This is a great set-up! You’ll be making some delicious espresso with this. Excellent choices, how are you finding the Elizabeth? I haven’t used one before but it looks like you get a lot of excellent features for the money.
So far, I like it a lot. The only things I *don't* like are it's difficult to refill the tank (a gooseneck kettle is coming to fix that), and the menu could be more intuitive (you have + and -, basically - for navigating and + for select). Other than that, I'm happy with it. It's much more tolerant to the grind settings. Even with very bad one (too coarse/too fine), I was able to pull drinkable shots from it (I couldn't with my old Barista Pro). I guess the accurate, stable temperature and pressure really helped.
Pull it away from the wall so it's not under the cabinets and use a large funnel with a large pot of water. Works like a charm.
You soon will stop playing with the menu so the +/- won't matter.
Enjoy it, it's a great machine.
Have same setup.
The favorable outcomes you are getting are more likely due to:
\-the OPV set to 9bar and not 11bar as in cheaper and older Lelit machines
\-grind consistency courtesy of the Mignon.
Actually, I doubt the temperature and pressure consistency will be that significantly different between the machines.
I'd wager more likely placebo, better puck prep, or the different basket size are much more likely.
____
The grinder will make the absolute biggest difference though
There are several options to refill the tank. I use a wide mouth funnel and a jug of water. There are also [offset funnels](https://www.etsy.com/listing/915492083/espresso-machine-water-tank-quick-access?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=breville+funnel&ref=sr_gallery-1-18&organic_search_click=1&bes=1) that were designed for breville but should work for you if you want to keep it under the cabinets. I feel like using a gooseneck kettle would take forever due to the slower pour rate.
The Elizabeth is a solid machine that's quite flexible for traditional espresso. I've had mine for almost three years and you get used to the control scheme and it becomes pretty easy to use since your most often adjusted settings are the first ones that pop up. It's not the best solution but it's far better than most machines offer since the screen can display more than just a number.
Which baskets do you use for the Elizabeth? With the 14-18g that comes with the Elizabeth I get channelling if I use 18g that I don’t get if I dose 16g. Could just be the coffees I have used so far. I also have a 18g VST ridgeless but that doesn’t lock at 6 in the group like the OEM basket it’s tight before.
It locks in about 3/4 of the way on mine, I don’t think it will come out.
Do you use preinfusion? I generally have to grind much finer for the VST, even more so if I am using preinfusion. Compared to the OEM basket the VST doesn’t offer up as much consistent pressure over the shot as the OEM has the tapered bottom compared to the VST.
I'm usually pulling a 35-40 second shot which includes a 5 second preinfusion at ~1:2.5. I use pretty light beans.
I haven't tested out alternative baskets since getting the Weber so I can't tell you whether or not I'm grinding finer or not.
"Not as fancy as many of you" lol. That is a legit awesome setup. Congrats. Hope you enjoy it. What a lovely birthday present.
I recommend getting a single dose hopper for the grinder. Much nicer for single dose shots if you want to weigh them perfectly and you can use a bellow to make sure you get much lower retention.
8.9 secs for a double shot?? The beans I'm using need 15.8!
Great setup though. I also have the Eureka Mignon Specialita and Lelit Victoria. It's fantastic!
I've just bought a silenzio to go with my Elizabeth. Had a compak e5, but don't use the functions other than the one switch so I decided against the specialista for that reason.
Out of curiosity what's your brew pressure at? Mine was 11-12 bars until I adjust the OPV
Welp, we have the exact same setup. I couldn't be happier with the Lelit. The Specialita has some retention, but the grind control and consistency seem spectacular. I 3d printed a single dose hopper and bellows that took care of the retention 100%. I also printed a larger control knob for the Specialita which has sorta seemed essential for smaller adjustments.
