Customer Reviews

La Pavoni PG-16 Romantica 16-Cup Espresso Machine, Brass

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

 

 

Having worked for several years while in college as a barista, it was difficult to find a machine that could meet my high expectations for espresso. I worked with many manual machines so an automatic or semi-automatic simply would not do. This LaPavoni unit does not simply meet those expectations -it far exceeds them.

The steam pressure is around 1 bar which is more than sufficient to produce wonderful shots. It also makes for exceptional heating and frothing of milk. The steam is dry and very close to that produced by far more expensive commercial machines. This is an extremely well-built piece of equipment and I expect that it may outlive me.

If you are unfamiliar with manual espresso machines you will likely find it a little difficult at first to produce good shots. Cardinal rule: do not over-pack the coffee in the filter. Use the right grind and only VERY SLIGHTLY compress your espresso into the filter. If you are not up for the trial-and-error necessary to become good at this, you may wish to consider one of the automatic, semi-automatic or espresso-pod machines available.
[...]

This is a great manual espresso machine and has all the charm of the lever mystique, but it is just that, a lever machine. First of all you aren't going to be able to use this to make espresso for the church choir, the machine overheats pretty quickly, two or three shots are all you're going to get before it need to be shut down to cool. Just the nature of the beast. Also the steaming wand is pretty fixed and takes some maneuvering to get a regular sized pitcher under it. All in all this can be worked with and any La Pavoni manual will make great espresso if and this is the big if, you have a good grinder and good beans. You need a burr grinder rated for espresso, not only for how fine it can grind but for the consistency of the grind, and you need good fresh beans. Source them locally or off the internet but don't accept anything over about a week post roast. With those two in hand you can begin to experiment with the La Pavoni and start to make espresso as it deserves to be made.
There are easier machines (HX, E61 head, semi autos) but none will task your skills like a lever.