Posted Thu Dec 31, 2009, 5:21pm Subject: Re: Le'Lit PL041
LambTaco Said:
Yeah, I talked to a CliveCoffee representative and she said that LeLit's US distributor is completely out of the PL041's, so no one can get them until the new models arrive in March.
Yeah that's too bad. Imo you can't really beat it at that price point if you're buying new. Next step up would be a Gaggia Classic which you could get for like $20 more from Costco or the current deal at WLL. Main thing I like about the Le'Lit is the smaller form factor and the brass boiler, plus I think it's a more attractive piece. That's just judging from pictures, of course, as I have no machine as of yet.
zircote Senior Member Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Posts: 59 Location: Valley Forge, PA Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Fiorenzato Bricoletta Grinder: Pro M Roaster: Behmoor
Posted Fri Jan 1, 2010, 11:20am Subject: Re: Le'Lit PL041
You should try 1st Line http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/lelit/PL041.htm They say they have the new model Shipping included I do not use the LeLit PLO41 but have the LeLit grinder Purchased from 1st Line Nice people, good service
Posted Fri Jan 1, 2010, 11:31am Subject: Re: Le'Lit PL041
zircote Said:
You should try 1st Line http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/lelit/PL041.htm They say they have the new model Shipping included I do not use the LeLit PLO41 but have the LeLit grinder Purchased from 1st Line Nice people, good service
Posted Mon Jan 4, 2010, 1:59pm Subject: Re: Le'Lit PL041
It's good to hear that the LeLit line is doing so well. I bought my PL041 from Clive about 6 months ago and the Lelit grinder from 1st Line about 4 months ago. I love them both and have had no trouble what so ever. If you can wait until March, I think it is well worth it.
boredatwork Senior Member Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 77 Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Jan 4, 2010, 5:48pm Subject: Re: Le'Lit PL041
Are there any other 57mm portafilters that will fit the Lelit? Right now 1stline is out of stock of the Lelit 57mm portafilter, so I am wondering if there are any other ones I can buy?
As for naked, I just sent off my portafilter to Espresso Parts NW to have them chop of the bottom. It's 25$ plus return shipping. You send it out to them and then they send it back to you. Another option is to drill it out yourself, but the cost of a drill bit it probably the same as what I paid to have it done for me.
As far as I know, no triple baskets are available that fit the Le'Lit's 57mm portafilter.
I know for sure that the Synesso triples don't fit (I took my portafilter to Espresso Parts when I lived in Olympia, Washington), nor do the triple baskets that come with Rancilio e61 bottomless portafilters (I own one and use it with my Brewtus II).
My experience with the PL041 was that the "sweet spot" of its double basket was a 14-17 gram dose. Shot quality did not benefit by updosing further. As I recall, the Le'Lit double basket can be updosed to hold 20 grams of ground coffee. At that level, however, the grounds are pressed up against the dispersion screen, which may account for the lack of improvement.
Posted Fri Jan 8, 2010, 11:44am Subject: Re: Le'Lit PL041
Thanks for the reply,
I would agree with the overdosing comment. I normally dose at 16 grams and I grind finer and tamp at 5-15# depending on which coffee I'm having. If I grind a little coarser, over dose to 20 grams and tamp harder, I can fill the basket to within about 1/8" of the basket rim. If I lock the basket in and then remove it, the protruding nut on the spray nozzle holding the group head screen in place has broken the top of the puck.
Oh well, Just tinkering. I still am awfully happy with my double shots of Klatch Belle Espresso.
I even get a full rich crema with the Klatch Decaf Espresso.
Posted Fri Jan 8, 2010, 12:46pm Subject: Re: Le'Lit PL041
LambTaco Said:
My only hesitation is that I have read about problems with new machines leaking internally and also leaky steam-wands that become worse with time. I have read the internal leaking from the steam-wand valve is an easy fix with 2 rubber o-rings but it still is annoying that such a defect exists in new machines.
My (much older) version eventually leaked at the boiler weld. Then again, I got it used from a friend who bought it used and it then gave me almost four good years of service before this occurred. Not bad, I would say. I also had a leaky steam wand but a $1 O-ring from the hardware store fixed that quckly.
billherbst Said:
My experience with the PL041 was that the "sweet spot" of its double basket was a 14-17 gram dose. Shot quality did not benefit by updosing further. As I recall, the Le'Lit double basket can be updosed to hold 20 grams of ground coffee. At that level, however, the grounds are pressed up against the dispersion screen, which may account for the lack of improvement.
boredatwork Senior Member Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 77 Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Jan 11, 2010, 6:35pm Subject: Re: Le'Lit PL041
digger Said:
Thanks for the reply,
I would agree with the overdosing comment. I normally dose at 16 grams and I grind finer and tamp at 5-15# depending on which coffee I'm having. If I grind a little coarser, over dose to 20 grams and tamp harder, I can fill the basket to within about 1/8" of the basket rim. If I lock the basket in and then remove it, the protruding nut on the spray nozzle holding the group head screen in place has broken the top of the puck.
Oh well, Just tinkering. I still am awfully happy with my double shots of Klatch Belle Espresso.
I even get a full rich crema with the Klatch Decaf Espresso.
It makes me feel better than the crema in those shots is pretty light. I think I have been struggling with light crema, but I am starting to wonder if this is just a characteristic of this machine.
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