1. General links
2. How to pull a shot
3. Repair - Parts and Maintenance
4. How to set the thermostat
5. Beans

La Pavoni site

The direct link to what I now have. The video area has no video, but excellent information on how to use the thing.

Home Barista - Lever Espresso Machines forum

My friend Sean's source for all sorts of espresso info. It is an espresso forum. And Sean should know what is good info: he pulls an an excellent shot.

The Lair of the Chrome peacock

A good, consise overview of technique.

Coffee Geek

News, Reviews and opinions. Everything here is really in depth. Like the one on milk frothing.

Two switches on the Europicoola

How to handle the differences between the pre-1990 and post-1990 Eurocoppula machines.

How to use a La Pavoni "Professional" Espresso Machine

A very geeky explaination about how to use La Pavoni "Professional" Espresso Machine

Machine links and info

A bit of the history about the machine, as well as technical explaination.

(from the 'video' section for the Eurocuppola)

Preparation of espresso

1. Unscrew the top knob by turning counterclockwise
2. Pour in cool water, filling to the top of the sight glass only
3. Seal the boiler by closing the top knob clockwise
4. Insert the coffee handle into the group turning the handle to the left
5. Turn the unit on via the power switch, a light will illuminate (Professional)
   Turn the unit on via the power switch, a light will illuminate (Europiccola)
6. (For Professional) Allow the pressure gauge to reach the green area
   (For Europiccola) Wait for the green light in the power switch to turn off
7. Open the steam knob one turn and allow steam to escape for a few seconds and then close the steam knob
8. (For Professional) Allow the pressure gauge to reach the green area
   (For Europiccola) Wait for the green light in the power switch to turn off
9. Raise and lower the lever a few inches 4 or 5 times to warm the group
10. Remove the coffee filter handle
11. Place the coffee filter basket into the handle, fill with coffee and pack the coffee down using the coffee press
12. Put the filter into the filter holder, put the pod into the filter holder taking care that the filter paper doesn't extend beyond the edge of the filter holder
13. Insert the coffee handle into the group turning the handle to the left
14. Raise the lever and allow coffee to pass through the handle then lower the lever to stop the flow of coffee
15. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before removing the coffee handle

• Parts Guru - great place to buy parts. They are quick and have tons of documentation for the Europiccola (parts list 1 / base, parts list 2 / piston)
• Seal replacement - step by step instructions on how to replace the seals.

from gurus.net

Let the machine heat up, let some steam out of the steaming wand for 5-10 seconds, wait for the pressure to build up again, and then take a reading.

Although suggestions for the standard temperature varies from 89 to 95C (192 to 203C), mine is set to 91C or 195F as per Dr. Illy, with the boiler 3/4 full.

Remember, I'm not suggesting that you alter the factory settings. This is just an account of what I had to do... In the base of my La Pavoni Professional, there is an adjustable pressure limiter (which I initially thought was a thermostat). The partial pressure of water vapour in the boiler chamber increases proportionally to the increase in temperature of the water. We use this simple fact to cut off the heating element when the set temperature/pressure is reached. First I filled the boiler until it was 3/4 full with water. To get to the innards, I removed the screw underneath the plastic catch tray that holds on the bottom cover. Inside, I found a brass screw on the right-hand side of the machine which is held in place with a small setscrew. I loosened the setscrew and turned the adjusting screw a little at a time while checking where the heating elements cuts off. This can be accomplished by listening to the sound of the water being heated and noting where it cuts out. Turning it left lowered the cut off point, and turning it right raised it.

Ritual - I am lucky enough to live 2 or 3 blocks (depending on whether you count the half block) away from this delicious place.

Blue Bottle - I really like the "Hayes Valley Espresso" as it handles a range of temperatures.