Lelit Elizabeth brass and safety

starlord

Hi all! I was wondering if there were any particular concerns regarding lead safety levels for the Elizabeth boiler and if anyone has done a lead test on a shot?

Having read some other forums:

“The upper part of the boiler, is made of CW510L alloy (OT57-free-lead brass), having the 0.2% max of lead (value within the limits approved according to the DIN 50930-6 regulations), and the lower part is made of OT58 brass but a chrome surface processing (Stecrhome type- NSF regulation conformity) is performed, to reduce the lead migration. The fittings are in brass with nickel treatment, and the S valves are made of brass OT58 – “CW617N”.”

Considering looking at the Bianca for the stainless steel boiler but saw that the E61 group head is also brass! (anyone able to confirm this?)

Can’t seem to run away from it!

DavecUK

starlord Hi all! I was wondering if there were any particular concerns regarding lead safety levels for the Elizabeth boiler and if anyone has done a lead test on a shot?

No and no….I don’t think there is any real risk….The Elizabeth Boiler is zero lead brass, so the 0.2% lead content is the lowest you will get.

If you are personally very concerned, then the Vesvuvius Evo Leva uses Zero Lead Brass (lowest lead levels available) in the piston, of which only a small part touches the water and a stainless steel piston liner….If you use a bottomless portafilter, then the basket is steel, so brass contact with water is the absolute minimum it’s possible to have.

Note: using a bottomless portafilter means no real coffee contact with the chromed brass portafilter….

starlord

Thanks Dave for the quick response!

Would you recommend any other machines that have stainless steel boilers + group heads?
Looks like the Linea mini ticks that box but it is quite a bit of a stretch from my price point :)

DavecUK

starlord Plenty with stainless steel boilers, not really many with stainless steel group heads…I didn’t know the LMLM had a stainless steel group head. If it does and you are unduly worried about this, it would seem to be the machine that ticks all the fear boxes for you.

If that’s your idea of a machine you will be happy with…go for it.

Other machines that use Stainless Boilers and Groups of 0.25% brass (or Zero lead Brass as it is called). All ACS machines

Minima
Vesuvius Pressure profiling
Vesuvius Evo Leva

Manufacturers machines I think use it are also ECM and I believe Profitec, also use 0.25% brass. I am sure Michael mentioned to me they did. ACS has been using 0.25% brass for these groups over for more than 2 years now. Zero Lead brass (0.25) is considered to be fine.