Customer Reviews

La Pavoni EPBB-8 Europiccola 8-Cup Lever Style Espresso Machine, Black Base

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

PHOOEY to those who say this is only for the purists! Stuff and nonsense! The possibility for a more delightful relationship with a machine than a man can have with his La Pavoni espresso machine surely doesn't exist outside an Arthur C. Clarke novel. I really can think of no other mod con which is truly indispensible in the way that Ralph, our little Europiccola, is.

Difficult to use? Pshaw! Is a bicycle difficult to use? At first maybe, but all of a sudden you wonder what the fuss was about. With a little practice - and practice is half the fun of it - you will have the most beautiful espresso - thick crema and all - merrily widdling out the little spout everytime.

Ralph is delightfully simple to use, as a matter of fact: water in, turn on, coffee in, lever up, lever down, and you're done. How hard can that be?

Getting your espresso right comes down to a lot of other variables, which are the same for any espresso machine - the sort of coffee you use, the correct grind, the correct grinder (if you grind yourself, the grinder is really critical) the correct pressure, even the type of water you put in the machine. If you're having trouble grinding your own then head down to the grocers, pick up a tin of Illy coffee, and BINGO - you may as well be in a Palazzo San Giovanni with a pair of smart sunnies and a scooter shouting, "prego" at passers by, that's how Italian you'll feel. And the coffee is divine.

Honestly, the very sight of that cute little chappie sitting, glinting on our bench every morning, ready to gladden the very experience of waking up and getting ready for work is enough to make my heart sing. I love my little La Pavoni. You'll love yours, too. Depend on it. I know I do.

the pavoni espresso maker is certainly the most beautiful on the market. it looks like it's right out of a 1920's milan bar. but it's not easy to use. this isn't for push-button automatic types. everything, from what coffee you use (illy or lavazza work best) to how you measure and pack it, to how much pressure you exert, to how long you let the water run, will affect the final outcome. it takes weeks of practice till you get the hang of it and more practice till you learn how to make coffee to match your tastes. i don't want to warn anyone away from buying it. once you get the hang of it you've got a gorgeous piece of italian design that makes a near-perfect espresso (face it, at home you'll never match a milanese barrista). but it takes work.

I had one of these machines for years. Actually I had several, and even gave a couple away as gifts.

It will make fantastic espresso. However, it requires practice to perfect the grind, pressure required when pulling down the handle, and speed when pulling the shot.

It's a pain to use, but it's great to look at. I finally decided to get a pump machine, because I didn't want to spend the effort. Other people I know love it.

The machine is great--just be sure it's what you want.

We bought the 16-cup version on our honeymoon in Italy. We've had it for five years. It makes great cappuccino. I bought some extra filters from Thomas Cara in San Francisco, and I can crank out 4 cappuccinos in a row. When we have guests over, they rave about the coffee, and swear it's the best they've ever had.

The machine isn't hard to use - true, you need to learn how it works, it's not like Mr. Coffee, but that doesn't make it hard. It has good instructions, and you can mostly figure it out by looking at it - water goes here, coffee goes there, lift and lower the handle for coffee, steam a little milk - and cappuccino heaven! Ok, it's a little more work than Pop-Tarts, and you can infinitely play with the grind and techniques to create the perfect espresso... so what? You're going to make coffee with this machine for the next twenty years.

The machine is fussy about the grind, however - too coarse, and the water just gushes out. Too fine, and the water won't come through at all! Of course, once you get your grinder set "just so", you never need to adjust it.

I never succeeded at steaming milk with the "wand." My Pavoni included a plastic "cappuccino automatic attachment," which consists of a tube which you put into the milk, and a black plastic aerator. This attachment makes fantastic, foamy milk.

The quality of the milk foaming depends on its freshness. Milk doesn't foam as well after 3 or 4 days (Funny - milk tastes the same after 3 days, but it doesn't foam the same). Like most home machines, La Pavoni won't get the milk as hot as commercial machines will. By pre-heating the cup with steam or hot water before putting in the milk or espresso, you can overcome this.

