La Pavoni steam wand problems: weak steam, no steam, leaking knob
Most likely cause
Weak steam is most often a boiler that is too full or not yet up to pressure. La Pavoni says the water should sit about halfway up the sight glass for the most steam. A knob that will not seal is a worn steam valve seal; tighten it finger-tight only.
Parts differ by generation. Not sure which you have? Check in two minutes.
No steam or weak steam
La Pavoni’s manual lists five causes when the machine does not dispense steam:
- The machine has not reached the correct pressure.
- The holes at the end of the steam pipe are clogged.
- There is no water in the boiler.
- The steam pipe has not been inserted properly.
- There is scale on the heating element.
For the most steam, La Pavoni says the water level should be about halfway up the sight glass, and recommends steaming for no more than 2 minutes. Clear clogged tip holes with a fine pin, and wipe the wand with a damp cloth after every use, as the manual advises.
The knob drips or will not close
Kanen Coffee says over-tightening the steam knob compresses the valve seat, and scale pits it. Replace the steam valve seal (La Pavoni lists it as the tap gasket) and refit the knob finger-tight only. Kanen’s advice: never crank a La Pavoni steam knob hard.
Parts for this job
Complete replacement gasket set, Professional
Listed for: Listed for Millennium and pre-Millennium Professional
Full kits include the steam valve seal.
Urnex Dezcal descaler
Listed for: Boilers and heating elements
Scale on the element is one of La Pavoni's listed causes of no steam.
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Related
Sources
La Pavoni manuals, parts lists and product pages; Kanen Coffee repair notes.