Learning to Use a La Pavoni Manual Espresso Machine

[petrchutny]

Is the chamber somehow preheated?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@petrchutny Which chamber? - Kat

[petrchutny]

@SeattleCoffeeGear the one you get filled by water by pulling the lever up

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@petrchutny Ah - well, sort of, yes, because the whole machine gets pretty darn toasty. Temperature regulation on this is more of an art than a science. - Kat

[dominic23wong]

I got so hooked on watching people using a piston Pavoni espresso machine. I find it so interesting with these funny old-style machines. Cat, thanks for posting it. I won't be able to come to your shop though unless I fly from the other side of the Atlantic!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@dominic23wong Glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks for watching, even if you can't come for a visit (yet!!) :D - Kat

[imraff]

@dominic23wong know what you mean, cheaper to just buy the machine!

[bazzathemammoth]

Hey guys. I am looking at buying a grinder for good, and want to eventually buy a La Pavoni lever machine. I can get breville gear for cheap and so I was thinking about buying the new breville grinder (BCG800). Would it be good enough for the La Pavoni?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@bazzathemammoth If you get the shim kit upgrade then, yes, the Smart Grinder would work on this machine. - Kat

[funwithcoffee]

I like how you show us the different stages of adjusting the grind to finally get a good shot of espresso. Thank you.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@funwithcoffee You're welcome! It's a fun machine to learn -- and you can get really phenomenal shots with it :) - Kat

[antietamcv]

@funwithcoffee

This lady has no clue how to make Cappuccino.The grind has to be so the handle pulls down with some effort,and the milk foam is thick enough so it looks like a quarter can be supported by it.I know cause I have been using this machine since 1975 when I bought my 1st LaPavoni in Arrezzo,Italy.

I will post my video soon on how to make the best Cup of Cappuccino of all.

[funwithcoffee]

@antietamcv You make a good point about how to make a great shot of espresso with the La Pavoni. However, one has to learn a lot about espresso making before they can achieve the result that you prefer. This video does a good job of helping the novice user of a La Pavoni to begin to see what goes into making a shot of espresso. It is also an entertaining video to watch.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@antietamcv We are very familiar how to make all kinds of espresso drinks. This is called 'Learning to Use the La Pavoni' because it was the first time we had ever used this machine -- and she got a great shot with limited work, etc. Your statement is inaccurate and not in the spirit of our channel. - Kat

[klarinetta]

@antietamcv 3 months gone by and where is that video ?

[BorislavX]

@antietamcv So where is the video guy?

[ryanland1]

I want one!!! Why did I have to move from Portland to Atlanta? I would have just drove down to your store this weekend so I could see the la pavoni in person before I bought it. I miss the pacific northwest and the people there so much. Watching your videos makes me miss it even more.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ryanland1 Awww! That's sweet! I'm sure you don't miss this dreary weather, though :) Well, this video is the next best thing -- and if you ever visit the area, you know you have to stop in and see us! - Kat

[ryanland1]

@SeattleCoffeeGear You'd be surprised how much you miss those rainy steel blue days! So what grinder would work well and look good with the La Pavoni if I wanted to go stepless?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ryanland1 If you can get your hands on a Mazzer Mini P (polished) that would be the best performance/aesthetic pairing :) We're hoping to start bringing those in soon but they are not easily available in the US right now. - Kat

[klarinetta]

Hey I've been doing some reading about the La Pavoni lever machines and one thing I notice is that as you can see in this video this machine requires more fine grind than pump driven semi-automatic machine like the Rancilio Silvia you had the beginning settings set for. So some folks are recommending tampers with lighter base and just a light leveling and polishing instead of fully 30 pounds pressure tamping specially on the first shot.

Any thought on this ?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@klarinetta It would make sense that you would go finer & lighter on this machine; also, a grinder that is stepless vs. stepped will give you the best results. - Kat

[klarinetta]

I've been so hooked on watching videos of this machine so now it's a time to save up for one of these. So for the next year or so,no(or little) beer,no nightlife partying and using the car less and cycling more,less fancy dinner meal for me and I will hopefully be able to take a trip abroad to buy La Pavoni lever machine and Baratza Vario grinder. And I think it's all worth it because I LOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE coffee and specially Espresso :)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@klarinetta That sounds like a wonderful goal!! :) - Kat

[ocshorty86]

Im on the edge of purchasing this machine, the Elektra lever micro casa or another lever style espresso machine. I've been a barista for roughly 5 years now using all super automatics. I would like your recommendation on the style lever machine for my own personal use. I don't mind fine tuning for a perfect pull but need some guidance before buying. thanks much.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ocshorty86 I love the La Pavonis and while we did get an Elektra in here to test, we sold it almost immediately so I haven't had much experience with that style. I think the levers have the potential to produce excellent shots but you have to know how to mediate their temp a bit -- they can get a little on the hots side, but there are tons of aficionados that have all manner of tips/tricks on making their shots using it, so lots of resources to get you started. - Kat

[neofuturist23]

i prolly won't make it to your shop .. but i enjoy your 'no fuss - just do it' videos !

