The Domus Casa is a semi-professional home espresso machine that packs a powerful punch. It heats up faster than other espresso machines in its class and has more steam power than most of its competitors. With its polished stainless steel exterior, solid brass brewing components, and pump pressure gauge; the La Pavoni Domus Casa is a fully featured domestic espresso machine that looks great in any kitchen.  Domus Casa is a single boiler semi-automatic espresso machine designed for domestic use with the ability to make really great quality espresso and strong steam power to for steaming velvety smooth milk.   Domus Casa allows you to enjoy your favourite caffè latte, cappuccino, flat white, or espresso at home.

Features

The Domus Casa is a fully featured home espresso machine with stylish good looks.   Domus Casa features many features found on more expensive espresso machines such as a three way solenoid, solid brass boiler, and pump pressure gauge.

• Solid brass boiler and grouphead: Domus Casa features a high quality two piece solid brass boiler and group head reserved only for better quality machines. The key to temperature stability is lots of heavy metal and that is what Domus Casa has.
• Saturated group for thermal stability: The brewing group is mounted directly below the boiler to maximise thermal stability and heat up the group quicker. At operating temperature the boiler, brewing group, and portafilter operate as one unit to maximise thermal stability.
• Heavy duty 57mm portafilter: Chromed brass portafilter with two spouts allowing single or double extractions. Included are both double and single filter baskets, although as with all espresso machines we recommend to use the double basket for best results.
• Large pump pressure gauge: A real asset when searching for the ultimate extraction, the pump pressure gauge is very useful for refining your coffee grind.
• Three way solenoid: Unlike many cheaper models, Domus Casa features a three way solenoid to relieve pressure from the brewing group and prevent the system from dripping when not in use. This is the same system empployed by most commercial espresso machines. Excess pressure is vented into the drip tray for easy of cleaning.
• Stainless steel: Everything including the chassis, lids, drip tray grill, and frame are constructed from high-quality and durable stainless steel.
• Large drip tray: Removable drip tray has ample capacity and makes it easy to keep the machine clean.

Specifications

• Boiler: cast brass
• Brewing group: cast brass
• Portafilter: chromed brass 57mm
• Pump pressure: 15 bar ULKA pump
• Pump pressure gauge: 0 - 16 bar
• Anti drip solenoid: three way electrovalve to relieve pressure from the brewing group
• Steam valve: brass
• Element: 1000w
• Water reservoir: 2.0 l
• Weight: 7.5 kg
• Dimensions [w] x [h] x [d]: 230mm x 350mm x 280mm
• Heating time from cold: ~ 5 minutes
• Power: 230V
• Warranty: 12 months return to base
• Made in Italy

How to use the La Pavoni Domus Casa

Startup

1. Ensure the water reservoir has ample water by viewing the water level on the left hand side.
2. Fill the reservoir if required by lifting the cover on the top rear of the machine and filling from the top or remove the reservoir.
3. Switch on the main power swtich (select top-most switch on front of the machine to the up position), then operate the pump (select the lower-most switch on front of the machine to the up position) until water flows from the grouphead, then switch off the pump. The main power light (top-most green light) will be illuminated when the power is on.
4. If espresso is desired, leave the steam switch off (select the middle switch on front of the machine to the down position). The steam light (middle light) will be off.
5. If steam is desired, select the steam function (select the middle switch on front of the machine to the up position)
6. Allow the machine to come up to pressure, the bottom light will illuminate when the machine is up to pressure.

