By: Caffeinated Gear Review Team
After spending countless hours pulling shots and mastering the art of manual espresso making, our team of certified baristas has put every La Pavoni lever machine through its paces. This comprehensive review reflects years of hands-on experience with these iconic machines, giving you the complete picture of what it’s like to own and use a La Pavoni in your home.
We’ve tested each model extensively in our coffee lab, from the classic Europiccola to the sophisticated Professional series, including detailed analysis of the Expo and the Esperto Edotto. Our findings bring you the most current insights on these timeless espresso makers.
Our recent conversation with Clumsy Goat revealed exciting updates to the latest La Pavoni lineup. Here’s what’s new with these stunning machines:
The newest models come with brass pistons as standard – a significant upgrade that previously required aftermarket modification. Having replaced plastic pistons with brass ones ourselves in older models, we can confirm this is a fantastic improvement that enhances durability and heat stability.
After thorough measurements and verification with La Pavoni, we can confirm that all current models – from the Europiccola to the Professional series – feature 52mm groups and portafilters, settling any confusion about sizing.
Every model in the current range boasts a stainless steel base, offering superior durability and resistance to rust compared to previous materials. This upgrade ensures these machines will maintain their pristine appearance for years to come.
While most models feature brass boilers, the Esperto Edotto stands apart with its copper boiler. Through our testing, we’ve found both materials excellent for temperature stability, though copper offers slightly different thermal properties.
The La Pavoni Europiccola sits at the intersection of art and engineering. At its core, it’s a manual lever espresso machine where you, the barista, control every aspect of the extraction process. Unlike modern pump-driven machines, the Europiccola relies on your skill to create the perfect pressure profile.
The machine’s brilliance lies in its simplicity: a heated boiler, a mechanical group head, a lever-operated piston, a precision-machined portafilter, and a steam wand. Premium models include pressure gauges for both steam and brewing pressure, along with distinctive aesthetic touches.
Beyond its technical specifications, the Europiccola has earned its place in coffee culture history. Our research shows its appearances in numerous films, where it’s been positioned as a symbol of sophistication and style.
James Bond’s encounter with the Europiccola in “Live and Let Die” particularly amuses our team – Roger Moore’s character commits the cardinal sin of steaming milk after pulling the shot, with the release valve pipe submerged in the cup!
Hugh Grant’s character in “About a Boy” similarly demonstrates what not to do with a La Pavoni, producing what our team playfully refers to as “designer dishwater” rather than proper espresso.
Even Jude Law’s portrayal of Dickie Greenleaf in “The Talented Mr. Ripley” shows some technical missteps, though the machine’s presence perfectly captures his character’s sophisticated Italian lifestyle.
Hollywood aside, we’ve found the La Pavoni Europiccola to be an exceptional espresso machine that produces outstanding coffee when used correctly. Let’s explore what makes these machines special.
We’ll break down our review into two main sections: a comprehensive overview of the machine’s capabilities, followed by detailed comparisons of different models and their specific features. This approach mirrors our analysis of other premium coffee equipment, such as the Eureka Mignon grinder series. For more details on that, see:
The La Pavoni range spans from the classic Europiccola through to the Professional models with their larger boilers, culminating in the premium Esperto Edotto and Expo editions. While they share core engineering principles, each model offers unique features and finishes to suit different needs and preferences.
After countless hours pulling shots on various La Pavoni models in our test kitchen, we’ve discovered that the real question isn’t just about buying a beautiful manual espresso machine – it’s about whether you’re ready to embrace the art of lever espresso making.
Manual lever machines operate in an entirely different league from standard semi-automatic espresso makers, and the La Pavoni Europiccola stands uniquely apart even from other lever machines on the market.
While newer lever machines come equipped with safety features and modern conveniences, the La Pavoni maintains its classic, stripped-down design philosophy that has remained largely unchanged for decades.
Think of the Europiccola as the vintage Porsche 911 of the coffee world.
Just as a classic sports car offers nothing but an engine, wheels, and pure driving pleasure, the Europiccola gives you the bare essentials: a boiler and a group head that demands your full attention and skill.