Our Pavoni isn't just an appliance. It's beautiful to look at, and it's built with heirloom quality. It needed repairs once, but... refitted its worn gaskets, polished its chrome finish, and got it working like new.

I have owned this machine for over ten years and everyday when I make my morning cappuccino I love it more. You can spend more for a machine that measures the coffee, tamps it, pulls the water through and steams the milk for you, but you can tip the kids behind the counter at Starbucks and they'll do the same thing. Making espresso should be a little art and a little science and this machine an impeccable balance of the two. If you aren't the kind of person who takes joy in mixing the perfect martini, making a risotto that whispers with flavor, or whipping a meringue to impossibly tall peaks, this probably isn't the machine for you.

The La Pavoni is for the person who will find tremendous joy in going to the lengths required to make a perfect cappuccino by hand everyday.

PS - It always makes my day to know that people find these reviews helpful. So, please vote (the "Was this review helpful to you: Yes or No" buttons) and leave a comment if you'd like, even if it's just to say, "Hi!" I respond to all comments so feel free to ask a question about the product. Also, when you leave a comment, I will go to your reviews and pay you the same courtesy.

Finally there is a Espresso machine that makes a GREAT cup of coffee. Takes only 4 or 5 minutes to warm up, a "no brainer" process to pull a great espresso. Compared to stove top or other electric espresso makers, this company has spent the time and energy to develop a machine that gives GREAT coffee morning after morning. If you can remember to refill the water tank, clean out the basket, wipe off the steamer rod -- you will have good coffee day after day.

My only regret is that I didn't buy the 16 cup maker. But life cannot always come up roses.

For the hard core purist only. Using this machines is a skill. And, if you master it, you will be a barista in the truest sense of the word. Every variable, grind, tamp, pressure, length of pull, is crucial and requires close attention to detail. The most critical factor is the grind. If you can not obtain the proper grind, this machine will never produce good espresso. Be prepared to spend [more money] for a grinder capable of providing it. Zassenhaus hand grinders are the cheapest option.

The machine itself is gorgeous. The heavy chrome shines up beautifully after each use and all the levers and spigots and knobs sticking out in every direction baffle and intrigue all who see it. The only thing more fun than looking at it is driving it. Amaze your friends, dazzle your guests. Then, serve them REAL espresso.

We have owned a Briel pump machine for 5+ years, and we roast and grind our own coffee.

The first cups made with the LaPovini were better than anything we have had (or made) in the past 5 years! Better than any local establishments have produced, or that we have managed to eek out of our machine...

Our only regret is that we didn't discover these marvelous machines earlier!

There is enough help online to get you up and running with a LaPavoni, and the video helps as well. The included printed instructions are more than adequate.

You probably won't need the single shot filter holder...the double is just right.

Our mixture for cappaccinos is 1/2 cream and 1/2 water, which froths wonderfully and is much creamier than any milk mixture. The LaPovoni steams this incredibly. Our model doesn't have the automatic attachment, and we don't miss it.

A good burr grinder is a must, but that is likely true for all good coffee making.

Don't be afraid of these beautiful beasts.

We have owned a Briel pump machine for 5+ years, and we roast and grind our own coffee.

The first cups made with the LaPovini were better than anything we have had (or made) in the past 5 years! Better than any local establishments have produced, or that we have managed to eek out of our machine...

Our only regret is that we didn't discover these marvelous machines earlier!

There is enough help online to get you up and running with a LaPavoni, and the video helps as well. The included printed instructions are more than adequate.

You probably won't need the single shot filter holder...the double is just right.

Our mixture for cappaccinos is 1/2 cream and 1/2 water, which froths wonderfully and is much creamier than any milk mixture. The LaPovoni steams this incredibly. Our model doesn't have the automatic attachment, and we don't miss it.

A good burr grinder is a must, but that is likely true for all good coffee making.

Don't be afraid of these beautiful beasts.