A certain very generous Home Barista (who shall remain nameless unless he chimes in) has been so kind as to fulfill my long-term desire to test-drive a manual lever machine. This is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me

A very well-packed La Pavoni Pro arrived upon my doorstep yesterday:

"Don't move, I beg you, Watson... Now is the dramatic moment of fate, Watson, when you hear a step upon the stair which is walking into your life, and you know not whether for good or ill."


The bubble wrap was still making krinkling noises from being opened when the first shot was pulled. After almost two years with the spring-lever Export, I was very pleased with the first shot from the manual La Pavoni. A nice, full-bodied, sweet Cafe D'Arte Firenze with loads of crema. It appears to be love at first pull.

In the coming weeks I hope to give the Pro a workout, to help me decide where to direct my search for a 220 V machine after I head "over the pond". For now, here are a couple of side-by-side photos - I'll provide some narrative as time allows...

PC

Deelightful! I can't wait!

Trisha

Well Trisha, I won't keep you in suspense long - difficult to resist the call of an artist like yourself!

Shots two and three ( an AM cappuccino and a straight espresso at work) were progressively worse. The former was drinkable, but the later, I must confess, was a "window shot" (no sink in my office, but a window with a lovely view of Auke Bay, AK, complete today with fog and a strong "smack O' the sea").

This much variation was not unexpected, as I dialed in grind and dose. Shot four went the way of shot three, but five was much better. Quite good, in fact, though I'm not in a position yet to say how or if it differs from the PV. Taste comparisons will need to wait until the weekend, when I can over-caffeinate while completing a bathroom renovation. I will try to get a few more photos soon, and some general impressions.

I am now off and running, having both home and work grinders dialed in, and finding that the LP double basket I got prefers dose very similar to the PV double basket. Also, I need to brew right when the LP gets up to temp - the pressure is set a bit above my PV, so it brews too hot for my tastes if I let it wait.

I remember wondering how the LP and PV differed back when I was looking to purchase my first lever. I've waited a long time to have these two side-by-side.

PC

Hey, I yet to see photos of your "vintage German hand grinders" on my HandJive thread!

PC

Hello Peacecup,
IMHO
If that is a newer machine with a pressurestat, having that nice gauge there on the machine you may adjust your pour temp by shutting the machine off till you bring it up to temp for the pour. That way you by-pass the pressurestat and keep the group cooler. Your taste ( trained by the PV ) may be primed to a roast that peaks at a lower temp than the boiler temp pressurestat setting on the LaPav. The first shot could have been cooler through the group than the later ones.
YMMV
Cheers
richard

Hello Richard,

Yes, I just tried that - I turned the machine off just before it got to 1 bar, and actually left if off for the pour. It was quite good, still lingering, in fact. Can't say how it compares to the Export yet, but I seem to taste a difference. Sometime very soon I'll need to grind enough for a shot from each, try pulling both at nearly the same time, and having a taste test.

BTW, I was very interested to read about your La Peppina seminar performance.

Cheers,

PC

Now that I'm an accomplished expert on the LP (total = six shots pulled), I can already say I don't see too much difficulty in keeping the machine steady while pulling shots. Hold the PF with one hand, the lever with the other. This seems to be easier at a waist-level desk than on a counter.

Why on earth LP has not adopted the expedient of rubber suction-cup feet, however, is a mystery. After all, the Caravel carried them 50 years ago, and the Ponte Vecchio does so to this day!

PC

This is exciting. I can't wait to hear about the 7th shot.

peacecup wrote:Now that I'm an accomplished expert on the LP (total = six shots pulled), I can already say I don't see too much difficulty in keeping the machine steady while pulling shots. Hold the PF with one hand, the lever with the other. This seems to be easier at a waist-level desk than on a counter.
Why on earth LP has not adopted the expedient of rubber suction-cup feet, however, is a mystery. After all, the Caravel carried them 50 years ago, and the Ponte Vecchio does so to this day!

PC

I seem to get better leverage when I put one hand on the boiler cap.

peacecup;

You don't need pictures of my two hand grinders, you already have representative pics on that thread!

Tis a shame I'm financially challenged as there's an Astoria lever up at auction - but it's all the way down in Pompano Beach, Florida! That would've been a lovely comparison (and companion!) to my Elektra, though I wouldn't have had as scientific a testing as merits so many endeavors here.

An Astoria vs an Elektra; and you with your two! Ah well, who knows, it could happen someday in the future (though an amateur's espresso comparison at around 9,200ft would hardly be relevant to many people, moreso with the test using home roasted beans).

Speaking of which, that bright chrome lass on the counter seems to be calling me!

Time for a break - have fun, good sir!

Trisha