Ellegaard Senior Member Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Denmark Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: La Pavoni Mignon
Posted Fri Jun 20, 2008, 4:09am Subject: La Pavoni Mignon - am I doing something wrong?
Hello everyone,
I am what I would call an espresso newbie. For years we've made latte every morning with a moka pot, but I've always wanted to move a step ahead and get a real espresso machine. I recently purchased a La Pavoni espresso machine over eBay; it was used, labelled "Mignon" (it doesn't say that anywhere on the machine though) and advertised as working.
I've made a number of attempts using this device. With the Pavoni's I've read that it takes quite a lot of practice to get used to the machines, and having tried to pull a decent shot off it for a few days I'm starting to doubt whether it really does work or there's something wrong with it. I don't really know anyone I can ask about this, and before complaining to the seller I thought I'd post my questions here:
I turn the machine on, grind the beans throroughly, stamp the coffee well into the filter basket, strap it on to the machine after 10 minutes of warming up and pull the lever up. I hold it here for around 15 seconds - probably a little more - and from here on it's my understanding that the espresso should now be ready. As the espresso starts dripping into the cup, I pull the lever down - and get something relatively far from a cup of espresso. There's little resistance in the handle, and it seems like a lot of air is coming out instead of coffee. Repeating this pulling up-and-down doesn't do much difference - and by the way, the coffee is only lukewarm at best.
What could be the reason for this? Am I doing something wrong, or is it the machine?
The second thing is the steamer. There's a I/II button below the on/off button that activates the steam of the machine. It does take some time for the steam to build up, but once it does, it all goes through this outlet into the air and not through the pipe as I think it's supposed to. This seems strange, and it makes me wonder if something I'm not aware of is missing on the machine...
And my last question is: Does anyone in here know something about this machine? I haven't been able to find a lot of information about it, but from what I can gather on my Google-searches it seems to have been sold primarely in German speaking countries, not too many years ago.
I hope you can help me. Please let me know if you need some pictures or videos of the machine in use - I'll gladly post them!
mayhew Senior Member Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 123 Location: Pittsburgh Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Pavoni Europiccola Grinder: Baratza Maestro +
Posted Fri Jun 20, 2008, 11:24am Subject: Re: La Pavoni Mignon - am I doing something wrong?
Ironically the search for "La Pavoni Mignon" just brings up this thread again :)
I'd be very interested to find out what the differences are between this model and the Europiccola. Visually they seem the same.
Issue one. What grinder are you using? It sounds as if you are not getting a fine enough grind, given that there is some "espresso" dripping out before you pull the lever down. Also, pull the lever up very slowly (10 count) or pull it up 3/4ths of the way before you lock in the basket.
I'm not entirely sure you're using the machine correctly though. There are two switches on that machine. Flip the II switch till steam comes out of the pressure relief valve. Then turn it to the I switch. At that point you're ready to make espresso. It also helps to pre-heat the cup by raising the lever and flushing some water thru the group and into a cup.
Issue two. There is no steaming attachment on your machine, which may be part of the different in a Euro' and a Mignon. Where the steam is coming out is the pressure relief valve and the little wand just drains any water that might be coming from that same valve into the drip tray.
I think your machine works (although it might need new gaskets given the age of the machine and the fact the photo is taken with the lever up, which means it's stiff). Read the detailed review here Click Here (www.coffeegeek.com) which has decent instructions on how to use the machine (minus the two switch part).
They do look very much the same - but I believe the Mignon is the completely stripped down version of the Europiccola.
mayhew Said:
Issue one. What grinder are you using? It sounds as if you are not getting a fine enough grind, given that there is some "espresso" dripping out before you pull the lever down.
It's a good old-fashioned BRAUN. You just pour the coffee beans into it, push the button and hold it down until the coffee's been grinded to your taste - there're no presets or whatsoever. I have to admit, though, that I've used some cheap pre-grinded beans until now with this machine. They give me this ugly sour taste, but after my first attempt to use the Pavoni I quickly realized it was gonna cost me a fortune if I had to spoil a good double-shot of quality coffee every time I'd try to mess with it. So as for now, I'm just trying to get something that just remotely reminds me visually of a successful espresso-shot out of it before I experiment with the good stuff.
