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

Second one I have owned. First was purchased in 1983 and served me well until April of 2025 when it finally gave up the ghost. Not a bad run! I love the coffee I made in the new one as much as I did in the old one. A great machine!

This machine makes great coffee. better than you can get in most coffee shops with a little practice.I have been using one since 1985 and swear by it. Purchased the first one in Milan Italy. Cant go wrong with this item.

I have been using a LaPavoni professional model for over 30 years. My pre-millennium machine finally gave up the ghost and I ordered a new one from Amazon. I was able to pull a great espresso shot, but the steamer was defective. To steam the milk, I first opened the steam wand to clear any water, then placed the pitcher under the wand. Within 5-10 seconds water again started entering the wand and the pitcher literally filled to the top with water. I repackaged and returned it to Amazon.I ordered machine #2. This one I plugged in, the on/off switch lit up so I knew it had power, but the boiler did not heat. I repackaged and returned it to Amazon.One last try, I ordered machine #3. This machine had a problem that was identical to #1. Back it went to Amazon and I threw in the La Pavoni towel. .I can’t help wonder if this poor quality construction and apparently nonexistent testing process is at all related to the sale of La Pavoni to Smeg.I decided to finally move on to a semi-automatic machine experience. I will miss my daily hands on La Pavoni experience. It’s not for everyone, but I loved making coffee with that machine.

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.

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.

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.

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.