Hi All,

I am the proud owner of La Pavoni Professional. I am so far from actually enjoying my shots which is a good thing I still have my 3 year old dependable Rancilio Silvia handy.

1 -- Is it normal for the portafilter basket to be jammed tight? It doesn't prevent me from putting it on the grouphead and pulling a shot. Nor did I notice any leakage. Therefore the fit is snug. However, the basket cannot come off. What if I want to remove the double basket to put the single basket?!? I cannot. I finally yanked it off by using a spoon and that felt like a Herculean effort. Moreover, the single basket just doesn't snap on. This confuses me because I am not sure if my portafilter is defective or whether it's the baskets. It's under warranty (it's less than a week old) and the company in Montreal does not return calls or emails. I suppose they will dodge me for the next 360 days LOL. Otherwise, I am in love with this machine on so many levels.

2 -- Maintenance. For those of us not mechanically inclined how easy is it to do maintenance involving replacing parts? I have no questions about descaling and other routine maintenance but is there anything out there with pictures that can help someone like me?

Thanks!
Andy

You'll never want the single shot basket, so don't worry about it. I would almost love it if my double basket fit so snug, then I could use a knock box. However, there is the matter of cleaning your portafilter - it should be done each time. I don't have any experience with the newer ones, perhaps someone could chime in with fit.

As for maintenance, it's a huge part of the appeal of so many of us here that it is very simple. Depending on usage, you're probably years away from any serious issues. Well, if you do have any issues, they'll come up sooner rather than latter - given that you have a new unit.

On resources - do a search on HB - dozens and dozens of threads about everything there is to know about your precious Pavoni.

-phillip

YUP! Oh Ya Sure You Betcha.. Welcome Andy. BTW I'm a newbie to HB as well sorta kinda. And check dis here

Hi Andy,

there's lots of information both here and elsewhere on the internet about how to maintain the La Pavoni lever machines, complete with photos diagrams and everything else you could imagine. You'll never feel alone

I'm afraid it is not normal for the double basket to be such a tight fit you cannot remove it from the portafilter.

Is there any evidence of the basket having been dinged around the rim which would cause it to pinch the portafilter?

I would also disgaree about the single basket, depending of course on your preference in beans/blends, taste profile, shot volume and so on. The La Pavoni can deliver a tremendous single ristretto and very nicely nuanced single normale, although you may find it takes a little more practice than the double basket.

One way or another you have a tremendous journey ahead of you with the Pavoni, which will just continue to surprise you - and you will find plenty of fellow travellers here with whom to compare you experiences and who are generous with their experience and advice.

Cheers

Mike

Hi All,

Firstly, thanks for the replies.

The portafilter is actually slightly banged up. I just noticed it when I removed the basket (with a screw driver).
Faema doesn't return my emails. I can always just bring it there for service since it's still under warranty however, from the HB site I came across the orphane espresso site and I have ordered a bottomless filter for my La Pavoni. I cannot wait.
Cheers,
Andy

I also have a new La Pavoni Pro and am grateful that the double basket is stuck in the holder. It does not look dented or damaged and I won't pry it out until the holes start getting clogged.

Bienvenue Jack! My experience is limited, but I like to use the edge of another basket to get in between the Portafilter and the edge of the basket that is in the portafilter. I then just twist against the portafilter and the basket that is installed will pop up, then I go around about a third of the circumference and do the same Pry/Twist move.... and if it is a really tight basket to portafilter interface, I might have to pry/twist at another point further around the circle, trying to get the basket to come out evenly.

Since that is a brand new machine, it seems strange that it is so diffcult. The dents in your portafilter sound suspect, how about a picture?

I like to take the springclip/"C"clip out of my portafilters, and that makes it very easy to get the baskets out(I don't use a knock box). This way I can prepare multiple baskets, to have at the ready, if I am doing consecutive shots for some friends.

I personally like the single basket, it makes a great espresso or ristretto...... no fellini move required to get enough volume in the cup. I like to dose the single basket with about 10-10.5 grams, whatever it takes to leave about .5cm of head room for the group screen.

One of the temperature strips(from OrphanEspresso) on the grouphead is a great guide for getting to know your machine, and hot fast it gets hot....... and overheats.....

The bottomless portafilter will definitely be a great addition to your machine.

I love the Pavoni's........

Bon Chance!

I use the single shot basket on my La Pavoni as much as the double shot basket. I have an older machine, but none of my baskets stick in the portafilter. They all just lightly sit in there. Like a few have mentioned, there are times when I wish they would snap into place a bit more, since it would make knocking the grounds out a little faster.

On my portafilter, I do have a ring where a retaining spring clip and go, so I don't think I have an original La Pavoni portafilter handle.

Ray

My basket stuck too. Spoon required. I took out the clip and now it's fine. I just hold it with my finger tip when knocking out into my knock-box.
definitely get a temp strip from oe