How To Properly Pack A La Pavoni Lever Machine

Shipping a La Pavoni lever machine is not just a matter of putting it in a box and hoping for the best. These machines are compact but mechanically delicate. One poorly absorbed impact can permanently deform the boiler or bend critical components. Proper packing is the difference between a machine that arrives intact and one that arrives damaged beyond repair.

Core Principle: The Machine Must Not Move

The secret to safe packaging is not excessive padding. It is stability. The machine must be immobilized inside the box. Even a fully padded box is inadequate if the machine can shift, bounce, or rotate during transit.

A smaller, well-fitted box is always better than a large one filled with loose material. Compression is beneficial. Slight pressure inside the closed box increases stability.

Remove All Protruding and Loose Parts

Before placing the machine in the box, remove any components that protrude or can be detached:

• Steam wand
• Lever assembly
• Portafilter (depending on box size)
• Top cap (if required for height clearance)

The steam wand must always be removed. Even minor pressure against packaging material can bend it.

The lever should be removed to eliminate unnecessary empty space and prevent side impacts. Removing it also reduces the overall dimensions, allowing for a tighter fit inside the box.

Protect Critical Components

The most vulnerable area of a La Pavoni lever machine is the steam knob and the boiler wall behind it. The boiler is approximately 1 mm thick. If the steam knob receives a lateral impact, it acts as a lever and can bend the boiler. This type of damage is often irreversible.

To prevent this:

• Center the machine inside the box
• Keep the steam knob away from box edges
• Surround the boiler with dense foam padding
• Ensure padding is under slight compression when the box is closed

Foam is strongly recommended. Paper and bubble wrap do not provide the same structural resistance or shock absorption.

Optional but Highly Recommended: Remove the Steam Knob

For maximum protection, remove the steam knob assembly entirely. This eliminates the lever effect that can deform the boiler during impact.

If you choose not to remove it, fill the gap between the steam knob body and the boiler with a rigid spacer (plastic or wood). The spacer must completely fill the space and remain firmly in position. This neutralizes leverage in case of impact.

Organizing and Securing Accessories

Place removed components and accessories in padded envelopes or protective wrapping. This prevents scratching and avoids direct impact with the boiler.

Heavier items such as the portafilter must be positioned so they cannot gain momentum inside the box or strike the boiler.

The power cord should also be secured to prevent it from moving freely.

Box Selection and Dimensions

Use a sturdy, double-wall cardboard box. Ideal internal dimensions are approximately:

• 23 cm width
• 33 cm height
• 32 cm depth

In inches, this corresponds roughly to 12 × 12 × 9.

The machine should fit snugly with just enough room for protective padding. Excess empty space increases risk.

Sealing and Reinforcement

Close the box with strong packing tape under tension. Reinforce the central areas and stress points. A lateral band of tape around the box improves structural rigidity.

After sealing, shake the box gently. You should not hear the machine moving. Accessories may shift slightly, but the machine itself must remain completely stable.

Mark the box with orientation indicators (e.g., “Top”) and label it as fragile. While not a guarantee of careful handling, it increases the chance of correct positioning during transport.

When Receiving a Machine

If you are on the receiving end, record a video while opening the package. Shipping damage is not uncommon, particularly involving bent boilers caused by impact on the steam knob.

Final Considerations

There is no absolute guarantee in shipping. However, removing protruding parts, immobilizing the machine under compression, and neutralizing the steam knob leverage risk dramatically reduces the likelihood of damage.

Proper packaging is not overengineering. It is preventative engineering. With the right approach, your La Pavoni lever machine should arrive safe and structurally sound.