We can discuss the Bianca V3 from Lelit from various perspectives and barista proficiency levels. It is a very good dual boiler espresso machine that, in terms of its core capabilities as a dual boiler, does not need to hide from any other dual boiler in its price range. While the potential for customization and operation is endless, we can operate the Bianca V3 just as easily as any other espresso machine with a Faema E61 brew group.
We are writing this clearly and concisely at the beginning of this article so that home barista beginners don't get lost as we dive into the depths and possibilities of the Lelit Bianca V3.
You decide what kind of espresso machine the Bianca V3 is for you and how you use it. You can pull the brewing lever and let the rotary pump work with a standard pressure of 8–9 bar. Or, you can open up the world of flow rate, pre-infusion, and puck resistance.
In any case, you can grow as a home barista with the Lelit Bianca V3. And there are almost no limits to the possibilities.
Buy Lelit Bianca V3
The following specialist retailers distribute the Lelit Bianca V3 and we can recommend purchasing from these businesses. All of them offer the option to adjust the machine's offset.
Germany:
Austria:
We look for specialist partners for you who we know provide good work and service, and we are in close contact with the aforementioned retailers. The links are what are known as affiliate links. If you order via one of these links, you don't pay a cent more – however, we receive a small commission, which we invest directly into new test equipment.
We are still searching for competent partners in the DACH region for you.
About the Bianca V3 review
We bought our model of the Bianca V3. When Lelit launched new color models of the machine, we were offered one free of charge for marketing purposes. We declined. We generally buy the espresso machines that we test. In a few cases, we have rented very expensive espresso machines, such as the Faema Faemina, against a rental invoice. When this is the case, we make it clear. Beyond that, we have no consulting cooperation with Lelit, and we have tested this espresso machine like all other espresso machines to the best of our knowledge and belief. In addition to the present espresso machine, we have compared and measured numerous Lelit Biancas in our home barista courses over the last few years (and adjusted the offset, more on that later).
This test took a long time. This is partly because the Bianca V3 is a complex espresso machine. On the other hand, it is because we wanted to deeper understand and investigate the entire topic of flow rate control, pressure profiling, and the consequences on taste as well as the changes to the coffee puck during brewing. This process is far from complete. Nevertheless, we are now ready to present a first version of a review of the Lelit Bianca.
Regarding the topics mentioned above, we are working on many further investigations that will keep us busy for months or even years. Therefore, this review will continue to grow with our research and learning. Do not understand it as finished, but rather as a preliminary picture that describes the Lelit Bianca as an espresso machine.
Do you have experience with the machine? Then write it to us in the comments. If you have questions about the machine, you can also reach us via email. However, we would be grateful if you ask the community first, because many people have the Bianca espresso machine at home.
Review and collection of materials for the Lelit Bianca V3
Here is an overview of what will be published by us regarding the Lelit Bianca.
-
Long review video (German)
- Videos in English and Spanish (publication to follow)
- Collection of materials with curves, measurements, etc.
- Review
In a nutshell – this is the Lelit Bianca V3
- Flexible espresso machine that can grow with you. Good for getting started and with a steep learning curve for all who want to dive into the depths of espresso brewing.
- Quiet dual boiler with sufficient power and good temperature stability.
- Dual flow rate control via paddle and electronic low-flow control.
- Suitable for light, medium, and dark roasts, short and long coffee drinks, as well as for milk frothing.
- Smart in many respects, e.g., due to repositionable water tank or fast heating time by overriding at the beginning.
- Low power consumption without steam boiler. High energy demand with steam boiler.
The dual boiler and the Faema E61
A “Faema E61 with dual boiler” sounds as common as so many other espresso machines on the market. But even the paddle on the thermosyphon signals: “I am different.” No, not different like a La Marzocco Mini with a fake paddle, which is nothing more than a shot start, but different, with manual flow rate control. And not only that: Lelit gifts us in version V3 with a dual needle valve, which we can control manually and electrically. More on that later.
Let's stick with the Faema E61 and the dual boiler. The former is basically so classic that we could point to, what feels like, four dozen articles in our blog. Except for the insertion of the needle valve and the downstream pressure gauge, which shows the pressure against the resistance of the coffee puck.
The Lelit Bianca V3 comes with an 800 ml brew boiler and a 1.5-liter steam boiler. In terms of size, this is in the midfield of boiler espresso machines and promises solid performance. The water is driven by a quiet rotary pump, which we measure at 61 decibels of volume.