Modern espresso machines pamper you with features like PID temperature control, automated pressure profiling, and programmable settings. In contrast, the Europiccola asks you to master these elements yourself, much like how vintage cars lack power steering and anti-lock brakes.
But here’s the fascinating bit – our testing revealed something remarkable about this machine.
While any modern electric car can outpace a classic Ferrari in pure performance metrics, the La Pavoni can actually produce espresso that rivals or surpasses shots from machines costing three times as much – when properly mastered.
We’ve put professional baristas with their high-end automatic machines up against Europiccola veterans in blind tastings. The results often surprised even our most skeptical team members.
That said, we won’t sugar-coat it – the learning curve is steep.
Our early days with the Europiccola were filled with moments of both triumph and frustration. We’d pull an absolutely stunning shot, only to spend the next hour trying to recreate it, wondering what mysterious combination of variables we’d stumbled upon.
If you’re drawn to the idea of developing a deep understanding of espresso crafting, where you control every aspect of the extraction process, then the La Pavoni Europiccola could become your most prized coffee companion.
These machines give you complete manual control over pressure through the lever system – that’s what makes them capable of producing such exceptional espresso.
However, you’ll need to master both pressure and temperature management. Unlike modern machines with their precise digital controls, you’re the temperature and pressure regulator here.
For those seeking push-button convenience, we’ll be straightforward – this isn’t your machine.
In our own coffee lab, the Europiccola isn’t our daily workhorse. We primarily use the Sage Dual Boiler for regular testing (when we’re not evaluating other machines like the La Marzocco Linea Mini).
But just like a vintage sports car enthusiast yearning for a weekend drive, we often find ourselves drawn to the Europiccola for those special coffee moments.
If this sounds like too much of a challenge at your current stage in your coffee journey, we’d recommend checking out our guide to:
Whatever machine you ultimately choose, remember that great coffee beans make all the difference. Our team has carefully curated a selection of speciality coffees that we’ve tested extensively with the Europiccola.
Before diving into the specific models, we must emphasise a crucial safety consideration.
The Europiccola’s design exposes its boiler without any insulation or protective casing. This creates a serious burn hazard – the exposed metal reaches extremely high temperatures during operation.
Our experience with this isn’t theoretical. During our testing, one team member suffered a significant burn from brief contact with the boiler, resulting in a painful reminder of why proper placement and handling matter so much with this machine.
This safety aspect is partly why we don’t recommend the Europiccola as a primary machine in busy households. With children around or in high-traffic kitchens, the risk of accidental contact is too high.
If you decide to welcome a Europiccola into your home, proper placement is crucial. Position it where no one will accidentally brush against it, and ensure it’s completely inaccessible to children.
Now, let’s examine the different models available.
This entry-level Europiccola offers identical technical capabilities to its pricier siblings – the only difference lies in the finishing touches.
This model represents the most budget-friendly option in the Europiccola range. The main distinction from other models is its black stainless steel base, compared to the natural stainless finish of other versions. Interestingly, this colour difference results in a lower price point, though the technical performance remains identical.
This model mirrors the specifications of the black base version but features an all-chrome stainless steel finish throughout.
The Lusso represents the pinnacle of Europiccola aesthetics, combining gleaming chrome with beautiful rosewood accents. While it’s mechanically identical to its siblings, our team finds that its premium finish enhances the overall experience.
After extensive testing of all models, we’d likely choose this version for our own coffee setup. While we typically prioritise function over form when recommending equipment, the Lusso’s refined touches genuinely improve the interaction with the machine.
The wooden components provide better grip and thermal insulation than the standard bakelite parts, making the whole brewing process more comfortable and controlled. While the £50 premium might seem steep for aesthetic upgrades, we believe the enhanced user experience justifies the investment for serious enthusiasts.
After reviewing the current UK models, we should discuss the exciting world of machine modifications. Our testing has shown that installing a pressure gauge ranks among the most sought-after upgrades. Another brilliant modification involves switching from plastic to brass group pistons – though this isn’t necessary for newer models since they come equipped with brass pistons as standard. The customisation possibilities extend from practical performance tweaks to aesthetic changes like custom handles and steam wand tips.
