La Pavoni Manual Lever Machine Comparisons

Coffee is an essential part of many people's lives, and for those who appreciate the art of making coffee, manual lever espresso machines are an excellent investment. La Pavoni, an Italian company, has been manufacturing top-of-the-line espresso machines since 1905. In this article, we will compare three of La Pavoni's popular manual lever coffee machines - the La Pavoni Europiccola Lusso, La Pavoni Professional Lusso and the La Pavoni Esperto Abile. We will examine the features, specifications, and the type of customer who should be purchasing each model.

Before diving into each model specifically, it should be noted that across all the La Pavoni manual lever machines there are similar considerations and brewing techniques that need to be implemented:

• Make sure the boiler/water tank is reasonably full prior to turning it on, as it the machine will be too hot and can be unsafe to fill up once it gets to brewing temperature.

• The time it takes to heat up to brewing temperature may vary depending on the ambient temperature.

• Once it has reached brewing temperature, make sure you open up the steam tap to release any trapped pressure. It could give the pressure gauge a false reading due to any pressure that was left inside the boiler from when the lid was off to refill (if applicable).

• Allow a few more moments for the group head to heat up as it gets its’ heat from the boiler. Having a thermal sticker may be beneficial around the group head to give you a better idea of when it is ready for brewing!

• Make sure you get a grinder that is specifically made for grinding espresso. It is especially important for manual lever machines. With cheaper grinders, you run the risk of not gaining enough pressure in the portafilter to get a proper pull. It can be hit and miss, causing you undue frustration and disappointment!

• For milk frothing, it’s widely known that the 3-hole steam wand tips take a long time to steam milk. Most people have opted to switch those out for a single hole steam wand tip in expedite that process.

Now that we’ve got those details out of the way, let’s get stuck into the comparisons!

La Pavoni Europiccola Lusso

The La Pavoni Europiccola Lusso is the most affordable of the three models. It has a sleek design and is a compact manual lever espresso machine that is perfect for customers who have limited space. It has a shiny chrome-plated brass body and comes with a black base. This machine is ideal for customers who want a classic-looking manual lever espresso machine that is compact and easy to use.

Features and Specifications: 

The La Pavoni Europiccola Lusso has a 0.8L boiler capacity, which can brew up 2-3 espressos before requiring a water refill. The machine has a water level indicator that allows you to monitor the water level, ensuring that you never run out of water. The average heating time for this machine is approximately 5 minutes, and the steam delivery time is around 8 minutes

Type of Customer:

The La Pavoni Europiccola Lusso is ideal for customers are looking to entering the market of using manual lever coffee machines. Only plan on pulling one to two shots of coffee per session and aren’t too fussed on the extras.

La Pavoni Professional Lusso

The La Pavoni Professional Lusso is a manual lever espresso machine that is built with the highest quality materials. This machine has a classic design that is reminiscent of traditional espresso machines. It has a chrome-plated brass body and comes with a wooden handle. This machine is perfect for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate a classic design and want to make their coffee the traditional way. Most noticeable point of difference to the europiccola, is that the professional features a boiler gauge. The boiler gauge helps to indicate when it’s ready for a coffee to brew.

Features and Specifications:

The La Pavoni Professional Lusso has a 1.6L boiler capacity, which can brew 6 to 8 cups of espresso. The machine's boiler pressure is adjustable, and it has a pressure gauge that shows the pressure inside the boiler. The machine has a water level indicator that allows you to monitor the water level, ensuring that you never run out of water. The average heating time for this machine is approximately 5 minutes, and the steam delivery time is around 1 minute.

The main point of difference with the Professional Lusso is that it has a dual frothing cappuccino system. This feature is ideal for customers who prefer cappuccinos and lattes, as it allows them to froth milk while brewing espresso simultaneously.

Type of Customer: 

The La Pavoni Professional Lusso is an ideal coffee machine for customers who want a traditional-looking manual lever espresso machine who may be pulling multiple shots a morning for a number of people in the home. The addition of the gauge helps efficient workflow and that the shot is pulled at the optimal time.

La Pavoni Esperto Abile

The La Pavoni Esperto Abile is a high-end manual lever espresso machine that is built for customers who want a top-of-the-line espresso machine. This machine has a sleek design, and its body is made of polished stainless steel. It is perfect for customers who want a high-end machine that not only makes excellent coffee but also looks great on their kitchen counter.

Features and Specifications:

The La Pavoni Esperto Abile has a 1.6L boiler capacity, which can brew up to 8 espressos at a time. The machine's boiler pressure is adjustable, and it has a pressure gauge that shows the pressure inside the boiler. The machine has a water level indicator that allows you to monitor the water level, ensuring that you never run out of water. The average heating time for this machine is approximately 5 minutes, and the steam delivery time is around 1 minute.

One of the main points of difference with the La Pavoni Esperto Abile is the addition of a second pressure gauge for the group head. This means you’ll be able to monitor your pressure profile and really customise how each coffee you pull is extracted.

The Abile also offers a temperature strip that allows you to make sure you’re pulling your shots at the right moment and consistently.

The Abile also offers you 2 steam wands, with different size single holes, and a metal tamper.

Type of Customer:

The La Pavoni Esperto Abile is ideal for customers who want a high-end manual lever espresso machine with a dual pressure gauge and group head temperature strip. This makes sure you’re always aware of each element of the brewing process, giving you that extra information to pull consistent ‘god’ shots.

MAIN POINTS OF DIFFERENCE

Other La Pavoni Comparisons

La Pavoni Europiccola vs Cafelat Robot Barista

La Pavoni Europiccola vs Flair 58

La Pavoni Professional vs Elektra Micro Casa

Summary:

In summary, all three La Pavoni manual lever espresso machines are excellent choices for customers who appreciate traditional espresso brewing methods. The La Pavoni range is ideal for customers who want a traditional-looking machine that can deliver perfectly textured espressos.

When it comes to La Pavoni Europiccola vs Professional, it ultimately comes down to personal preferences, budgets and requirements. If you are in a household where you have a number of people that enjoy a coffee, the professional and abile would be more suitable. For those who want to take it to that next level of coffee brewing, the abile would give you every opportunity to nail each shot perfectly.

It should be noted that using a manual lever espresso machine comes with a large learning curve that can be frustrating and difficult to handle. It is much less forgiving than a semi-automatic coffee machine and will require a robust grinder to pair. It is best suited for those who are patient and will take the time to experiment with their brew.

However, there’s just something about being able to literally pull your own shot that is incredibly satisfying. For many, the once they’ve travelled down the La Pavoni path, they’ve never looked back.

In conclusion, investing in a La Pavoni manual lever espresso machine is an excellent choice for customers who want to take their coffee experience to the next level. These machines are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and built with the highest quality materials. Whether you choose the Professional Lusso, Europiccola Lusso, or Esperto Abile, you can be confident that you are investing in a machine that will provide you with excellent coffee for years to come.