Lelit Elizabeth

dfk41

Now, I have only had my machine 48 hours. I am not going to try and convince anyone that it is the missing link in home coffee production, but it does have a couple of things I quite like. Being an ex lever owner of many years standing (although it is 5 years or so since I had an Orchestrale Nota that I really did rate) I tended not to keep up with machines as they came to the market. A couple of features I like about the LE……being a twin boiler you can switch off the steam boiler yet press a button and instantly get a mug full of water through the hot water outlet. Drinking non milk based americano for breakfast this is useful. I like the management dial. As soon as you pull a shot it changes to a timer. There are two buttons that many will be able to program that as opposed to the usual one cup two cup buttons, each provides a style of shot (that you can alter at will). By that I mean button one gives a 3 second pump activation that then cuts out for 6 seconds to pre infuse then pulls the shot. Button two is simlar but the delay from memory is 13 seconds so the pre infusion becomes more of a bloom. The buttons are needed to be pressed on and off so scales are needed. But, the distance from the drip tray cover to the pf allows you to stand a mug on scales that a lot of machines cannot accommodate. The pf is really good quality. You only get one yet the twin spouts are close enough together to fit into an espresso cup or wide enough apart to get two cups under.
It is a simple machine as long as you do not enter the menu system since there are so many programable options. That is what exactly appealed to me, simplicity. I could in reality have bought any of the machines that are regularly purchased by many members but I have long held the belief that a barista makes the coffee. The machine and grinder just facilitate that. Will I still own the machine in 4 years. My wife would like to think so!

HarveyMushman

I really believe the simple machines are the best.

Along with some good beans, a bit of careful prep and you’ve got everything you need! Also less to go wrong!

dndrich

Mine is over 3 years old and it has been a wonderful workhorse. It fits nicely under the cabinet, and has so many well thought out features. Agreed. Enjoy!

Inspector

Did you apply Dave’s settings? Do you feel any difference in taste comparing to Leva with same beans?

dfk41

Inspector No settings changed yet! It is all too much for my scrambled brain to deal with! I can just about remember how to switch the steam boiler off! I tried to follow instructions as to how to switch the display between brew and steam……maybe I will try that another day! I remember something about short press the minus till the spanner shows, then brain fog! I am not going to compare the shots from the 2 machines. I always say I produce 2 sorts of coffee. Those I drink and those I sink! So far I have enjoyed the coffee it produces but it takes time to learn any machine, for me anyway. I am a firm believe that the narrower deeper puck on the Leva will produce a deeper richer flavour as the coffee has a deeper bed to work its way through.
At the moment, all is well and I am quite happy! I would love to stick 4 or 5 of the popular 58mm machines together and see if there is a great deal of difference between what they produce…..but that will never happen…….there again I am going in for a replacement half knee on Monday. My wife is having to go for respite care for three weeks. Say the week commencing 21st if anyone wants to bing their machine round, as long as we tidy up no one will ever know!

Adrianmsmith

dfk41 I would love to stick 4 or 5 of the popular 58mm machines together and see if there is a great deal of difference

When i swapped from sage dual boiler the only difference was steam power and the looks and mode of operation. The coffee eas the same.

As with the Elizabeth its much better looking than the sage and should he better engineered but in the cup……. Honestly the same as you are hinting. Aot of the choice is down to look, feel, life expectancy and engineering.. .

Never owned Elizabeth. Looks great (especially in red).

dfk41

Adrianmsmith Never owned Elizabeth. Looks great (especially in red).

Who told you I was considering wrapping it…..!

dfk41

Can I ask a question to those who use paper discs. I have seen one or two put the disc in the bottom of the basket and I wondered why. On a pump machine, I thought the idea was to place the disc on top of the prepared puck to stop coffee being sucked back. Is there a right and wrong please?
Also, the only thing I can say I really dislike, is the steam knob. I would dearly love to replace it with something nicer as I feel it lets the side down. I am not a great frequenter of other internet forums etc so I wondered if anyone had seen anything posted on this?

Adrianmsmith

dfk41

Ive heard say that paper on the bottom makes for clarity by holding back the fines.

Not got around to trying it….. yet.

(Still doing rdt though 😎🤪) Nearly bored of that now …..

Cuprajake

Will also speed the shot up making a paper sandwich

Harder to wdt though.

Uncletits

https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/762-lelit-elizabeth-new-steam-knob

A couple of suggestions here, although I looked and just kept the original.

Jason1wood

What about something like this? Sure someone can 3D print a handle

dfk41

Thanks to all those who replied. I am just sitting down for the first time today. I am going in for a replacement knee operation tomorrow and have had a long list to get through. I started to google this topic this morning and it seems many others agree and there seems to be plenty of options. Once I have found what I am looking for I will post it

dfk41

https://www.etsy.com/ie/listing/1445522351/new-model-metal-upgraded-lelit-elizabeth?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=lelit+elizabeth+new+model+metal&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&pro=1&content_source=de3574a2724b75fc62b08d282cda966f71520c02%253A1445522351&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=de3574a2724b75fc62b08d282cda966f71520c02%3A1445522351

dfk41

I ordered the above pf handle and steam knob. They were not cheap! I now need to source a nice quality bottomless that does not use thread locker!
Am I right in thinking a Bianca pf will fir the Elizabeth ok?

dfk41

I managed to find an OEM Lelit pf with a black ebony handle and single and double baskets, used but in good nick for £34. I am not really bothered with a bottomless so that is me sorted!

HarveyMushman

Hope the knee op goes ok!

Adrianmsmith

HarveyMushman

Yes, good luck @dfk41

If you feel up to it id (purely in a selfish way) love to hear how it goes.

Is this your first?

dfk41

Adrianmsmith @HarveyMushman @Elcarajillo Many thanks for your thoughts! It is my first one. I really ought to have had it done 10 years ago but better late than never I suppose. I have a 3 week windw to get myself fit enough to be able to start caring for my wife 24/7 again….so, I will have to do as I am told!

Elcarajillo

Best of luck with the knee Dave. Behave your self and do as you are told !!!!!???