The Bialetti Venus stainless steel espresso maker is an old fashioned home alternative to coffee machines, nonetheless, the way it’s built assures buildup of pressure of about 1.5 bar.
The bialetti maker is made from 3 main parts:
- water reservoir
- coffee compartment
- coffee reservoir
The Bialetti is a stainless steel, stove top espresso maker , that produces 4 cups of rich, authentic Italian espresso in just 4-5 minutes. Bialetti also has the 2 or 6 cup option although I think the 4 cup is an optimal size, and you can use it just for two cups just by pouring less water in.
The Bialetti is made from stainless steel so it should’nt rust. To protect the maker , you are advised to use an electric stove top or low gas flame. For best results remove from heat source the moment the coffee is ready. Excessive heat or high flame can damage the stainless steel.
How do you know it’s ready? It takes a few minutes or as soon as you hear the water bubbles. When it does, it means there is no more water to push up from the water reservoir to the coffee reservoir.
To keep your coffee maker good as new, wash it as soon as you are finished with the coffee. You don’t have to scrub it, just tap water maybe and a bit of soap will do. Wash excessive water and keep the bottom reservoir dry when you store it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Feels strong and bold in flavor | Often over-extracts, leading to bitterness |
| Easy and affordable – no expensive machine needed | Lacks crema and pressure-based complexity of true espresso |
| Uses espresso-style coffee (fine grind, dark roast) | Real espresso grind may clog moka pot or cause poor flow |
| More forgiving of inconsistent grind or dose | No pressure control – steam extraction can be uneven |
| Makes more volume than a single espresso shot | Not as concentrated or rich as properly brewed espresso |
| Works without electricity great for camping or off-grid use | Requires careful stovetop attention to avoid overheating or burning |
| Sturdy and durable (no electronics to fail) | Cannot produce authentic espresso (as defined by 9 bar pressure and crema) |
| An automated machine makes it faster |
Bialetti also makes aluminum model (I have it too) but the aluminum is less durable to soap, heat and oxidation.