I have to say I'm very curious to see how this La Pavoni Domus Bar review will turn out. You see, this is a highly esteemed brand that's yet to make much of a dent in the North American home espresso market.
I have to say I’m very curious to see how this La Pavoni Domus Bar review will turn out. You see, this is a highly esteemed brand that’s yet to make much of a dent in the North American home espresso market.
If you’ve read my La Pavoni Professional review, You’ll know ‘m a huge fan of the manufacturer’s lever machines. Still, I’ve heard mixed reports about semi-automatics like the Domus Bar. With that in mind, I’ve decided to embark on a first-look La Pavoni Domus Bar review. And once I’ve tested the thing out I’ll make sure to add my first hand experiences.
Slightly confusing
La Pavoni Domus Bar
Ideal for espresso lovers, not so much for microfoam freaks
High-quality build
Stepless grinder
Marine brass boiler
Straightforward operation
Disappointing steam wand
Some design flaws
La Pavoni Domus Bar Review Overview
As I already mentioned, La Pavoni is a famous Italian espresso machine manufacturer that’s been in business since the dawn of the last century. Known for producing machines featuring high-quality construction and elegant design language, La Pavoni is respected the world over.
What’s really cool is that La Pavoni espresso machines are still made in Milan. In fact, the company’s lever machines are made entirely by hand. However, I’m not sure that’s the case with so-called “semi-profesional” machines like the La Pavoni Domus Bar.
Costing $1,069.00, the La Pavoni Domus Bar is far from the most expensive hybrid espresso machine out there. In fact, that’s quite a reasonable asking price for an espresso machine with an integrated grinder. Then again, I can give you a little spoiler by telling you that this stylish beauty is far from perfect. As with its Italian compatriots like the Gaggia Classic Pro and Rancilio Silvia, the Domus Bar is a little on the temperamental side. What’s more, there are some glaring design flaws going on.
With all that said, from what I can gather, the La Pavoni Domus Bar is capable of producing truly excellent espresso. What’s more, the inclusion of professional-grade components and a stepless grinder really help make this machine stand out from the ever-increasing hybrid espresso machine crowd.
Sure, I’ve yet to put the Domus Bar through its paces, so I can’t say definitively how it performs. However, I already have a feeling that I’ll be able to overlook its idiosyncrasies if it performs as well as advertised.
La Pavoni Domus Bar DMB Espresso Machine Features
I’m a total sucker for Italian design, so you can expect me to gush a little during the rest of this La Pavoni Domus Bar review. Still, I do intend to inspect this espresso machine with a critical eye. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Domus Bar’s most notable features.
Materials and Design
While the La Pavoni Domus Bar isn’t the flashiest espresso machine I’ve ever seen, it still oozes Italian sophistication. Featuring a boxy, minimalist aesthetic, I’m convinced this machine would look great in any kitchen.
What’s more, the manufacturer certainly hasn’t skimped on the materials side of things. In fact, the machine’s high quality stainless steel body looks super premium. Plus, plenty of thought has been put into the Domus Bar’s design, as evidenced by the dual drip tray setup and classy control panel.
The La Pavoni Domus Bar is also fairly compact, especially when you take into account the fact that you won’t need extra counter space for a standalone espresso grinder. Rather, this home espresso machine has been designed to take care of all your coffee needs.
User Interface
In keeping with the Domus Bar’s minimalist aesthetic, the machine’s user interface is simple and easy to navigate. In fact, there are only three toggle switches to deal with – one for the steaming function, one for espresso and a power switch.
Elsewhere, there’s a nice chunky dial for activating the steam wand as well as a large manometer located front and center. Personally, I’m always happy to see a pressure gauge seeing as it’s so useful for monitoring your espresso shots. So, La Pavoni earns extra points from me there!
Built-In Grinder
Some of the best home espresso machines I’ve tested have integrated grinders. Still, a ibuilt in conical grinder can be a machine’s Achilles heel. After all, if the grinder breaks you can’t replace it. Plus, a separate grinder usually offers better performance.
Fortunately, the La Pavoni Domus Bar features a stainless steel conical burr grinder with a stepless adjustment system, meaning you’ll be able to precisely dial in your grind size. What’s more, this is a low-RPM grinder, so damaging heat will be kept to a minimum.
What’s interesting about this machine is the complete lack of any kind of timed dosing or programming. So, it’ll be almost essential to use the grinder as a single doser. Maybe that’s why the bean hopper has such a limited capacity. When it comes to dosing, there’s a portafilter fork and a push-to-activate button below the grounds chute. And seeing as there’s no timer, you have to maintain pressure on the button to keep the grinder engaged.
As far as I can tell, the grinder produces very low static charge, so you won’t have to worry too much about grind retention in the chute. However, there’s no funnel included, so you’ll have to be careful as you’re dosing your portafilter.
