* The unit is basically a boiler, one pressurized system. Once the water boils, it can escape two ways: through the steamer, using a valve, or (by raising and lowering the handle) through a manifold and into the coffee basket. All the water is heated every time you turn it on. If you run out of water and have more coffee to make, you must depressurize the system entirely to fill it, then fully reheat the entire boiler to begin again. Pump machines generally do not have pressurized water systems, can be refilled at any point, and heat only the water needed for immediate use, usually to an electronically-controlled (and correct) temperature.

* When heating and in use, much of the unit becomes very hot to the touch - it can burn you if you touch some metal parts, a definite non-prego moment.

* It does not operate like the commercial machines of old, despite what some poetic review might claim. The Pavoni fills its manifold when you lift the lever; you must force the lever down to make espresso, and unless your grind is just right you will not get acceptable espresso, never mind the cremina. The old lever-actuated commercial machines operate in the opposite way: pulling down the lever cocks a strong spring, and as the lever travels up under spring power, the water is forced through the grounds. Pavoni is muscle-powered, like it or not, and responds best to beans you grind yourself using (only) a burr grinder (or some hand-cranked models), decidedly >not< a blender-type grinder.

Using the machine takes a good deal of patience and forgiveness, and not a little mechanical aptitude. Consistently getting good espresso from it is like getting consistent high performance from a Fiat, and they don't sell those here any more. OK, I had one of those, too.

So, be aware that the Pavoni is likely to become only a sculpture for you unless you like working under the hood. If that is not you, get one of the better pump machines and be happier.

38 of 40 found the following review helpful:

Mother's little helper...  Sep 06, 2000
By O. Buxton "Olly Buxton"
PHOOEY to those who say this is only for the purists! Stuff and nonsense! The possibility for a more delightful relationship with a machine than a man can have with his La Pavoni espresso machine surely doesn't exist outside an Arthur C. Clarke novel. I really can think of no other mod con which is truly indispensible in the way that Ralph, our little Europiccola, is.

Difficult to use? Pshaw! Is a bicycle difficult to use? At first maybe, but all of a sudden you wonder what the fuss was about. With a little practice - and practice is half the fun of it - you will have the most beautiful espresso - thick crema and all - merrily widdling out the little spout everytime.

Ralph is delightfully simple to use, as a matter of fact: water in, turn on, coffee in, lever up, lever down, and you're done. How hard can that be?

Getting your espresso right comes down to a lot of other variables, which are the same for any espresso machine - the sort of coffee you use, the correct grind, the correct grinder (if you grind yourself, the grinder is really critical) the correct pressure, even the type of water you put in the machine. If you're having trouble grinding your own then head down to the grocers, pick up a tin of Illy coffee, and BINGO - you may as well be in a Palazzo San Giovanni with a pair of smart sunnies and a scooter shouting, "prego" at passers by, that's how Italian you'll feel. And the coffee is divine.

Honestly, the very sight of that cute little chappie sitting, glinting on our bench every morning, ready to gladden the very experience of waking up and getting ready for work is enough to make my heart sing. I love my little La Pavoni. You'll love yours, too. Depend on it. I know I do.

20 of 20 found the following review helpful:

you gotta know what you are doing  Aug 03, 2000

the pavoni espresso maker is certainly the most beautiful on the market. it looks like it's right out of a 1920's milan bar. but it's not easy to use. this isn't for push-button automatic types. everything, from what coffee you use (illy or lavazza work best) to how you measure and pack it, to how much pressure you exert, to how long you let the water run, will affect the final outcome. it takes weeks of practice till you get the hang of it and more practice till you learn how to make coffee to match your tastes. i don't want to warn anyone away from buying it. once you get the hang of it you've got a gorgeous piece of italian design that makes a near-perfect espresso (face it, at home you'll never match a milanese barrista). but it takes work.

15 of 15 found the following review helpful:

For the purists only  Apr 11, 2001

I had one of these machines for years. Actually I had several, and even gave a couple away as gifts.

It will make fantastic espresso. However, it requires practice to perfect the grind, pressure required when pulling down the handle, and speed when pulling the shot.

It's a pain to use, but it's great to look at. I finally decided to get a pump machine, because I didn't want to spend the effort. Other people I know love it.

The machine is great--just be sure it's what you want.

16 of 17 found the following review helpful:

Simply the Best  Jun 27, 2001
By Marshall
We bought the 16-cup version on our honeymoon in Italy. We've had it for five years. It makes great cappuccino. I bought some extra filters from Thomas Cara in San Francisco, and I can crank out 4 cappuccinos in a row. When we have guests over, they rave about the coffee, and swear it's the best they've ever had.

The machine isn't hard to use - true, you need to learn how it works, it's not like Mr. Coffee, but that doesn't make it hard. It has good instructions, and you can mostly figure it out by looking at it - water goes here, coffee goes there, lift and lower the handle for coffee, steam a little milk - and cappuccino heaven! Ok, it's a little more work than Pop-Tarts, and you can infinitely play with the grind and techniques to create the perfect espresso... so what? You're going to make coffee with this machine for the next twenty years.

The machine is fussy about the grind, however - too coarse, and the water just gushes out. Too fine, and the water won't come through at all! Of course, once you get your grinder set "just so", you never need to adjust it.

I never succeeded at steaming milk with the "wand." My Pavoni included a plastic "cappuccino automatic attachment," which consists of a tube which you put into the milk, and a black plastic aerator. This attachment makes fantastic, foamy milk.

The quality of the milk foaming depends on its freshness. Milk doesn't foam as well after 3 or 4 days (Funny - milk tastes the same after 3 days, but it doesn't foam the same). Like most home machines, La Pavoni won't get the milk as hot as commercial machines will. By pre-heating the cup with steam or hot water before putting in the milk or espresso, you can overcome this.

Our Pavoni isn't just an appliance. It's beautiful to look at, and it's built with heirloom quality. It needed repairs once, but... refitted its worn gaskets, polished its chrome finish, and got it working like new.

See all 18 customer reviews on Amazon.com