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So I got a [url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bialetti-Venus-Stainless-Steel-Espresso/dp/B002MB762A ]Bialetti Venus 2 cup[/url] for Xmas from my parentals, along with a bean grinder for maximum coffee ****yness.
The first 4-5 brews went fine (obviously I chucked the first 3...), but then all of a sudden the volume of coffee in the top being produced dropped to about 1/3 to 1/4 of what it was - not enough for a single espresso, let alone 2 cups...
The initial bit of coffee will come out after around 3 mins, then nothing more. it does the spitty sound, but doesn't spit out any significant coffee.
I've tried it with different powers of heat (always on a gas hob)
I've tried different grinds - from course to fine, self-ground to shop ground
I've cleaned it out and checked that air can easily flow through the funnel to the top (by blowing through it - no discernible resistance)
The top is on tight
I've not covered the safety valve with water
The safety valve hasn't popped out, nor is there any noticable release of steam from the seal between top and bottom.
I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do... ideas?
have you started over-tamping?
The instructions said not to tamper, so I've not... I've tried everything from just pouring it in and jiggling it around to get rid of the peak to a gentle tamper with a spoon.
Fortunately I've got an imitation of a 4 cup hexagonal bialetti that I got for free that has done nothing but pump out cup after cup of perfect coffee... I just wanted something nicer for xmas!
Right now I've got a course grind, gently tampered, low heat brew on... I'll update in about 2 mins...
no difference 🙁
You're not overfilling are you, so that when you screw the top on the gauze tamps the grind? What happens if you use the same coffee you started with before you started having the problem?
nope, if anything I'd be underfilling it. I did a completely un-tampered one and there was ground coffee up on the gauze, but this was once in what must be a dozen unsuccesful attempts.
Just had 2 goes with the coffee I started with with no luck 🙁
Also check the seal around the gauze. I find if I don't clean mine it gets grinds collecting under it compromising the seal and obviously causing a pressure leak. Mines a cheap and nasty one though.