Tip for saving water with a "La Pavoni"

Contents
Reducing your water consumption with a La Pavoni lever espresso machine is possible thanks to an ingenious trick.
By heating the piston without wasting water, you optimize the temperature for a perfect espresso while being eco-responsible.
This is particularly interesting if you use bottled water.
Why this trick is useful
A member of the Facebook group La Pavoni Lever Owners shared with me a technique to save water on the brand’s lever machines.
Usually, when using a professional espresso machine, you need to:
- Let the machine heat up for a few minutes
- Flush some water to eliminate coffee residue from the previous extraction
- Prepare the espresso
On a La Pavoni lever machine, you need to heat up the entire machine. To do this, you typically run about 100 mL of hot water so that the piston heats up.

The trick to heat the piston without wasting water
Here is the method shared:
- Let the water heat up for a few minutes
- Lift the lever partially and pump several times
- After a few movements, the piston is hot without having used any water
Tip
If you use bottled water, this technique will help you save several liters per month while reducing waste.
Technical details and tips
- Once the boiler is hot, briefly open the steam wand to release the false steam.
- In the video, a thermometer is attached to the piston, which allows you to observe the temperature rise.
- To go further, discover how to convert gauge pressure to temperature in this article.
Info
A hot piston from the start guarantees an optimal extraction of your espresso, with a more stable crema and a balanced taste.