bialetti venus safety valve free sample

The devil is in the details. It is often the smallest things, the particularities, that make all the difference. This is also the case in regards to the preparation of a good coffee, a ritual in which all the steps and every single component play a fundamental role. Among all, one of the most important elements is the Moka valve. Often ignored, it is vital not only for the quality of the coffee, but also for the safety of those who prepare it.

The valve was born with the invention of the Moka Express in 1933. It is a safety valve positioned on the bottom chamber. To better understand the importance of the valve and its use, we need to take a step back and illustrate step by step

This is where the valve of the Moka comes into play. It must open when the pressure is too high. By doing so, it allows the steam to escape regularly, without causing any damage. In short, the Moka’s safety valve provides security. Hence, it should only intervene when the coffee maker is used under abnormal operating conditions.

A long-standing and debated question: how far can you fill the bottom chamber for a state-of-the-art coffee? The Moka valve can come in handy to answer this dilemma. Another important role of the valve is that it acts as a "measuring cup". Its position on the bottom chamber is not accidental. Rather, it indicates to those who prepare the coffee the correct amount of water to use. The only exception is for some special coffee pots that are already equipped with a measuring cup. Ideally the water should reach just below the safety valve.

The Moka valve, therefore, is not a decoration or a mere design element. Rather, it is a very important component for the correct functioning of the coffee maker. It guarantees safety and plays a part in the making of an excellent coffee.

Consequently, it is necessary to keep it clean and maintain it regularly. For example, using tap water to make coffee brings with it the risk of limescale deposits obstructing the hole in the valve. The resulting danger is that it could get clogged.

We have seen that one can simply use hot water to clean the Moka valve. To avoid limescale obstructions, simply move the piston that comes out of the valve along its axis when washing it. To ensure the Moka functions correctly, it is recommended to repeat this checkup periodically.

How to prepare coffee: fill the boiler up to the safety valve with water, insert the funnel tank and add the ground coffee for moka without pressing; close the moka pot and place it on the hob. Wait for coffee to gurgle as it rises to the collector (upper chamber), turn off the gas and, finally, enjoy your delicious coffee!

A size for every need: Bialetti Venus sizes are measured in espresso cups; coffee can be enjoyed in espresso cups or larger cups, according to your needs. This is why Bialetti Venus is available in different sizes (2 (no induction), 4, 6 and 10 cups). Number of ml per format: 85 ml - 170 ml - 235 ml - 460 ml

For those preferring a smoother coffee taste, Bialetti’s stainless stove-top pots embody our legendary ease-of-operation in a sleek contemporary design.

Bialetti’s legacy of quality and reliability lives on in these lines of coffee makers crafted in high-quality 18/10 stainless with ergonomic, heat-resistant handles.

Bialetti’s legacy of quality and reliability lives on in these lines of coffee makers crafted in high-quality 18/10 stainless with ergonomic, heat-resistant handles. Now everyone can have the beverages they crave and a look they love.

I also think you’re not giving the Bialetti a chance. Use low heat and take it off the heat as soon as you hear the bubbling – don’t let the coffee boil as it spoils the flavour. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Not impressed with this blog post at all. Been using moka pots for years and the taste of that coffee vs taste of drip coffee maker is not even comparable and hardly “sub-par”. There is nothing scientific about making it either. You boil the water until it makes its way completely to the top of the pot, let it sit for a minute or 2 off the burner to cool off, then pour and drink it. All this fancy schmancy stuff (If you want to be fancy, put some cinnamon in it beforehand ) with the timers and everything – give me a break. You do not need any of that nonsense, you are completely over-thinking it which is ridiculous – it is coffee. I would recommend going with the Illy brand of coffee if you are committed to a moka pot. I switched from a drip coffee maker to the Bialetti about 5 years ago and the difference is as plain as night and day.