The 2.5-liter water tank is an indication of what Lelit likes to do often: think outside the box. Symbolically, the water tank is not integrated into the espresso machine but hangs off the back. If we loosen a screw at the top and a screw at the bottom, the tank can be removed and hung on the left or right of the machine. Sounds nice, but what for? The Bianca gives you the flexibility to be placed against a left or right wall, and those who have no depth on their work surface will also be happy about the reduction of the rear section. However, the water tank itself can only be removed upwards, but it slides in nicely and does not require any hoses.
Otherwise noticeable: A dual pressure gauge for steam and brew pressure, the “Lelit Control Center” with PID control, and many smart setting options.
Size, design, and finish
By default, the Lelit Bianca comes in stainless steel with wooden handles and a wooden paddle. Optionally, it is also available in white or black for a significant surcharge. The aesthetics lie, for diplomatic reasons, in the eye of the beholder. From “old” to “stylish,” we have heard everything about the Lelit Bianca. The fact is that the stainless steel variant, like all stainless steel speedsters, seems to chronically attract fingerprints. If we knock on the machine, it sounds tinny. Other espresso machines in the same price range appear more solid in terms of material thickness. The white and black variants, on the other hand, appear significantly more robust, even if that may only be the additional coating of the stainless steel body.
The Bianca V3 is a compactly designed espresso machine with a height of 40.5 cm at the paddle. The machine's cup tray is at a height of 38.5 cm. The Lelit Bianca has a width of 29.3 cm and a depth of 50.0 cm. However, the water tank can be mounted on the side, which reduces the depth by 8.7 cm. Also to be considered: The portafilter sticks out in the front and adds 9.5 cm to the depth. The weight of the machine is 27.0 kg.
We have already mentioned the Bianca's low volume. In addition to the quiet pump, the rubber protectors in many transition areas are responsible for this. Whether on the grids of the drip tray, the cup tray, or the lid of the water tank, rubber stoppers prevent vibrations and thus noise everywhere.
We notice sharp edges underneath the drip tray. However, the visible edges are each curved and therefore unproblematic. The drip tray holds 0.98 liters.
Scope of delivery
The scope of delivery of the Lelit Bianca is impressive. In addition to a bottomless portafilter, the Lelit-typical portafilter with two spouts is also included. These are so close together that they are also well-suited for extracting into a single espresso cup. Therefore, it can also be used as a single-spout portafilter. However, the proximity of the two spouts requires precise aiming to fill two cups. Since the distance between the spout and the drip tray is quite high, an included grid riser makes aiming easier. Only balancing a scale on it could pose a challenge.
Also included in the scope of delivery are a water filter cartridge, which is, however, not recommended in our test of filter cartridges, a blind filter, a plastic spoon (why?), as well as an 18g and a 20g basket.
We particularly like the polished tamper, which according to Lelit has a diameter of 58.55 mm and finishes almost flush with the included basket. The distance to the edge is only 0.4 mm. By the way, the portafilter mount of the Lelit Bianca is 58 mm as standard, so many portafilters are compatible.
In addition to a connection set for fixed water supply, a microfiber cloth and an additional 4-hole tip for the steam wand are also included in the scope of delivery.
Lelit is smart
Time and again, the manufacturer Lelit from Baitella, Brescia, Italy, surprises with the extra mile. Faema E61 espresso machines are a dime a dozen, and most of them function quite similarly. But Lelit not only relies on this proven technology but doesn't leave it at that. The engineers in the company are always looking for smart solutions to make the machine better.
This is noticeable in the details, such as the portafilter bent towards the front, which thus shows the creamy running espresso to the home barista. This goes into depth when we look at the control options of the LCC or the strategic overheating at the start of the machine. Lelit deliberately heats the brew boiler above the target temperature to heat up the portafilter faster, and then lets the temperature drop back to the desired value. This results in a heating time for the Lelit Bianca that we measure at 17 minutes until the target temperature and heated portafilter are reached. This is about 8 to 12 minutes faster than the average Faema E61 portafilter espresso machine.
The dual flow rate control, the programmable pre-infusion, and the convertible water tank outside the machine are further testimonies that even a proven system can handle innovative thoughts.
Access to the boiler underneath the machine makes maintenance of the Lelit's heating element significantly easier, as it does not have to be removed.
10 seconds low flow at the start (slow flow rate).
Flow rate control squared
The Lelit Bianca V3 is equipped with dual flow rate control. An upstream needle valve can be programmed for low and normal flow (low flow), and a downstream needle valve can be used with a paddle for further flow reduction.