When considering a La Pavoni Europiccola, don’t feel limited to just new machines. These iconic lever machines fall into two main categories: “Pre Millennium” (manufactured from the 1960s through 2000) and “Millennium” (also called post Millennium) models produced from 2000 onwards.
The debate between Millennium and Pre Millennium La Pavoni Europiccola models isn’t straightforward – our extensive testing reveals distinct advantages to both versions. Maintenance costs and parts availability can be trickier with Pre Millennium models, particularly regarding heating element compatibility and specific components.
Many coffee enthusiasts champion certain older models, subscribing to the “they don’t make them like they used to” philosophy. Some post-Millennium versions have drawn criticism for swapping metal components with plastic ones, potentially affecting long-term durability.
During our thorough research into both Pre and Post Millennium versions, we discovered that even the latest models maintain the wonderfully simple, serviceable design of their predecessors. This led us to recommend either purchasing a new model or a recent Millennium version, then gradually upgrading components – starting with a brass group piston upgrade and adding a pressure gauge.
Through the La Pavoni Lever Machine Owners Group on Facebook, we connected with a German specialist who restores these machines. He offered a refurbished post-Millennium model supposedly fitted with both a pressure gauge and brass group piston.
However, our experience highlighted potential pitfalls when buying restored machines. The brass piston upgrade we’d paid for had accidentally been installed in another customer’s machine. While we easily resolved this by installing one ourselves, more serious issues emerged. The base developed rust surprisingly quickly, and the thermal fuse failed shortly after, requiring substantial maintenance work.
This experience has shaped our current recommendation: invest in a new machine and either perform modifications yourself or work with a trusted espresso engineer. Speaking of skilled technicians, we recently confirmed with Radu at Espresso Repair Shop that he services La Pavoni lever machines – excellent news for UK owners seeking professional maintenance.
For context, Radu specialises in domestic espresso machine repair and reconditioning. He expertly restored our Sage Dual boilers and performed a Slayer modification for flow profiling. Our team actually purchased two reconditioned Dual Boilers from him – one for our home testing lab and another for our studio – to thoroughly evaluate the machine’s capabilities, including the impact of the Slayer mod on espresso extraction.
After our comprehensive testing of La Pavoni Europiccola models, let’s explore the more robust “Professional” range of La Pavoni lever machines.
The key distinction comes down to brewing capacity.
While we love the Europiccola for personal use, its 800ml boiler has limitations when brewing for guests.
Despite seeming generous, that water volume gets depleted quickly between heating losses and steam production – particularly when crafting milk-based drinks.
Unlike modern espresso machines with convenient refilling systems, these classic lever machines require a complete cool-down cycle before you can replenish the boiler.
The Professional models double your capacity with a 1.6L boiler, making them far more practical for entertaining.
However, our testing revealed an important consideration: all vintage-style lever machines can struggle with group head overheating during multiple back-to-back shots.
We’ve found two effective solutions: installing a group heatsink, or the quick-fix method of submerging the group in cold water between shots.
Another notable upgrade on the Professional series is the built-in pressure gauge – though we should mention that retrofitting a pressure gauge to the Europiccola is quite straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic tools.
This entry-level Professional model showcases a full chromed stainless steel construction, paired with practical bakelite plastic components for the knobs and handles, plus an ABS plastic drip tray.
This refined version mirrors the functionality of the standard model but adds sophisticated rosewood accents to the portafilter handle, boiler seal, and steam dial for a touch of classic Italian craftsmanship.
As professional baristas and coffee experts, we were thrilled to get our hands on the competition model of the La Pavoni Professional. This stunning machine isn’t just about looks – though we must say, it’s absolutely gorgeous. The real magic lies in its professional-grade features, including dual pressure gauges for both brewing and steam, competition-grade portafilters (both standard and bottomless), and specialised steam wands with different sized tips for precise milk texturing.
We had a bit of a chuckle when we discovered they’ve included a cappuccinatore frother with such a high-end competition machine. While we appreciate the thought (and yes, it’s there if you want it), we’d strongly encourage you to embrace those professional steam wands instead. After all, mastering milk texturing is part of the authentic espresso experience!
