Tips & Tricks for pulling a shot of espresso on the La Pavoni europiccola pre-millenium - Part 1

This is part one of a two part video, which runs through pulling a shot on the La Pavoni. It was originally recorded to help someone on the Internet who was having trouble with their shots. Some of the information in the video may be of help to others who are using the La Pavoni, so I will leave the video up. Please feel free to comment and/or ask questions.

Part two of the video is located here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATtemdls0Ls

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• La
• Pavoni
• bottomless
• portafilter
• espresso
• shot
• pre-millenium
• europiccola
• Kyocera
• ceramic
• burr
• grinder

[zepoe]

Your La Pavoni seems to hiss more than mine on the number I setting. Mine only gets 'worked up' that much if I switch it on number II as if for frothing the milk. What do you think, should I (try to) adjust the valve?

[ray5961]

@zepoe - Could be your heating element is going out. Have you tried descaling the boiler? if possible, check the current draw. On the I setting, it should pull about 2 amps. On the II setting, it should pull more like 10 amps. Also, I have an adjustable pressure regulator on mine, so it's not 100% stock in that area - that may have some impact on the steam level.

[zepoe]

@ray5961 Thanks for your tips. I checked and on setting 1 the machine draws 400 Watt, on setting 2 it draws 800 Watt so the heat elements seem okay. After practicing more I do get a good coffee with crema so it seems there's no problem there. Getting the milk frothed right is the current challenge ;-)

[ray5961]

@zepoe - Get yourself a single hole steam wand tip off ebay or from Orphan Espresso - that will make a huge difference when it comes to frothing milk. Just surf the tip as you expand the milk and run the temp up to about 140.

[TheVirginiaviola]

I recently bought the same machine in a used condition but cannot get the steam to the point where it makes noise. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks! 

[ray5961]

@TheVirginiaviola - could be that your boiler element is bad. Either that or there could be a problem with the wiring inside the base.

[zepoe]

@ray5961 PS also ordered another one from London, closer to home at mtheobalds on ebay so I can see what works best.

[zepoe]

@ray5961 Thanks for the 'tip' ;-) I have ordered one from Orphan at their site.

[StormTrek]

@ray5961 Hi, crema does sort of matter. Crema signals emulsification. The emulsified oils coat your tongue when you drink the shot. Once your tastebuds are coated the shot tastes "sweeter". At least that's what Dr Josuma (the "Malabar Gold" guy) said at Coffee Fest 2010 in Seattle Last year. Good drinking to you

[WetSkin6]

high technique, i guess to get a single shot o´coffee....