I own a regular espresso machine, but not a lever machine. A lever machine allows you to control the extraction profile quite well. You can vary pressure and f

I own a regular espresso machine, but not a lever machine. A lever machine allows you to control the extraction profile quite well. You can vary pressure and flow rate at any point in time. The main downside you'll be experiencing is the lack of reproducibility. Maybe you'll make a perfect espresso. Then you'll try to make another one, and it will be over- or underextracted. This is what an automatic espresso machine gives you: More reproducibility with regards to the input variables. The best approach would probably be just trying one. Maybe you can find someone who owns a lever machine that lets you pull a few shots from it. Another alternative, if you don't want to spend money for a full espresso machine, but still want more control over the extraction compared to a moka pot, would be an Aeropress. It's not espresso, but it gives you a lot of control over the variables, and it makes great coffee. James Hoffmann has a great series on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aidvrssMSGo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aidvrssMSGo