Review LaPavoni PBB16

Review LaPavoni PBB16

While it is amusing how very little different the Professional and the 'Toy' models look, there is a big difference in performance. The Carina takes a very long time to heat up; this Carina Grande (which is what La Pavoni calls this black-base Professional model) takes five minutes. The Carina generates more steam pressure than a cheap automatic espresso machine, but the Carina Grande generates more steam pressure than the Carina. The result is that I get a better cup of espresso, with less need to plan ahead.

The machine is a little quirky. When you turn it on, it vents a bit of steam from the over-pressure valve before it makes a thtip sound and the pressure starts mounting. It's not very consistent about how long it will vent. If the water level is much below half-full, it may keep venting and not start building pressure.

I think the bottom line with La Pavoni is you get a really gorgeous Chrome Peacock that makes truly great espresso, but the workmanship is a bit uneven and you certainly shouldn't expect Japanese-car levels of reliability.

A machine for perfectionists!, I have owned this machine (8-cup) for over ten years and everyday when I make my morning cappuccino I love it more. You can spend more for a machine that measures the coffee, tamps it, pulls the water through and steams the milk for you, but you can tip the kids behind the counter at Starbucks and they'll do the same thing. Making espresso should be a little art and a little science and this machine an impeccable balance of the two. If you aren't the kind of person who takes joy in mixing the perfect martini, making a risotto that whispers with flavor, or whipping a meringue to impossibly tall peaks, this probably isn't the machine for you.

The La Pavoni is for the person who will find tremendous joy in going to the lengths required to make a perfect cappuccino by hand everyday.

Word of caution on all of these machines --Safety -- this is the epitome of an unprotected machine. The boiler gets really really hot, and you can burn yourself rather badly if you're not careful. Kids should not be allowed around this machine. Also, it has a tendency to "explode" grounds all over the place if you remove the portafilter too quickly while there's still pressure built up. If you go slowly, though, you can crack the pressure and drain it off.

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