La Pavoni Europiccola

[Chucklehead]

I'm almost exclusively an espresso drinker, and have been relying on an old ~£100 Russell Hobbs type espresso machine for the last five or six years. I moved to London a couple years ago and have watched it slowly die, probably due to the very hard water.

Man maths is telling me that a La Pavoni type machine will have a certain amount of rebuildability, looks good, and will allow me to eventually make a respectable espresso at home.

Has anyone got one? Too much faff?

[uncinqsix]

I've never used one, but I believe they are slightly more of a faff to use than a pump machine, and require a little more skill. Still, if you're willing to put the effort into learning how to drive it, it will produce great espresso and last for a very long time.

Make sure you budget for a decent grinder though: you'll be wasting your time without one.

[Vealie]

I've got the professional version. It's got a larger tank, otherwise the same. Had it for about 15 years. Every part is available and there are a few places to get it fixed or serviced. It will force you to learn everything you can about making coffee. It will turn you into a coffee snob. You will have to buy a good grinder. You will pull many average shots while you are learning but when you get it right.......it's the best coffee you will ever taste!!

You'll also learn that the grind and tamping are 75% responsible for the quality of coffee you get in your cup!

Good luck.

[Chucklehead]

Hmm.. I can't decide. I may just get a Gaggia Classic!

[Pothole]

I used to sell both, admittedly in the 90s, and we had far more happy customers with the Gaggia. I suspect because it was easier to use and would produce a reasonable result from the off. I always thought the LaPavoni was more of an enthusiast's machine.

[uncinqsix]

Chucklehead said:

Hmm.. I can't decide. I may just get a Gaggia Classic!

Or a Rancilio Silvia and a grinder such as the Rancilio Rocky...