Pav Strad "A Closer Look" review

[vicroamer]

Review of the Strad, enjoy the read.
http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/pdf/LaPavoniStradivariLussocloserlookv1(1).pdf
The same site also has a closer look of the Ponte Vecchio Lusso

[turo0002]

Do you agree there is no need to bleed away false pressure?

The author of the review writes: "I am completely certain that the safety valve has a vacuum breaker installed in it and . . . incorporated it into the pressure relief valve. I found no need to bleed away false pressure and when warming up, the so-called safety valve works EXACTLY like a [v]acuum breaker valve as well (venting a little water and steam, before the steam pressure closes it). Checking the exploded parts diagram . . . seems to confirm this . . . ." (emphasis in original).

[matthyx]

Personally, I always bleed off false pressure on my Strad' but most of the time I get steam right away instead of air. So, I would say the valve does its job 7 times out of 10... suffice to say I don't trust it and open the steam wand before warming up the portafilter.

[PigSnack]

I was hoping for some insight into whether the Strad is a significant improvement over the older model. I have an worn out 8 cup Europiccola and was wondering if I should buy another or step up in size to either of the 16 cup versions; the Profi or the Strad. I can get a new Euro for ~$500 and the other two are going to be $1300+.

[matthyx]

I did my homework and compared the spare parts diagrams on the official La Pavoni website, to find that the only pieces different are the group head and the steam wand. It seems the group head is heavier, but I have no europiccola to compare against, and the steam wand has just another look.

I would say that the Strad' has a better look to my eye, but it isn't an improved design since the 4th coffee is slightly overheated. I don't have enough water in the boiler after the 4th, so I cannot try a 5th one, sorry.

I doubt the Pro model is useful for more coffees in one session (because of the overheating issue), but the bigger boiler could improve the steam quantity and quality (like the Dallacorte Mini vs SuperMini).

I have chosen to spend more money for the look, but I think the europiccola with a black painted base would do just as good. I hope this will help you.

[PigSnack]

Thanks Matt...

Yeah... I been trying to figure out if the larger tank would do me any good anyway. I can say as a 15 year user of the Euro that it is has been very dependable. The lever handle does deform somewhat over the years and it looks like this has been addressed in the Strad. The larger group head of the Strad. suggests more mass to me and different heat capacity issues. I think I may go with another 8 cup Euro for 1/3 the cost. Unless I am missing something else? I make 4-6 shots a day.

[matthyx]

Yes, you are right about the lever. It looks very sturdy and the handle is lower giving more strength while pulling the shot.

The decision is yours and whatever you choose, good luck

[Beezer]

There's a bit of a factual goof in the review, but it has nothing to do with the machine itself.

The author states that Roy Scheider makes an espresso with a Pavoni in the movie Jaws. Having watched Jaws more times than I can count, I can state with certainty that Chief Brody never makes any espresso in that movie, whether with a Pavoni or any other machine. His character would be more of a Folgers or Yuban kind of guy.

I believe the author must be thinking of the scene in the James Bond movie Live and Let Die where Roger Moore makes an espresso with a Pavoni. Maybe the author got confused because Roger Moore battles a villain named Jaws in two other Bond movies, The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker.

Sorry to sidetrack the thread, but those kind of errors always drive me nuts.