Hi guys, good vid, thanks, good to see a few machines in one spot. I have used my PL (gold plated from Milano factory) since 1995. 3, 4, 5, more coffees a day. Yes you have to practice and work-it for a time. (Like any good relationship). But it leads you to understand the brewing process, grinding coffee and buying good coffee. La Pavoni is not only a work horse but also a teacher, how good could that be! Steaming milk is excellent, steam never gives up. I bent the wand out a little for ease on placing jug under. I always swivel the machine to a comfortable position on the bench top when steaming milk. Never a problem to steam. Your viewers ought to know there is no comparing a 'set and forget' machine with a lever machine. The La Pavoni gives you complete control and freedom to drink to coffee you love best. Cheers and thanks, Bill PS the Europiccola is good for the lone-ranger, with smaller boiler, the PL etc has larger boiler and good for 1, 2,,3, maybe 4 shots (before cooling it down). They both make perfect espresso and milk based coffee.
I own a 16 - professional. Totally awesome. Make 4 to 5 shots a day. I also changed the 3 pin hole frother to a single hole forther. I did this at home depot. You can find it all online.
Very useful video as always. I got myself a Europiccola, because of Gail, for 18 months now, I have not regret it. My comments: 1. This machine, if properly descaled and lubricated, can last a lifetime. Very simple to manage and fix with tools you have at home. No expensive service. 2. It takes time to learn how to use them. 3. Europiccola makes excellent ristrettos. Very hard to produce a proper double espresso though.
I love you guys so much! When Ever I consider a new machine or other brewing product, and I search for it, a video from you guys always pops up!!! Thank you for your time and expertise!!!
I have the europiccola pro and I'm really happy with it. I'd really recommend a 1 hole tip on the steam wand. It turned a brief spell of mild buyer's remorse back into buyer's delight.
Thanks for the reply! I have actually seen this before. I just want to see new and exciting shots. Thanks for all of the great videos guys. You are an espresso head's savior.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with it! Great to hear it's still standing up to the test of time (although I've always assumed these guys would) :D - Kat
Great to hear! I think it's more about the practice of working with what you have. There are a few other machines that also can be a little crazy with the steam; I think that if you get the hang of it, you'll be happier in the long run - Kat
Thank you for this nice and informative video.i own a europiccola and a professional model. In over 95% of the cases the europiccola is just enough. Apart from the style, buy the smaller and cheaper version, the final results will be the same and you can spend the extra money in a quality mill! Ciao
Excellent video and, as always, the girls are spot on! A few comments after owning a Stradivari model for a few months now: - Best shots I have ever pulled BUT, as stated, you do need a decent grinder to go with it. I own a Mazzer Mini and I am very happy with the set up; - Milk frothing is hard - not only the angle is awkward but it is all too close to the machine and, on that note, this beast gets HOT... trust me, it will not take long for you to learn where NOT to touch it! continues...
I regard these machines as shot-focused; I don't really recommend them to folks who are drinking a lot of milk-based drinks, but they make some of the most phenomenal shots. - Kat
Silvia isn't actually finicky with grind; it gets that rap because it's often the first machine people will buy that is actual a traditional espresso extraction, not pressurized. It's not any more finicky or particular, IMHO, than other traditional machines. This guy definitely benefits from very even grind, so is worth a higher investment re: grinder. As far as the larger traditional lever machines, not sure - Kat
I think it's more important if you're planning to make more drinks; the steaming on these guys isn't great and so I never recommend them for heavy steamers. If you want to pull a bunch of shots, though, then the upgrade is worth it. - Kat
That is hard to say. You could practice on any high end machine until you pulled beautiful shots. It is more about patience and learning and being careful in your preparation rather than a La Pavoni versus a Nuova Simonelli in my opinion. ~ sam
Cool. They're a single or double group spring lever machine with a thermo-syphon head, so much more stable temperature than most non-commercial levers. Fairly good value IMHO.
Si - es la verdad; tengo una amiga que vive en Conkal. Visitare con ella y su familia, y viaje en la peninsula para acerca de dos semanas tambien. - Kat
Great review! I get reasonable milk froth results on my 40-year-old europiccolo 8 by just using quite a small pitcher. (It’s still not very consistent though.)
I've seen these in restaurants all over Europe, but have never seen them in action. Still haven't seen it in action : ( Maybe Gail can show us a shot from one of these on an upcoming video??
I haven't used the MDF if a few years can so, sadly, can't recall how it performs. I'm thinking yes, but can't be positive. You could always try it out and then upgrade if necessary. - Kat
Orphan Espresso sells a single-hole tip for this machine as well. Rather inexpensive and just better to spend the extra few bucks on that tip rather than trying to drill a hole in an acorn nut. I've heard of people using that tip on their De'Longhi EC155 as well, and I've ordered one to give a try on mine.
Hahahaha - yeah, I don't speak Italian, though, and I do speak Spanish :D I also speak Thai so maybe I should start greeting Gail in that language to really mix it up a bit ;) - Kat
Gail mentions that it takes a while to get used to it and to learn how to make consistent shots. I was wondering if she could share with us her technique step-by-step to get the best out of the coffee? I really want to buy one of these lever machines, but I'm a novice at this and I keep hearing that if you don't know how to use it, you can ruin a lot of quality coffee.
what to buy buy between elektra Microcasa e leva or La Pavoni ESPED Esperto COMPETENTE Its so hard to choose, i cant find a shop where i can see those machines and rely on what i read on reviews but theres not much written about the la pavoni competente
Levers! Happy :-) Ever heard of the Ponte Vecchi Lusso lever machines from Italy? I was going to purchase a La Pav but decided to hold off and save a little more for a PVL. Still saving :-(
I can't believe the frothing wand is in such an awkward position. No wonder Gail has trouble frothing milk. I am surprised that a great company like Pavoni allowed this to happen.
Simply the best domestic on the market I bought my La Pav Pro in Milan in 1984 Its still going strong Runs fine on Red Lavazza or grind your perfect bean blend whatever. The frothing Arm !! Easy just gently bend the arm outwards until it fits your Valkyrie (what else would you put your milk in) use your little finger on it as a temperature gague and get perfect cappos, machios every time .Buy one great investment !!
Hi nice video. I am actually thinking to get one of these soon. How many cups of a normal size of cappuccino can you make from 1 tank? Do you think 8 cup one (Europiccola) is too small for four people?
im just curious if youve ever been to vienna and tried the coffee there. i experienced it to be one of the worlds best coffees, just after italy, not considering the beautiful coffeehouses though.
Continued... - Keep children away from it... it gets HOT! - If for whatever reason you can't finish pulling your shot DO NOT try and take the porta filter out (you will get burned and have coffee all over you) - Basket a bit to small and it does not lock on porta-filter (annoying when using knocker boxes etc); - Ordered a single hole tip... looking forward to having a go it ... (although my thing are espressos only) Am I happy with it? OH YES!!! Love the whole ritual...
en verdad??? :D yo soy de aquí de Mérida, Yucatán. :( pero ya me habré ido a estudiar a Xalapa, Veracruz¡ nooooo KAT me hubiera gustado mucho conocerte¡¡¡ :( :(
What an embarrassing comment for you to leave. I find both people in the video to be helpful and useful. Gail is not infallible (nobody is) and this particular lady has pointed out error before. And "man hands?" really? What kind of sexist garbage is this? It has no place in the comments of this video, or in society generally. What a shame.
