Good, with caveats

I love the machine overall so far. Was somewhat disappointed that it leaked when I first got it. I ended up ordering a special wrench to tighten the relief valve which fixed the issue. This indicates quality control issues, but hopefully morning these is wrong and the machine lasts a long time and continues to produce amazing espresso shots.

Overall, everything was good but it was poorly packaged with consideration to its sensitive properties. The boiler was against cardboard without paddi

Overall, everything was good but it was poorly packaged with consideration to its sensitive properties. The boiler was against cardboard without padding and could have easily gotten punctured with the wrong throw of the box by a careless employee. Im tearing it down to rebuild so Im not concerned with scratches that may have developed, or bent steam wands considering the shaft sits on that boiler surface but either way, more consideration should be given when packaging such items

Loving my europiccola

Shipping was swift and packaging ample.

Excellent Machine

I wanted a manual machine for years, and finally bought this la Pavoni six years ago. I love it. There is definitely a learning curve, but that's part of the fun (for me, anyway). The machine itself is simple; easy to use and to maintain. I don't think I could ever go back to an automatic after this.

Absolutely worth it

We received one from my husband’s parents. They bought it in Italy when they lived overseas. We use it daily usually twice a day. It is 40 years old and we use it heavily the last 20 years and still going strong. We replaced seals

Wonderful espresso from a simple workhorse

I’ve been a La Pavoni user for 15 years and wouldn’t consider changing machines. We rarely go to coffee shops because we get better espresso at home. La Pavoni might be touchy, temperamental, and have a steep learning curve, but the rewards are great for those who persevere. A superb grinder is required to get god-shots. A big plus for me is that the design is simple and spare parts are readily available. A La Pavoni owner with limited mechanical ability can perform routine maintenance, replace the seals, and even rebuild the machine. This is a machine for someone who wants complete control over the process of preparing espresso.

abysmal quality mars and otherwise cool machine

It came in terrible shape. so much scale buildup and just poor packaging. part of the machine was sticking out of the box when it arrived. I have been flushing the machine for almost 2 weeks and there are still specks of black material coming out of the group head and steam wand

Love it!

Been looking at this for awhile now and I love it! You can appreciate your espresso more than in just pushing a button, more interactive. It will take a little more to dial in but that is part of the fun. Took about 6 shots to get in in the ball park and now have been spending time perfecting the balance and sweetness of my shots. With everything moving faster and faster it is nice to slow down and enjoy the process.

My dad has had one of these machines for over 20 years and it is the most amazing coffee machine. If you are a coffee nerd this is well worth it and it 100% lasts a lifetime. There have been a few repairs needed but he just bought a limited edition second one. Also the customer service when buying a new one is absolutely amazing. They sent out a new one because of a tint scratch on it. Lovely folks and lovely machines.

LA PAVONI EUROPICCOLA - CHROME - EPC-8

I bought one of these a couple of months ago and although it is a bit expensive it is one of the best purchases I've made in a long time. It looks great. It is so well made, it feels like it will last forever as it is so simple, no electronics to break down no plastic bits to break off. You get a huge amount of control over the way the coffee tastes, it's all in the speed of lowering the handle and the tightness of grinds. It takes a few attempts to get it right but once you've worked it out you'll never look back.

LA PAVONI EUROPICCOLA - CHROME - EPC-8

Everything you do with this machine affects the flavour of the coffee. Slight variations in pressure produce slight variations in flavour. You can change the grind or dose of your coffee and adapt to it as you pull the shot. If that last sentence excited you, this is the machine for you. If you roast your own coffee, this gives you a lot more options.You can refill while the boiler is hot, by switching the machine off and running the steam wand until the pressure drops. You can then open the top and refill it without burning yourself. It's no more dangerous than using a kitchen knife.The only caveat is for lovers of ristretto. To create enough pressure you need to lean on the lever or hold the knob at the top of the machine, which puts strain on the connection between the boiler and lever arm sections. The seal here will need to be replaced more often if you do this. But don't worry, taking it apart is pretty easy.

