The la Pavoni Professional PPG-16 Lever Espresso Machine creates aromatic, flavorful espresso with the pull of a lever. If you love hands-on operation, this machine is for you; it takes a bit of practice, but most coffee lovers agree that lever-based machines like this one offer you desired control over the final product, and are much more fun to use than traditional button-based machines. The PPG-16 is ideal for home use, with a gorgeous gold-lacquer plated body, and features high-quality elements like a swivel steam wand with two tips, a 38-ounce brass boiler, and stainless steel heating elements. Operation is entertaining and gives you delicious espresso with a high-quality crema, plus loads of luxurious milk foam. What more could you want from an espresso machine?
Outstanding features of the la Pavoni Professional PPG-16 Lever Espresso Machine
How it works
Lift the lever on the side of the machine to lift a piston inside the grouphead. With the piston raised, pressurized water flows from the boiler and infuses into the coffee inside the filter holder. Wait a few seconds, if you desire, to let the coffee pre-soak in the water for maximum flavor extraction. Then lower the lever. This forces the water through the coffee and into your cup. It's just that easy.
Foolproof steaming
The traditional brass steam wand comes with two separate tips: a traditional three-hole tip, plus a cappuccinatore tip that attaches with a simple coupling. The cappuccinatore tip is designed to draw milk up out of your container, mix it with steam, and send it back out as pure foam. This tip is perfect for beginners who haven't mastered the art of foam just yet, or for producing drinks in large numbers.
High-quality elements
This machine produces 8-BAR pressure and features built-in safety systems. The solid copper nickel-plated boiler features an internal thermostat with auto shut-off if temperatures reach unsafe levels. The thermostat can be reset once the machine cools down. There's also a pressure relief valve that relieves excess pressure inside the boiler. The portafilter is also made from solid brass, as is the grouphead.
Additional features and specifications
- Gold-plated lacquer finish
- Millennium brew group with heat diffusers
- 38-oz. boiler makes 16 2-oz. cups of espresso without needing a refill
- Reset fuse mounted to a stainless elements
- Removable drip tray for easy cleaning
- 1,000 watts, 110 volts; ETL-listed
- 12 inches tall; 16 lbs.
- 1-year manufacturer's warranty included
Caring for your machine
Lime scale and mineral buildup from water must periodically be removed from the boiler and other internal elements. To remove this buildup, boil a mixture of water and vinegar inside the boiler. The drip tray, filter holder, grouphead, and steam pipe nozzle should be cleaned as needed; just wipe down with a warm damp cloth, or remove from the machine and clean under the faucet with warm water and mild soap. Do not immerse this machine in water.
The PPG-16 comes complete with a drip tray with grill, a filter holder, two filter baskets (for single and double shots), a measuring spoon, and a tamper, plus the cappuccinatore steaming tip. Also included is an instruction manual and a full instructional interactive DVD that takes you through every step of operation, from start-up to professional drink tips and machine maintenance.
What does "BAR pressure" mean?
Pressure is the result of the packed (tamped) coffee giving the water resistance to pass through. The pump forces the water through that resistance and the power it needs to do so is commonly measured in BAR (= kg per square centimeter). A pressure rating is used on most pump-driven espresso machines. 9 BAR, the typical accepted pressure for brewing espresso, is 8.8 atmospheres of pressure or 130 pounds per square inch. Good pumps should be able to create more pressure (power) than they need to produce perfect espresso so that they don't break when the right combination (fineness and consistency of grind, tamping, and amount of ground coffee) is not prevalent. A good pump has a capacity of creating 15 or more BARs. To produce a lasting crema on top of your espresso, the water should pass through the coffee at approximately 7 to 9 BARs of pressure.
About la Pavoni
Since 1905, la Pavoni has been building fine espresso machines in a classic Italian tradition. Founded shortly after Desiderio Pavoni invented and patented the very first espresso machine, la Pavoni has been creating high-quality espresso machines and grinders for over 100 years, and is still located in the heart of Italy. It is known for a wide range of styles, from pump- and automatic-driven machines to traditional-style lever machines. All la Pavoni designs are superbly crafted from professional-grade components and have a sleek, luxurious look that belies their Italian bloodlines. If you love espresso, you can't do any better than making your next machine a la Pavoni.
