espressolover2 Senior Member Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 41 Location: Florida Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia, Olympia Cremina Grinder: Rocky with doser
Posted Thu May 15, 2008, 12:29pm Subject: Small lever machine.
Hey guys,
I am looking to buy a small lever machine that I can use for travel. I am not sure what one is the smallest? I am thinking either the Pavoni, La Climbali micro liberty or the Electra micro casa. Any thoughts on what one might be the smallest?
espressolover2 Senior Member Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 41 Location: Florida Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia, Olympia Cremina Grinder: Rocky with doser
Posted Thu May 15, 2008, 1:09pm Subject: Re: Small lever machine.
Thanks. I will check out the La Peppina. And yes, it would be for straight espresso. I am looking for something under $800 if possible. Nothing to serious so if it gets banged around in the airport or hotels, I am not worried.
orphanespresso Senior Member Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 53 Location: Troy Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Cremina Faemina Microcimbali... Grinder: Hand Grinders
Posted Thu May 15, 2008, 7:47pm Subject: Re: Small lever machine.
La Pavoni is the smallest, and La Peppina is taller, but lighter & easy too, the Caravel is great for ristrettos, and very easy to clean up when traveling - you can look on ebay Italy for both Caravels, and La Peppinas (that's where they'll show up most often). We have been using & enjoying an alcohol fired Stella for our travels on this trip, very good when the beans are fresh ground! But you only get one shot because it gets hot! We were quite impressed with the Handpresso we saw at the SCAA show! It uses pods, but it is very small, and makes for a tidy, very easy to use set up! Makes a fairly nice lungo with crema, and with some experimentation with the water quantitiy we could probably be pretty happy with it and some good quality pods, but, it's nearly as spendy as a 'real' espresso machine. We actually do most of our espresso drinking IN the car - you know that dull, bored spitless period - not hungry, but about to conk out? THAT's the time for espresso!
You should be able to easily bring the 'kit' in under the $800.
espressolover2 Senior Member Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 41 Location: Florida Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia, Olympia Cremina Grinder: Rocky with doser
Posted Fri May 16, 2008, 7:03am Subject: Re: Small lever machine.
I was afarid I would hear that about the Pavoni. From all I have read, including the Lever smackdown on HB. it seems that the Pavoni is not really a good machine. It just has a good reputation. I just passed on one for $125 on ebay 2 days ago. So I guess I will start looking again. to bad about the Cimbali, it has great reviews about the steady temp and ability to pull a great shot. I will kee an eye out for the oter as well. Just in case:-)
outarde Senior Member Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 2 Location: san francisco Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon May 19, 2008, 12:37am Subject: Re: Small lever machine.
I couldn't let this go. I have three of these, and a bunch of other machines (Cremina, Cimbali 2 group lever, Isomac amica, etc.) I think the La Pavoni is an excellent machine, and very capable, it does however have a steep learning curve. Chris Tacy from Stumptown wrote an interesting review on Home-Barista awhile back and had this to say "OMG! Look at that espresso! Look at the colours. The crema!! Amazing... the shot was as good if not better than any shot of Las Nubitas I've had from a La Marzocco. Seriously. It had incredible sweetness and body and the mouthfeel was to die for." There are quite a few people who believe the La Pavoni is a good machine, I would recommend that you try one before you dismiss it.
Posted Mon May 19, 2008, 9:55pm Subject: Re: Small lever machine.
outarde Said:
I couldn't let this go. I have three of these, and a bunch of other machines (Cremina, Cimbali 2 group lever, Isomac amica, etc.) I think the La Pavoni is an excellent machine, and very capable, it does however have a steep learning curve. Chris Tacy from Stumptown wrote an interesting review on Home-Barista awhile back and had this to say "OMG! Look at that espresso! Look at the colours. The crema!! Amazing... the shot was as good if not better than any shot of Las Nubitas I've had from a La Marzocco. Seriously. It had incredible sweetness and body and the mouthfeel was to die for." There are quite a few people who believe the La Pavoni is a good machine, I would recommend that you try one before you dismiss it.
I agree. I had one, and opted for the Cremina, because.....I had to have a Cremina. A great and wonderful machine, yes, but i pulled very sweet shots with the Europiccola Millennium. The older 49mm's are supposed to be eaually as good, especially those with the dual temp switch.
espressolover2 Senior Member Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 41 Location: Florida Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Miss Silvia, Olympia Cremina Grinder: Rocky with doser
Posted Tue May 20, 2008, 8:29am Subject: Re: Small lever machine.
I was not trying to bash the Pavoni per say. I was simply saying that I have read a mixed bag of reviews and most of them lean towards the not so good... The HB lever smackdown with the Pavoni was a real factor for me. So that is where my opinion comes from. But despite that I am going to pick one up and see how it does anyway. Now the question is, what model should I try? the Millennium or the older model? from what I understand, the older ones have temp issues and more problems. But the plus side that I see to them is that they are slightly smaller from what I understand. so the curve might me worth it. Also, whats with the duel temp switch on some models? I assume one is a steam switch but I am not sure. Then there is the Strat model to consider as well. So many choices for the Pavoini... What one is right for me?
caeffe Senior Member Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 211 Location: socal Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: NS Oscar & Pavoni... Grinder: Mazzer Major / PeDe Moka Drip: Krups Moka Brew / Bodum Kona Roaster: I-Roast 1
Posted Sat May 24, 2008, 7:24pm Subject: Re: Small lever machine.
espressolover2 Said:
I was not trying to bash the Pavoni per say. I was simply saying that I have read a mixed bag of reviews and most of them lean towards the not so good... The HB lever smackdown with the Pavoni was a real factor for me. So that is where my opinion comes from. But despite that I am going to pick one up and see how it does anyway. Now the question is, what model should I try? the Millennium or the older model? from what I understand, the older ones have temp issues and more problems. But the plus side that I see to them is that they are slightly smaller from what I understand. so the curve might me worth it. Also, whats with the duel temp switch on some models? I assume one is a steam switch but I am not sure. Then there is the Strat model to consider as well. So many choices for the Pavoini... What one is right for me?
Since you have a Cremina already I suggest you get a pre-millenium model. This is because you can use your 49mm tampers with it and you may find that the Cremina baskets might fit also. With a millenium model you'll have to get a 51 mm tamper.
As far as temp issues - this is somewhat true but I find that I tend to make only 2, max 3 shots at a time with mine. You'll have to somewhat 'manually' manage the pressure by turning the machine on/off since a pre-millenium model typically does not have a p-stat.
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 