Neeed a new machine.

JRW666

Hi all,

I currently have the Lelit Victoria, served me well for 3 years now but I have never been able to remove the shower screen to clean it, the screw won’t budge so regularly back flushed but now water still running a little brown.

Attempting to undo the screw has resulted in it rounding off and I’m so pee’d off with the thing I gonna scrap it and get something new!

So what would you recommend? Counter space a issue so nothing big n bulky. OK with single boiler to keep price down, but ideally less than £1000.

Something well built, the less maintenance the better so rather not a E61 group.

Had a Sage in past, ok but rather something less plastic and more durable.

Usually buy from Bella Barista for the great customer service, but doesn’t seem to be much choice these days.

But just give up and go with filter coffee.

MediumRoastSteam

JRW666 - the Victoria has a very similar group to the Elizabeth - if not the same. You could try and contact Bella Barista - maybe they will have a screw for you if you can get it out. Aside from, the screw, there isn’t anything holding that screen other than gunk. I remember removing the dispersion plate (the block behind the screen) was difficult - but it was never a real problem. But from what you are saying, you cannot even remove the screen… oh dear.

Anyway…

Profitec Go is the alternative in the UK - if you are set on single boiler machines. Or… if you want to jump to the next level, Elizabeth (think it’s 1.1k) is the natural step up, or the E61 MaraX which is similarly priced - but you are not so keen on E61 which is understandable.

DavecUK

JRW666 Keep your eye out for a used ACS Minima…should be within your budget and the solenoid E61 group is very low maintenance.

Doram

JRW666 Attempting to undo the screw has resulted in it rounding off and I’m so pee’d off with the thing I gonna scrap it and get something new!

Even if you end up with a new machine, if otherwise the machine is working I wouldn’t scrap it for a striped screw. If you have access to a Dremel or similar, maybe it’s possible to cut a groove in the head for a flat head screwdriver? If you can’t do it yourself, maybe find a repair shop that can do it? If you already gave up on the machine then you don’t have much to lose if something gets damaged, but if you save it you’ll have a machine to use or sell.

Cuprajake

https://bellabarista.co.uk/collections/dual-boiler/products/lelit-elizabeth-pl92t-v3

Spend the extra £99

HarveyMushman

Cuprajake https://bellabarista.co.uk/collections/dual-boiler/products/lelit-elizabeth-pl92t-v3

Spend the extra £99

JRW666

Thank you, loving this forum already! I had another attempt getting the screw off, but made it worse and cut my finger open!

Think I might just keep it simple with my Clever Dripper. Hate the Victoria with a passion now!

MediumRoastSteam

Doram - exactly. Get it fixed, and spend the residual value towards a new machine.

dndrich

You can get that screw out of there. Either cut a new slot with a dremel, or get one of those drill bits used to back out stripped screws. They have reverse threads and dig into the stuck screw thereby backing it out. Then clean your screen and replace with a new screw.

JRW666

Well after some brute force….

MediumRoastSteam

JRW666 - That screw is stainless steel and has an hex 5, 4 or 3 METRIC (I can’t remember nor can check as I am not near my machine) - Are you sure you rounded that screw? Did you use the right hex key?

Doram

JRW666 Well after some brute force….

Great result! If you don’t over tighten the screw, and remove the screen often for cleaning (which is a good idea anyway), it shouldn’t be so difficult in the future.

JRW666

Well I tried to take it off to clean not long after purchase. But I thought it was, “tighty righty, lefty loosey”, so probs messed it up then, but it never seemed to turn so thought maybe it shouldn’t so left it and just back flushed, but probably not regularly enough it seems.

The brass part is a grouphead dispersion plate yeah? Spares I’ve found online look different.

Dusk

You could replace the Allen head with Torx screw so it’s less likely to round out again. Though it shouldn’t be too tight anyway!

JRW666

Thanks, always learn the hard way!

DavecUK

JRW666 Thanks, always learn the hard way!

In a way it’s a good job the screen broke, because without removing it ever few weeks for manual cleaning, many of the holes will be permanently blocked. You can Puly cafe flush every 4 to 7 days depending on usage, but that screen has to come down for cleaning every 2 weeks or so depending on usage.

When you get a new screen, also buy the large round silicon O ring as well…keep it as a spare.

You don’t need a new dispersion plate….just make sure the holes are unblocked.

JRW666

Thanks Dave, wheres best place buy the screen and O ring? The brass plate is quite scratched n gouged, will it be ok?

DavecUK

JRW666 Plate will be fine…I would personally ask Bella Barista, if they don’t have it at least they can get it for you.

MediumRoastSteam

@JRW666 - if you don’t have any luck with Bella Barista - let me know. I have all those as spares and I can sell it to you.

Where are you based?

JRW666

MediumRoastSteam

Cheers, UK.

MediumRoastSteam

JRW666 - I figured you are in the UK… But where in the UK? :-)