Ponte Vecchio Export review

A haven dedicated to manual espresso machine aficionados.
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peacecup
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#1: Post by peacecup »

I almost hate to let this cat out of the bag, but since I've already got a PV it can't hurt now:

http://www.bellabarista.co.uk/pontececc ... d%20v2.pdf

I've been brewing with my PV for about four months now, and the only thing I would add to this review is that the PV's are capable of making great, not just reasonably good, espressos.

PC
LMWDP #049
Hand-ground, hand-pulled: "hands down.."

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mogogear
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#2: Post by mogogear replying to peacecup »

Nicely Done !!!! ,
As I laughed at the Bezzera that was on eBay for $1,700 ( secretly really loving it's style) and throwing a few offers to the seller( $550 was as far as I went) I think it sold for $900- OUCH.) I came upon the PV. Same style and type, new - price was a big improvement over $1,700 LOL. Thanks for your post,

FYI- I was just up in your neck of the woods, but in Anchorage. Great days and that nice long light till almost 10:30pm. Juneau is sweet.

Cheers
greg moore

Leverwright
LMWDP #067

slooowr6
Posts: 44
Joined: 18 years ago

#3: Post by slooowr6 »

:D I've a PV Export as well, nice little machine. It's a little picky with grind setting once you dial in, it's a pretty forgiving machine. I like the shots from it. I might get a BW just to compare...

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peacecup (original poster)
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#4: Post by peacecup (original poster) »

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 4466174958


There goes another PV (AKA Sama) Lusso - IMHO someone just got a very good deal on a club-style lever (compare to the $1700 Olympia). I'd been keeping an eye on it, just in case I could have gotten it for $25 (I noted that even gravity lever fans were interested). My Export has the same group, and weighs in at about half the kg, so I couldn't justify the $355, but the new ones go for >$600 from Vanelis. I think that the Lusso has a copper tube that connects the boiler to the group, thus insulating the group from overheating. The UK review posted above also suggests that the Lusso is not prone to overheating.

The PV's really do have a nice large group (i.e. heat sink), and this, coupled with the spring action, probably bring them as close to a commercial lever as one can get, while still having it fit on one's desk. My Export fits nicely between my CPU and monitor, works hard all week, then packs up nicely for weekends at the house.

Peace,

PC
LMWDP #049
Hand-ground, hand-pulled: "hands down.."

grong
Posts: 325
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#5: Post by grong »

I have seen the Lusso offered at Vaneli's. Where is the Export model to be located? Parts?

The Export looks like a nice sized machine for one person. I would guess that the Lusso would take much longer than the Export to warm up, with a 3 quart boiler.

Thanks.

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peacecup (original poster)
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#6: Post by peacecup (original poster) »

Hello,

Gene at Vanelis told me they were discontinuing carrying the Export. He may be able to import one for you. The folks at the PV factory emailed me that theyd' sell them direct - you could try that. Also the Good Coffee Co. in Seattle had a couple when I was there - no website, but they might mail you one.

As far as I know Vanelis has most of the parts in stock, but I haven't needed any in the 6 months I've been using mine. They are very simple. Someone posted some pics of the piston not too long ago.

The machine is plenty big for me - I seldom brew more than four doubles in a session. You might be able to get six, but I have not tested it. I also have not tested whether it would overheat by no. four or six. I like my espresso on the cool side, so I always cool the group with a damp towel and/or a cold portafilter if I'm making more than two shots.

PC
LMWDP #049
Hand-ground, hand-pulled: "hands down.."

grong
Posts: 325
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#7: Post by grong »

peacecup,

What is the warmup time for your Export machine?

It seems like you really like your Export.


Any experience with the Lusso, anyone?

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peacecup (original poster)
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#8: Post by peacecup (original poster) »

Vanelis says the warm-up time is 12 minutes, which may be right, but I've never checked. You can speed it up by adding less water.

I do really like the Export, and my espresso just keeps getting better. I've never used any other lever so I can't compare. The shots are better than those I got over four years with pump machines, and better than most you get at cafes.

The PV's require three pulls to get a 1.5-2 oz. double, some other machines might do it in two pulls.

The Lusso is supposed to be less prone to overheat, and it holds more water. As I've said, I've never had an overheating issue, but I haven't tried. I may make several shots in succession sometime just to test. Its the same group, so the size of the shots are the same.

If you can find members who have used Ponte Vecchios and others such as La Pavoni, Cremina, Elektra, you could get better comparisons.

GreatDane wrote recently that shot quality of his Sama (pre-cursor to the Ponte Vecchio) compared favorably with his Cremina.

PC
LMWDP #049
Hand-ground, hand-pulled: "hands down.."

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prof_stack
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#9: Post by prof_stack »

peacecup wrote:Hello,
Gene at Vanelis told me they were discontinuing carrying the Export. He may be able to import one for you. The folks at the PV factory emailed me that they'd sell them direct - you could try that. Also the Good Coffee Co. in Seattle had a couple when I was there - no website, but they might mail you one. PC
Five months later - Vanelis has none on their site and the Good Coffee Company sent $$ to bring more in, but somewhere between Seattle and Italy the money "disappeared" and until that clears up they don't have any Exports. But they do have the Lussos.

I'll add more to this old thread once my PVExport (actually badged as Sama and rebuilt by Joe at the Good Coffee Company) has had quality time in my kitchen. The plan is to pick it up Tuesday 12/19, almost exactly a year after Peacecup got his.

Then I can apply for a LMWDP #, right?

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mogogear
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#10: Post by mogogear »

Ab-SO-lutley!!! newest LMWDP member!! We know who is smiling today... all day!!
greg moore

Leverwright
LMWDP #067

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