Lelit Elizabeth Overview

Here are the key takeaways of Lelit Elizabeth V3 and its newest features:

• Extraction time counter allows users to view a real time readout on the LCC.
• The coffee boiler temperature now goes up to 110 degrees C (230 degrees F).
• Economy mode allows users to disable the steam boiler at the push of the minus sign for 3 seconds. If the “E” lights up, then the machine is in Economy Mode. When you want to get out of Economy Mode, then hold the minus sign for 3 seconds again.
• When the water stops coming out during an espresso shot, reserve mode is engaged. Users don't have to waste espresso in order to complete the extraction. A tap time icon is displayed next to the brewing time icon on the LCC display. For the remaining 60 seconds, coffee is brewed. LCC displays an icon representing "lack of water" when the supply runs out.
• For low-pressure pre-infusion, steam temperature can be lowered to 115 degrees C (239 degrees F) from 135 degrees C (275 degrees F).
• Pushing the "plus" button displays the real temperature. The first is the temperature at which the coffee is extracted. Steam temperature is the second factor.
• Using the automatic purge, users are able to achieve an ideal temperature for extraction by using a cooling flush. By pressing the Coffee Button 1 and Coffee Button 2 simultaneously, users can turn on the function before the brewing phase. An icon for "dropping" will appear. Depending on the function, the duration can vary between one second and six seconds. The set-up value is five seconds.
• The coffee blooming process increases the temperature of the pre-infusion for the espresso extraction by adding water from the tank to the pre-infusion during phase 1 (without the steam boiler on). In the technical menu, click on "BLS1" (or "BLS2"). You can set the coffee blooming time between 1 and 10 seconds. When you make a coffee with the pre-infusion preset, the coffee blooming function is activated automatically.
• It is possible to do pre-infusion without using a steam boiler with pump blooming 1 and 2. While using the pump power, users can add water to the tank. Click on the minus sign and choose "BLP1" (or "BLP2") from the technical menu. It is possible to set the pump blooming time between 1 and 10 seconds.
• In order to make a coffee with this function on, the steam boiler needs to be turned off and the pump blooming function needs to be turned on.
• Rather than using a plastic cross fitting, the new one is made of metal.
• A new expansion valve has been installed above the coffee boiler for user convenience.
• New anti-vacuum valve and a plastic pipette, which will direct water from the anti-vacuum valve to the drip tray.
• An improvement over older versions is the new temperature probe and level probe.
• Removal of old valve for self-starting pump.

By pressing the "minus" button, you can access a number of functions. You can scroll through various parameters with the "minus" button, and when you see one you want to change, press the "plus" button to select it, then use the "minus" and "plus" buttons to change the value. The machine will return to the home screen if no button is pressed for a few seconds. You can also use the "minus" button as a shortcut to quickly switch steam boiler on or off, by pressing it down and holding for three seconds.

Via the same LCC you can change the temperature of the coffee and steam boilers.

Both buttons on the Lelit Elizabeth can be programmed to have a different shot time. When the programmed time has elapsed, the espresso shot will end. An example would be if you program 35 seconds, the shot will stop 35 seconds after the button is pressed. The pre-infusion period is included in the total time. As an example, a 10 second pre-infusion with a shot time of 30 seconds will still take 30 seconds in total, 10 of which will be pre-infusion.

Pre-infusion times can be set in a similar manner as the temperature and shot times above. A pre-infusion lasts for this amount of time. The pre-infusion time also includes the pump on time (set in the advanced menu). For instance, you might set the pump on time to 3 seconds on the advanced menu for pre-infusion and the total pre-infusion time to 10 seconds. After the first 3 seconds, the pump will stop for the next 7 seconds. Following that, the pump starts again to complete the shot. Each shot time includes the pre-infusion time.

To begin programming the pre-infusion hit the “minus” button five times for button 1 and six times for button 2. From here it works the same way as the above guides for shot timer and temperature.

• Standby function can be toggled on and off by switching the machine on while holding in coffee button 2. Standby mode allows the user to power down the machine after a preset period (30 minutes). A feature of most modern espresso machines. Once this mode is on the water button LED will flash.
• You can purge water through the grouphead by pressing coffee button 1 and 2 at the same time. This is useful for cleaning purposes.
• An automatic backflush routine can be activated by pressing coffee button 1 and the hot water button at the same time. This will allow the unit to automatically perform backflushes when using detergent in a blind portafilter.

• You can scroll through the list by pressing the "minus" button. "Plus" and "minus" buttons are used to change the value selected. Once you have changed a value, wait for it to stop flashing and be confirmed before pressing “minus” to continue.

• In most cases, you will only have to go into the advanced menu a few times to check your settings and set the preferred times for certain settings. We DO NOT recommend changing settings you aren’t familiar with. In most cases, you won't need to enter advanced settings again once you have chosen what you like.

• It's possible to lose your customized settings if you have a software update, or if your machine is serviced. If you have any preferences, you need to keep a track of them somewhere safe.

• Steam pressure pre-infusion and bloom pre-infusion can be automatically selected based on whether the steam boiler is on or off, or its temperature if it’s too low. This is controlled by the EVS value. Both types of pre-infusion are available if the electrovalve is on.

• When 0 is set for this electrovalve, steam pre-infusion is disabled regardless of the on/off state of the steam boiler. Only bloom pre-infusion will be performed on the machine.

• For steam pre-infusion, you can control how long the pump runs. Whenever a pre-infusion time is set in LCC, the pump time is included. For example, if BLS1 is 3 and button 1 is set for a 10 second pre-infusion. Three seconds pass and then seven seconds pass before the pump stops. Steam boiler pressure continues the pre-infusion when the pump stops. The boiler will be filled with more superheated water if the value is below 3 seconds. Warning: Using a value higher than 4 seconds might push too much water through the coffee.

• For BLS1 & BLS2, 3 to 4 seconds is advised. When this setting is used, considerably less superheated water will enter the brew boiler. Your main goal is to fill the headspace above the coffee before the pump stops, after which steam pressure takes over. The push of steam allows small amounts of liquid to enter the brew boiler but does not affect stability.

• Whenever a pre-infusion time is set in LCC, the pump time is included. For example if BLP1 is 5 and button 1 is set for a 12 second pre-infusion, then the pump runs for 5 seconds and then stops for 7 seconds. As soon as the pump stops, it leaves the coffee to bloom. By doing so, you can extract additional flavors.

• For a single basket, you can choose a lower value and for a double basket, a higher value. The bloom phase will not be optimal if you use fewer than 4. Pre-infusing the coffee puck with brew water before the pump turns off is key to this process.
• It is recommended not to use pre-infusion functions during the cleaning process of the brew boiler to prevent undesirable results. We recommend setting the maximum value to 6 because less than 6 is not as effective.

• To avoid electrical damage to this espresso machine which is not considered a manufacturer's defect, please acquire and install a single-outlet surge suppressor rated at 1080 joules or higher. the lack of the recommended surge suppressor, the espresso machine can be damaged at the power switch, the electronics, the heating element, the pressurestat or the wiring inside.

• To increase the useful life of and not damage your espresso machine, please use softened water. Softened water is water without calcium and without magnesium, but still has other minerals for espresso extraction. Do not use distilled water, purified water, nor reverse osmosis water as these types of water create oxidation with the metals and cause the same damaging effects as limescale.

• We do not recommend descaling unless there is an issue with the espresso machine. The reason is that too much descaling can eat away at the metals and gaskets inside an espresso machine.

• 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”.

Quick Tips

• You might want to switch the steam boiler, if it is operated on a timer, to the ECO setting.
• We recommend cleaning the unit weekly. Quickly brush the shower screen after each brew.
• When using very hard water, be sure to change the included water filter more often.
• You can remove the gauze filter on the water inlet pipe in the water tank if it rattles.
• We recommend using 16g of coffee for the Lelit Elizabeth.
• On a brand new unit, the portafilter tends to fit very tight when locked into the grouphead. After some time the gasket will loosen and locking in will be easier.
• Some coffees may require different steam pre-infusion, bloom pre-infusion and brew temperature settings.
• As with most espresso machines, a quality grinder is very important and the Lelit Elizabeth is no exception. The Lelit William is our choice.