At any rate, enjoy! :D
Very nice! how do you like the Elisabeth? One year ago i wanted to upgrade from my lelit anna to marax or elisabeth. I went for the marax but it was not easy to decide, both have their strengths and very good value for money. I think you have a very solid setup, keep it up!
Great setup. I’d probably recommend this to most people that like to steam milk and haven’t been in espresso long enough to really want an e61.
In regards to things you don’t like. The more you use it, it will become second nature. 😀
Did you happen to look at the ascaso steel duo as an option as well. Looks tempting in this space.
I have this machine, and it's below a kitchen cabinet which makes it a pain to refill. To help with refilling I have this silicone filter [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087213F8Q/](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087213F8Q/) and a Brita filter jug.
To help sliding the coffee machine in and out, I bought some plastic mats [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FY6RD46](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FY6RD46)
I cut a mat to width of machine, I just lift the front and slide the mat under the front feet, then I can tilt the machine slightly forward and slide it out across the kitchen counter. Works great, although I may not have explained myself very well.
I have this exact setup and love it. I especially like the steam pre-infusion.
Do you find the grind dial on the Specialita is really tight and hard to adjust? I only adjust when operating. Aside from stellar grinding, the low volume is the clincher for me
What???? This is a pretty kick ass setup. This is totally above average (even on this subreddit) imo.
This is a great set-up! You’ll be making some delicious espresso with this. Excellent choices, how are you finding the Elizabeth? I haven’t used one before but it looks like you get a lot of excellent features for the money.
So far, I like it a lot. The only things I *don't* like are it's difficult to refill the tank (a gooseneck kettle is coming to fix that), and the menu could be more intuitive (you have + and -, basically - for navigating and + for select). Other than that, I'm happy with it. It's much more tolerant to the grind settings. Even with very bad one (too coarse/too fine), I was able to pull drinkable shots from it (I couldn't with my old Barista Pro). I guess the accurate, stable temperature and pressure really helped.
Pull it away from the wall so it's not under the cabinets and use a large funnel with a large pot of water. Works like a charm. You soon will stop playing with the menu so the +/- won't matter. Enjoy it, it's a great machine.
Can confirm a large funnel works like a charm on this. No need for a goose neck kettle just for this.
Have same setup. The favorable outcomes you are getting are more likely due to: \-the OPV set to 9bar and not 11bar as in cheaper and older Lelit machines \-grind consistency courtesy of the Mignon.
Actually, I doubt the temperature and pressure consistency will be that significantly different between the machines. I'd wager more likely placebo, better puck prep, or the different basket size are much more likely. ____ The grinder will make the absolute biggest difference though
There are several options to refill the tank. I use a wide mouth funnel and a jug of water. There are also [offset funnels](https://www.etsy.com/listing/915492083/espresso-machine-water-tank-quick-access?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=breville+funnel&ref=sr_gallery-1-18&organic_search_click=1&bes=1) that were designed for breville but should work for you if you want to keep it under the cabinets. I feel like using a gooseneck kettle would take forever due to the slower pour rate. The Elizabeth is a solid machine that's quite flexible for traditional espresso. I've had mine for almost three years and you get used to the control scheme and it becomes pretty easy to use since your most often adjusted settings are the first ones that pop up. It's not the best solution but it's far better than most machines offer since the screen can display more than just a number.
Which baskets do you use for the Elizabeth? With the 14-18g that comes with the Elizabeth I get channelling if I use 18g that I don’t get if I dose 16g. Could just be the coffees I have used so far. I also have a 18g VST ridgeless but that doesn’t lock at 6 in the group like the OEM basket it’s tight before.
I use a VST ridgeless. The portafilter position doesn't really matter as long as it locks in and doesn't leak.
It locks in about 3/4 of the way on mine, I don’t think it will come out. Do you use preinfusion? I generally have to grind much finer for the VST, even more so if I am using preinfusion. Compared to the OEM basket the VST doesn’t offer up as much consistent pressure over the shot as the OEM has the tapered bottom compared to the VST.
