La Pavoni Europiccola Pressure Profile

Baldrick

Flat_Eric video must include the peacock 🦚

Flat_Eric

Here’s a vid of me using the PPK on my Europiccola. As you can probably tell, I was a bit nervous and wringing my hands like an old man (this was my 3rd attempt). The machine was sliding around on the worktop because I moved it from it’s regular place to try and find more light, I was trying to keep out of the way of the lens and trying not to knock the camera which was balanced on top of a clothes maid.

At about 55 secs I say “The pressure is up to 8.5 bars”, what I really mean is that the boiler pressure is up to 0.85 bars.

Sorry Mr Baldrick, I forgot the Peacock! 😆

Sham

Flat_Eric quite a lot of force when you pull down, same as when I pull. I always thought my grind was too fine. I see a lot of other people who don’t use as much force and water drips quickly when they pre-infuse. Sometimes mine never drips until I do a full pull.

Baldrick

Flat_Eric unacceptable!

Great video though 😉 there’s something intrinsically wonderful about a la pavoni - more so than any other machine. It’s got soul.

Flat_Eric

Baldrick there’s something intrinsically wonderful about a la pavoni - more so than any other machine. It’s got soul.

I have to agree, it’s the most hands on, labour intensive, mind numbing way to make a cup of coffee; it’s a real labour of love to get your caffeine fix, a true hobbyist machine. But sometimes I just wish I could make a great coffee without all the effort, or make several cups in a row to serve to my friends. Maybe one day I’ll invest in a semi automatic machine!

DavecUK

Flat_Eric Would make a fine addition to the Pavoni, a friend of mine still has his Pavoni, even after buying a top of the range Espresso machine

dfk41

I bought an LP and being gifted with an abundance of technical skills, sent it away to be sorted out! I bought it as a non runner but it seemed to be in quite good condition. I wondered if the best way of describing the PPK, would be information not available if you do not have one?
How have folks who own one, polished up the chrome? Do you buy a Dremel type thing or just persevere?

Sham

dfk41 Polishing the chrome is risky. Don’t ever use a dremel you’ll end up going through the chrome, always by hand with a suitable polishing cloth. I would first try to descale it. If I remember correctly you want to use white vinegar, citric acid might damage the chrome. For polishing I would use a very weak abrasive. I’ve not polished my La Pavoni yet (no time), but I have some options that I was planning to fully research:

First try descaling the surface, normal multipurpose cleaners.
Use a clay bar or nanoskin sponge to remove anything remaining on the surface.
A diminishing polish (like the one you use on plastic headlights: Autoglym, Meguiars etc.), this will be gentle (hopefully) on the chrome.
1 or 6 micron polishing compound with appropriate polishing cloth, but use a TINY amount (I have some diamond 1 and 6 micron paste)
Colloidal Silica suspension (nanometer size), this might be overkill, but I use this at the university to produce mirror finish samples (for sample analysis)
DO NOT USE METAL POLISH. Some people say it’s alright but you might risk scratching

General rule is start gentle and work your way harsher if you can’t manage to remove scratches. If all of that doesnt work then sand all the chrome down and bring it to your local chromer to get it rechromed.

Flat_Eric

dfk41 I wondered if the best way of describing the PPK, would be information not available if you do not have one?

That just about sums it up in my opinion. It may be useful to know what pressure you’re pulling during a shot, but if the coffee is great who cares!

dfk41

Sham Many ta’s for your thoughts. What about the crud under the drip tray. A lot of it looks to me, not like rust but coffee residue. Once I get it back, then there will be time to worry about all that!

DavecUK

dfk41 It looks like the underside of a 1960s MG Midget….I think it’s mostly rust!

Sham

My one has some of that too. Bad news… It is rust. The layer of chrome has gone from there. It happens from the constant friction of the loose drip tray, and the fact that it gets wet under the tray often. Your best bet is to sand off all of the rust, tape around the drip tray, and spray coat it (this is to prevent any further corrosion). It will look ok too (not that you will see it under the drop tray). Alternative is to just leave it and try to keep under the drip tray dry so it doesnt get worse.

dfk41

Sham Again I am indebted……I had thought about buying a can of Waxoyl then underselling it but your suggestion sounds better!

dfk41

Sham I have seen a few folks paint the whole of the base, in a colour coded sort of way. Not sure if this is a good thing or not. Someone mentioned a Facebook group so might try and find it for inspiration!

Sham

dfk41 yeah, that’s mainly for the older ones with the original painted /coated base (non chrome base). They repaint the whole thing. The facebook group is really good, just search la pavoni should be easy to find.