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@neofuturist23 ha - thank you! :) - kat

[zildjiandrummer91]

hey, loved hearing needtobreathe in the background in the beginning!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@zildjiandrummer91 ha - good ear! - kat

[Warrenff5]

@zildjiandrummer91 I was just about to say that. Love that band. My cousin plays bass and vocals in the band..

[zildjiandrummer91]

@Warrenff5 that's awesome! they're a great band for sure!

[ooden]

Hey ladies,

I've tried some of Velton's coffee and loved it! Are there any other roasters that you've tried and really liked? Thanks so much!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ooden A local roaster I've tried is Zoka - they have some great single origins. Also check out Seattle Coffee Works (they are unrelated to us) because they have awesome beans roasted in the Pike Market. Or check out Go Coffee Go which will deliver local/artisan roast beans to you from all over the country and try some different ones. Let me know what you come up with :) - Kat

[seahippies]

....While we're waiting to afford our first LaPavoni...We just watch others have all the fun on YouTube : (

Folks in Australia are glued to rBay.... waiting ...waiting..

One sold recently for about $300 US and it as in pieces!!!

Thank you for sharing with us

[dexterityhunter]

Very nice instructional video! I would love to see you review more lever machines such as Elektra, Ponte Vecchio, Olympia ... Best wishes!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

We are working up an Elektra one...may get some other models in the store and will do reviews as we do. :) - Kat

[Plattapus099]

Incredible for an introduction to the chrome peacock.

[ronnysizematters]

that's a lotta work for 2 tiny shots of espresso.

i saw another clip and I just dont understand why the time the ground coffee is exposed to water is so short.

with other machines like the silvia next to this pavoni it's about 25-30 secs, so you get about that amount of coffee in ml.

with these pavonis you can only make single shots, that are hardly even a single expresso?

is there any advantage in using this machine opposed to the silvia? so far i couldnt tell.

[klarinetta]

@ronnysizematters If this gives the best shot and most control over your extraction then I don't mind the extra work at all :)

[mathof1]

Those little shots are like Italian restretti and they taste very, very good. If you pull them into one cup, you have an incredibly satisfying double ristretto!

[boyracersarelosers]

Too bad about the Pavoni sneeze, which is when you grind too fine and the lever gets stopped mid-pull!

The solution is to SLOWLY remove the portafilter from the machine, which lets the pressure off BEFORE it disengages from the group head.

The piston does not suck the water into the group head; the pressure of the steam in the boiler forces the hot water into the group when the raised piston uncovers a small hole in the group. That hole is connected to a tube which goes into the boiler.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Hey - your experiences with a commercial grade lever machine will be quite different. I learned on a Cimbali and not only is the action different (you pull down to engage the pressure and then release up) but it's much more consistent. Plus you have much better temperature regulation and large boilers on the machine you're thinking about getting, so the hassle/work involved with the Pavoni would not be an issue. Feel free to message if you have more questions. - Kat

[gmcjetpilot]

Good video for only one reason, you need to play with grind and shot time. Tamping and amount and all the variables.

[LyndonTCorbett]

My guess as to why the portafilter locks in reverse is because you can use it for leverage or to steady the pull. I believe they assume the user is right handy.

[gmcjetpilot]

No you don't want to grab the portafilter holder handle for leverage. There is no need. It is not hard. You just have to pull down which is not difficult. DON"T hank on the portafilter handle.

[LexDelft]

you're not exactly supposed to lean on the lever while pulling the shot. You will generate a lot more than 9 bar if you do so.

it's better to pull the shot using about 30 pounds.

Also, to get more consistent results, let some steam escape from the steam valve before pulling the shot. wait for the machine to reach operating temp. again and then pull the shot.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Thanks for the tips! Great feedback. :)

[ira1008]

Thanks. I'm thinking about getting one of these.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

Awesome! You'll have to let me know how it goes once you get it setup. :)