The control panel on the front of the machine features a heavy-duty rocker type switch for the main power and two indicator lights.  The green light indicates the power is on.  The second light is orange and when illuminated, it indicates that the boiler is heating.  The boiler pressure gauge located below the main control panel shows when the pressure in the boiler is at its optimum level for brewing espresso.

The panel is also equipped with a three-button control pad that activates the automatic brewing feature.  When pressed, the first button makes a single shot of espresso and second button makes a double shot of espresso.  The third button allows you to program the quantity of espresso each button will make, and it also serves as a manual shut off for the pump if you wish to interrupt the brewing cycle.

Hot water is dispensed from the faucet by opening the hot water valve, which is located on the right side of the control panel.  To dispense steam, open the steam valve located on the left side of the control panel.  Steam will then dispense from the steam wand located on the left side of the machine.

The Livia 90 produces an abundance of powerful dry steam.  The movable steam wand located on the left side of the machine is made of chrome-plated brass.  The Livia comes standard with two different frothing tips for the steam wand.  One of the tips resembles a more traditional commercial design that is made of stainless steel, and has four small holes to concentrate the steam for fast heating.  The second is made of Teflon.  It is larger and it is designed to help you produce effortless foam for cappuccino or lattes.

On top of the Livia, there is a polished stainless steel cup-stacking surface that is heated.  If you're serious about being a skilled home barista, you will know that having warmed cups is a prerequisite to perfect espresso, and the Livia handles this job effortlessly.

The drip tray is made of durable plastic and can be removed for easy cleaning.  The cup tray is made of polished stainless steel.

The 3.5 liter water reservoir allows for large numbers of drinks to be made before refilling - ideal for commercial use.  You may also refill the water reservoir during operation.  The reservoir contains a built-in water filter, helping to prevent foreign matter from reaching the pump and boiler.  The Livia DOES NOT require an outside water source to be plumbed to the machine.  It is completely self-contained.

The portafilter is made of chrome-plated brass (with a strong plastic handle), which accepts a commercial-standard size 58 mm filter basket, allowing for full strength espresso shots.

The Livia 90 comes with 2 stainless steel filter baskets, one for a single shot and one for a double shot of espresso.

With the available espresso pod adapter, you can use single serving pre-packaged espresso pods.  The pods are inserted in place of coffee grounds.  There is NO coffee grinding and no mess.  Just convenient and great tasting espresso!  When you are finished brewing the espresso, simply remove and discard the espresso pod.  Sold separately under Pasquini accessories.  Click on our Guide to Making Perfect Espresso to learn more about espresso pods.

The Livia 90 is one of the very few machines that feature a faucet for dispensing hot water from the boiler.  The faucet has its own control knob located on the right side of the control panel.  Many add hot water to their espresso to make an Americano, or perhaps you would like to make hot chocolate, tea, or cider without using a kettle.

The Livia has a full-featured pump system that provides the perfect brewing pressure by using a vibration pump, which provides the exact pressures needed to deliver perfect espresso.  The lines from the pump, to the boiler, and from the boiler to the grouphead are all commercial grade items, with a big, beefy piece of cast brass helping to complete the trip.

It goes without saying that a machine of this caliber features an industrial grade pressure relief system, identical to those found in commercial machines.  The valve reduces the water pressure on the coffee grounds once the brew switch is turned off.  This produces dryer coffee grounds and makes it easier to discard the used espresso grounds (espresso puck) from the portafilter.

The Livia 90 features a 1.5-liter copper and brass boiler, one of the largest available for a machine of this size.  A larger boiler gives you better temperature stability and amazing amounts of steam.  The Livia is quite capable of steaming 8 ounces of milk to 155F in roughly 40 seconds or less.  Recovery time between espresso shots is almost instantaneous. The boiler is equipped with a 1200 watt heating element.

Two sensors monitor the water level in the water reservoir and in the boiler.  If the water level in either should fall below a certain point, the machine will automatically turn off to prevent overheating in the event the machine is left on for extended periods of time.

The Livia is equipped with a device called a pressurestat that allows you to adjust the temperature/pressure within the boiler.  The boiler pressure gauge on the front of the machine will indicate the proper operating range for brewing espresso.  Although Livias come from the factory with the pressure already calibrated and tested, occasional adjustments may need to be made for optimum performance.

The power supply and durable electrical system allow the Livia 90 to be left on all day so that it's always ready to serve espresso or heat milk.  The heating element heats the water in the boiler in less than 10 minutes from initial power-up.

The Livia features an all-polished, stainless steel housing throughout.  The internal corrosion resistant support frame provides a solid platform for the Livia, which contributes to its ruggedness.  The frame allows the body panels to be easily removed for internal maintenance.

Part of routine maintenance, the Livia 90 allows you to perform a back flush. This capability is found on most commercial espresso machines.  It is a reverse flow procedure that cleans the grouphead (where the water is dispensed into the coffee grounds) to remove coffee residue and particulate buildup.  The rinse water is pumped into the drip tray for later disposal.  The whole process only takes about 2 minutes.

The boiler heating element features a computer controlled thermal fuse that provides burnout protection if the boiler is operated dry or runs out of water.

Two stainless steel filter baskets for making either single or double shots of espresso, measuring spoon, coffee tamper, cleaning brush, espresso machine cleaner, and instruction manual.

• Color: Polished stainless steel
  
• Warranty: Two years parts and labor through EspressoPeople.com
  
• Power: 1200 watts - 120 volts (regular USA household electrical)
  
  
• Weight: 36 pounds
  
• Size: 12.5"H (water tank lid closed) x 11.5"W x 15"D
  
• Body Material: stainless steel
  
• Origin: Italy