LA PAVONI EUROPICCOLA - CHROME - EPC-8

The machine for those who really love espresso. With a little practice and good quality coffee, you can make the best espresso possible. No automatic, high-tech machine can match the quality of this traditional machine. You need to feel the pressure of the water going through the grinds to really get the perfect espresso, and for that you must have the hand-pulled lever. I worked in Italian, family-owned coffee houses in San Francisco in the 70s and 80s, and those purists used this machine. It is a tool that one must learn to use, but it is the right tool for the job!

la Pavoni PC-16 - Chrome

I have waited to post this review because I wanted to make sure it was honest over time and helpful. I see now the model has progressed, but I presume this will still be helpful. When the machine first arrived just over 4 years ago, it was love at first sight. Beautiful. Industrial. Mysterious. I posted pics on instagram of my new "Italian stallion"! :) We began a love affair full of passion and intrigue as we learned to understand each other. Over time, like most good relationships are apt to do, we settled in and churned out delicious espressos and lattes in regular fashion with out much thought. Nice creama. Rich frothy milk. As long as I did my part well, it performed its part well too. We both have aged. My hair is turning gray and I have some wrinkles, while its chrome has dulled, I've discovered places that are quite hard to clean (like where the safety valve arm meets the side of the boiler), the boiler tanks twists on its base, the gasket between the boiler and the grouphead spew steam when you put pressure on the grouphead. It's little things. But we are still in love. And I recommend this machine for anyone looking for a hands on coffee process.

Solid Brass Espresso Machine built to last several lifetimes.

La Pavoni hasn't been around that long. I think the company was started in like 1971. They make indestructible SOLID BRASS espresso machines. Built to last several lifetimes, they deserve to be maintained. Some sellers on EBAY claim they are made from stainless steel. That's just not true. The only items on a Europiccola that are stainless are the filter baskets, the water spreader, and the heating element. Even the basket holder is chrome-plated brass. The company is based in Italy, and ROHS requirements apply. That means the brass that La Pavoni uses is certified LEAD FREE! That means your La Pavoni espresso machine will not only last your lifetime, it will be safe to will it to your grandchildren.

Third one in 30 years -- doesn't this say it all?

The Europiccola espresso maker is, for me, the ultimate. If I'm going to pull a shot, I'm going to actually pull it. Maybe it's because the older I get the more OCD and controlling I've become. But nothing does this job of producing pure and crema-rich shots better than these manual lever-style la Pavonis. Last, kudos to Whole Latte Love for clear communications and timely shipping. Well played!

A fantastic machine

I’ve had my Pavoni a few years and couldn’t be happier. It takes time to master, but look at what you get: amazing shot quality; good steam power without changing the temperature; nearly silent operation; extreme durability, a compact beauty. The biggest downside is that you can only make 2 or 3 cups at a time and then you need to let the machine cool down so it’s no good for parties.

I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed this machine!

Being a coffee drinker for 20 years, I was excited when my wife finally started drinking it too until it turned into and expensive latte habit that she managed to hook me in too. Looking for a way to save some money ;), I hesitantly bought our la Pavoni Europiccola EPC-8, my first espresso machine, wondering if the all the steps and nuances were going to be too much for me. It took me a good month before I was able to consistently make good lattes but I found it actually was fun getting there. I continue to happily learn and tweak things almost 2 years later. Our lattes and espressos are at the point where we rarely go to the high end cafes anymore since, one, there usually isn't anywhere to sit and two, the quality is inconsistent and rarely as good as we now make at home (Whew, budget saved). Also the la Pavoni is pretty and a good conversation piece. seriously I highly recommend this machine.

when coffee is the most important, and capuccinos too

This machine is like a 1970s camera, all manual, exposure, focus. All it needs if good film, coffee grinder. and the skill developed over time. it took me some 3 months to get it constantly right. Using the same beans my coffee at home is pretty close to a fancy roaster with a Marzocco computer controlled temperature and pressure. This is a huge achievement. Before the Pavoni I had the Rancilio Silva and the VBM domobar. And I get much better results with the Pavoni, plus, you dont have to wait to make a cappuccino.

La Pavoni Europiccola EPC-8

It took me almost a month to adjust grind size and tamping technique. The machine will tell if the shot is under extract or over extract. The Europiccola likes fine grind, light tamp, 25 seconds pull shot, the result is an exceptional cup of espresso with excellent crema, taste delicious. I use Ceado E37J grinder and Lavazza Super Crema whole bean espresso. The machine is very simple, well made, easy to clean, and looks great. WLL is great company.

Finally Bought One

Have been looking and wanting this machine for a long time. Have been using it since November and it's great. It is not for anyone in a hurry in the morning unless you get up early. Read all the reviews and was apprehensive, thinking it was a touchy or had a steep learning curve.......... it DOES NOT.