com)). Those two mods (not really mods, but replacements) are enough to make good espresso and microfoam lattes with good technique (implicitly implied are: good fresh coffee, capable grinder).
I have a few questions maybe someone can answer. I read somewhere that one should loosen the screw on the showerhead screen. Since I use the NPF, I can see that in the middle of the PF there is no coffee coming out. So, I'd like to loosen it but by how much?
Also, Frank you mention the showerhead screen OLD vs NEW (ie to work with Pods). Did you end up replacing the new one for the old? Can you comment on taste improvements??
Thanks!! Also, VV owners, would love to see pics of your set-up! Here is mine:
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
![beerANDmathematics: setup2252013-small.jpg](javascript:ImagePopup("/images/60721/setup2252013-small.jpg", 525, 403, "beerANDmathematics: setup2252013-small.jpg");)
= No New Posts since last visit 