La Pavoni Domus Bar Portafilter
The La Pavoni Domus Bar comes equipped with a 57mm portafilter, which is kind of an odd choice. Sure, it looks very well made, has single wall filter baskets and offers a capacity of around 20 grams. However, the majority of commercial portafilters have a 58-millimeter diameter. So, if you want to add the best espresso accessories to your home coffee setup, you’ll struggle to find things like puck screens and distributors that’ll fit.
Tamper
Regular Coffeeness readers know that I tend to get really ticked off when a manufacturer throws in a substandard tamper with its premium machine. So, here we go again: Guys, what were you thinking? Did you imagine that your customers would be fine with a flimsy plastic piece of trash? Oh, and the two-sided plastic tamper you’ve put in the box doesn’t even work! One side is too small for the filter basket and the other gets struck because it’s too large!
OK, now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, may I invite you to check out my guide to the best espresso tampers. Because if you buy this machine you’re going to need a real tamper. Still, do remember that you’re looking for a 57mm version, which will limit your choices somewhat.
La Pavoni Boiler
Let’s get back on track by discussing another positive aspect of the La Pavoni Domus Bar, namely its 0.25-liter marine brass boiler. Known for its excellent heat retention and thermal stability, this kind of boiler will serve you well for years. Plus, the machine will heat up in around 10 minutes, which isn’t at all bad.
During that time, the group head should come up to the correct temperature for brewing, which will save you having to heat the thing yourself. That’s a common issue with thermoblock machines, which are ready to go quickly but suffer from insufficient brew group temperature.
The only downside to a single boiler machine like the Domus Bar is that switching between steaming and coffee making can be a hassle. Don’t worry, though – I’ll talk about how to do it a little later.
Water Reservoir
The La Pavoni Domus Bar has a generous 91-ounce (2.7-liter) removable water tank, although I don’t think there’s a water filter option. So, make sure to always use cold, filtered water in there for fresh tasting coffee.
One thing to bear in mind is that removing the water tank involves lifting up a lid on top of the machine. And seeing as doing so requires quite a bit of extra headroom, you’ll need to make sure any overhead cabinets won’t get in the way. Otherwise, you’ll end up having to move the machine around each time you need to add water.
Steam Wand
To be honest, I’m rather surprised by the Domus Bar’s manual steam wand. Sure, it’s ball joint-mounted and should have plenty of pressure. However, this is far from a professional-style wand. Rather, it’s a kind of hybrid pannarello wand – the kind that you just submerge and allow to create wild amounts of milk froth.
You can remove the outer attachment, and doing so will allow you more control over the milk texture. However, I wouldn’t expect to be able to create silky microfoam with this machine, which is a shame.
Ultimately, given the La Pavoni Domus Bar’s single boiler setup and pannarello wand, I’d say the machine is best suited to those who mainly drink espresso and americanos, while enjoying the odd cappuccino here and there.
La Pavoni Domus Bar Espresso Machine in Use
Seeing as I haven’t had my hands on the La Pavoni Domus Bar just yet, I can’t give you a detailed picture of how it performs. Still, I can give you a brief idea of how to use the thing. For starters, consult the user manual – that’ll give you detailed instructions on how to prime the boiler before using the Domus Bar for the first time. Once that’s done, make sure the machine is at the correct temperature for brewing. Now it’s time to pull a shot. Of course, you’ll also need to dial in your grind size, so expect some trial and error before you achieve the perfect espresso.
Using your best coffee scale, weigh out 18-20 grams of coffee beans. Then, add them to the bean hopper.
Remove the portafilter from the brew group, wipe it dry and then position it in the grinder forks. Then, push the portafilter back to engage the grinder, maintaining pressure until your entire dose is in the filter basket.
Distribute your coffee grounds then tamp firmly to create a level puck.
Insert the portafilter into the group head, then place your espresso cup on your scale and tare.
Now it’s time to brew. So, flip the espresso switch and start a timer simultaneously.
Based on a 2:1 ratio, you’re looking for a 36-40 gram shot of espresso in around 25-30 seconds. You should see the pressure gauge needle hover at around 9 bar during the extraction.
Don’t forget to flip the espresso switch back to stop the brewing process. After all, this is a semi-automatic espresso machine without any presets.
Domus Bar Espresso Machine Settings
As I mentioned earlier, making espresso based drinks with milk will involve some know-how. Essentially, the boiler needs to achieve much higher temperatures for steaming, so must recover afterwards. Alternatively, if you make espresso first, you’ll have to wait for around a minute for the boiler to get hot enough for steaming. And during that time your espresso will be sitting around going cold. So, I’d recommend steaming milk first, then preparing your shot.
Coffeeness Signature Espresso Blend
High-quality beans through direct trade
Notes of Chocolate & Hazelnut
Easy on the stomach
Freshly roasted right in Brooklyn
Medium roast
Flip the steam switch, then wait for the light to go out. Now you’re ready to froth milk.
Once you’ve done your thing, either with the pannarello or the so-called “turbo steam device,” turn off the steam switch.
Now it’s time to bring the boiler back to brewing temperature. Place an empty container under the steam wand and flip the espresso switch, before opening up the steam wand dial all the way.
