An outstanding dedicated espresso grinder for under $300.
Positive Product Points
Excellent espresso quality grind Stepless adjustment Grinds directly into portafilter (doserless) Small footprint
Negative Product Points
Long screw makes cleaning difficult (can be modified) Hopper can be bumped easily, prone to cracking/spilling Grounds pitch left into portafilter (not that big of a deal) Oily beans sometimes hang up in hopper (although rare)
Detailed Commentary
I bought this machine as a dedicated espresso grinder after failing to pull drinkable shots with my Baratza Virtuoso (now my drip/press grinder) and reading several favorable reviews here on CoffeeGeek. I scored my LeLit at the introductory price of $199, which has gone up some in the past couple years. The improvement in grind and shot quality was noticeable immediately, and it didn't take long to figure out the quirks of this grinder. As mentioned, the chute has an unnecessarily long screw, which makes it difficult to remove for cleaning. I cut and ground the screw so that it now can be removed easily to clear grounds between coffees. A bit of grounds are retained between shots (~2g), but they are easily swept out with a small brush. A regular porafilter fits easily below the chute, but the grounds are pitched slightly to the left. I compensate by angling the portafilter, and the distribution of the grounds has never been an issue. The hopper does not sit very firmly, and can be knocked off the machine accidentally. The bottom portion of my hopper has become cracked over time, but I often rock the hopper back and forth to remove it rather than pulling straight upward like I should.
Despite its relatively minor quirks, this machine produces an excellent uniform grind, which is the point of an espresso grinder. I pull 2-3 shots a day for a two-person household, and this grinder has served that purpose well for nearly two years now. It's a small machine that should fit in anyone's coffee bar, and comes at a price that won't break the bank. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a comparable espresso grinder at this price.
Buying Experience
Seller has been fantastic. All questions were promptly and politely answered. Shipping was fast, and product was well packaged. Introductory price was awesome.
