Until I tested the Bialetti Venus coffee maker, I thought that café-quality espresso was unachievable in my tiny kitchen, as I have no space for a big fancy machine.
Previously, I made do with instant coffee for my partner and guests (a smell I truly despise), as I was too lazy to clean out a French press.
My Experience With the Bialetti Venus Coffee Maker
My First Impressions of the Bialetti Venus Coffee Maker
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I am a sucker for well-designed packaging that limits waste and plastic, so I was thrilled when I opened the box to find that the Bialetti Venus coffee makercame wrapped only in branded tissue paper, and everything was 100% recyclable. The only thing in the way of plastic was the tape holding the box closed. This made disposal simple.
The coffee maker felt lighter than I anticipated, but not cheap. The 18/10 stainless steel body was beautifully polished, and the ergonomic heat-resistant plastic handle felt sturdy and easy to hold. The lid works on a hinge system, and the raised flap at the back was easy to keep in place while holding the handle securely for a controlled pour. It didn’t feel awkward or like it would be easy to slip and spill coffee later.
The instruction pamphlet was tucked inside the pot, and I was impressed to see that it features 17 languages, as well as diagrams to illustrate key points, making it very easy to interpret. Although huge, the thinner paper made it easy to fold down to see what I needed, so it didn’t take over the counter as I worked.
I tested the pure stainless steel six-cup model, and it was a nice size for my small kitchen. It is also available in four-cup and 10-cup sizes at Amazon, as well as in a copper-silver finish if you fancy something with a little bit of added flair to live on your countertop.
Specifications: Bialetti Venus Coffee Maker
The Bialetti Venus consists of three main components, a lower chamber, upper chamber, and a stainless steel filter.
(Image credit: Future / Chiana Dickson)
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Size |
5.31″D x 5.31″W x 8.27″H |
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Capacity |
6-cups (also available in 4 and 10-cups) |
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Weight |
1.2lbs |
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Materials |
Stainless steel body, heat-resistant plastic handle, and a silicone gasket seal. |
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Stove types |
Gas, electric, induction |
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Dishwasher safe? |
Yes, but handwashing recommended |
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Warranty |
One-year manufacturer |
Performance: Bialetti Venus Coffee Maker
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This was my first experience with a Moka pot, so I followed the instructions to the letter. This included running three full brews and pouring them away before brewing up a batch that you can drink. These ‘sacrificial’ brews are to help remove any metallic flavor left from the manufacturing process for better-tasting coffee.
After unscrewing the base chamber from the top chamber and tipping out the funnel filter, I started by rinsing it out with plain warm water and drying it by hand using a soft kitchentowel. It is worth noting that both the edge of the lid and the funnel inside the top chamber are sharp at the edges, so care is needed when reaching inside to avoid nicking yourself. If you have larger hands, this might be tricky.
In accordance with the instructions, I then filled the lower chamber with cold water to the bottom of the pressure valve. The first diagram in the instructions took all guess work out of this for me, despite the lack of etched markings inside the unit.
The funnel filter then slotted perfectly on top and was filled with the ground coffee. There was no measurement for this in the manual, but a quick online search revealed around 30g was ideal for the six-cup coffee maker, and I ran with that, grinding them finely and tipping them in.
The instructions are very clear that you should not press these grinds down, which would be a mistake when making coffee in this pot, so I shook the base gently to even them out, wiped away any spills from the rim, and screwed the top chamber back on. This took me a few attempts to get the hang of at first, and I had to duck to eye-level to make sure it was not wonky, but this got easier the more I did it.
With the compartment screwed hand-tight, I put the Bialetti Venus on my electric stove top, positioned so that the handle was not over the heating element (the plastic handle is heat safe, but I wanted to make sure it stayed cool enough to touch), and turned it on to a low-medium heat. On my nine-setting electric stove, I chose setting four, and let it brew as I got on with making some lunch.
