La Pavoni PC-16 Professional Espresso Machine - 16-Cup Capacity Lever Espresso Maker - Chrome Finish- Solid Brass 38oz Boiler - Dual Frothing Systems & Mounted Pressure Gauge - Made in Italy

I have now owned my La Pavoni PC-16 for a bit over two years. I researced this machine heavily before deciding to purchase it. I was well aware that it would take lots of practice and time to perfect. Getting the right grind was every bit as challenging as learning to operate the machine itself. However, once I did, I have not been disappointed. I was aware from previous reviews that this machine was more geared towards great espresso and not so much towards steaming the milk. And that is exactly what I have come to learn. I primarily drink espresso and that is why I prefer this machine. It is true that steaming the milk is very inconsistent. For the most part though I have been very satisfied. So far for me, the parts have held up relatively well. I do wish the machine were a bit heavier and not so prone to tipping over or forward. I have not noticed any rust issues. Everything seems to be in fine working order. The espresso continues to not disappoint. I have been exceptionally happy with my purchase and I feel that my research prior to purchasing paid off.

I was an espresso machine technician in a previous decade (pre-2008 crash). I have more insight than most casual reviewers. Caution this machine is hot! In more ways than one! Seriously though be very careful once it's on. It works well straight out of the box, not too terribly difficult to use. With some skill and practice this has the capacity to make great espresso. Truly with a few cheap additional upgrades it's a good investment. It's also built like a tank, much more solidly built than the early post millennium machines. I personally appreciate some of the skill required, it's more than just pushing a convenient button. In my mind it makes the espresso just that little bit more satisfying when it turns out really well. With more skill, than happens more often. There are quite a few quick cheap upgrades you should do. - group head temperature sticker, or sensor. - single hole steam wand tip - naked portafilter with a better basket - a mirror to watch the show! My only complaint is many people now put a scale under their espresso cups and there's very very little room for that. I've had to put the cup under first, lift up, then put the scale under.

Beautiful machine, but a very disappointing support experience. The machine started leaking within the first year of ownership. Amazon’s customer service was dismissive, avoided taking responsibility, and completely removed themselves from handling the issue. I was sent back and forth regarding the warranty, and it was extremely frustrating trying to get real assistance for such an expensive product. For a premium espresso machine at this price point, I expected much better reliability and customer support.

This Pavoni makes excellent espresso. There are a few tricks that allow consistently excellent shots. Leave room at top of Porto filter: about 3/8 inch. A mid fill tamp Is a good idea. Then replace the nozzle provided with a single hole brass nozzle. With this installation the machine is perfect. It is regrettable the machine is not equipped with an appropriate frother given the cost of the Pavoni.

I'm a new owner of this machine, so here are my initial thoughts: This machine does take a little "getting to know" but it's not nearly as frustrating as some people say. Pros: -great shots!!! just make sure you have a good grinder and know how to adjust it properly. also fresh roasted coffee! -relatively fast warm up for this quality of shots. anything with a pump that can pull these kind of shots would take longer. -small footprint (though the lever handle sticks out further than I thought it would). still freed up some counterspace from the nuova oscar it replaced -looks very nice -very quiet. obviously steaming makes the same noise it always does, but the loudest part of an espresso machine (the pump) is replaced by your arm). Middle ground: -steaming: not as bad as some people say, but requires adjusting technique. i've heard a lot about putting a new single hole tip on too. I haven't tried that yet. what i will recommend it changing technique. on most machines, i put the steam wand on the side of the pitcher closest to where it is entering. with this, i found that if i put the steam wand across the top of the pitcher to the other side, it is much easier to get a nice swirl and consistent microfoam. you are blind to what's happening though, so you have to know what you're doing and rely on sound and touch. steams a little slower than our oscar, but not too slow. -capacity is a bit limited. the oscar will work hard all day long. this works well for 2 double shots at a time, which is all we usually make. i think it would have a hard time keeping up at a party though. Cons: -hard to find a tamper. this seems like the only affordable option: Vktech Stainless Coffee Barista Espresso . it does work very well. -a little annoying that you have to turn the steam valve so much to open and close it. -a ball joint on the steam wand would make it so much easier to use Overall, I'd recommend this to someone who already has some experience with espresso and already has a good grinder and has access to fresh roasted coffee (we roast at home-much easier than it sounds). I could see this machine being very frustrating for someone new to espresso or has only used pressurized portafilters.