Now, let’s talk value. At around fifteen hundred pounds, some might raise an eyebrow. But in the world of high-end manual lever espresso machines, this price point is remarkably reasonable. When you consider that top-tier semi-automatic machines can cost anywhere from six to ten thousand pounds, the Edotto starts looking like quite the bargain for the quality and craftsmanship you’re getting.
We’ve put together this comprehensive review of the La Pavoni Europiccola, Professional, and other 1.6L versions. But first, we’d like to share our original Europiccola experience, which might interest those wanting to dive deeper into the La Pavoni world.
Our journey with the Millennium version sparked this initial post. While it’s not a review of current models, it offers valuable insights into the Europiccola experience.
Back in 2015, our home setup focused on various brewing methods, but we lacked an espresso machine. Then Sage appliances sent us “The Oracle” to review – a highly automated machine that handles everything from grinding to tamping. For more details, see our updated Oracle review:
After returning the Oracle, we were hooked on home espresso but wanted something that would help develop proper barista skills. We also needed to keep the budget reasonable, so we started with the Gaggia Classic, modified with a Rancilio Silvia steam wand.
After two satisfying years with the Classic and completing a 2-day Intermediate SCAE Barista training course (a brilliant 40th birthday gift), we felt ready to upgrade. Initially, we considered a prosumer espresso machine similar to the Nuova Simonelli used in training.
However, lever machines had caught our attention. Watching barista extraordinaire Dritan Alsela work his magic on a 4-group lever machine sparked our interest in traditional espresso crafting.
The allure of manual lever machines isn’t just about nostalgia – it’s about connecting with espresso’s roots. Our experience in traditional cafés in Frascati and Rome, watching skilled baristas work their lever machines, left an indelible impression.
Espresso’s history is fascinating. While La Pavoni was already established, the real breakthrough came from Mr. Achille Gaggia in Milan during the late 1930s. Before his innovation, La Pavoni’s commercial machines relied solely on steam power, which couldn’t achieve true espresso pressure. The coffee was strong, but it lacked the crema we associate with modern espresso.
Gaggia’s piston machine revolutionised espresso making, leading to the first domestic lever machine, the Gaggia Gilda, about a decade later. Then came the Europiccola, developed by Milan-based heating element specialists DP and later acquired by La Pavoni – marking the beginning of a legacy that continues today.
The current lineup includes the original Europiccola, the larger-capacity Professional, and aesthetic variants like the Stradivari and Romantica models.
When we decided to explore lever machines, we joined the La Pavoni Owners FaceBook group and connected with a German craftsman who specialises in La Pavoni restoration. He had several machines available: a 2005 Europiccola, a 2015 Europiccola, and a 1991 Professional.
Though initially drawn to the Professional, after discussing our typical usage (one to three espressos at a time), we opted for the Europiccola. It heats faster and matches the Professional in espresso quality and steam power – the main difference being the Professional’s ability to pull more consecutive shots before needing to cool down for a refill.
Here’s the Europiccola during restoration:
First impressions? This machine is simply stunning. It’s as much an art piece as it is a coffee maker – we briefly considered displaying it rather than using it!
Despite warnings about the steep learning curve of manual lever machines, our first shot was possibly the best we’d ever made at home. This left us wondering about the machine’s reputation for difficulty – was it just beginner’s luck?
The truth lies somewhere in between. While we’ve pulled many exceptional shots, there have been frustrating moments where the technique seems to vanish. But that’s part of the charm of these machines – they keep you engaged and learning.
Let’s cover the basics:
Step 1: Fill with water until it nearly reaches the top of the sight glass.
Step 2: Switch it on.
That’s genuinely all there is to the initial setup!
The machine reaches operating temperature at 1 bar. Without a pressure gauge, wait for the green light to switch off. Our machine has its own warming “song” – starting with a hiss, transitioning to a gentle hum, then falling silent at temperature.
This musical quirk highlights something special about these machines – each one has its own character. Our restoration expert explained that no two La Pavoni machines are exactly alike, particularly the older models.