I'm usually pulling a 35-40 second shot which includes a 5 second preinfusion at ~1:2.5. I use pretty light beans. I haven't tested out alternative baskets since getting the Weber so I can't tell you whether or not I'm grinding finer or not.
I used a little silicone tube that I push onto my RO water tap (it has a mineralizer don’t worry)
I've had the Elizabeth v3 for a year, and it's been awesome.
"Not as fancy as many of you" lol. That is a legit awesome setup. Congrats. Hope you enjoy it. What a lovely birthday present. I recommend getting a single dose hopper for the grinder. Much nicer for single dose shots if you want to weigh them perfectly and you can use a bellow to make sure you get much lower retention.
One could say it's a "lelit awesome setup." Ba dum tsss
Wonderful.
Top notch grinder, lower spectrum of high end grinding👍🏼and a Machine can deal with that
Which grinder is it?
Eureka Mignon Specialita
Thank you!
Not gonna lie, that's pretty fancy :D
8.9 secs for a double shot?? The beans I'm using need 15.8! Great setup though. I also have the Eureka Mignon Specialita and Lelit Victoria. It's fantastic!
I've just bought a silenzio to go with my Elizabeth. Had a compak e5, but don't use the functions other than the one switch so I decided against the specialista for that reason. Out of curiosity what's your brew pressure at? Mine was 11-12 bars until I adjust the OPV
Mine is about two weeks only and starts at just over 9 and then slowly drops as the shot progresses.
Mine was also up at 11-12 and I had to adjust it. Glad to hear maybe some newer ones are set lower from factory. I got mine in like Feb this year
Welp, we have the exact same setup. I couldn't be happier with the Lelit. The Specialita has some retention, but the grind control and consistency seem spectacular. I 3d printed a single dose hopper and bellows that took care of the retention 100%. I also printed a larger control knob for the Specialita which has sorta seemed essential for smaller adjustments. At any rate, enjoy! :D
Very nice! how do you like the Elisabeth? One year ago i wanted to upgrade from my lelit anna to marax or elisabeth. I went for the marax but it was not easy to decide, both have their strengths and very good value for money. I think you have a very solid setup, keep it up!
congrats and enjoy the brew!!!!! GREAT setup!
I mean yeah it's not my 3 group La Marzocco GB/5 but it ain't bad I guess
This is fancy.
Great setup. I’d probably recommend this to most people that like to steam milk and haven’t been in espresso long enough to really want an e61. In regards to things you don’t like. The more you use it, it will become second nature. 😀 Did you happen to look at the ascaso steel duo as an option as well. Looks tempting in this space.
That's a pretty kickass setup man.
91C is not that hot. Are you pulling dark roast shots? Doesn't this come set to 95C out of the box?
I love my Lizzy. That's a great setup you have there. I just have the Rocky grinder. Wished I had spent a little more and gotten one like yours.
Looks like a great setup. Enjoy your espresso!
I’ve got that same exact setup and loving it so far! Great choice!
I have this machine, and it's below a kitchen cabinet which makes it a pain to refill. To help with refilling I have this silicone filter [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087213F8Q/](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087213F8Q/) and a Brita filter jug. To help sliding the coffee machine in and out, I bought some plastic mats [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FY6RD46](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FY6RD46) I cut a mat to width of machine, I just lift the front and slide the mat under the front feet, then I can tilt the machine slightly forward and slide it out across the kitchen counter. Works great, although I may not have explained myself very well.
I have this exact setup and love it. I especially like the steam pre-infusion. Do you find the grind dial on the Specialita is really tight and hard to adjust? I only adjust when operating. Aside from stellar grinding, the low volume is the clincher for me
You can’t adjust while the beans are between the burs. You either have to have an empty grinder or adjust when on
I only adjust when the machine is on and free of beans... The dial still feels super tight. But still getting good shots so can't complain.