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Having started with cold water as the instructions indicated, on every brew I ran on setting four, the top chamber of the Bialetti Venus started to fill at exactly 13 minutes into the process, demonstrating remarkable consistency. It then took around 20-22 minutes at this same heat to fill the top chamber, at which point I turned off the heat and poured out the coffee. This was indicated by a sudden spluttering sound from the otherwise silent pot.
This felt a little too long for me, so I did some research, with several experienced users on Reddit suggesting starting with hot water in the bottom chamber to speed up the brew. I used hot water from my faucet (not boiling, but the chamber felt warm to the touch when full) and ran the same process again. This time, it took only eight minutes to start filling, and 10 minutes total to fill. This is a far more efficient process that allows for a more flavorful brew and is the approach I will be taking in the future.
The handle was comfortable to hold, having not heated up at all, although the stainless steel was very hot, so due care is needed to avoid touching it. The flap on the lid, designed to hold it in place when pouring to avoid a deluge, was also not cool and comfortable to touch.
After the sacrificial brews, I finally brewed a pot to taste. The process and timings were the same once again, and it brewed a perfect, well-rounded espresso that can easily be used to make any drink style you prefer, be it straight, a shot mixed with steamed milk into a cappuccino, or, as my partner eagerly raced to create, added to quality vanilla ice cream for an affogato at home.
As the main coffee drinker in the household, he immediately declared it ‘the best coffee [he’s] ever had at home,’ and is now very excited to show it off to guests.
Cleaning and Storing the Bialetti Venus Coffee Maker
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Cleaning the Bialetti Venus coffee maker is very easy in principle, but it does require some care.
Removing the coffee grounds comes first. When the pot is completely cool, you unscrew the two chambers and remove the funnel filter (I did this by tipping the bottom chamber slightly so that it fell out into my hand). The coffee grounds will be compacted at this point, but the instructions state you should not tap or bang the funnel filter to prevent misshaping the stainless steel, so I opted to use a small metal teaspoon to dislodge them.
This was quick and easy, and I kept the coffee grounds to deodorize my fridge. You can also use coffee grounds to make fertilizer for houseplants, but watch out, as some garden plants hate it.
There was a small amount of water left in the bottom chamber, but the instructions assured me this was normal. The pot is designed this way to prevent it from boiling dry. This was emptied into the sink and amounted to around one teaspoon.
When washing the pot, you should not use soap, but plain warm water to rinse the components and, if needed, a soft, clean cloth or sponge to dry as needed, which is also recommended by Bialetti itself. I found this to be especially important for the silicone gasket on the underside of the upper chamber.
When wiping the interior of the upper chamber, be it when rinsing or hand drying, beware – I found the lid and the inner funnel top to be sharp, and did nick my thumb on the lid edge when towel drying, pictured above. Those with larger hands, such as my partner, might also struggle to reach into the chamber to wipe it out, too.
The instructions do mention that this pot is dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended to avoid detergents that can affect the taste of your coffee. This is not something I tested, as I do not own a dishwasher. Regardless, I see it as an unnecessary step for something so simple to clean under a running faucet.
Descaling also seems a simple enough process. I have not yet had to run this on my own Bialetti Venus, but I was very happy to see that the manual suggests descaling with white vinegar, keeping the process free from harsh chemicals.
To do this, you fill the water chamber as usual, but add two teaspoons of either distilled white vinegar, available at Walmart, or food-grade citric acid, available at Amazon, and run a brew without coffee grounds before disposing of the liquid.
Finally, the instructions suggest replacing the silicone gasket on the underside of the upper chamber once per year. You can find replacement gaskets from Bialetti at Amazon.
Storing is also simple. The pot is a convenient size and can fit easily into kitchen cabinets, even in my small kitchen. It’s pretty enough when buffed to sit on the counter, too, but the stainless steel may show some smears or smudges.
There are many ways to buff these out and clean stainless steel without harsh chemicals.