Has your stainless Venus rusted inside? I’m on my third pot, I returned the first two and now with the third one and not only has it rusted but the handle has cracked and the relief valve has failed, it won’t hold any pressure.

I have a smaller Bialetti that I purchased in Italy 5 years ago, it is all stainless no plastic handle, used several times a day and has never rusted or failed in any way. Not sure if I just got a bad batch of pots or if the quality has dropped off and they are using cheaper stainless. Anyways, thinking of getting an aluminium one now.

I contacted Bialetti service today and they are going to replace my pot. Amazing service from them! They replied back right away and are genuinely interested in correcting the problem. So will be staying with stainless!!

Hi Jeff, First of all Thanks for a great blog, I really enjoyed reading this with my husband, we had lots of laughs and also learned quite a lot. I came across your blog after having bought a cheap steel mocha pot in IKEA in Iceland where I was staying in my mother’s apartment and missed a decent coffee. The coffee did not taste the same at all as in my aluminium Bialetti at home in Denmark, so I concluded that buying a copy pot was my big mistake. I then started thinking about the difference between the water where I live (Denmark) where the water is really hard and my own country, Iceland, where the water is really soft. After reading this blog I changed a few things : 1) Cold water instead of warm 2) Low temperature/long brewing 3) No piling coffee and tapping. This has greatly improved the taste of our coffee and I will also stop scouring my pot when I think the top has become too stained. Now we plan on buying a grinder to get even better freshly ground coffee. Thanks again !! Regína Hardardottir

The weld attaching the handle on our stainless steel unit failed within the first year and I simply drilled a hole in the side and used a stainless bolt to fix it. Never knew about removing it the second you hear the gurgle….I’ll have to check our valve and insure it’s not failed as well. Personally we love the strong Italian style over anything you get from a drip or French press unit.

I recently made the switch to a stainless pot for health reasons, but am noticing the difference. I am hoping my new Venus pot just needs seasoning, but there is definitely a difference in the taste and brewing. With the moka it is very obvious when the brew is finished, my new venus is happy to gurgle for a while even when there is no more coffee coming. I understand the design allows for some water to remain in the chamber to prevent burning, but it is confusing.

The process was thus. Clean all the elements of the pot (for every brew, even if one immediately after the other) with tap water. Fill with cold water to the valve, using a teaspoon pile the coffee into a mountain as high as you can in the basket, without tamping, clean the edges and put the lid on. Put the pot on a very low heat and wait for it…

I found this post trying to confirm my Bialetti is aluminium, looks like I won’t be using it again, amazed they’re still in production. Alzheimers is real folks, those reservoirs erode, it’s why no one uses tin kettles or pans in this day and age.

Hi, i just decided to buy bialetti moca pot and before paying for it, I was searching on how healthy to use an “aluminium” moca pot. For many years before using such a stuff may be acceptable but what about the disadvantages of aluminium? I’m not sure to heat my coffee in an aluminium pot everyday. What do you thing about it?

Great fast coffee from the Bialetti Moka, when following rules. I fill my 2 cup Moka with water till below the safety valve. I do not pack the not too fine grain coffee, just fill and remove the grains from the basket edges for a perfect seal when I screw on tight, low heat and remove from heat when you hear the noises the Moka does. Perfect coffee every time!!! Also simply love this toy, classic Italian design. Enjoy :-)

I have a question regarding the two pots I was hoping you could hjelp me with. I was wondering if it is possible to use the bottom half of the Venus pot together with the top half of the classic Moka Express?

You see, having switched to an induction stove top rendered my beloved Moka Express useless. I could just buy a Venus, but prefere the look of the classic pot. A bit silly, I know :)

After 20 years of using aluminium pot I swapped to the Bialetti Venus Stainless Steel version. After a year, the inside of the bottom pot started to rust and it’s difficult to clean the inside of the top pot due to the design and difficult to reach gap. I don’t recommend it.

