Pasquini Livietta T2 Espresso Machine

This was a wonderful purchase - sleek, elegant, compact and functional. It takes a little practice to get used to it but it's as much art as science. Its relatively compact dimensions work well for us. It was visually somewhat larger than we expected, but the dimensions are accurate. The picture makes it look a little shallower than it really is. Study the directions carefully!As for the coffee grind, unless you have a high-end espresso grinder at home ($500 to $800 just for the grinder), have your local coffee shop do a custom espresso grind with fresh and very high quality beans. Do NOT use one of those cheap grinders with the spinning blade as all espresso machines are very sensitive to how the beans are ground. And do not go to a cheap coffee shop. We go to our local Peet's and get a #3 grind. We experimented with a #2 grind (which is finer than the #3) and it was a bit too fine for this machine. Our Peet's store said that most customers find that the #3 grind works best in home machines. A friend recommended #3 as well. We also purchased a can of Illy coffee that was pre-ground for espresso machines. It seemed roughly between a #2 and #3 and was fabulous. It was also pretty pricey, but you get what you pay for. Also, don't buy more than a half-pound at a time since the coffee will last only about a week in the package.Also, the machine is sensitive to having the right amount of coffee in the metal filter "baskets." Use the enclosed scoop and use a LEVEL scoop (one for the single basket and two for the double basket). If it's too much or too little you will know. I also tamp the coffee down with the enclosed "tamper" (that's what I call it). I tap it firmly about three or four times on my work board to make sure the coffee is compacted. I tamp it firmly but don't bang it.The steamer works great. It takes some practice but once you get the hang of it, it's wonderful. Steam is hot (obviously) so be careful. The machine heats water and steam as promised (about 3 minutes). We just flip on the switch in the morning then start preparing. By the time we have everything ready, the machine is ready. We also use bottled spring water, which helps give better flavor. We turn off the machine when we're finished since there is no need to keep it on. It goes without saying that you need to keep this machine clean and tidy.

This is a nice compact machine for people willing to spend the effort and time to make a great coffee. It requires having a decent grinder so you get just the right texture, don't expect it to work great with store ground coffee. It has separate blocks for brewing and steam, a requirement for any good machine, and it heats up nice and quick. Good for making your morning coffee every day.One thing I liked in particular compared to other machines I used, is the steamer. It produces a good amount of steam and doesn't run out of steam as some other machines do if you prepare a bigger latte. Also the steamer attachment is all metal and easy to clean.The one design flaw the machine seems to have is the seal on the brewing group. It easily gets a few coffee grounds stuck there and then leaks some water during brewing. With a bit extra cleaning and attention it's manageable, but it's an annoyance.Overall would definitely buy it again.---Update February 2015:We had the machine 2 years with no issues once we figured out the right grind and fill level. Then the gasket on the brew group gave out and the machine leaked big time. I got a replacement part, which was surprisingly easy, and it takes about 30min for a semi-skilled person to replace it. That put it back in business. However, 2 weeks later the steamer gave out. So now I'm pondering whether to fix it again, or just replace it.When I put the new gasket on I also replaced the metal steamer attachment with the easier to use plastic one. That made a big difference in the quality of the steaming, and I suggest doing that to anyone who uses the unit for a nice Cappuccino.

This is our Third Pasquini livietta T2 Espresso Machine, We have been happy in the past but this machnie arrived broken. It leaked everywhere the first time we used it. So we returned it to Pasquini as that was the terms of the Guarantee and we expected to get a new one in return but no it was rebuilt and it has been nearly three weeks now and we are still waiting for the Coffee Machine. I ordered and paid for a new machine not a repaired one. This will be the last Pasquini Machine that we ever buy! Upset in WA.

I was so excited to get a new espresso machine but the Livietta T2 isn't the machine. It's a very nice looking machine but really doesn't have the power to froth mike to a smooth paint thickness, nor did it have enough heat to properly make a shot of espresso. At first I thought I didn’t warm the systems enough, so after thirty minutes I tried again with the same poor results. The water temperature coming out of the brew head without coffee was 147 degrees far too cold to make a shot of good espresso. Fortunately the dealer I purchased the Livietta T2 from gave a full refund for a defective machine.Bottom line if you are going to spend the money for a Livietta T2 you might as well add a few extra dollars and purchase something with a E61 brew head. It’s worth the extra dollars to get a system that works out of the box.

Unit has been leaking water around the espresso basket since it arrived. Now scalding hot water is spraying everywhere when in use.

Love this machine. Makes beautiful microform! Works great with pods too! You do have to buy an extra adaptor for the pods and I wish in the description of the product they would have clarified that!