La Pavoni PC-16 Professional Espresso Machine - 16-Cup Capacity Lever Espresso Maker - Chrome Finish- Solid Brass 38oz

I was an espresso machine technician in a previous decade (pre-2008 crash). I have more insight than most casual reviewers. Caution this machine is hot! In more ways than one! Seriously though be very careful once it's on. It works well straight out of the box, not too terribly difficult to use. With some skill and practice this has the capacity to make great espresso. Truly with a few cheap additional upgrades it's a good investment. It's also built like a tank, much more solidly built than the early post millennium machines. I personally appreciate some of the skill required, it's more than just pushing a convenient button. In my mind it makes the espresso just that little bit more satisfying when it turns out really well. With more skill, than happens more often. There are quite a few quick cheap upgrades you should do. - group head temperature sticker, or sensor. - single hole steam wand tip - naked portafilter with a better basket - a mirror to watch the show! My only complaint is many people now put a scale under their espresso cups and there's very very little room for that. I've had to put the cup under first, lift up, then put the scale under. Read more

I’m disappointed with this item. It was cheaper, but I’ve had several problems. At first, the machine didn’t send enough water. A technician checked it and found that the piston was loose. I had to pay to have it fixed. After that, the pressure gauge started showing more than 1 bar, sometimes up to 1.5. It seems to be an issue with the gauge because the machine shuts off when it reaches temperature. Now, the back cap has come off as well. I’ve owned a La Pavoni machine since 2008 and I’ve never had an experience like this with a new machine. Read more

I'm a new owner of this machine, so here are my initial thoughts: This machine does take a little "getting to know" but it's not nearly as frustrating as some people say. Pros: -great shots!!! just make sure you have a good grinder and know how to adjust it properly. also fresh roasted coffee! -relatively fast warm up for this quality of shots. anything with a pump that can pull these kind of shots would take longer. -small footprint (though the lever handle sticks out further than I thought it would). still freed up some counterspace from the nuova oscar it replaced -looks very nice -very quiet. obviously steaming makes the same noise it always does, but the loudest part of an espresso machine (the pump) is replaced by your arm). Middle ground: -steaming: not as bad as some people say, but requires adjusting technique. i've heard a lot about putting a new single hole tip on too. I haven't tried that yet. what i will recommend it changing technique. on most machines, i put the steam wand on the side of the pitcher closest to where it is entering. with this, i found that if i put the steam wand across the top of the pitcher to the other side, it is much easier to get a nice swirl and consistent microfoam. you are blind to what's happening though, so you have to know what you're doing and rely on sound and touch. steams a little slower than our oscar, but not too slow. -capacity is a bit limited. the oscar will work hard all day long. this works well for 2 double shots at a time, which is all we usually make. i think it would have a hard time keeping up at a party though. Cons: -hard to find a tamper. this seems like the only affordable option: Vktech Stainless Coffee Barista Espresso . it does work very well. -a little annoying that you have to turn the steam valve so much to open and close it. -a ball joint on the steam wand would make it so much easier to use Overall, I'd recommend this to someone who already has some experience with espresso and already has a good grinder and has access to fresh roasted coffee (we roast at home-much easier than it sounds). I could see this machine being very frustrating for someone new to espresso or has only used pressurized portafilters. Read more

This Pavoni makes excellent espresso. There are a few tricks that allow consistently excellent shots. Leave room at top of Porto filter: about 3/8 inch. A mid fill tamp Is a good idea. Then replace the nozzle provided with a single hole brass nozzle. With this installation the machine is perfect. It is regrettable the machine is not equipped with an appropriate frother given the cost of the Pavoni. Read more

This is a great machine! The first one I purchased was an Amazon Resale item listed as "Like New" and "mint" in the description. It looked great but water ran out of the bottom when I first put water in it (first owner probably left it plugged in and ran it out of water, who knows). Returned it the next day and bit the bullet and purchased a new one. The listing states "DUAL FROTHING SYSTEM" (the standard steam wand and an auto frothing attachment, which swaps out the primary steam wand and is placed in your mug or cup, with a tube going into your milk container. The new machine (from the same listing) was missing the auto frothing attachment. I searched in the box through all of the packing material and padding suspecting I had missed it. Not so. Dug through the provided manual. The auto frothing attachment is optional and no longer included, yet the item heading still lists it. This is not necessarily a big deal, except if they list it *they* should include it... ***EDIT*** "They" (the seller for this purchase) is Amazon. Don't want to cast aspersions on marketplace merchants :-). Read more