It is astonishing how little is said about the flow rate of water in espresso machines, considering how important this is for preparing the drink. Pressure is often stated, and it is not uncommon for cheap espresso machines with vibration pumps to be advertised with a pressure potential of 15 bar. Yet high pressure is not synonymous with good coffee or even the consistency of the extraction.
Excursion: pump
The pressure is generated via the espresso machine's pump. Cheap espresso machines are equipped with a vibration pump, which implements the speed of the water delivered to the portafilter relatively sluggishly to then realize the pressure build-up against the coffee. A rotary pump gets going faster, and accordingly, the pressure build-up shows much more quickly against the puck and in the pressure gauge. With rotary pumps, we set the grind size slightly finer. Nevertheless, the first extraction droplets often appear after just 5 to 6 seconds. With a vibration pump, we usually wait over 8 seconds. The third, very rarely used pump is the gear pump. This pump can be regulated up and down in its “pressure application” during the draw. Vibration and rotary pumps traditionally deliver the set pressure force relatively statically. However, espresso machines like the Decent or San Remo YOU show that more flexibility is possible with these pumps than is often used.
We can reduce the actual pressure of the pump on the coffee puck by reducing the flow rate through valves after the pump. In the case of the Lelit Bianca, two needle valves are used for this. Figuratively speaking, we, or the needle valves, sit on the hose. But why does Lelit equip the Bianca with two needle valves? And what is the consequence of the reduced flow rate, which then also manifests itself in the pressure on the puck?
Does low flow mean even extraction?
Yes and no. The brewing of an espresso can be divided into different phases: a saturation phase, during which the brewing water soaks the entire coffee, a main extraction phase, and finally a phase in which the extraction capacity of the coffee puck decreases and the resistance of the coffee puck collapses rapidly. This knowledge helps to modulate the flow in espresso machines with flow rate control.
If we brew an espresso not with full pressure of 8 to 9 bar against the puck, but for example with 6 bar, it is easier to achieve a more even extraction. High pressure increases the probability of channeling and also reduces the resistance of the coffee puck faster. However, we cannot extract everything from the coffee with low pressure.
However, those who want to spend little time on careful puck preparation are generally better off with lower brewing pressure. Reducing the pressure is not possible without limits, however, because if the pressure built up against the puck falls too much, the extraction decreases or the strength of the coffee drink is too low. In terms of taste, it will no longer be perceived as an espresso.
Low pressure at the beginning
Low pressure at the beginning, in combination with very low pressure, allows for complete water saturation of the coffee puck. If this can be achieved before the full brewing pressure is triggered, a more even extraction is guaranteed. If dry spots remain in the coffee puck, they will be avoided by the following water. Dry coffee is fundamentally water-repellent (hydrophobic) until it is soaked.
If a pressure increase follows after complete soaking, the coffee puck can offer even resistance for a long time, provided it was carefully prepared and compacted.
Manual flow rate control
The flow rate of the espresso machine can be controlled manually via the Lelit Bianca's paddle. The home barista has almost all options available here. First, the espresso machine's brewing lever must be pulled.
If the paddle is at 9 o'clock, hardly any water flow is delivered. If the paddle is at 6 o'clock, we measure 2.5 to 2.8 g/s on the scale without resistance. At 3 o'clock, we determine a flow between 4.9 and 5.1 g/s. With the paddle completely open, we reach just under 6 grams per second of flow on the scale.
Important: These values are not measured against pressure. Against the standard pressure of our Scace portafilter, the pressure manifests itself as follows:
With the backpressure of the Scace, we measure a flow of around 2 g/s and 4.8 bar of pressure at 6 o'clock. At 3 o'clock, we realize 2.5 g/s with 7.5 bar of pressure against the Scace. Completely open, we reach between 2.7 and 2.8 g/s with 8.1 bar of pressure. These values should be interpreted with caution. The water flowing out of the Scace is sprayed onto the bottom of the cup with relatively high pressure, which negatively affects the accuracy of the scale.
The pressure values with the Scace only reflect an approximation of what happens in a portafilter and when used with coffee. During coffee extraction, the resistance of the coffee decreases over the course of the extraction.
For your Lelit at home, it is important that you adjust the settings of your needle valves and can thus shape the flow per area.
Tips for working with the paddle
To achieve repeatable results, we generally recommend working with fixed positions. A changing pressure on the pressure gauge is normal because the resistance of the coffee puck decreases with the brewing time.
By the way: If the paddle is not exactly at 6 o'clock, this has only minor effects. Orientation based on fixed points still makes sense, however.
