La Pavoni pre-millenium espresso machine modifications

[Ingarch123]

Can you please let me know where I can purchase the square profile gasket? Do you still have a spare one that I could possibly buy from you? My machine should arrive this week.

[ray5961]

@Ingarch123 - you can pick them up on McMaster dot com. Or E-mail me and I will sell you a couple if you want.

[Jimmi232232]

Where do you buy your parts for the LP? I have the exact same model (and I mean exact, except with a 220V european boiler) and I buy parts from OE. Unfortunately OE only has the rounded boiler head seal, not the squared that you show and I can't find E-clips anywhere (I've been holding one pin on with wire).

[ray5961]

@Jimmi232232 - if you mean the square profile O-ring, which goes into the group head, I had to source them myself. OE doesn't have them. I have some extras if you wish to purchase them from me. I can also sell you some of the stainless steel E-clips for the 6mm cross pins (if I have enough). I purchased both from mcmaster.com, but you have to buy a large amount of them (and I don't know if they ship worldwide). Let me know if you are interested.

[sjhoenen]

Aw why are you selling it, I was enjoying the video's so much!

[ray5961]

@sjhoenen - I actually decided to keep it for a while longer. I was going to sell it and put the money towards buying a prosumer machine with an E61 group head. However, after researching a bit further, I have decided to keep the La Pavoni for now. I'm still not 100% sure what machine I want to buy to replace it and/or if there is even any point in replacing it (it does make amazing espresso!). For now, I'm going to hold off and do more research.

[klarinetta]

I'm a total coffee geek and own lot of brewing devices(espresso machine + espresso grinder is next on the list) but I don't understand how people can justify 2500$ machine for home use ?

[ray5961]

@klarinetta - Once you buy an espresso machine & grinder yourself, you may start to see why someone could want a higher quality pro/consumer type machine. It has a lot to do with temperature control, consistency of the shots, features, etc. The higher dollar machines produce amazing shots of espresso - something which is hard to do with a $100 to $200 machine. The La Pavoni does produce a very good shot also, but you have to work for it and understand the dynamics of the machine & espresso.

[klarinetta]

@ray5961 I would understand this for someone that need to be able to pull out 5-6 or more milk based drinks at a time but I never ever use milk in my coffee and in my family only my sister drinks frothed milk(cappuccino). I usually don't have lot of people over for coffee and usually just serve french press or Chemex. So I think that the La Pavoni would serve me well for many years to come. So I'm thinking of buying one later this year.

[ray5961]

@klarinetta - Yeah, the La Pavoni is good. It will hammer out 5 or 6 shots in a row no problem. I like straight shots of espresso as well as espresso macchiatos (roughly half espresso & half frothed milk). I no longer use the La Pavoni to steam milk. I use a Bodum hand frother that works better; it's less hassles. This allows me to focus on keeping the temperature under control on the La Pavoni while puling shot after shot. I also cut the first 2 seconds out of the shots, which helps a lot

[klarinetta]

@ray5961 Sorry to bother you with so many questions but I've been looking around for this information on google,home-barista and coffee geek and I just don't find the answer.

I'm deciding if I should go for Europiccola or Professional and would like to now how long it takes to refill the boiler. I know that this machine gets really cold and you have to cool it down and release the steam pressure.

But how long does it take you to refill it right away after the last shot ?

[ray5961]

@klarinetta - The professional might be nice due to the boiler pressure gauge. I wouldn't mind having that, as it would be helpful to know the exact pressure sometimes. Mine is the 8 shot size & they also have a larger 16 shot. I can pull about 6 shots or so before I need to refill it, but I blow off some steam/water between shots. To refill, you bleed off all pressure using the steam wand & lever. Open with a towel - VERY CAREFULLY - and pour more water in. Reheat. Takes all of 5 minutes :-)

[klarinetta]

@ray5961 Thanks a lot :D

[cdpape4]

Why are you selling it?

[ray5961]

@cdpape4 - I'm thinking about buying a more expensive machine, so I can make multiple espressos faster (my girlfriend just moved in with me) - like for dinner parties, etc. Also, the La Pavoni is done (as far as modification to it and fixing it up), so I'm sort of looking for a new project to have fun with and to learn from. It's a great machine, but I only have so much counter space. Also, the new machine I want is nearly $2500, so I wanted to offset the cost a bit by selling this one.

[ray5961]

@cdpape4 - I'm actually starting to question my decision to sell it. I've been shopping around for an E61 equipped machine so I can learn about the prosumer type. However, I'm actually starting to think about keeping the La Pavoni. In the research I have done recently, it seems that maybe the La Pavoni might actually fit the bill better. I've also read that the older La Pavoni machines are built better than the new ones in some ways. Decisions, Decisions :-) Glad you enjoy the videos!

[ray5961]

@cdpape4 - after further research, I have decided to keep this machine. I spent the weekend reading about several of the machines that I was considering and now I'm not so sure it's worth parting with the ol' La Pavoni so fast. I've canceled the auction while I decide what to do. The E61 machines are nice, but there is something to be said for the rugged simplicity of the older La Pavoni machines also.