For Sale: La Pavoni Professional lever espresso coffee machine

La Pavoni Professional espresso machine for sale

£SOLD inc. handmade tamper from madebyknock

Excellent condition, chrome La Pavoni Professional (pre-millenium edition) with pressure gauge with steam wand.

One of the last models to feature the brass piston, for those that are interested in these things, so to many this will be better than buying a new one. The new, ‘post-millenium’ models replaced the brass with cost-saving plastic parts, to the chagrin of coffee snobs everywhere, and people are taking these models and paying for brass pistons to put back into them. Something to do with heat retention, but this already has it so you needn’t bother. More info here. http://www.lapavoni.it/model.asp?id=22. New version, RRP £689, although i have seen them go for around £550.

Used max. 20 times so it’s in excellent condition and it’s designed to last a lifetime. It’s been in a cupboard at my mums for most of its years. Never really found the time to get the hang of it. It needs a bit of practice to get the best results but, as with all good things in life, a bit of searching around the internet will surely give you the pleasure you deserve. I never quite reached that point, hence the sale here today.

Includes brand new Knock tamper in English Walnut wood, worth 25 quid (for 49mm basket size) and all the original accessories including portafilter, double basket and milk frothing device. It’s never been descaled and there’s hardly any scale, so that tells you something positive I hope.

Collection from Walton on Thames, 23mins from London Waterloo on the train. If you buy it I'll knock a tenner off to cover your ticket.

Dibs followed by PM please

(also selling a Dave Marsh Lo Pro - check it out here)
(also selling a Ridgeback Storm - check it out here)

nice machine and purchassed at the right 2nd hand price you cant lose, this price might be slightly out of touch with current market value though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=pavoni+professional&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc

not trying to make popcorn material, just letting my brothers and sisters know y'all.

i'm happy to adjust the price for maximum forum happiness, i haven't seen the same model in as good condition.

Revised downwards to £300. Don't forget this includes a new hardwood tamper.

That is seriously nice.....a machine that looks the part....and i would imagine fun to use....much more fun than the modern press button models available today...GLWS

Work of art!

part ex for anything? i have LOTS of spare parts...

http://www.lfgss.com/thread119162.html
http://www.lfgss.com/thread117752.html

I've got the Gaggia version of this machine- functionally identical, different styling.

Anyway- these are really great machines, with a very modest footprint on the worksurface (so you can stick it next to your cafe grinder).

I have this model and can recommend it, the downside is they overheat, water storage capacity and time between re-filling. They are known as a two hit wonder in reality you can get four double,s out of one filling but have to cool the porta-filter between uses. I love and would not be with-out mine, but they do take some getting use to. Also grinding beans can be problematic you have to get the grind right, a manual grinder with ceramic blades gives great results. Rave Coffee in my opinion roasts the best beans for this type of machine with lots of single and house blends to choose from. I just had the base powder coated the same colour as my lo-pro last week at armourtex and did a full recondition inc seals and de-scale and it,s fantastic. So if anyone does not mind playing about and learning how to use this properly, you will have great coffee.
Whoops there endeth the lesson sorry waffled a bit Andy

@windym , i want to replace the seals on mine where did you get your set from please? was it easy to do?

G - I rebuilt mine recently, ordered everything from here http://www.espressoservices.co.uk/la_pavoni_spare_parts_2.html

It was all pretty straight forward, let me know if you get stuck with anything.

Hi, yup very easy but you have to take time with dismantling and re-assembly. Orphan Expresso has step by step instructions and video,s and service kits, make sure of the model either pre or post millennium as the heads are different sizes 49 pre 51 post.

Andy

brilliant , thanks to you both.
would you descale before dismatling? i only ask as i thought off the shelf descalers required containers to have self boiled water inside for best effect.

I've got the same model. Serviced it once. There's a guy in Wembley that fixes coffee machines and I bought seal spares from him. Dead easy to fit them. The only problem is if you don't use the machine for a few months - the seals dry up. Otherwise, goes on forever. Sensitive to grind - it needs finer than any supermarket brands. I use MazzerLuigi Jolley, but any good burr grinder is fine. I'll try to find the phone number for the spares. Never bothered with descaling.

http://www.fairfaxcoffee.com/Maintanence/Coffee-Machine-Servicing.aspx

Maybe I should rename this thread the pavoni lovers thread!

Agree with everything written already, I've got a good burr grinder which you really do need to hit the master shot more regularly and with a bit of practice with the other variables.

I did a full group disassembly to give it a clean once it came out of storage and the seals are all absolutely fine, so no worries on that front.

Hi, yup sorry Chestwood as far as price goes Ive seen them low £200 for poor condition to high £400 in mint condition. Your,s is pretty well right if anything you,r first price is good.

Andy

part ex for anything? i have LOTS of spare parts...

http://www.lfgss.com/thread119162.html
http://www.lfgss.com/thread117752.html

straight sale i'm afraid - i must not be tempted.

I feel like I should buy it - looks great.

Does it make a good espresso?

I will do some espresso machine research tonight and have a think

It can make great espresso, but you need to be willing to put the time in to learn how to get the best out of it.

^Exactly.

To get any sort of decent results you will need to buy a burr grinder - I recommend Orphan Espresso's new portable Lido 2 if you want something you can travel with too, judging by the comments on Home Barista forums (available for pre-order from the states, $175 I think)

gaggia mdf, well respected grinder

I've read about issues with the Lido 2 and espresso grind, the burrs are quite aggressive so they munch through the beans nice and quick but it requires loads of force to turn the handle (the adjustment can slip too). The Hausgrind by Madebyknock might be a better option for espresso (well I hope it is as I have one on pre-order).

Head over to the Coffee Appreciation thread for grinder recommendations. A good start of models to look at are Iberital Mc2, Gaggia MDF or Rancilio Rocky.

There's an idea, get the hausgrind in walnut to match the tamper, also from madebyknock, if you like things to match.

I use the prolex ceramic grinder, nice and portable made in japan excellent quality and getting some great reviews. Fully adjustable so you can dial in the right grind to suit bean and machine alike.

I've actually got a porlex in great condition I can throw in for a bit of extra cash if needed.