La Pavoni Casa Bar PID – Compact Single Boiler with PID Control
Mornings on the counter, small and tidy: a flip switch, the pressure gauge twitches, and moments later a dense espresso flows into the cup. The Casa Bar PID needs little space and still puts the temperature in your hands.
The La Pavoni Casa Bar PID is a compact espresso machine with a single boiler, PID control and 58 mm portafilter, built by La Pavoni – the Italian brand from San Giuliano Milanese near Milan that has been building coffee machines since 1905. It comes in black and in stainless steel.
PID and Brass Boiler
A PID system controls the brew temperature – set to 92 °C at the factory and adjustable to your taste. The brass boiler and the chrome-plated brass brew group keep the heat calm and even, so your cup tastes similar from shot to shot. A shot timer and a pressure gauge show you brew time and pump pressure.
Temperature is a tool, not a switch for the one correct espresso. We extract by weight ratio – 1:2 as a starting point – and adjust grind size, dose and temperature until it tastes right to us. There's no right and no wrong, and our opinion is one of many.
Single Boiler – Espresso and Milk
As a single boiler, the Casa Bar PID handles both espresso and milk foam, one after the other: first the shot, then the steam through the multidirectional cool-touch wand made of stainless steel. A hot water function is built in as well. For everyday use at home, that's enough for cappuccino and flat white. And a single boiler is far from just for espresso purists – if you enjoy milk drinks too, you'll get a lot out of it.
The Details in Everyday Use
Pressure gauge for pump pressure
The pressure gauge on the front shows the pressure of the vibration pump (15 bar) during the shot.
Toggle switches with indicator lights
The machine is operated via toggle switches with indicator lights, including a temperature indicator light. On top of that come the PID display and the shot timer.
58 mm portafilter on a chrome-plated brass brew group
The portafilter measures 58 mm inside with the basket. This common size means standard accessories like tampers, puck screens or bottomless portafilters fit.
Cup tray with passive cup warmer
On the stainless steel cup tray on top, the cups warm up passively.
At 23.5 cm wide, the Casa Bar PID fits almost anywhere. The removable 3-litre tank with level indicator makes refilling easy, and the drip tray is removable. From cold, allow around 15 minutes of heat-up time for the first shot.
At a Glance
| Type |
Single boiler, brews and steams one after the other |
| Boiler |
0.3 L, brass |
| Brew group |
chrome-plated brass |
| Temperature control |
PID, 92 °C from the factory, adjustable |
| Pump |
vibration pump, 15 bar |
| Water tank |
3 L, removable, with level indicator |
| Displays |
pressure gauge (pump pressure), shot timer, PID display, temperature indicator light |
| Steam wand |
stainless steel, cool-touch, multidirectional |
| Functions |
espresso, steam, hot water |
| Portafilter |
58 mm (internal diameter with basket) |
| Cup warmer |
passive |
| Power |
1320 W (220–240 V) |
| Heat-up time |
around 15 minutes (first shot) |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) |
23.5 × 28 × 37 cm, approx. 13.3 kg |
| Colours |
black or stainless steel |
| Origin |
La Pavoni, San Giuliano Milanese (Italy) |
| What's included |
portafilter, baskets for 1 and 2 cups, blind basket, tamper (plastic), dosing spoon |
Who the Casa Bar PID Is For
For everyone who wants dense, aromatic espresso at home without giving up much space – whether it's your first espresso machine or you've been at this for a while. The PID control gives you control over the temperature, and the setup stays simple. No prior experience is needed. Our espresso machine comparison helps you choose.
What Goes With It
Freshly ground makes a big difference. Among our coffee grinders you'll find affordable and precise options like the VS3 from Varia or the hand grinder from Comandante; for more range, there's the Varia VS6 or the EG-1 from Weber Workshops.
For clean tamping and puck prep, it's worth a look at Normcore (compact and precise) or the Weber Workshops range – thanks to 58 mm, everything fits. To nail your ratio, a scale from Normcore helps, or, with an app, one from Acaia.
How a single boiler differs from a heat exchanger and a dual boiler is explained in our heating system deep dive; for a direct comparison, take a look at our espresso machine comparison.
Buy the La Pavoni Casa Bar PID – in Bern, Zurich and Online
In Switzerland, you can buy the La Pavoni Casa Bar PID through our online shop or directly with us in Zurich and Bern: Bern at Gerberngasse 44 (map) and Zurich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b (map). Drop us a quick line at [email protected] before your visit, and we will check whether the machine you have in mind is currently on display. Delivery Switzerland-wide and to Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 business days. Financing is available.
A free consultation appointment narrows down the choice in conversation. If you want to test machines and grinders side by side before buying, you can book our espresso machine and grinder comparison in the showroom in Bern or Zurich – an option, not a requirement. A private barista course can be booked separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What portafilter size does the La Pavoni Casa Bar PID have?
The Casa Bar PID uses a 58 mm portafilter (measured with the basket). That's the common standard size, so standard accessories like tampers, puck screens or bottomless portafilters fit.
Can the Casa Bar PID brew espresso and steam milk at the same time?
It's a single boiler and does both one after the other: first the espresso, then the steam. Switching over takes a short moment. For cappuccino and flat white at home, that's plenty.
How precisely can the temperature be adjusted?
Through the PID system, set to 92 °C at the factory and adjustable. The brass boiler (0.3 L) and the chrome-plated brass brew group provide a stable temperature; the pressure gauge and shot timer help you track it.
How long does the La Pavoni Casa Bar PID take to heat up and how do I maintain it?
From cold, allow around 15 minutes for the first shot. Backflush daily with the blind basket without cleaning agent, and about every 50 shots with cleaning agent; descale regularly depending on your water hardness.
Where can I buy the La Pavoni Casa Bar PID?
Online, Switzerland-wide and to Liechtenstein, or directly in our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). Drop us a quick line at [email protected] before your visit, and we will check whether the machine you have in mind is currently on display. Financing is available.
Tip from the roastery: With the Casa Bar PID's stable temperature, dense, sweet profiles come through beautifully. We recommend Cozy Chocolate, Nutty Delight and Very Nutty – chocolatey, nutty, and full-bodied with milk too. If you like it light and fruity, you'll find Wild Peach and more in our coffee beans. That's our recommendation, one of many.