This artisanal manufacturing approach means slight variations exist not just between different years, but even between machines made around the same time. It’s part of their charm, though modern owners can still personalise their machines through various modifications.
One of the most fascinating aspects of La Pavoni machines is the freedom to develop your own shot-pulling technique. While proper grind size and quality beans remain crucial, pre-infusion and lever control methods are highly personal.
Pre-infusion involves raising the lever to allow water into the group (it stays up on its own) until you’re ready to pull. Some wait for the first coffee drops, others consider drips a sign of too-coarse grinding. We find 5-10 seconds optimal, noting that longer pre-infusion typically yields more volume but faster extraction.
For the main pull, you can choose between the standard method (one continuous pull) or variations of the Fellini move. Named after appearing in a Federico Fellini film, this technique involves active pre-infusion with pressure.
There are two main Fellini variations. The ‘mini Fellini’ involves several small pumps after pre-infusion without drawing extra water, while the ‘full Fellini’ applies pressure during pre-infusion (about one-third to half pull), returns to start, then completes a full pull.
The standard pull typically produces ristretto-style shots. While excellent, we wanted to achieve full espresso volumes. After consulting experienced users, we learned that while the Europiccola naturally leans towards ristretto, various techniques can adjust the output.
Our current method yields about 32g from 16g, using an 8-second pre-infusion followed by four gentle ‘mini Fellini’ pumps flowing into a full pull. It’s simpler than it sounds – just small lever movements before the main pull, careful not to disturb the coffee puck too much.
A significant advantage over similarly priced single-boiler semi-automatics is the immediate steam availability. While pre-millennium models might need a brief wait after switching to full power, our model provides instant steam.
This means you can steam milk before or after pulling shots – we prefer after. The Europiccola delivers consistent, powerful steam, perfect for creating silky microfoam.
During our extensive testing of the Europiccola, our team discovered some crucial safety aspects that every potential owner should understand.
The most significant consideration is the exposed boiler temperature. Unlike modern semi-automatic machines where the boiler sits safely enclosed within the casing, the Europiccola’s boiler is purposefully exposed—and it becomes extraordinarily hot.
One of our baristas learned this the hard way during testing. A momentary lapse in concentration resulted in skin contact with the boiler, causing an immediate and rather serious burn. It didn’t blister, but rather caused an instant removal of skin—quite a painful experience that cold water only intensified!
The piston nut at the top also reaches high temperatures. We’ve noticed many users, ourselves included, tend to keep one hand on the boiler cap while pulling shots. If you adopt this technique, remain mindful of the hot piston nut to avoid any unfortunate contact.
Another crucial safety feature to note is the water management system. Unlike semi-automatic machines with their separate water tanks, the Europiccola’s boiler IS the water tank. Running it dry isn’t just inconvenient—it risks blowing the thermal fuse and potentially damaging the heating element. Our solution? We connect ours to a 20-minute safety timer to prevent any accidents if we get distracted.
When we first acquired the Europiccola for inclusion in our Best Espresso Machines guide, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. As professional baristas used to commercial and semi-automatic machines, we wondered if a manual lever machine would feel like a step backwards.
We couldn’t have been more wrong.
What makes the Europiccola truly special is the intimate connection between barista and machine. You’re not just making espresso—you’re physically involved in every aspect of the extraction process. The sensory feedback is remarkable: beyond just watching the shot flow, you can feel the resistance through the lever, developing an almost intuitive sense of when everything’s perfectly aligned.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about achieving that perfect pull, when the lever movement synchronises beautifully with the flow rate and you watch that rich crema developing in your cup.
Is it the most practical morning coffee solution? Perhaps not. Think of it like a classic Italian sports car—you wouldn’t necessarily choose it for the daily commute, but when you have time to appreciate the experience, it’s absolutely magnificent.
That’s exactly how we’ve integrated the Europiccola into our testing kitchen. While we regularly evaluate various espresso machines for our reviews, this beautiful lever machine has earned its permanent place in our collection. It’s perfect for those moments when we want to slow down and truly immerse ourselves in the art of espresso making.
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