Remember when getting a good espresso meant a lever machine? I went electric instead

Back in the early 2000s I had a friend with a manual lever espresso machine and I loved the ritual of pulling shots by hand. But my wrists gave out after a few months and I couldn't keep up with it, so I bought a semi-automatic pump machine for $400 instead. It's still running fine 12 years later in my kitchen in Portland, though I do miss that heavy metal feel of the lever sometimes. Has anyone else switched from manual to electric and then regretted it?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessica_robinson2327d ago

Actually lever machines give you way more control over the pressure profile during the shot, which electric pumps just can't replicate no matter how fancy they get. My buddy has a La Pavoni from the 70s and his shots always have this thick, syrupy body that my Rancilio Silvia just can't match. So while I get the wrist pain thing, I think the manual machines still win on pure espresso quality if you have the patience to learn them.

chen.adam27d ago

My buddy Tim got a vintage Gaggia lever last year and his first 50 shots were basically sour brown water mixed with frustration lol. After he got the hang of it though his shots were like honey, totally different from anything my pump machine ever made.

kelly_craig20d ago

and honestly that thick syrupy body is exactly what got me hooked on levers too lol. like yeah the first few months are basically a science experiment gone wrong but once you stop guessing and actually learn the feel of the lever it's night and day. i think people underestimate how much the preinfusion phase matters too, like with a pump machine you're just blasting water at full pressure right away but with a lever you can slowly wet the puck and let it expand before you pull the shot. that alone changes the texture so much it's almost a different drink altogether. plus there's something about the ritual of it, like you're actually making coffee instead of just pressing a button and letting a machine do everything for you.