petr_cz Senior Member Joined: 6 Aug 2012 Posts: 12 Location: Haarlem NL Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Venus Grinder: Macap MC4
Posted Thu Oct 11, 2012, 4:11am Subject: Isomac Venus
Hello,
I was about to buy an espresso machine, probably Rancilio, but now I have possibility to buy Isomac Venus (almost new) for half price - so now I am doubting. I am drinking two cups of espresso or cappucino every day. Please do you have any experience with this machine? I just red really bad reviews (with video) on youtube... I thought isomac is a guarantee of a good quality..
Posted Thu Oct 11, 2012, 10:17am Subject: Re: Isomac Venus
Hi Petr_cz,
First a disclaimer. I have never used or even seen a Venus except in pictures and I am a Silvia owner.
If given the choice between a Silvia and a Venus at comparable prices I would go with the Venus.
My reasons:
Venus advertises all stainless construction. Silvia has a mild steel frame and it will rust.
Venus has a pressure gauge. Not a big deal but it's nice.
Styling. Silvia has lit plastic rocker switches while Venus has metal handle lever switches and separate indicator lights. Now this is personal preference. Some might feel that Silvia is more "home kitchen friendly". The more " industrial / professional" look of the Venus appeals to me and I prefer lever action switches.
Other than those differences the machines seem fairly similar to me.
One up-side to the Silvia is that around here they are as common as belly buttons so you can get answers to any question you may have on one.
I think with both machines you may be looking at a PID in the future. The new cost of either of these machine plus the PID will get you close to an HX machine.
If you are not doing a lot of drinks which involve steaming milk I think either of these machines at a good price plus PID can be very satisfactory.
Phil
petr_cz Said:
Hello,
I was about to buy an espresso machine, probably Rancilio, but now I have possibility to buy Isomac Venus (almost new) for half price - so now I am doubting. I am drinking two cups of espresso or cappucino every day. Please do you have any experience with this machine? I just red really bad reviews (with video) on youtube... I thought isomac is a guarantee of a good quality..
Posted Thu Oct 11, 2012, 10:35am Subject: Re: Isomac Venus
Are you sure the review was for a Venus? I found one on U-tube for an Isomac Viper. It looked pretty bad, but this is a cheaper machine which apparently lacks a three way valve. At that level you would probably be better off sticking with a Gagga. I haven't heard of their cheaper machines dripping and spurting steam.
Phil
petr_cz Said:
Hello,
I was about to buy an espresso machine, probably Rancilio, but now I have possibility to buy Isomac Venus (almost new) for half price - so now I am doubting. I am drinking two cups of espresso or cappucino every day. Please do you have any experience with this machine? I just red really bad reviews (with video) on youtube... I thought isomac is a guarantee of a good quality..
Posted Thu Oct 11, 2012, 11:40am Subject: Re: Isomac Venus
I've been using the Venus daily for about 6 years. It's a very solid reliable machine, but you will still have to do all the magic that is required to get a SBDU machine to deliver 9 bar 200F to the coffee.
Posted Fri Oct 12, 2012, 9:11am Subject: Re: Isomac Venus
I'll echo Frost's experience, I love my Venus, I had to replace the pump recently but that was a user mistake on my part :P
Otherwise it has been very dependable, and durable.
I do have a macap, and really like the stepless functionality to fine-tune grind.
This site is a great resource to help find tips on working with and maintaining a single boiler machine. In fact a lot of what applies to the Siliva applies to machines like the Isomac Venus. Be patient, and with practice you will be rewarded with great espresso.
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