Lelit Bianca max flow rate

denopa

I am surprised by how slowly pressure ramps up with the paddle fully right on my new v3, compared with some videos I’ve see (incl. DaveC’s). I have calibrated the paddle so the flow stops just before the full-left position, and left the pump at 10 bars. I’ve measured the 30s flow rate without a basket and I get 200ml. Is that standard and if not is there a way to adjust it ?

DavecUK

denopa I’ve measured the 30s flow rate without a basket and I get 200ml. Is that standard and if not is there a way to adjust it ?

That sounds about right. Do you have low flow start enabled?

denopa

Not enabled (and no preinfusion either, I’m having way too much fun with the paddle)

tobyjrn6

denopa in my experience this varies a lot with where you have your max pump pressure set to. Assuming your max is around 8-9 bar, youre probably totally fine with 200 odd

I have adjusted my max pressure down to just under 7 bar lately and this reduces it further. Unsure if this is going to cause issues (with 200-250 odd supposedly being optimal), but most of what I have read suggests larger issues from having too high a flow. Not so much when it is lower

Curious if @DavecUK has best practice recommendations here, as I am in a bit of a no man’s land at the moment with my paddle set point

DavecUK

tobyjrn6 @DavecUK has best practice recommendations here, as I am in a bit of a no man’s land at the moment with my paddle set point

I do intend to do a video on how I set up my V3, and how to set up a new machine as I do it with the Black V3 I have. The reviews of the Bianca are fairly useless for anything to do with actually setting it up and using it. Just so little time at the moment.

tobyjrn6

DavecUK it would be awesome if you do get a chance, Dave. I am currently sitting with a non zero flow with paddle closed which I’m certain isn’t optimal, but was the only way to get a ‘decent’ flow rate with it fully open. I suspect historic recommended flow rates have been based on a 9bar shot, whereas my opv is set at more like 7.5

DavecUK

tobyjrn6 I’d strongly recommend you put your pump pressure setting to 9 bar against a blind filter. I am also hoping you have not adjusted the expansion valve (what you call OPV) to regulate pressure. The pressure should be adjusted using the pumps balanced bypass screw.

tobyjrn6

DavecUK what is the rationale behind that? Even with very low flow, pressure still tends towards the max allowed pressure once the group is full of water. Is that not so important when you have full control over flow?

That is a very good question. I have adjusted the screw on the right underside of the machine, which i assume is not an OPV but the rotary pumps balanced bypass screw?

Cuprajake

The Bianca come set at near 11bar from factory

Adjustment for the pump

If you want a high flow rate you could adjust the top paddle, however you then won’t be able to block flow off, however I find blocking flow not that useful

DavecUK

tobyjrn6 what is the rationale behind that? Even with very low flow, pressure still tends towards the max allowed pressure once the group is full of water. Is that not so important when you have full control over flow?

You have a restriction on the top of the group (the valve), so a lower max pressure from the pump translates into an overall lower flow from the group for a given valve opening.

e.g. if you set the pump to 6 bar you might have to close the valve significantly to get 6 bar at the group, especially if the coffee is fine. This ends up with a very flow rate. With a max of 9 bar, you may well close down the valve to regulate the pressure…but you will get that better flow rate.

It’s hard to explain.

Cuprajake

That’s the bypass screw.

Opv inside the machine with lid off

I prefer to alter peak pressure with grind size personally, but I’m not hitting many 9 bar shots atm

tobyjrn6

Cuprajake yeah i should probably have adjusted the way i think about this by now to be fair. What is your go to recipe/method right now?

I have to strike some balance between modern shots & using the paddle vs making it reasonably point and shoot for the girlfriend’s milky lattes. (Maximum 1 paddle movement through the shot or she can’t really be bothered with learning every time i decide to change anything)

Cuprajake

I’m exactly the same Mrs uses the machine too, so I have a niche zero set for her to just dump beans then I play with the duo for me

She’s learnt to use a puck screen, to flush after use even clean the steam wand haha

Atm I’m on light ish stuff using a Pullman basket, the larger ones 18-22g so I’m dosing 22g, with a bottom paper and puck screen then with the gesha I have 3bar 1:4 - 1:5 at 96oC.

The grinders set at 10 so this gives me wide open flow and a small peak.