This blog is HILARIOUS and totally USEFUL. I came snooping as a neurotic worried about my alum Bialetti and ended up learning so, so much about making the best coffee possible. Stopped scrubbing my pot (blasphemy) and started lowering temps and slowing the process. I think any good Italian or person of the Catalonia region would agree that low and slow gets it gone beautifully. Again, Jeffrey… this is a fabulous blog… don’t stop the madness!

[…] actually did compare their two versions: Bialetti Showdown: Aluminum vs. Stainless ? Jeff Werner and didn"t find much difference. The stainless steel one lost their antique look. Reply […]

I have managed barista restaurants in London and elsewhere, but at home have used a six-cup Bialetti style aluminum stove top for 25 years. I have found that pre-ground vacuum sealed espresso (Melitta Gusto Milano) works best, tamped down, due to consistent grain size. Home grinders are hopeless at this. Make your first cup (half fill the top basin) by placing on high heat just until it begins spouting coffee then take it off any heat. Later, after you have drank the first divine cup replace unit on low heat for 2 minutes to gently extract your second cup, which you can save for later.

Guys I guys got my first red moka 6 cup aluminium Bialetti. Came home and notice cracks and scratches on the base of my coffee collector. Is that normal? They are like spreading cracks in what looks like a layer of aluminium paint with a little white showing between the cracks. All on the base of the collector. Did anyone see these? Are these dangerous to health? Do you see these in new or used ones? Thank you

I started suspecting that the bottom/tank of the new stainless steel Bialettis (and many other brands) have a magnetic coating -so they work on induction stoves.

This classic stovetop Moka brewer produces 6 two-ounce cups of rich, authentic espresso in just 4 to 5 minutes. It"s made of durable polished aluminum and features Bialetti’s distinctive eight-sided shape that allows it to diffuse heat perfectly to enhance the aroma of your coffee. Flip-up top and side-pour spout provide added convenience.

The brainchild of Alfonso Bialetti, in almost one hundred years of history, the Bialetti Moka has won a place in the hearts and kitchens of all Italians and not only.

Over the years, Bialetti has perfected its characteristic design, maintaining the functional and use characteristics of the Moka: the octagonal aluminium boiler, the exclusive inspectable and easy-to-clean valve, the filter and the collector that holds the essence of the coffee extraction, black, full-bodied and hot. A Moka is the most sustainable

While some claim that the highest quality percolators are made in Italy – which is no wonder, they are often simply called Italian espresso pots or ‘Bialetti’s’ – we don’t find this necessarily to be the case. On average, it’s fair to say that whenever it says ‘Made in Italy’ you can be rest assured the quality will be great, while China is more of a mixed bag. To boot, having an authentic Italian stovetop espresso maker does add to the charm a bit, doesn’t it?

Bialetti is the number one player in the stovetop espresso maker market, which is not a surprise once you see the thousands of happy customer reviews on their Moka pots. Due to its features, the Bialetti Moka Express has long been dubbed as one of the best coffee makers. The octagonal shape of the coffee maker allows the heat to distribute perfectly while your coffee brews, resulting in a strong Moka pot coffeein under 5 minutes (4).

I personally only use this Moka pot nowadays – I’ve been through other models and the consistency you get is unbeatable. Read my Bialetti Moka Express review if you wish to learn more. The Bialetti Brikka, a modern alternative to the Moka Express is also worth checking out.

The Bialetti Venus features soft lines and a harmonious design that gives it just as the name suggests an elegant look. It’s a beauty to the eye. It also produces great tasting coffee. Its stainless steel construction means it’s suited for induction cooktops. The handle is insulated to resist high temperatures, hence you can use the unit without having to worry about burning yourself when pouring.

In this review, I’ll give you an overview of manufacturers and variants for different types of stoves. I’ll compare stainless steel and aluminum moka pots, as well as look at whether the original Bialetti still comes out on top.

Depending on the moka pot model, the liquid still has to pass through a more or less resistant valve. In some cases, it’s called a “crema valve” intended to produce the coffee foam that we appreciate so much in espresso.

Still, even with a super valve, a stovetop espresso pot doesn’t get close to the 9 bars of pressure needed for an optimal espresso — or any espresso, for that matter. On average, it only reaches 1.5 bars.

Let’s not forget: the moka pot’s basic principle has never changed — why should it when it’s so easy to achieve such clear results? Plus, good espresso makers from Bialetti and others are practically indestructible and can be (thoroughly) cleaned in seconds. An espresso machine, on the other hand, will have a hard time keeping up with that!

Melitta is the filter coffee (or a better coffee filter), Kleenex is thefacial tissue and Bialetti is thestovetopespresso maker. Not only does the Italian company hold the title of the inventor, but it also has a huge product range — even if all the versions are more or less the same.

I hardly need to explain the polygonal classic with the Bialetti man on the side. It’s even in the kitchens of people who don’t drink espresso. This lightweight aluminum model is available in all sizes, ranging from 1 – 18 cups and costing $20 – $130 on Amazon.

As the mother of all stovetop espresso makers, the Bialetti Moka Express isn’t suitable for use with an induction cooktop due to its material, nor does it keep the coffee at temperature for particularly long.

Equally important, from my point of view, the Bialetti Moka Express is also available in colorful covered versions, ranging from Italian names to trendy pastels — for example, Bialetti Rainbow. Even though these moka pots aren’t coated on the inside, I would advise against buying one. In my experience, color coatings have a tendency to peel off over time.

Despite all reservations, the Bialetti Moka Express has rightly earned its classic status. However, on the subject of aluminum as a health risk, I’ll refrain from giving my personal opinion. You can decide for yourselves whether it’s right for you or not.

For around $10 more, the Bialetti Venus is a stainless steel stovetop update that has no issues with an induction cooktop. It also doesn’t have any of the aluminum drawbacks. What’s missing, though, is the iconic Bialetti design.

The current version is called the New Venus,and the price on Amazon ranges from $32 (for 4 cups) to around $50 (for 10 cups). If you already have a Venus espresso maker, you definitely don’t need to buy a newer version. Either way, I consider the Venus to be the best moka pot in my review — even though my review selection is very limited.

This device is the realreason for renewing this review and comparison because no one could understand why I wanted to test the Bialetti Brikka. After all, it is supposed to solve the problem of nonespresso from an espresso maker.

It has the previously mentioned crema valve built-in, which offers more resistance to the bubbling coffee, making for a drink that’s supposed to approach espresso both visually and taste-wise.

Still, my reservation hasn’t changed: coffee prepared in a moka pot is already at a higher-than-optimal temperature. The crema valve builds up additional pressure, which, in turn, shifts the boiling point of the water. This shortens the preparation time (good), but increases the risk of over-extraction (bad).

All owners know how long these devices last. However, if you need spare parts, they’re readily available and cheap. You can also order a matching manual milk frother (the Bialetti Tutto Crema) to go with any stovetop espresso maker. The Italians really consider manual preparation a system and have thought it out from start to finish.

From IKEA’s Metallisk model to the popular Groenenberg stovetop espresso maker, stainless steel is currently the material of choice. Only some “traditionalist” Italians from Bialetti or Lavazza continue to make models with aluminum.

DeLonghi (and others) also provide offerings built like a Bialetti but which stand on a detachable base. This is not only bulky, but it never looks particularly high-quality, either. Plus, some of these representatives obviously don’t use stainless steel.

Fill the lower part of the moka pot with water — preferably warm or hot to shorten the brewing process. If there’s no fill line indicated, always stay below the safety valve.

Another tip from the community (from David): “The safety valve is used to relieve excess pressure if the funnel is clogged — e.g. by coffee that’s too finely ground! So, if steam escapes from the valve, remove the moka pot from the stove immediately.” Amen.

