Saeco Via Vanezia

Reschsmooth

Does anyone know if there is a commercial style portafilter that fits the above machine? I roughly worked out that the inside diameter of the basket is about 53cm and the outside edge, measuring from 'locking tabs' is about 75cm.

Also, further to previous thread on latte art from this machine, I have been able to produce some, although I would say it is more in the style of the surrealist art movement rather than the impressionist (rosetta) movement. ;D

[deleted]

No, you cannot fit any kind of commercial porterfilter to the VV, only the standard domestic sized seiko offerings. Buford.

kencas

Hello Reschsmooth, I hope you don't mind my passing on the address to *another* coffee forum. This thread is exactly what you are asking about. Apparently you can buy a chromed brass PF and filters from Saeco in Greenacre in Sydney (and also from Melbourne). Anyway, have a look at the thread (even has piccies!) http://www.coffeesnobs.com.au/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=Brew;action=display;num=1091413062 Regards, Ken.

Reschsmooth

Hello Ken Thanks for that - actually I already have that non-pressurised portafilter - I guess what I was after was one with the curved spouts like ones on the Giotto, Diadema, etc. I know it wouldn't make a big difference - just aesthetics (perhaps I can also upgrade to an E-61 group, HX boiler system and Giotto style exterior for, say, $100? Patrick

inertia8

I have had this machine for 8 months and have decided to try and extract the best out of it, up until now I have been using preground coffee and the occasional bag of beans ground up in a crappy lil blade grinder that is 4 years old... Welp, I think it's time that I started doing this properly ;D Plan is to purchase a NonPPF and a reasonable grinder, looking at the Solis Maestro Plus as it is available from Diamond-C quiet readily in Melbourne. Any recommendations on how to dail it in? is there some stream time to ml's poured ratio I should be aiming for? Cheers, Fergus

mattyj

for a double basket (it should fit somewhere between 14-20ish grams of ground coffee) aim for 60mls in 30 seconds, though that's only a guide. Some coffee schools preach it like the gospel, but it's just a guide. Once you can achieve about that 3 times in a row, you know you're dialled in - with the amount of ground coffee you're using, the fine-ness of the grind and the pressure with which you pack it into the basket. Then use your tongue and nose as a check - if it tastes and smells good, you're doing it right!

Reschsmooth

Anyone know how to fix a leaky steam wand on the VV (and no, I can't afford the Giotto/Diadema repair kit at the moment)?

inertia8

My VV hasn't got any leaks that I can tell, touch wood... I have accidentally left it on the Steam setting for a few hours about twice now... I feel that this might damage the unit... perhaps Saeco themselves could repair it, they didn't seem too expensive, based on the labour charges I overheard being quoted today. I picked up the NonPPF today, as per the link above, part# 226550250 along with a single and double shot basket for $61 at Saeco Melbourne Service and Parts, Newlands Road, Reservoir. I now need a tamper and a reasonable grinder to get me going, which is looking more and more likely to be the Solis Maestro Plus. Cheers and good luck Rechsmooth.