All things La Pavoni

dfk41

I thought it might make sense, to start a new thread as opposed to piggybacking the restoration thread. I have so many questions! How can I identify the age? There id a Torx screw with a circular bit in the middle under the drip tray. Do I remove that to remove the drip tray? If I measure the basket, then 49mm is pre millennium and 51 post? Ideally, when at temp, what pressure should the gauge be set to?
I have only pulled two shots so far. This morning 15 gm in with a 10 second pre infusion gave 30 gms out with a nice firm pull required but nothing excessive.
Brace yourselves as there will be many stupid questions to come!
Lastly, anyone with a bit of La Pav nous near NE23?

Sham

dfk41

I just used a temp gauge i bought from ebay and attached tightly with metallic tape I had lying around (because it blends into the chrome). Usually I pull a shot around 90 or slightly below, I only attached it as a reference, need to do more research when I have time to accurately predict brew temp (probably get some thermal paste too to improve the thermal connection). Sensor here, only £3.

dfk41 The mods are way too expensive. The only improvement I can justify is a better steam tip. I’m currently working on making a 60mm long steam wand tip from solid stainless steel which will making cleaning the wand MUCH easier. Only coffee sensor sell one (£27.19 inc delivery 😶) but wayyy too expensive. I’ve ordered some metal pieces from China and I’ll probably machine them up when I’m free (no idea when :/). Probably going to only make a 1 hole version as a multi-hole version (many 0.3mm holes) might be a bit too hard to machine due to the length. My last multi hole acorn nut version didn’t make a powerful enough whirlpool because the holes were a bit too far spaced so the whirlpool was a bit weak as the pressure was spread out too much, but it still made good foam but a bit tricky to master.

MediumRoastSteam

The age would be inside the machine, at the back of the base, hidden by the bottom cover.

Presumably you need to undo that torx screw in order to be able to remove the base cover.

51mm is millennium.

dfk41

Does anyone have a link to a reasonably priced set of temp tags? Ebay seems to have them all over the place price wise!

Cuprajake

Stick on fish tank one

MediumRoastSteam

I had a fish tank strip on mine. Worked wonders.

dfk41

MediumRoastSteam All the ones I can see just run from 10c to 40c…..anyone help out with a link please?

Cuprajake

I must admit

I have always been inquisitive about the la pavoni, but then have always talked myself out of one, every vid i see seems to show someone struggling to push it down, or the machine moving

I dont like the idea of it being a full hot piece of metal in the kitchen either.

If i could pick a cheap one up id probably try dor gigfles just like im looking for a conical grinder, as a just to try. But now there all £500 on ebay for some reason which is shocking

dfk41

Cuprajake I am enjoying mine. I could not use it as my only machine. I have decided to use it un modded as I find a lot of the mods questionable and bloody expensive. Get the grind tight and you are half way there. I think having previous lever experience also helps. You can pick them up a lot cheaper than £500. There is a bloke posted today called Jamie Fowler on the la Pavoni group who has been having problems and will give his away……

nopapercup

dfk41 The only mod I think is essential is temperature strips or I recently got a digital monitor which is more accurate. The temp strips stop working after a while as well

https://coffee-sensor.com/product/la-pavoni-or-e61-coffee-machine-universal-thermometer-with-wire-and-diode/

Naked portafilter is also nice but not essential

nopapercup

dfk41 that’s a 1965 base, boiler might be newer but the bases rare and would be such a shame if he destroyed it.

dfk41

It is early in the morning! Please ignore me though most of the ones seem to run vertically. Will they fit?

dfk41

Would one of these work if you could find a way of securing it?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303585881285?hash=item46af20ecc5:g:6L8AAOSwmutgXUT

MediumRoastSteam

dfk41 - you’ll have to mod it somehow to stick the probe to the group.

So I just used a fish tank one.

That’s the one I bought: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digitemp-7-Level-Horizontal-Dual-Scale-90-C-to-120-C-Thermometer-strip-sticker-/231458660166

£2.75, free postage.

Flat_Eric

dfk41 Would one of these work if you could find a way of securing it?

That’s what I use, then it’s a hair band to fix the probe to the GH and got the mounting plate for the gauge from Coffee Sensor. I’ve found that I don’t need to know the exact temp of the GH, I just need the temp indicated as a guide for consistency. If the temp gauge shows 86 or 87 degrees it’s ok to start the pull. The gauge should read 92 - 93 at the end of the pull; this is the results of my trial and error experiments and suits my machine.

nopapercup

dfk41 I now use one of these and secure the gauge to the group with a cable tie. Temperature is a balancing act on these. The water is boiling in the boiler so nearly 100c, once it pulls into the group the cooler metal lowers the water temperature. If the ideal brew temperature is around 92c than you probably want to pull the shot when the thermometer is around 85c but it’s guesswork.

dfk41

MediumRoastSteam are we assuming that 90 is the minimum working temp and 95 the max?

profesor_historia

I own a La Pavoni profesional Millenium since December and I am very happy, it’s a whole new experience. I bought the stripes and thermometer from Coffee Sensor (Romania). I can help you with more info if you need.

MediumRoastSteam

dfk41 I have since sold the Pavoni, almost 2 years ago. But literature on the web says it’s a good idea to pull a shot around 90C.

However, that’s not how I used it. I just wanted to see what’s the best temperature to pull a shot. It’s not easy to control anyway, so it’s there mainly for feedback and seeing the machine overheat the group like crazy. 😊

dfk41

Flat_Eric Many thanks for that advice! A confession, whenever I see your name, it reminds me of this nineties cartoon. Might you be his brother!

Flat_Eric

dfk41 A confession, whenever I see your name, it reminds me of this nineties cartoon. Might you be his brother!

You’re closer than you think! I’m sure that was me in a previous life (before retirement), that and the Jim Henson puppet who was originally intended to have a flat head after being run over by a truck! 😂🤣😂