Lever Action

Few things in life are as exciting as a new, old machine. Such is the case with our Rancilio Leva Classe 6 Lever Action Espresso Machine which we were able to use Tuesday night. Most local coffee shops have either a semi or fully automatic machine. Starbucks uses Super-Automatic machines. In either case, the machines are designed with lots of electronic gadgetry. The Rancilio Lever Action has no electronics other than an on/off switch. This is the kind of machine that has been in use in Italy for nearly 100 years. Instead of push buttons, it has levers that are about 1 foot long. Instead of pushing a button, the barista pulls this huge lever down, holds it in place for 10 seconds, and then releases the lever. A giant sized spring provides the 140 psi. needed to press 198 degree water through a finely ground, tightly packed coffee puck in just 20 seconds. The result is a real, hand-made espresso that is simply wonderful.