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Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

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  • #16
    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

    Yes, I have found that you need to beware of posts on the internet regarding this machine...many things I have come across are completely wrong and make for terrible coffee.

    Sticking to the basic explanation I have given is the best starting point from lots of experience and experimentation I have had now. From there it is gaining your own experience and paying a lot of attention to detail. Make small variations as you go and learn the effect of such. Try to only change one thing at a time so you can isolate the effect of the change.

    One thing I didnt mention was dosing. You need to dose this machine such that the dry puck is not touching the shower screen at all. Lock in the group handle with basket filled and then remove again...if you can see that the dry puck has touched the screen then the dose is too high.

    As for more crema, I find the trick is truly fresh coffee ground fine enough such that you really have to pull very hard on the lever to extract the espresso. You want to be close to choking it, but not quite choking it.

    If everything else is done right, then bitterness is often because everything has gotten too hot, whereas sourness is everything is not quite hot enough. You do get the hang of it all with practice.

    Oh, and one last thing. What are you using as a tamper. I found the plastic piece of crap that comes with this machine is very difficult to get a good shot with - it is way undersized and makes for channeling around the edges. I now have a fitted Pullman tamper that works great. I have seen others find different items around the house that fit better than the plastic tamper to use as makeshift tamper and get much better results than the plastic tamper can provide.

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    • #17
      Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

      Hey, thanks for the reply and the advice. I will try again today...

      As for the tamper, I was hoping you would not mention that. Pavoni suppliers here in England are jsut getting some in in a few days, and I am waiting for one. In the meantime I am using... well... um... ah... a spice jar turned upside down...

      Maybe thats the problem with my cerema???

      Anyway, I am going to continue to practice. Problem is I am not at home every day and then I forgot what I did a few days ago!

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      • #18
        Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

        Originally posted by 6C766B697472060 link=1251710399/16#16 date=1254653528
        Pavoni suppliers here in England are jsut getting some in in a few days, and I am waiting for one.
        Not the plastic one that comes with the machine?
        If so, you dont want it! Your spice jar would be better. The plastic one is way undersized and just doesnt work at all. I would highly recommend taking your basket to a place that sells lots of different tampers and buy the one that fits the best, or even better have one custom made to fit (like my Pullman).

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        • #19
          Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

          Well, I jsut wanted to update you on my progress...

          I have taken your advice and I am testing the grind through a range of grind size - different every day. And I have a clearer understanding of how hard to tamp. The quality of the coffee I get has gone up greatly and I sometimes get a really wonderful coffee, other times I get a good coffee. I think the coffee i get is still too watery most of the time. So I would like to thank you for your assistance so far.

          What I have not yet managed to do is to get consistency and I think that will come with practice. Nor have I managed to get crema. I have replaced the pressure valve spring and fitted a pressure gauge. The new spring increased the pressure to 1 bar, and I get a better tasting coffee. I have also found that I do need to warm up the whole unit more to get a better coffee and the coffee in my cup is now a better temperature.

          i am not quite there yet, but I am getting there. It is useful to fix the pressure gauge because I can see what I am doing with pressure. When I get consistency and crema I will experiment more with a lower presssure, and changing other things.
          John

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          • #20
            Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

            Glad to hear you are on your way. This machine provides a journey of great pleasure as you go, and an amazing learning experience on your way to consistently great coffee.
            Have fun!

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            • #21
              Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

              pavoniboy i remember a site selling an adaptor to add the pressure gauge from the pro model, although i cant remember which one it was sorry

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              • #22
                Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

                Hi Mischa,

                yes, was just pointing out that you will need some type of adaptor if you want the guage - it doesnt just screw onto a europiccola - Pavoni thwarted that one.

                Im not after a guage on mine - I learnt without it and dont think it will now add to the final product. It may make learning easier but once you know your machine I dont think there will be a difference in the cup.

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                • #23
                  Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

                  This is the bit, Orphan Espresso in the USA have them, not sure of anyone locally but Jack at Sorrentina may be able to help. Happy with mine without too

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                  • #24
                    Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

                    sorry- I cant help with that part.

                    I am with Pavoni boy on this one though- you really dont need the gauge. I have a very old (1950s?) Europiccola and no gauge- works like a charm.

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                    • #25
                      Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

                      3 minutes to answer Jack your ears must have been burning My other new toy turned up today too thanks

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                      • #26
                        Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

                        Originally posted by 785C46565D54350 link=1251710399/20#20 date=1269242736
                        pavoniboy i remember a site selling an adaptor to add the pressure gauge from the pro model, although i cant remember which one it was sorry
                        I bought a generic gauge and adaptor for my Pavoni Euro from Orphan Espresso along with a seal kit cheaper than you can get here - even inc postage. A lot cheaper. From unpacking to fitting it took me less than 5 minutes (the gauge).

                        And yes, you can easily use the machine without the gauge but its easier with. See it idling between .9 and 1.2 or so, toggling between the two heat settings, it just makes it more heat manageable - more predictable see? With a gauge Miss Pav will talk to you.

                        There are many ways to use these machines with success. Hard tamp? Not for me at all. Barely a tamp at all in fact. Just rest the tamper on the top and a brief polish and bingo! Slow honey pour and sweet as.

                        Just work on grind and dose. Only two instead of three things to worry about.

                        Enjoy the journey!

                        Don

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                        • #27
                          Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

                          Well, since starting the thread and then my last post being still experimenting with sort of poor shots, I have just kept on trying. Now, I know thta I have been changing some things a little, but not much, and oddly I can now make great shots, with crema, and great taste. But ask me what i am doing different, and I dont know. It just sort of happens.

                          Hmm, its a strange machine to learn how to use. but I would not be without it, nor do I want anything else. especially now that I am pulling great shot each time. I have discovered that the only variation I get is in the beans and the roast. When I sniff the beans I can tell what type of coffee I am going to end up with.

                          The addition of the pressure gauge has been useful to me. I also somtimes use a slightly lower pressure on the second shot to reduce its temperature.

                          Thanks for all the help,
                          John

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                          • #28
                            Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

                            My La Pavoni Europiccolo (Millenium model) arrived safe & sound on Friday (thank you - fellow CS James)

                            First impressions using Genovese Super Brazil (the one we use at work).

                            Ten minutes warm up time.  Bleed steam & flush.  Grind way finer than for a pump machine.  Dose nearly up to the shower screen.  Tamp harder than you have ever tamped before.  Using the Fellini Move (one and a half pulls) produces a lovely soft espresso with excellent crema.

                            Mind you I used 250g of beans to get that far.  The first couple of shots were diabolical.  I suspect that I have a long journey ahead.  For the time being all of the pump machines are living in the workshop.  I have a lovely Wega Nova to play with at work.

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                            • #29
                              Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

                              Check out the links here too for a very different technique http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1266878906/27#27 Tamp pressure is very dependant on grind size so it could still be you need to go finer again than what you think is right.

                              Enjoy the playing

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                              • #30
                                Re: Just bought - La Pavoni Europiccola manual lever machine

                                I watched this the other night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eec7n-Owuok

                                It is the most sensible explanation of the process I have seen. I hadnt seen a LaPavoni until I saw this topic.... bit of a newb!!

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