Lelit elizabeth user questions

JahLaza

Went to drain down the boiler today by pressing the tap until water stopped coming out, turned the machine off. When I turned back on it didn’t refill, I then realised it was in eco mode. Didn’t refill until I took out of eco mode let it get to temp and press the tap button again. A little worried about brew heating element, although all seems fine. So, did I basically empty the brew boiler and the machine wouldn’t refill until the service boiler called for some? - by pressing the tap again and water level going below probe? Is there a risk there that the brew heating element could be damaged that way or is there protection in there from silly idiots like me (just today like!)?

DavecUK

JahLaza So, did I basically empty the brew boiler and the machine wouldn’t refill until the service boiler called for some? - by pressing the tap again and water level going below probe? Is there a risk there that the brew heating element could be damaged that way or is there protection in there from silly idiots like me (just today like!)?

no you didn’t drain down the brew boiler….that can’t happen…and you will have done no damage to the steam boiler as power is always cut to that element if the water is low. Read this it explains roughly how the system works.

https://sway.office.com/qoXHjmMAg4DeFX8b

MediumRoastSteam

JahLaza - Yeah, what Dave said. Because you use the machine in eco mode, essentially what you did was to draw water from the brew boiler. The brew boiler is always full to the brim, and water leaves the brew boiler either via the group (bottom) of to the hot water tap.

If the machine wasn’t in eco mode, then the same would have applied, with the difference that steam pressure would have pushed water from the steam boiler into the brew boiler, therefore mixing inside the brew boiler and ultimately leaving through the tap.

JahLaza

Cheers, not so clear though - after hot water stopped, I turned off machine, when I turned back on there was no auto fill, no pump action. I pressed the hot water button again but it didn’t do anything. Nothing would work until machine got back to temp and when I then pressed the hot water button the pump activated.

DavecUK

JahLaza It will be fine.

MediumRoastSteam

JahLaza after hot water stopped, I turned off machine, when I turned back on there was no auto fill

That’s fine. The steam boiler was full. There’s no auto fill required. The machine will not auto fill when in eco-mode either.

JahLaza pressed the hot water button again but it didn’t do anything

if the machine was doing it’s warm up cycle, the buttons do not work.

JahLaza Nothing would work until machine got back to temp and when I then pressed the hot water button the pump activated.

yes. As expected. None of the buttons work while the machine is warming up. After the “OK” message is seen in the LCC, then the buttons work.

I honestly don’t think there’s a problem. 😊👍

JahLaza

MediumRoastSteam sorry I was obviously replying at same time as your one here. I was aware of some of that but not all, that all makes perfect sense thanks for the clarification(s). Happy enough there’s no issue thanks you and DavecUK

JahLaza

Well I had one of my best espressos yet out of it afterwards! Dark Brazil 18 in 28 out 22secs, 92*C niche somewhere around 22.real real nice! I was just curious as to how that worked really - draining it while in eco but all good thanks for the replies

MediumRoastSteam

JahLaza draining it while in eco

Just to be clear… if the machine is in eco mode, the only thing you can drain is the tank. 😊

MediumRoastSteam

JahLaza and just to be 100% clear: no water will come out of he steam boiler (e.g.: for draining) if the machine is in eco mode or the water temp in the steam boiler is less than 115C or thereabouts.

JahLaza

MediumRoastSteam thanks, I was uncertain as to the exact journey of water when in eco mode/what I did there, so it’s direct from supply tank to the group boiler. Lsp would prevent any damage in that regard, so, cool thanks

Thomas101

Maybe not asked the right place, but I try.

I remember in one on Dave’s videos on the Elizabeth, he said that when you need hot water, fore ex. Americano, he would not take it from the hot tap on the machine… ? Why not?

JahLaza

Thomas101 to the best of my memory @DavecUK said in general he would not use the hot water tap for this purpose but that the Elizabeth is one of the few machines that you could use it for this due to how the hot water is generated. My guess is that in general you would be putting a lot more water through the machine which should be treated etc., if using for that purpose, whereas you put a lot less water through if you take your hot water from elsewhere, you don’t need it to go through the machine really, it’s more efficient to use a kettle/other heat source, plus the reasons like possible taste issues in some machines. Keep the espresso machine for making espresso, use the kettle/other for heating water. (That’s my understanding anyhow!)

Waitforme

@Thomas101 I think in general it is advised not to use the hot water tap for hot water as the water can be in the boiler for months if not purged regularly.

I used to use the kettle for my Americanos but now use the hw tap as I purge my service boiler water regularly, and on tasting the water it tastes fine.

Thomas101

Waitforme okay Great thanks

How ofte do you purge your service boiler?

MediumRoastSteam

Thomas101 - every 8 weeks.

Waitforme

I do mine every calendar month, easy to remember.