By the way, I thought it wasn't unusual for the coffee to start dripping after holding the lever up for a while?
mayhew Said:
Also, pull the lever up very slowly (10 count) or pull it up 3/4ths of the way before you lock in the basket.
I'm not entirely sure you're using the machine correctly though. There are two switches on that machine. Flip the II switch till steam comes out of the pressure relief valve. Then turn it to the I switch. At that point you're ready to make espresso. It also helps to pre-heat the cup by raising the lever and flushing some water thru the group and into a cup.
Okay! I had no idea that's what it's for. I was entirely convinced the I/II-switch was for off/on-steam - since, well, steam comes out of the machine when II is pressed down. But that makes sense. I'll try that out, first thing tomorrow!
mayhew Said:
Issue two. There is no steaming attachment on your machine, which may be part of the different in a Euro' and a Mignon. Where the steam is coming out is the pressure relief valve and the little wand just drains any water that might be coming from that same valve into the drip tray.
I see. I was sure there was some little lock or something missing on that valve since all the steam went into the air, as illustrated on this picture of my machine.
mayhew Said:
I think your machine works (although it might need new gaskets given the age of the machine and the fact the photo is taken with the lever up, which means it's stiff). Read the detailed review here Click Here (www.coffeegeek.com) which has decent instructions on how to use the machine (minus the two switch part).
Posted Sat Jun 21, 2008, 1:22am Subject: Re: La Pavoni Mignon - am I doing something wrong?
For espresso you really need fresh beans and a good even grind. The freshness and quality of the beans gives you good crema and taste and the quality of your grind ensures an even extraction. Best is a good commercial adjustable burr grinder for fine and even grinding.
It looks like your La Pavoni didn't come with a steam wand. That small tube is for over pressure release, AFAIK, not steaming. If steam is coming out of the machine when the II switch scale could be jamming the valve open a bit. The machine might benefit from a descaling.
mayhew Senior Member Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 123 Location: Pittsburgh Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Pavoni Europiccola Grinder: Baratza Maestro +
Posted Sat Jun 21, 2008, 5:29am Subject: Re: La Pavoni Mignon - am I doing something wrong?
@Mrgnomer: Steam is supposed to come out on the II setting. That's how you know it's ready to rock. Two switch models do not have a "-------"stat in them.
The Braun is the source of your problems. You're not even coming close to the kind of consistency you need for the LP. You'll need some sort of burr grinder, not the blade you have. A Baratza is the bare minimum. The good news is the refurbished models are fairly inexpensive.
With regard to the gaskets I'd say it depends. If you have some mechanical aptitude I'd say do it yourself. If not I'd wait as long as you can since it's a somewhat pricey repair. There are excellent tutorials at http://www.pavoniexpress.com and on Home-Barista (called "refeathering the chrome peacock")
So, focus on the grind/grinder first, then worry about the seals when you can barely move the lever.
Posted Sat Jun 21, 2008, 8:38am Subject: Re: La Pavoni Mignon - am I doing something wrong?
mayhew Said:
@Mrgnomer: Steam is supposed to come out on the II setting. That's how you know it's ready to rock. Two switch models do not have a "-------"stat in them.
Look at the pictures Christian posted of his ebay Mignon. I don't see a steam wand, do you?
I don't know what you mean about steam coming out of the II setting. AFAIK, the II setting is the thermostat switch for higher boiler temp/pressure for steaming in LaPavonis, usually older ones, that don't use pressurestats.
mayhew Senior Member Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 123 Location: Pittsburgh Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Pavoni Europiccola Grinder: Baratza Maestro +
Posted Mon Jun 23, 2008, 12:58pm Subject: Re: La Pavoni Mignon - am I doing something wrong?
We're talking past each other to some extent. Those older machines don't have a p-stat on them. I didn't even know they had a thermostat on them. Anyway, you turn the machine on II till steam starts to come out of the pressure relief valve. Then you turn it to I for normal use. The steam coming from the PRV is the only way to know the machine is ready, since it doesn't have any way of turning itself off.
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