FAQ's & INFO

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First of all, you do not need to FILL the water reservoir. In fact, it is better if you only fill the tank about halfway. Doing this ensures fresh water every time you brew an espresso.

Bottled water is best! Purified or preferably distilled water should be used. Disregarding this will not have any short-term ill effects but, over time the water lines, valves and pump will become calcified and malfunction.

I am often asked how often to descale the Espresso Point, however I am a proponent of using distilled water and following the tips mentioned above so avoid scale buildup altogether.

Depending on the age of your Espresso Point, or if you have had your keypad replaced, the lights next to each of the 6 buttons may be either green or blue. Regardless of which keypad your machine has, all of the functions are the same.

The light above the STOP button is a power indicator. It will be illuminated when the machine is powered on. This light will blink steadily if there is an issue with the thermostats or the unit is running too hot. Before calling for service, try running the HOT WATER function to allow water to pass through the boiler. This light may also begin to blink after making multiple espressos in a row or using the steam wand for a prolonged period of time. If the light returns to a solid red, your machine is functioning properly and there is no need for service.

The light below the STOP button is a water indicator light. This light should remain dark if there is water in the machine. When the water level is low, or there is no water in the reservoir, this light will blink. As a safety feature, none of the operations will function if the water sensor light is blinking. Another possibility for this light to blink is if the tank's float and magnet and/or retainer are not situated correctly. Make certain that your float and magnet look exactly as the one pictured below or you will have a faulty sensor reading.

The 6 buttons on the right are separated into two columns: left (manual actions) & right (programmed doses). When using any of the buttons on the left, you will need to press STOP to terminate the action.

The top left button is for steaming milk with the steam wand, the middle left button is for hot water from the steam wand, and the bottom left button is a "manual shot." This function will keep forcing water through the capsule until you press STOP. This button comes in handy if you have a machine whose flow meter has become faulty.

The right set of buttons are programmed doses. The bottom right button is a shot of espresso. For a long shot of espresso, you would use the middle right button. The top button is for Americanos (cannot be used with 100% Arabica capsules such as Aroma Club or Dek), hot teas and consommés. PLEASE NOTE: when testing machines for repair, we use the standard espresso shot (bottom right) button.

More often than not, owners of Espresso Points were never informed as to how to properly use the machine... Not by a user manual, nor the company or individual who sold them the machine. Often it is not until they contact me for a repair or a concern regarding their machine that they find out what proper usage is, and how improper usage can negatively affect their machine.

First, and foremost, the Lavazza Espresso Point was designed to be used. I often refer to this machine as a classic car: both require regular maintenance and care whether you use them daily or keep them in storage and only use them for special occasions. You should be using your Espresso Point everyday or at least a few times a week. Regular (and proper) use can actually prolong the life of your Espresso Point and lengthen the amount of time between "tune-ups." 

Secondly, if you are enjoying an espresso at least once a day or a few times a week, you should leave the machine on. Yes, on - even overnight. This will keep the brewing unit at a constant temperature, which will stop the internal gaskets from expanding and contracting and eventually drying out.

When these gaskets wear down, they cause leaking from the brewing unit. You may first notice your coffees are taking longer to brew and they are coming out shorter than normal. If this goes unnoticed, then you will certainly notice when the water exits the sides of the unit and ends up in the drawer or drips down the walls of the machine. The longer you wait to have the leaking repaired, the more likely it is that you will experience more issues leading to a more expensive repair.