grog wrote:Where have you been sourcing heating elements?

Hey grog! Different places. Two suppliers in Europe have come and gone, heaters that were new old stock. This last one I bought was from https://www.cafelatstore.com/. That was in 2014, so the last European NOS heater lasted for about 3 1/2 years. This one from cafelatstore looks really good, so I would try asking them if they could consider doing another batch unless another source has turned up.

Thanks for the info on Faemina, I love the looks and the size is right. It is very good to know about the noises, that just won't work in our office I am afraid - we moved to a smaller space and people are sound sensitive. I have heard the Pavoni peacock in use, so I know what you mean - the Caravel is very quiet in comparison.

The Sama/Pontevecchio Export, yes, it is looking better and better. I remember you like them, peacecup. How are the Pontevecchio machines with build quality nowadays? I heard some complaints a while ago - maybe it is risky to look for used Pontevecchios on eBay? Like, say, a 2-5 years old machine may be a bad buy, while an older machine, and a Sama, might be great?
A new one is around 1000 €, which is a bit more than I would like to pay, but if they solved the issues it might be worth it - if it is good for some 10 years or so (with the usual cleaning and service of course), that would mean I could settle for that. Milk steaming is a plus, just not in our office.

Router speed control is a good idea! Thanks, redbone.

Just an F.Y.I. professional and all current 3rd gen La Pavoni levers are silent on heat up.
They have a P.stat that shuts off the element before venting via audible OPV.

*Easy access to parts since the L.P. Euro \ Pro have been made for decades in large volumes (baskets, portafilters, seals etc.) from L.P. or third party. Decent size group 51mm on 3rd gen (49mm pre 2K). Just looks at the amount of threads here on La Pavoni.

Oh, is that so? I get confused with all the different peacock machines. Professional still doesn't have temperature control though, right?

The PV Export can produce exceptional espresso(!) and is a powerful steamer. The build quality can be a factor, I haven't heard if the newer production units are better or not. I know Jack hasn't experienced seal maintenance issues but mine required more frequent seal lubrication than I would have liked; several times per year (2-4 shots per day). Too bad silicone seals are not available for them...

If steam isn't important maybe a Flair or EspressoForge and an electric water kettle?

Hmm, yes, or perhaps just keep heating up water for the Caravel.
I don't know though, we are two guys who use it and I must admit we both find that method inconvenient, it is much easier and better for our workflow to just do what we did until yesterday: hit the 30 minute kitchen timer button as one arrives, fill her up (the Caravel, that is), sit down and check email or whatever needs doing for 10 minutes, and then get up again and come to a warmed up machine. Plus, if the next guy comes to make coffee within 15-20 minutes or so, everything is already at temperature.
I am looking at both PV Export and PV Lusso at the moment, the price difference isn't that big... have been interested in the Lusso for many years now. The Lusso footprint may be too large though, we might not be able to place it (a kitchen rebuild is due at our workplace within a few weeks, we will lose our machine place during the building phase and I am not sure we will get the same place back afterwards). But it seems to me both would fit our needs.

zix wrote:Oh, is that so? I get confused with all the different peacock machines. Professional still doesn't have temperature control though, right?

The third gens are once again water vs steam heated. I found them to be very stable for lower volume shot production (3-4 double shots) .
Easy to manage heat if more shots are needed using the ramekin syphon method, a cooled portafilter under cool water or cool rag.
I like the ramekin method since it also aids in cleaning the shower screen.
Since the L.P. is not spring loaded it's easy to remove piston from group for either relubing, cleaning or seal changes.

Not sure of Lusso basket size but I believe it's smaller than 49mm or at least use to be or parts availability. Found small groups work well for espresso but not sufficient enough for caps etc. This may not be an issue since you were using a Caravel with similar sized baskets.

Another machine to consider would be the newer Zacconi. Also rebranded in Germany by Poccino.

Export and Lusso have 45mm baskets.

Greg thanks, had a feeling you would know.