La Pavoni has a rich, long history of making fine espresso machines. And once you learn how the La Pavoni Europiccola works you will be able to pull espresso shots like a top Barista.
When you’re searching for that perfect cup of coffee, it can be frustrating to find inferior take-away blends that really don’t make the grade. Likewise, the search for the best home espresso machine can be equally frustrating.
I like my espresso strong and the quality has to be good. That’s when I began researching my options for a good quality manual espresso machine to buy for my home. It’s also when I learned about the Europiccola .
I highly recommend this espresso machine to anybody who’s serious about good coffee and looking for the best manual lever espresso machine.
In my opinion this is one of the best lever espresso machines on the market, here’s why…
La Pavoni Europiccola Specifications and Features
- Power – 1,000 watts
- Pump Pressure – N/A
- Housing – Steel base and triple Chrome Plating
- Water Tank Capacity – 20 oz
- Weight – 14 lbs
- Dimensions – H 12 in – L 7 in – D 11 in
- Warranty
- 1 year parts and labour
- Comes with a tamper, screen holder, measuring ladle, cappuccino attachment and instructional video.
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To begin with, the La Pavoni espresso maker is a sturdy size at 12-inches by 7-inches and the all-steel construction with triple chrome plating finish is a fabulous compliment to any kitchen. The gorgeous retro styling is completed with a thick base, and the highly polished chrome finish is offset beautifully with the black trim.
This is quite a heavy machine, so it’s not suitable for lugging out of the cupboard every time you want to make a quick latte. Fortunately, it looks exceptional enough to leave out on the counter as a feature appliance for any kitchen.
The easy lever-style operation and pull-down coffee compressor means that you can make coffee to your own tastes. It comes with its own tamper to tamp down the coffee grounds and brew the perfect cup of coffee quickly without any hassles. If you really like your milk frothy, the cappuccino attachment is ideal.
The La Pavoni Europiccola has no cheap plastic parts that will break, warp or otherwise threaten the longevity of the machine. This is one coffee maker that is seriously built to last.
The EPC-8 also comes with a 10 minute instructional video. Watch this and it shows you exactly how to use this machine for the best possible results. It makes it very easy!
Espresso Making Performance With Black Base
As in most manual espresso machines your Barista skills such as adjusting the grind and tamping pressure will define the quality of your espresso. But you will have total control over your results, which with some practice are often better than in the coffee shop!
La Pavoni espresso makers do not have an automatic pump, you will lift and lower a lever to force the water through the coffee and into the your cup to make perfect espresso!
As with any new appliance, it can take a little bit of trial and error to get your preferred espresso just right. Personally, I’ve found that using a fairly fine ground coffee works best for creating the ideal cup of coffee.
Having said this, there really is very little you can do wrong to get this machine to make a bad cup of coffee. The pull-down coffee compressor makes it easy to get the right amount of coffee grounds into the machine, and a poor coffee made from this machine will still be better than one from a cheaper automatic coffee maker!
Keep in mind that the manual pump does take a little bit of getting used to. If you spend just a little time experimenting with your own preferred blends and strengths, you’ll find one that suits your own tastes very easily. No matter which blend or beans you choose, the machine seems to just get it right.
The resulting crema is superb, the cappuccino attachment does a brilliant job, and no matter whether you prefer a strong, rich espresso or a light, creamy latte, the La Pavoni Espresso Maker does an exceptional job every time.
Clean Up
The simple, yet elegant design of the La Pavoni Europiccola maker makes it easy to clean. The all-steel construction and chrome finish is easy to keep shiny. There are also no plastic attachments or parts that can become stained or warped over time.
Clean steam wand with damp cloth right after use and clean the group head with your brush weekly. Wash all of the removable parts with soap and water on a regular basis (many are not dishwasher safe) and descale every 2 – 3 months.
Consumer Reviews
I’m the type of person who always reads reviews on what others think of a particular product before buying it. So, when I read through the consumer reviews for this La Pavoni espresso maker on Amazon, I wasn’t surprised to see an overwhelming number of very positive comments about this machine.
Certainly, the price tag is a little higher than many similar espresso makers, but La Pavoni has an exceptional track record of providing very high quality appliances. This is one machine that is designed to last for the long term.
Some consumers noted that it took them time to adjust to the manual nature of this machine. While these are listed in the form of complaints, it’s also worth noting that the very same people did agree that the La Pavoni Europiccola still made the best espresso possible.
To date this machine has received 20 five star ratings on Amazon and averages 4.5 stars overall from a total of 29 La Pavoni EPC-8 consumer reviews on Amazon
Conclusion
If you want a good coffee with little effort then La Pavoni manual espresso machines may not be for you. The learning curve will demand a little patience and some practice to produce an ideal cup of espresso at home every time.
But if you’re truly serious about good quality espresso, the La Pavoni EPC-8 Europiccola espresso maker is the ideal choice for you. The retro-style look of the machine, coupled with the solid construction means it’s a coffee maker that will be with you a very long time.
The La Pavoni company has a rich, long history of making fine espresso machines and once you learn how it works you will make true quality espresso. This machine will teach you to pull espresso shots like a top Barista.
I highly recommend the La Pavoni Europiccola espresso machine to anybody who’s serious about good coffee and looking for the best manual lever espresso machine.
Where To Buy A La Pavoni Europiccola Espresso Maker
Affiliate links / Our affiliate policy /Last updated on 2023-11-29 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hi Brian, hope all is well. Do you know if these machines are completely plastic free. Looking for an espresso machine that does not contain plastic parts.