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La Pavoni EPC-8 Europiccola 8-Cup Lever Style Espresso Machine, Chrome |
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List price:
$649.00
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- Ideal for making coffee specialty drinks at home
- Sturdy all-steel construction under heavy chrome plating
- Comes with tamper, screen, screen holder, measuring ladle, and cappuccino attachment
- Includes instructional video to help you get started
- Made in Italy; one-year warranty
Built to last
Rating: 
After wearing out three Krups minis and one DeLonghi automatic-pump machine, I wanted an espresso maker that would last a while. The La Pavoni Europiccola was much more expensive than any of my previous machines, but with its manual pump mechanism and solid construction, it was worth the price.
It's great looking -- more chrome than a '59 Coupe De Ville -- and it makes great espresso, with lasting crema and that wonderful espresso taste that comes only from water held at exactly the right temperature (just under boiling).
I did have to spend some time experimenting with different grinds and blends of coffee to get the right combination. Correct use of the manual pump also requires some practice; my first few attempts went down the sink after I tasted them. An hour or so of playing around was enough, however, and I can now have professional-quality espresso, at home, any time I want. I highly recommend this machine to anybody who's serious about good coffee.
Beautiful but impractical
Rating: 
The La Pavoni has become an industrial design icon, and, in some circles more concerned about prettiness than practicality, the must-have espresso maker.
Unfortunately, looking good is the only thing it does well. You can get reasonably good espresso out of this machine, but only after weeks of tinkering and experimenting, and it is just extremely inconvenient to use.
Here are the problems I have collected from two separate friends (one who owns one, and another who used to and swore never to get near one again!)
1) somewhat fragile
2) no thermostat, machine could explode if relief valve jams (my friend's did!)
3) machine requires close monitoring (see item 2)
4) after using up water in (small) tank, machine must be left to cool down before reuse
5) messy
6) limited supply of steam for cappucinos (see item 2)
7) difficult to gauge the right amount of coffee: not enough and you can't achieve sufficient pressure, too much and you can't lock in the filter holder
8) difficult to learn how to "pump" properly
9) even on its best day, can't achieve the results of a decent pump-driven machine that costs less than half its price.
If you plan on using the machine but absolutely have to have an exotic-looking, conversation piece machine, you may want to look at the Francis Francis machine. It's in the same price range, but at least it's pump-driven.
If you care more about the taste of the coffee and the practicality of the machine, you should definitely consider the Saeco Vienna. It's 30% cheaper than the La Pavoni, makes better coffee, and has push-button convenience. It's also extremely reliable, and perfect for when you entertain (anybody can use it)
That leaves the La Pavoni for people who want a great looking conversation piece on their countertop but don't plan on using it.
Bravissimo!
Rating:
This is a Ferrari of espresso machines. In addition to being a work of art (it's at MOMA in the permanent collection), La Povoni makes great espresso, period.
