Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)La Pavoni was the first espresso machine I owned - I had it for a number of years, had it repaired a number of times (expensive), and know it inside and out, its eccentricities, abilities, and inabilities. It's a beautiful piece of sculpture. As an espresso machine, it's okay - certainly harder to use than any pump machine. Anyone considering buying one should know these things:
* The unit is basically a boiler, one pressurized system. Once the water boils, it can escape two ways: through the steamer, using a valve, or (by raising and lowering the handle) through a manifold and into the coffee basket. All the water is heated every time you turn it on. If you run out of water and have more coffee to make, you must depressurize the system entirely to fill it, then fully reheat the entire boiler to begin again. Pump machines generally do not have pressurized water systems, can be refilled at any point, and heat only the water needed for immediate use, usually to an electronically-controlled (and correct) temperature.
* When heating and in use, much of the unit becomes very hot to the touch - it can burn you if you touch some metal parts, a definite non-prego moment.
* It does not operate like the commercial machines of old, despite what some poetic review might claim. The Pavoni fills its manifold when you lift the lever; you must force the lever down to make espresso, and unless your grind is just right you will not get acceptable espresso, never mind the cremina. The old lever-actuated commercial machines operate in the opposite way: pulling down the lever cocks a strong spring, and as the lever travels up under spring power, the water is forced through the grounds. Pavoni is muscle-powered, like it or not, and responds best to beans you grind yourself using (only) a burr grinder (or some hand-cranked models), decidedly >not< a blender-type grinder.
Using the machine takes a good deal of patience and forgiveness, and not a little mechanical aptitude. Consistently getting good espresso from it is like getting consistent high performance from a Fiat, and they don't sell those here any more. OK, I had one of those, too.
So, be aware that the Pavoni is likely to become only a sculpture for you unless you like working under the hood. If that is not you, get one of the better pump machines and be happier.
Click Here to see more reviews about: La Pavoni EPBB-8 Europiccola 8-Cup Lever Style Espresso Machine, Black Base
The traditional la Pavoni! Superbly polished chrome finish with black base accents the highly efficient design which dates back to 1961. La Pavoni has set a standard for quality and style only found in old world cafes. Each machine is designed to last years and give constant perfect espresso with each pull of the lever. Design features incorporate the best of modern technology such as a nickel plated non-corrosive brass boiler, long life stainless element and reset safety fuse. Triple plated to maintain years of beauty and tested to meet the standard that has kept La Pavoni the premier name in the industry. Features include: 20 oz. boiler capacity Capable of making 8, 2 oz. cups of espresso Steam pressure, piston operated Internal Thermostat to monitor pressure Separate cappuccino spout and controls Makes one or two cups at a time Safety reset fuse. ETL safety listed 1000 Watts. Wt 14 lbs. height 12" 1 Year warranty Video included BONUS OFFER: With Purchase of This Item FREE 1 Pound of our freshly roasted gourmet coffee FREE cookies or biscotti