What Shoppers Say About the Bialetti Venus Coffee Maker
To learn more about the general customer response, I looked through thousands of Amazon reviews left by verified shoppers, and was pleased to see that the Bialetti Venus coffee maker has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars across over 29,000 reviews.
One recent five-star review left by magheart praised the Bialetti Moka pot for being induction-stove friendly, adding, ‘This is awesome!’. They remarked on the 6-cup version making ‘perfect’ coffee that takes them ‘back to the time I lived in Italy.’
Another, Tomasz Kolanek, agreed that it brewed classic quality coffee, writing, ‘It’s Bialetti, so everything is clear. Solid build quality, great design, and excellent coffee. Easy to use and delivers rich, authentic espresso every time. A classic moka pot that never disappoints. Highly recommended.’
Of the one-star reviews, one shopper pointed out discoloration at the base of her Bialetti Venus after several months of use. They claim to believe that this is a peeling coating; however, having spent several years as a cleaning editor, the photos look more like severe limescale buildup.
Having tested the pot, I am confident there are no coatings on the stainless steel, so I am willing to go on a limb and say this is a result of using hard water without following the descaling process regularly. I will return to this review after six months of use and update whether this has been an issue.
Other one-star reviews were related to issues with shipping and dispatch on Amazon’s part, which are not related to the quality of the Bialetti product itself. All in all, the positive reviews far outweigh the negative and speak for themselves.
Who Would the Bialetti Venus Coffee Maker Suit?
Overall, I think the Bialetti Venus coffee maker, from Amazon, would suit anyone who is looking to make great espresso-style coffee at home without a big machine cluttering up a countertop. It won’t froth milk or keep your coffee warm for hours, but the meditative process really adds to a pleasantly slow morning routine, especially for those with electric and induction stoves.
Having tried it, I would certainly purchase one for myself; however, I would personally opt for the smaller four-cup size, as to ensure the correct pressure and the perfect brew, you need to fill the pot every time. The six-cup is just a little too large for my two-person household, but good for when we have guests.
My Verdict
All in all, I found the Bialetti Venus coffee maker easy to use and simple to rinse out. It made great tasting espresso-style coffee that can be used for a whole host of other drinks, and is a fantastic non-toxic option for those of us concerned about PFAS and BPA plastic. It isn’t as quick as a kettle or one of the best espresso machines, but that is part of the charm.
It loses half a star only for the fact that it is a little sharp on some edges, and that the instructions say to use cold water to start, when warmer water is a better option for efficiency and flavor. Overall, I would strongly recommend this coffee maker to anyone in the market for a quality Moka pot, or perhaps starting their coffee-making journey at home.
What to Shop
Interested in the Bialetti Venus? These handy accessories can help you make the most of your new Moka pot:
Bialetti Venus Coffee Maker
The Bialetti Venus coffee maker is safe for use on gas, electric, and induction stoves, and is very easy to learn how to use. It is made in 18/10 stainless steel of the highest quality, and is available in 4, 6, or 10 shot-cup sizes.
Oxo Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Rated highly for value in our best coffee grinder round-up, if you don’t want to splurge on a high-spec model, you’ll love this more frugal option.
Planetary Design Airscape® Stainless Steel Coffee Canister
The patented inner plunger lid on this canister forces excess oxygen out of the canister and locks out excess humidity. Preserving freshness longer than typical airtight containers.
White House White Distilled Vinegar
Recommended by Bialetti, white vinegar is one of the healthiest options for descaling your stainless steel Moka pot without harsh chemicals.
Scrubit Microfiber Cleaning Towels
When wiping out or drying your Bialetti Venus coffee maker, always use a clean, soft cloth to avoid scratches. I used a washable microfiber cloth to avoid any fibers being left in or around the pot.
Want to make the most of your coffee? Check out the worst coffee maker mistakes you might be making to improve your home brewing skills.
