La Pavoni group overheating: managing temperature on a lever

Why it happens

On a La Pavoni lever the group is bolted to the boiler, so it soaks up heat. Each shot passes more hot water through it. After a few shots the group is hotter than the ideal brew temperature, and the coffee tastes bitter or burnt. La Pavoni gives the target brew temperature as about 92 C.

La Pavoni’s own manual says: after 3 to 4 consecutive coffees, wait a few minutes for the group to return to the right temperature, “in order not to dispense burnt coffee.”

What owners do

These are owner practices from the Home-Barista lever forum, not manufacturer instructions:

• Pause between rounds. Two or three shots, then a few minutes off.
• A cool, damp towel. One long-time owner holds a cool wet bar towel against the top of the group for about 20 seconds.
• A temperature strip on the group. Owners stick a temperature strip on the group and cool it when the strip shows too hot. The Esperto has one from the factory.
• Cool the portafilter. Run the portafilter under cold water between shots.

When it is not normal

If the very first shot of the day is too hot, or steam vents from the safety valve, the boiler pressure may be too high. That points to the pressure switch, not the group. See pressure too high and safety valve venting.