This is a great machine! The first one I purchased was an Amazon Resale item listed as "Like New" and "mint" in the description. It looked great but water ran out of the bottom when I first put water in it (first owner probably left it plugged in and ran it out of water, who knows). Returned it the next day and bit the bullet and purchased a new one. The listing states "DUAL FROTHING SYSTEM" (the standard steam wand and an auto frothing attachment, which swaps out the primary steam wand and is placed in your mug or cup, with a tube going into your milk container. The new machine (from the same listing) was missing the auto frothing attachment. I searched in the box through all of the packing material and padding suspecting I had missed it. Not so. Dug through the provided manual. The auto frothing attachment is optional and no longer included, yet the item heading still lists it. This is not necessarily a big deal, except if they list it *they* should include it... ***EDIT*** "They" (the seller for this purchase) is Amazon. Don't want to cast aspersions on marketplace merchants :-).

Edit: Two and a half years and still going strong making the best espresso of my day. Joy of my day. I not only enjoy the espresso it makes, but also admire its simplicity and elegance. After five months of heavy use it still works like a charm and looks good as new. I have a thing for the simpler espresso makers. I am currently using a MyPressi at work, and Presso as a backup at home. La Pavoni is the holy grail for me. Not only does it make great espresso, it also heats up pretty fast and can quickly make many servings when you have guests. Granted, once in a while, when I try a different type of beans, I might not get things quite right at first time. However, if a pull doesn't come right for a new batch of beans, that is not a source of frustration but the start of a curious experiment with the grind size, tamp, and timing. Even that takes at most two tries, and I get consistently great espresso afterwards. I like kicking horse beans, and lavazza pienaroma from amazon's selection. My local coffee shops have great beans too. We have a champion espresso maker nearby and espresso from the beans from his shop are to die for. If you are into espresso, definitely try your local coffee shops for beans, you'll appreciate your espresso machine and the local shops more.

What a beautiful machine. You're in full control here, and that means that there's going to be a learning curve, which may frustrate some while bringing joy to others. When you finally start getting things right, the espresso can at times be life changing, but such can also have a tendency to come and go until you master your technique completely. The machine is very well built, designed to last a long time and is easily serviced. There's many stories of these machines working well 30+ years with nothing more than basic care and maintenance. It is not well suited out of the box for leaving on for long times, nor pulling many back to back shots. The group head temp can overheat when trying to do so, which can wildly impact extraction (there's mods to help with this if you need them). It has a relatively small portafilter so I typically run a 15 gram dose and target a 2:1 extraction, but you can get the normal 18 gram dose to work by adjusting your pre-infusion technique. There's aftermarket shower heads, naked portafilters, options for measuring and profiling extraction pressure, ways to monitor group head temp, and PID controller mods, all of which will add to cost, but if you want to tech things out you can, and such may help with the learning curve starting out. When you consider the cost over the years the machine will last, it's very cost effective and it can reward you with skills, flexibility and an experience you're not going to get with an auto or super auto machine.

Complicada de maniobrar, no es loq esperas por el precio

I've never liked the espresso flavor and been addicted to a Turkish fine ground coffee cooked in a special jezva-pot. All changed after I've ordered the La Pavoni Machine for my wife after reading a crazy bunch of different reviews and not just regarding this beauty. The stock tamper is absolutely crappy and useless. I ordered a new 51 mm one through eBay for about 17$. You will have an issue of finding the right grinder for your La Pavoni, because the grind not just needed to be FINE, it should be the FINEST!!! My choice was to buy adjustable Hario Mini Slim Grinder that worked really nice for me. It takes a bit of time to grind, but you are getting nice ground coffee with a rich flavor. I am buying Lavazzo coffee beans (vacuum sealed 1 kg bags). Distilled water only. Finally, the taste of the espresso is amazing. Regarding the cappuccino that you can make - it's nice(as per my wife). There is no auto off-switch, that I would like to have, cause my wife is just forgetting to... Would I recommend? Definitely Yes, but not for every one... Hand pump... Hand grinder... About 1o minutes of warming up... Wonderful taste. Or may be you just need a simple Caffeine bust? If so- DONT BUY!!! Leave the purchase for those who can assess and enjoy! Cheers!