According to my research, a moka pot "cup" refers to a fill volume of around 60 milliliters (2 fluid ounces) -- at least for a Bialetti. Theoretically, a "cup" is, therefore, a double espresso. Still, the exact milliliters don"t matter. It"s much more important to buy an espresso maker that matches your actual consumption per brew. Generally, the smaller the maker, the better the results, and that"s only if you fill it to the brim every time -- especially with regard to the ground espresso. So, a two-person household certainly doesn"t need an 18-cup stovetop espresso maker.

In most cases, you only need to replace the rubber gasket, which is available as a spare part for around $4 (or less). This is worthwhile even for low-priced espresso makers. However, if the safety valve in the lower chamber is defective or the crema valve no longer wants to work properly, it’s usually necessary to replace the entire moka pot.

If the safety valve is immersed in water, the rapid rise in temperature on a gas, electric or induction stove will cause espresso boilers to quickly overflow. Using less water should solve the problem.

Before even a drop of coffee ends up in your cup, you should clean the espresso maker thoroughly. This is best with hot water and even better achieved through several boiling processes. At the same time, check whether the safety valve works and the rubber gasket seals.

Abstract: Equipment (10) for the preparation of a hot beverage comprising a boiler (10) capable of containing a liquid component of the beverage, for example water, a collection container (14) and means (22, 20, 28) defining a delivery path for the liquid component from the boiler to the collection container. The equipment also comprises valve means (40) located along the delivery path for the liquid component comprising a plug (44) which can move between a position in which the delivery path is closed and one in which it is open and means (70, 72; 74, 76; 78) to immobilise the plug in the open position. These means are arranged in such a way that they can be activated and deactivated by a force exerted in the direction of movement of the plug.

How to prepare coffee: to make a great cup of coffee, simply pour water into the boiler up to the safety valve, insert the funnel in the tank and add the ground coffee for moka without pressing it. Close the moka tightly and place it on the hob at medium temperature. Wait for coffee to gurgle as it rises to the collector (upper chamber), turn off the hob and finally enjoy a good coffee!

The size of the Venus Blu is measured in cups; the coffee can be enjoyed in espresso cups or larger cups according to your needs. Venus Blu is available in 2-cup, 4-cup and 6-cup sizes. Number of ml per size: 85 ml / 170 ml / 235 ml

In Italy, where the kitchen is the heart of the home, where cooking is a passion and where meals bring friends and family together, Bialetti is found in nine of ten households.

Alfonso Bialetti’s Moka Pots revolutionized the art of coffee brewing. Bialetti began in Italy but has become a leading brand around the world because these high-quality products bring simplicity, functionality, and beauty to the kitchen. Not only has the technology advanced, new colors and styles are available but the Moka Pot is still simple to use and yields fabulous coffees.

Compared to the previous Venus version, the Moka Pot -Bialetti Venus 4 Cup Blue includes new upper part, lid knob and handle design as well as increased lower part thickness by 20 %.

A functional style with a practical, drip-less pouring spout, it is constructed from food grade 18/10 stainless steel and has an ergonomic, heat-resistant handle with secure anti-slip grip and features Bialetti’s patented safety valve.

To produce a delicious coffee in minutes, simply fill the bottom with water to just below the valve, add your favorite ground coffee to the funnel and gently heat on your stov etop.

1.Fill the lower chamber with cold water just below the valve (we recommend filling the bottom chamber with boiling water for a faster, milder, less bitter brew).

A functional style with a practical, drip-less pouring spout, it is constructed from food grade 18/10 stainless steel and has an ergonomic, heat-resistant handle with secure anti-slip grip and features Bialetti’s patented safety valve.

To produce a delicious coffee in minutes, simply fill the bottom with water to just below the valve, add your favourite ground coffee to the funnel and gently heat on your stovetop.

Fill the lower chamber with cold water just below the valve (we recommend filling the bottom chamber with boiling water for a faster, milder, less bitter brew).