Customer Reviews

La Pavoni PAB-16 Espresso Si Black Automatic Espresso Machine

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

 

 

Have had this espresso machine for several months now. Researched a lot before buying and believe this is a great machine for the money. Performs well. Makes a great shot of coffee, assuming you are using great espresso beans. Looks good on the counter, altho not a sexy as the more expensive machines. Not too noisy. Only major negative: Not a lot of clearance between the machine and the drip tray - can't use anything taller than a cappuccino cup. Also, machine does drip a bit after you stop brewing.
Consider getting a good burr grinder to go with it. I highly recommend the Capresso Infinity.
Takes a 53mm tamper size.

I just got this machine from amazon. The pump works well and fairly quiet. It produced perfect crema and the lavazza espresso tasted better. I had the
Gaggia 35008 Carezza Espresso Machine, it is noisy, no crema, except you have to insert a special device. Even so, no acceptable crema and the espresso tasted not as good as this machine.

Love this expresso machine! Water heats up quick, operation is quiet, and it makes a perfect cup of of espresso with creama every time. Like the small size, fits the counter perfectly and looks good too. About the only comment is the cup height is a little low. Have to use espresso cups instead of mugs.

We had finally had it with our Gaggia - bad foam, bad crema and a steam wand that hangs lower than the machine so you either have to lean it over the counter or put it up on something. Researched a lot of machines and even bought the Saeco that Starbucks sells (took it back immediately - bad machine)This La Pavoni makes excellent crema with no extra gadgets or work. Foam is silky smooth and easy to make. In this price range this is a great machine. We highly recommend it.

I currently own four La Pavoni's and I really like the fact that this machine uses pods, makes great espresso, and has a small foot print. Remember if you like espresso like you get in Italy shut the water off early. In the addition, the espresso you use is really important and I use LavAzza from Espresso Zone ($0.40 per pod).

This makes and excellent espresso, with great crema and flavor. The steam wand produces fantastic foam for a perfect latte.

It is very light weight with most external parts made of plastic.

La Pavoni PAB-16 Espresso Si Black Automatic Espresso Machine
I had been looking for a better quality pump espresso machine for 7 months or more and was real excited when I came accross the La Pavoni. The reviews were excellent and matched up with my research. I am very pleased with the finish on the machine, which is flecked with gold. The machine is sturdy and delivers a wonderful espresso every time. I haven't experimented with the automatic frother and probably won't for a while. The product shipped on time and was received in perfect condition.

After being underwhelmed - for almost three years - with the performance of my Gaggia Classic, I decided to look for a new espresso machine. The rave reviews for this unit, particularly the claims about consistency, made me take the plunge. I simply cannot express how disappointed I am with this product, and I'm puzzled as to how so many others could have rated this machine *five stars*.

My first impression was that the machine was extremely light because its housing is 100% plastic. And not just any plastic, but an extremely cheap type of plastic that I fear would scratch or even crack easily. The machine is so light, in fact, that the stiffness of the power cord can actually lift it up slightly, so that it doesn't sit level.

My second impression was the portafilter, which is simply appalling. The handle is made of a different but equally cheap plastic, with the basket made of thin steel. This compares with my Gaggia's portafilter, whose handle is heavy plastic and whose basket is solid brass and forged steel.

Third, I was simply shocked to discover either a manufacturing error or a design flaw in the water tank cap (the silver piece in the upper right corner of the picture), whose left edge gets stuck under the right edge of the cup warmer. You have to pull the cap hard to the right before lifting in order to remove it. Unacceptable!

When it comes to espresso quality, the instructions don't even indicate that the coffee has to be tamped down. The kit doesn't come with a tamper, and since the portafilter isn't a standard size, I couldn't even use the tamper I had already. I put one shot through the machine (before returning it) and found it to be mediocre. As other reviewers have noted, the portafilter sits very low. I couldn't even get my 2 oz. shot glass underneath it.

For quite a few years, my parents had a Krupps combination drip coffee/espresso machine, something like this: Krups XP1500 Coffee and Espresso Combination Machine, Black The espresso portion of the machine wasn't stellar, but it worked in a pinch. La Pavoni's product reminds me very much of the espresso side of the Krupps product, only with lower build quality. If you're considering La Pavoni, you'd do just as well with the $92 Krupps.

At $470, this machine is a total rip-off. I'll be sticking with my Gaggia for now.