dlb435's Full Review: La Pavoni Europiccola EPC-8 Espresso Machine
If you want great espresso at home and are willing to learn the art of espresso making, this is the machine for you. Beautiful to look at and completely functional this machine is built to last. While listed as an 8 cup machine, its more like four doubles and you can only get two cups in a row without letting the machine cool off. Be prepared for a 3 to 30 day learning curve as you train yourself as a barista. The payoff is truly great espresso at home. The only step up from here are commercial type machines at four times the cost. A good quality grinder is a must, so add that to the cost of the machine. Not a true espresso lover or want espresso without the work? Then get get something else.
What you get with the La Pavoni Eurupicolla is a boiler, group head, a manual pump and a frothing wand. That's all there is to it. La Pavoni has been building this same machine since about 1960 with very few changes. Sounds simple, doesn't it? But simple is often best. La Pavoni finishes the exterior beautifully and uses very high quality materials. At 17 pounds you know it's solidly built. No cheap plastic or even sheet metal here. I've heard of some people using their La Pavoni for 30 years or more.
What you don't get is automation, exterior covers, gauges, lights or even extensive instructions. Sure, La Pavoni includes an instruction manual that accurately describes the machine and it's function. For real help with getting started with this machine I found several "un-official" La Pavoni web sites that offered more and better advice than the owners manual offers. As for the rest; if it's not there, it can't break!
After you learn how, making a cup of espresso is a breeze. Grind the beans to the exact right texture. Dose the portafilter with the correct amount of coffee and tamp. Turn the heater on and build pressure. Raise the handle, wait and then pull a shot of espresso. The machine heats up in a few minutes and stays hot for about 15 minutes after use. After making two doubles it will be too hot to use again. Turn it off and wait.
I think I made that sound too easy. Remember the "3 to 30 day learning curve" that I mentioned at the beginning? This is it. Each step must be done perfectly. No cheating allowed. Grind, dose, tamp, heat and pull. A mistake at any step and you get either nothing or disgusting brown water.
You might have noticed that my purchase price was very low. I got this machine used from someone who tried and failed to get espresso from a La Pavoni. I get wonderful espresso from this machine.
Clean up is a breeze. Since there is very little to the machine, there is very little to clean up. Just wipe it down with a damp cloth.
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