sparkyjava Senior Member Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 7 Location: Columbus, OH Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: L'el.it Grinder: TBD Drip: Melitta 4 cup
Posted Mon Nov 17, 2003, 8:25am Subject: L'el.it
Anyone have any information on the L'el.it machines currently on Ebay? Their website provides some info on the machines they make, but obviously nothing objective as far as quality, etc.
Just curious, since I'm in the market for a new machine and at the price they are listed, I thought it was worth at least asking the question.
jim_schulman Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 3,772 Location: Chicago Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Mon Nov 17, 2003, 1:28pm Subject: Re: L'el.it
The topic was just discussed on alt.coffee. I mis'id'ed the machine as a small Isomac, but it turns out to be a lot more exciting: a rebadged Quaha, the first availbale in the States - 12 ounce boiler and 57mm group - at a killer price.
Alan Frew thinks very highly of these machines, and regards them as the best entry level espreso machines, better than the Gaggia or Solis. You can see more on his website or the articles he'swritten here.
sparkyjava Senior Member Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 7 Location: Columbus, OH Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: L'el.it Grinder: TBD Drip: Melitta 4 cup
Posted Mon Nov 17, 2003, 2:22pm Subject: Re: L'el.it
Jim: Thanks for the information. Pretty interesting stuff. I thought the description was intriguing - brass boiler, three thermostats - but I wasn't sure how accurate it was. Your post would certain relieve a good deal of my apprehension, since I had already stumbled onto Alan's site and his fondness for Quaha. I'm assuming then that their quality is reasonable and their operation is not too difficult for a relative rookie?
You're as safe as it ever gets on the quality part. However, given Italian espresso machine QC standards, you'll want to make sure the seller has spare parts, especially group gaskets, which are an odd size (otherwise you'll have to bum them off Alan). The other breakable parts (several years down the line), i.e. pump and thermostats, are widely available.
About operation: good espresso is never as easy as bad espresso. You'll have to discover the temperature surf that gets you the best shot, and you'll need to have a good grinder to get solid extraction (the built in Lux grinders on some of the models are reputed to be good but noisey). So expect to spend some time before you hit on a routine that works well; but also expect the effort to be rewarded, since this machine can pull good shots. Most of the skills you'll build (judging taste, shot quality, the pour, frothing, etc.) will transfer to any other machine you ever use.
sparkyjava Senior Member Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 7 Location: Columbus, OH Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: L'el.it Grinder: TBD Drip: Melitta 4 cup
Posted Tue Nov 18, 2003, 7:02am Subject: Re: L'el.it
Jim: Thanks for the suggestion and for your help - I appreciate it. I went ahead and purchased the L'el.it on Ebay, so I will keep you posted on how it performs. As you say, it will take some practice to get things right, but I am looking forward to the 'work'!
Posted Tue Nov 18, 2003, 7:20am Subject: Re: L'el.it
I was the original poster on alt.coffe who asked about the Lelit machines. After getting all the helpful responses, I got one too. Mine is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.
1st line is going to be carrying the Lelit machines too. I e-mailed them as to when they would have them, and was told that due to production delays, they wont have them until Jan. They are going to carry two machines and a grinder. I'll be interested in seeing more feedback on these machines.
I suppose I should get busy roasting in preparation for my new arrival tomorrow. Scott
Posted Wed Nov 19, 2003, 8:04pm Subject: Re: L'el.it
The machine arived today, and I spent a little time checking it out. This machine replaced a Krups Gusto for me, so that's all I can compare it to.
Brews at 199° without any surfing(the gusto brewed at 179° before surfing it). I measured the temp using the thermometer in a styrofoam cup. The boiler once filled, heats up very quickly. The whole machine, including portafilter seems to heat up very fast...a few minutes even. I let it warm up for about 20 before pulling any shots. The first few shots were done using some of the pound of pre-ground that I got with the machine. They poured very fast, and were thrown out without tasting them. The grind was too coarse...about a 15 sec. pour. with no crema at all. I then used my home roast and got a decent shot, about 22 sec, with a lot a crema. Didn't taste too bad at all.
I then tried out the steaming ability of the machine. This machine steams way faster than the Gusto ever did. Took about half as long to get up to steaming temp too. Only took about 30 seconds for the light to go out. There is plenty of steam available for frothing. I did 8oz of milk in about ~20 seconds(lost track of time cause I was keeping an eye on the temp) This thing steams so much faster than the Gusto, it's not even funny. It's going to take some time to get used to.
The water tank is huge compared to the gusto....I didn't measure the volume of it though.
All in all, it seems like a very good machine for the money, I'll spend more time going over it...no matter how much espresso I have to make in the name of research!!! My girfriend said the latte I made for her was the best one she's had yet...she's a good tester.
I pulled the top off to check things out, and took a few pics too. I'll attach those....
sparkyjava Senior Member Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 7 Location: Columbus, OH Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: L'el.it Grinder: TBD Drip: Melitta 4 cup
Posted Thu Nov 20, 2003, 7:09am Subject: Re: L'el.it
Scott: You're killin' me man - I have to wait until tomorrow until I get mine!!!
Seriously though, thanks for the review, it makes me feel a lot better about the 'leap' I took. But with all the info here on coffeegeek.com, especially the detailed input provided by another_jim, it seemed like a risk worth taking.
One question - how are the instructions? I was 'amused' by their website - the english translation of the description of their machines was rough at best. Just curious how the instructions translated.
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