This will purge the steam wand, eventually resulting in a steady stream of water. After a few seconds, the machine will be back at brewing temperature.
Finally, don’t forget to wipe off the steam wand using a damp cloth.
La Pavoni Domus Bar Cleaning
Cleaning and maintaining the La Pavoni Domus Bar shouldn’t take up much of your time. That said, I’d recommend getting into the habit of performing a few basic tasks after using the machine. These include cleaning out the portafilter, wiping off the brew group’s distribution screen and emptying the drip tray.
As for deeper cleaning, you’ll need to descale the machine as well as backflush the brew group. But I won’t bore you to tears with the details here – I’ll leave that to the user manual.
La Pavoni Domus Bar Specifications
| La Pavoni Domus Bar | |
| Manufacturer | La Pavoni |
|---|---|
| Model number | LPCDMB02US |
| Product category | Hybrid espresso machine |
| Housing material | Stainless steel with plastic parts |
| Color options | Silver |
| Milk frother | Steam wand |
| User interface | Buttons and dials |
| App | |
| User profiles | Memo function only |
| Portafilter size | 57 mm |
| Tamping | Manual |
| Removable water reservoir | |
| Water reservoir capacity | 91.3 fl oz / 2.7 l |
| Number of boilers | 1 |
| Pump pressure | 15 bar |
| Maximum cup height | 4.0 in / 10.2 cm |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burr grinder |
| Grind adjustment levels | Infinitely variable |
| Bean hopper capacity | 4.6 oz / 130.0 g |
| Specialty drinks | 1 |
| Pre-infusion | |
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |
| Adjustable milk foam temperature | |
| 2-cup function | Yes (non-milk drinks only) |
| Hot water function | |
| Hot milk function | |
| Milk foam only option | |
| Water filter | |
| Power consumption | 1200 W |
| Weight | 23.0 lb / 10.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 13.6 x 11.8 x 9.9 in |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, 3 x filter baskets, coffee scoop, tamper |
| Current price on Amazon | $1,069.00 |
| All specifications | |
La Pavoni Domus Bar Espresso Machine vs Other Espresso Machines
Let’s finish out this La Pavoni Domus Bar review by taking a look at how our Italian friend measures up in comparison to a couple of other popular hybrid espresso machines.
La Pavoni Domus Bar vs Lelit Anita
Costing anywhere from $700 to $900, depending on whether or not it’s being promoted, the Lelit Anita represents fantastic values for money. This beautiful prosumer machine is similar to the Domus Bar in many ways.
For example it features a 57mm portafilter and a built in coffee grinder with stepless adjustments. However, the Anita’s steam wand is a definite step up from what you’ll get with the La Pavoni. What’s more, the Lelit Anita offers adjustable precision PID control over both espresso and steam temperatures.
Ultimately, I’d say the Lelit Anita is a better machine, offering a more professional experience. And given its reasonable asking price, it’d be hard to justify not picking it over the La Pavoni.
See Also: Lelit Anita Review
La Pavoni Domus Bar vs Breville Barista Express
The Breville Barista Express is one of the most popular and best-selling home espresso machines of all time. Plus, you’ll only have to drop $549.95 to get hold of this modern classic.
So what’s the big deal? Well, not only is the Barista Express very affordable, it packs a ton of functionality into a convenient and intuitive package. Essentially, it’s very easy to get decent espresso coffee and milk foam from this machine, even if it’s far from perfect.
Listen, I love the Breville Barista Express. Still, glaring flaws include a rather limited grinder and an underperforming thermoblock heating system.
See Also: Breville Barista Express Review
Verdict: La Pavoni Domus Bar DMB Espresso Machine With Grinder
Slightly confusing
La Pavoni Domus Bar
Ideal for espresso lovers, not so much for microfoam freaks
High-quality build
Stepless grinder
Marine brass boiler
Straightforward operation
Disappointing steam wand
Some design flaws
I can’t help but feel a little confused at the end of this La Pavoni Domus Bar review. On the one hand this gorgeous machine is super solid and features high-grade professional components. However, the manufacturer has also made some questionable choices, such as equipping the machine with a disappointing steam wand and including a worthless tamper.
At the end of the day, I’m not convinced that La Pavoni will be able to compete with giants like Breville and DeLonghi, not to mention brands like Philips and KitchenAid. Then again, perhaps the Domus Bar will gain a dedicated following in North America. I’ll be sure to update this initial review with my findings once I’ve tested the machine, so stay tuned!
Do you own the La Pavoni Domus Bar? Feel free to share your experiences with the Coffeeness community in the comments section!
La Pavoni Domus Bar Machine FAQ
La Pavoni is an esteemed Italian manufacturer that’s known for producing high-quality espresso machines.
The ideal pressure for creamy espresso extraction with the La Pavoni Domus Bar is 9-10 bar.
The La Pavoni Domus Bar is intended for coffee enthusiasts looking for a high-quality espresso machine and espresso grinder in one compact package.
