I just got myself my first machine, la Pavoni second hand. I payed 425 euros for it. Excited and afraid to start this journey. Please welcome me to the cult!

by EmreVDH

13 Comments

  1. civil-vice

    La Pavoni Europiccola will make you a great espresso maker and produce a wonderful, authentic espresso, crafted with your elbow deciding how it’s going to go. Keep in mind that they are imps who will attempt to destroy themselves if you ever forget about it – even on the low setting. The pressure gauge is nice and will tell you when to do what. You MUST have a very good grinder to get the most out of this – and by very good, I mean a Mignon Specialita or something like that. She’s a beauty! Have fun and proceed with gusto.

  2. AmsterdamAssassin

    Looks similar to mine. There’s a learning curve, but I love mine. I can take it apart blindfolded and you will learn that too, because you will have to remove and disassemble the group at least once a week to clean the machine.

    https://preview.redd.it/g5j10ci4tbtd1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d4ef383e77049cb3da74b93d08556e19cb1ce782

    One of the first things I did was turn the steam pipe from 3-holes to 1 hole to increase the steam pressure for better microfoam. And I keep a glass bowl on the drip catcher because that is easier to clean.

  3. Inkblot7001

    Awesome. Looks in very good condition.

    Just be aware of the “falso orgasmo” – let it build up pressure, but then bleed it off using the steamer and build again. When the needle first moves on the dial, it will be false. Don’t try and steak with it, you get an initial burst and then nothing.

  4. Brainrants

    Looked like a hot air balloon at first, had to check which sub I was in.

  5. 48Michael

    Happiness, that’s what you’re getting yourself in to!

  6. Several-Cook-897

    Your getting yourself in to an horrible rabbit hole , now you done went and dug yourself a grave , welcome to the club … lol

  7. Looks like a fantastic find! Having a pressure gauge certainly helps but if you don’t have a vacuum breaker (they’re not an easy retrofit for more vintage machines) you’ll need to bleed “false” pressure. Don’t forget to do the same when switching off, it’ll otherwise damage the gauge.

    I usually bring it up to 0.8 bar for espresso and 1.5+ bar for steaming. A temperature strip on the group head helps, they’re cheap enough! I aim for 80°C 175°F for the first shot. You can raise the temperature by doing “half pumps” without actually flushing to conserve water. Two, *maybe* three shots work fine. Beyond that the machine will need to cool down first.

  8. A world of pain.

    This is what happens when you take a stranger to the alps.

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