I am looking for a decent machine to take with me to med school next year. We have a Brewtus II at home, and we used to have a silvia.

I am thinking of either getting a used silvia (and PIDing it) or getting a La Pavoni lever

I have never used a lever machine before so I was curious if anybody had experience with both and would recommend one over the other for any reason.

I make the ocassional latte but would mostly be making espressos and americanos. I would like to be able to pull a few espressos in a row for some friends though.

Thanks for your help

I won't comment on considerations such as space and cost of spare parts etc. since I am sure you are already well aware of these.

Your observation that you would occasionally like to make a few espressi in a row for friends suggests you are already aware of the overheating issues on the Pavonis. These aren't insurmountable, but they're more difficult to manage if you don't have a sink nearby.

The thermal stability of the Elektra Microcasa a Leva is better thought and it's an easier machine to master if you have a good grinder.

A good grinder is essential for the Pavoni, too.

Alternatively, and just to throw the cat among the pigeons, if you don't care about the occasional latte too much, a second hand Caravel from Italy could be a great buy and will allow you to pull as many espressi as you like in a row without much fiddling at all.

The advantage of the Anita is that you will know exactly what you are getting and won't have the learning curve you will with any of the lever machines.

Rob may post later who if I remember correctly has experience of both the Anita and La Pavoni.

One way or another, you will be capable of getting great coffee with any of them assuming you have a decent burr grinder and fresh bean.

Cheers

Mike

your recommendations for the elektra and the anita are a bit outside of my price range.. as I said this machine is going to be used in my apartment away from home, I still want something better to come home to lol!!

As for grinder I am going to be using a mazzer major so no issue there.

Looking forward to seeing other people's feedback...

Sorry for getting the Anita and Silvia con confused: I told you I was a leverhead

You could perhaps pick up a MCaL for less than you think from www.coffeeitalia.co.uk - certainly not much more (if any more) than a new Pav in the states - or were you thinking of buying second hand?

Good call on the grinder.

Cheers

Mike

Yea I was probably going to get either one used, and PID'ing either is also very possible

I have a PIDd Silvia I've been using for 6 or 7 years now. I had a europiccola when I was in Oregon for a year. It's a lovely machine, and I got some of my best shots ever out of it but it's horrible for pulling more than a couple of shots. In your situation I would definitely recommend the Silvia.

Apart from the overheating issue, you have to wait in between shots or the coffee sneezes at you when you remove the portafilter. There is no three way valve.

godlyone wrote:I am looking for a decent machine . . .

I make the ocassional latte but would mostly be making espressos and americanos. I would like to be able to pull a few espressos in a row for some friends though.

Grab the Silvia. Leave the Pavoni.

It's no contest. While you can get some lovely shots from a Pavoni Europiccola, it has at least three problems with pulling multiple shots back-to-back that I can see:

1. It gets too hot;
2. its "sealed" boiler means you cannot add water "on the fly," and must wait for it to cool down before opening the boiler and adding additional water (and then must wait for it to heat up again); and
3. there is no hot water tap for an americano.

There many be many more disadvantages to the Pavoni (versus the Silvia) for your usage pattern/desires; these are just off the top of my head . . .

Cheers,
Jason