La Marzocco Leva X1

Leva X1 is a single-group lever machine, driven by a lever with an externally adjustable spring pre-load that governs pre-infusion pressure, water volume and extraction pressure, all trackable in real time on the digital display together with that coffee's own pressure curve. The pump sits inside the chassis. It is a café machine, not meant for the home kitchen alone.

The two boilers, coffee and steam, are insulated to cut energy use and stabilise temperature; each has its own PID, one of which offers an advanced control for the coffee boiler. The steam wand stays cool to the touch even in use, and the group accepts tall to-go cups. Portafilters and baskets are stainless steel, made for the machine. An eco mode can put the machine into stand-by to save energy, and the hot water tap can also be set to a lower temperature suited to tea.

Daily cleaning covers the portafilter, basket, diffuser screen and steam wand, weekly cleaning the reservoir and drain box; after more than eight hours idle, water and steam need to be run through before the first coffee. It is a machine for anyone who wants to work every variable of extraction in full view, at a venue's counter.