Making Espresso

1. Follow the startup procedure, selecting the coffee function (select the middle switch on the front of the machine to the down position), wait for the machine to come up to pressure, and the bottom light to illuminate.  
2. If you have just been steaming milk, select the coffee function and operate the pump until all the steam has been expelled and water flows from the group, continue to run the pump for a further 5 seconds to flush fresh cold water through the system.
3. You are now ready to make espresso, insert the empty portafilter into the group and operate the pump for 5 seconds to pump hot water through the portafilter, then switch off the pump. This will bring the portafilter up to temperature and flush any stray coffee grouds from the group.
4. Remove the portafilter and give it a quick wipe with a clean cloth to remove any surplus coffee grounds and water.
5. Dose out an appropriate amount of freshly ground coffee into the portafilter and tamp it to the desired level of compression.
6. Insert the portafilter into the group and tighten into position by moving the handle to the right, wipe the top of the drip tray to remove any excess water(this will stop the bottom of your cup(s) getting wet), position your cup(s) under the portafilter spouts.
7. Operate the pump (select the lower-most switch on the front of the machine to the up position), a few seconds after the pump starts the indicated pressure on the pressure gauge will begin to rise into the green zone (if it does not stay in the green zone need to adjust your grind, dose, or tamping), coffee will then begin to flow from the portafilter spouts.
8. Switch off the pump (select the lower-most switch on the front of the machine to the down position) after 25-30 seconds or when the desired amount of coffee has been delivered.
9. Voilà your espresso is ready! Enjoy on its own in the traditional Italian style or add milk to make your favourite espresso based beverage.

Steaming Milk

1. We recommend that you steam milk without the froth assister (chrome tube that comes fitted to the steam wand), remove this by sliding it off the steam wand (be careful it could be hot!)
2. Follow the startup procedure, selecting the steam function (select the middle switch on the front of the machine to the up position), wait for the machine to come up to pressure, and the bottom light to illuminate. You are now ready to steam milk.
3. Select the appropriate sized milk pitcher with cold whole milk.
4. Using the right hand, open the steam valve (turn the knob on the right hand side of the machine anticlockwise) for a few seconds to purge any condensation from the steam wand, reclose the steam valve.
5. Using the left hand, lift the milk pitcher up under the steam wand so that the tip is submerged into the milk.
6. Open the steam valve with the right hand, once going remove this hand and place it on the base of the milk pitcher to support it and sense the temperature.
7. Reposition the jug as required to streatch, heat, and mix the milk to the desired texture, for more information see our milk steaming guides.
8. Just before the desired temperature and consistency is acheived remove the right hand from the pitcher and use the right hand to close the steam valve.
9. Keep the tip of the steam wand submerged in the milk until the steam flow stops (you will hear it!)
10. Lower the milk pitcher and place to the side.
11. Take your steam wand cleaning cloth folded over a number of times, hold it about 50mm from the end of the steam wand, open the steam valve for a few seconds to blow out any excess milk, then close off the valve (be careful the steam is hot!)
12. Wipe any excess milk from the exterior of the steam wand.
13. Switch the machine back to the coffee fucntion (select the middle switch on the front of the machine to the down position) and operate the pump until steam all the steam has been purged and water begins to flow from the group.
14. Voilà! Your milk is ready to add to your espresso or for use in a non-coffee drink.

How it works

The Domus Casa is constructed around a 300ml brass boiler with vertically mounted heating element. A vibration pump operated by switch is used to pump fresh water from the reservoir into the boiler. For steaming milk the boiler heats water to over 100 degrees, the steam wand is connected to the boiler through a brass steam valve, when the valve is opened steam from the top of the boiler is released. As more and more steam is drawn off the element boils the water to produce more steam giving the unit superior steam capacity. For making espresso the boiler maintains the water temperature below 95 degrees. When the pump is activated fresh water is pumped into the boiler which then flows back out of the boiler and through a three selenoid valve, the water then passes back down through a heat exchanger passing throught the boiler and into the brewting group where it is pumped through the coffee puck to produce espresso. When the pump is switched off the three way solenoid valve disconnects the brewing system from the boiler and excess pressure from the brewing group is vented through the valve into the drip tray.

IMPORTANT

You must refill the boiler after steaming milk by switching the machine out of steam mode and operating the brew switch until water comes out of the brewing group. This action purges the boiler refilling it with water AND regulates the boiler temperature to the correct temperature range for brewing espresso. Failure to purge the boiler may result your element becoming burnt out. Repair for this is NOT covered by the warranty.

Care

Taking care of your Domus Casa will keep it in tip-top condition and improve the quality of your coffee.   For detailed care instructions refer to the user manual.

• Clean and flush the grouphead, headseal, and portafilter daily to remove stray coffee grounds.
• Optional: Perform a backflush once per week.
• Descale and clean every 2 - 3 months. We recommend using Cleancaf. Read how to clean and descale your home espresso machine.
• Clean exterior: with a mild non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner.