Lelit Elizabeth: An In-Depth Review

The Lelit Elizabeth is a top-tier espresso machine designed for home baristas and small cafes who are looking for a compact yet powerful machine that can deliver professional-quality espresso with precise control. Known for its elegant design, dual-boiler system, and cutting-edge features, the Lelit Elizabeth offers excellent performance and a truly customizable espresso experience. This review will cover the machine’s key features, performance, design, and overall usability.

Introduction

The Lelit Elizabeth is a dual-boiler espresso machine equipped with advanced features that allow you to create espresso beverages with precision and consistency. It is built to satisfy the needs of coffee enthusiasts who are serious about their espresso, providing both exceptional quality and ease of use. The Elizabeth is a true representation of Lelit’s philosophy, blending professional-grade components with modern design to create a machine that is ideal for home use or small commercial environments.

Design and Build Quality

The Lelit Elizabeth is crafted from high-quality stainless steel, giving it a sleek and professional appearance. Its clean lines and modern aesthetic make it an attractive addition to any kitchen or coffee bar. Despite being a compact machine, the Elizabeth has been designed to accommodate a range of advanced features while still maintaining a user-friendly interface.

Key Features:

• Premium Stainless Steel Construction: The Elizabeth features a robust, stainless steel body that is resistant to wear and tear. This ensures that the machine maintains its attractive appearance over time while also being durable enough for regular use.
• Compact Design: While featuring a dual-boiler system, the Elizabeth manages to keep a relatively small footprint. With dimensions of 30 cm (11.8 inches) in width, 45 cm (17.7 inches) in depth, and 40 cm (15.7 inches) in height, it is compact enough for most home coffee setups and small cafes, without sacrificing performance.
• Sleek, Modern Aesthetic: The Lelit Elizabeth combines modern, minimalistic styling with a solid and sturdy feel. The design is user-centric, with easy access to the main controls and components.
• Ergonomically Placed Controls: The controls of the Elizabeth are intuitively placed on the front of the machine, allowing users to easily adjust the settings during espresso brewing and milk frothing. This makes the machine user-friendly, even for those new to espresso-making.

Dual-Boiler System and PID Control

One of the standout features of the Lelit Elizabeth is its dual-boiler system. This allows for independent temperature control for both the brew and steam boilers. The dual-boiler setup enables you to brew espresso and froth milk simultaneously, without having to wait for the boiler to switch between brewing and steaming modes. The addition of PID temperature control ensures precise temperature management for both boilers.

Key Features:

• Dual Boilers for Simultaneous Brewing and Steaming: The Lelit Elizabeth features separate boilers for brewing espresso and steaming milk. The brew boiler is dedicated solely to espresso extraction, while the steam boiler handles milk frothing. This separation allows for a seamless workflow, where you can brew a shot of espresso and steam milk at the same time.
• PID Temperature Control: The machine’s PID controller offers precise and consistent temperature regulation for both the brewing and steaming boilers. PID control is essential for maintaining stable water temperature during espresso extraction, ensuring that every shot is extracted at the ideal temperature for the best flavor and consistency.
• Quick Recovery Time: The dual-boiler system in the Elizabeth ensures a quick recovery time between brewing and steaming. Once you’ve pulled an espresso shot, you can immediately froth your milk without waiting for the machine to reheat, which is crucial for making multiple drinks in a short amount of time.

Performance and Brewing Quality

The Lelit Elizabeth is capable of producing espresso shots that rival those made by commercial machines. The combination of its E61 group head, dual-boiler system, and PID temperature control allows for precise and repeatable results with every shot. Additionally, the machine’s steam wand performs exceptionally well, delivering creamy microfoam for cappuccinos, lattes, and other milk-based drinks.

Key Features:

• E61 Group Head: The Elizabeth is equipped with the renowned E61 group head, which ensures excellent heat retention and temperature stability. This is crucial for maintaining consistent extraction temperatures, leading to evenly extracted espresso shots with rich crema and well-rounded flavor.
• PID-Controlled Brewing Temperature: With the PID system, you can easily adjust the brewing temperature to suit different coffee types and beans. Maintaining the right temperature is key to unlocking the full flavor potential of your coffee, and the Elizabeth provides the flexibility to do so.
• Consistent Pressure: The rotary pump in the Elizabeth ensures consistent pressure throughout the extraction process, which is vital for achieving optimal espresso flavor. The rotary pump also operates more quietly than vibratory pumps, making it a great choice for home users who prefer a quieter brewing experience.
• Powerful Steam Wand: The Lelit Elizabeth’s steam wand is designed to produce dense, silky microfoam for milk-based drinks. It is highly responsive and provides excellent control over steam pressure, allowing users to create latte art and froth milk to perfection.

Ease of Use

While the Lelit Elizabeth is packed with professional features, it is also designed to be user-friendly. The machine’s interface is simple and intuitive, and its controls are strategically placed for easy access. This makes the Elizabeth an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced baristas.

Key Features:

• Digital Display: The Elizabeth features a clear digital display that shows the temperatures of both the brew and steam boilers. This allows users to monitor the temperature at all times and make adjustments as needed. The display also provides important operational feedback, such as when the machine is ready for use.
• Push-Button Operation: The Lelit Elizabeth’s interface includes simple push buttons for activating the brew cycle, steam, and hot water functions. There is no need for complicated programming or settings – just press a button and you’re ready to go.
• Manual and Semi-Automatic Functions: The Elizabeth can be used in both manual and semi-automatic modes. In manual mode, users have complete control over the espresso shot, allowing them to experiment with pre-infusion times, flow rates, and shot volume. In semi-automatic mode, users can program shot volumes for convenience, making it easy to prepare consistent shots of espresso every time.
• Ergonomic Design: The machine’s design ensures that all essential controls are within easy reach, so users don’t have to stretch or move around the machine while making coffee. The ergonomic layout helps streamline the espresso-making process.

Maintenance and Care

The Lelit Elizabeth is built to last, but like any espresso machine, it requires regular maintenance to ensure it continues performing at its best. The machine’s high-quality construction makes it relatively easy to clean and maintain, and its user-friendly features help simplify the process.

Maintenance Tasks:

• Backflushing the Group Head: The E61 group head requires periodic backflushing to remove coffee oils and residue. This is a simple process that helps keep the group head clean and ensures consistent extraction.
• Descaling: The dual-boiler system requires regular descaling to prevent the buildup of mineral deposits. The machine has an accessible water reservoir and boiler design that makes descaling straightforward.
• Cleaning the Steam Wand: The steam wand should be wiped down after each use to remove milk residue. This prevents milk buildup inside the wand and ensures smooth operation.
• Replacing Seals and Gaskets: Over time, the seals and gaskets in the group head and steam wand may wear out. Regular inspection and replacement of these components will help keep the machine in optimal working condition.

Pros and Cons of Lelit Elizabeth

Pros:

• Dual-Boiler System: Allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming.
• PID Control: Ensures precise temperature control for brewing and steaming.
• E61 Group Head: Offers excellent heat retention and consistency.
• Compact Design: Fits well in both home and small cafe environments.
• User-Friendly: Simple controls, digital display, and ergonomic design make it easy to use.
• Powerful Steam Wand: Creates dense, creamy microfoam for milk-based drinks.
• Consistent Performance: Rotary pump and PID controller deliver consistent results.

Cons:

• Price: The Lelit Elizabeth is one of the more expensive home espresso machines on the market.
• Size: Although compact for a dual-boiler machine, it may still take up significant counter space.
• Learning Curve: Some beginners may need time to get used to the flow and pressure controls, especially when adjusting PID settings.

Conclusion

The Lelit Elizabeth is a top-tier espresso machine that offers an incredible balance of performance, design, and ease of use. Whether you’re a home barista or a small cafe owner, the Elizabeth’s dual-boiler system, E61 group head, PID control, and powerful steam wand make it a fantastic choice for producing high-quality espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls and compact design ensure that you can create professional-level coffee with ease, making it a worthy investment for any coffee enthusiast.