The paddle also offers options for “repairing” shots. If the water shoots through the puck too quickly, the flow rate can be reduced with a determined hand, thus slowing down the shot. In terms of taste, this will taste better than a thin, super-under-extracted shot.
Electric flow rate control
While the V2 of the Lelit Bianca was only equipped with manual flow rate control, the V3 version is provided with an additional electric control. This not only gives the machine many new possibilities but also allows for defining fixed profiles and processes. The reproducibility of shots has increased significantly.
The electric needle valve control is not as flexible as the manual one. Essentially, two “low-flow” phases can be defined: one at the beginning and one at the end. At the beginning, the duration of the low flow is set. At the end, the start of the low flow is set.
We measure around 1.5 - 1.7 g/s and 3.1 bar with the resistance of the Scace in the low-flow phase.
Nesting of electric and manual flow rate control as well as pre-infusion
With the nesting of manual and electric flow rate control, further operation options of the Lelit Bianca can be unlocked. For example, the low flow can be further reduced by using the paddle.
The programmable pre-infusion offers further possibilities. Activating the pre-infusion unlocks a pause option. If the pre-infusion is not further nested with low flow, the Bianca starts with normal flow and pressure and then pauses for a selected time.
It makes sense to combine the pre-infusion time with a low-flow time. For example, 10 seconds of pre-infusion could be combined with 10 seconds of low flow and a subsequent 5-second pause.
Espresso quality potential
We have talked about the possibilities of espresso preparation. Of course, we still have to get to work ourselves, adjust the grind size on a good grinder, and prepare the espresso cleanly. If that succeeds, the espresso will also succeed. The Lelit Bianca V3 provides all the prerequisites for good espresso. The options discussed above are pathfinders for this, just like the good temperature stability, which we will discuss next.
We are often asked whether a certain espresso machine “fits” certain coffees. And indeed, there are some espresso machines that play to their strengths with rather lighter or darker roasts. We award the Lelit Bianca the rating: “can do it all.” From a complex Doña Margarita from our Lila line to the stronger all-rounder Dreispitz, to brewed filter coffee as an espresso – with the Bianca and its influence options, in principle, everything can be brewed.
Temperature stability
With regard to temperature, three questions are interesting:
- How fast is the espresso machine hot?
- How constant is the temperature during the draw?
- How constant is the temperature from shot to shot?
To check temperature stability and heating time, we use the Scace 2 with a K-type sensor and a PCE-T 330 data logger. With this, we record the WBC protocol on one hand and the KM protocol on the other, which we use for heating control, e.g., at 15, 20, or 25 minutes. In between, we let the espresso machines cool down again for a whole day each. A really time-consuming test protocol.
According to our measurements, the Lelit Bianca reaches its target temperature of 93 degrees Celsius (+/- 1 degree Celsius) after 17 minutes. While the first temperature in our measurement was at an average value of 92.03 degrees, the temperature rose over five shots with one-minute intervals to 93.16 degrees. The standard deviation over these five shots, measured from second 4 to 25 of the extraction, was 0.99 degrees according to the KM protocol after 17 minutes. That is a good value.
When measuring the WBC protocol after one hour of operation, we arrive at a standard deviation of 0.69 degrees Celsius. Thus, the Lelit Bianca is not far from the World Barista Championship target specifications of 0.55 degrees Celsius.
We can confirm a very good temperature stability for the Lelit Bianca from shot to shot and during the shot. For longer standby times, we recommend, as with all Faema E61 brew groups, a flush shot before the draw.
Offset problem
The biggest and most important problem to be aware of lies in the sometimes massive offset. We have measured over 20 Lelit Biancas in the last six months. The Bianca is also repeatedly with us in the academy with participants from our Home Barista courses. We also use this opportunity to check the temperature of the espresso machines. Of course, we also want to send the participants of our courses home with a well-calibrated espresso machine (by default, all Home Barista participants bring their espresso machine with them).
The offset of the Lelit Bianca is generally between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius. In all cases so far, this was negative, which means the machine was effectively too cold. Offset means that there is a measured deviation between the brewing temperature shown on the PID control and the effective one. To rely on the display of the temperature, a verification of the temperature by the specialist dealer is indispensable. Be careful with online purchases – a cleanly set temperature is not likely.
The offset of the test machine was 6 degrees Celsius. This means that at a displayed temperature of 93 degrees, we effectively had a brewing temperature of 87 degrees. It is important to note that the Lelit control knows two offset values: one on the user interface and one in the technician or sub-menu. The latter value is the one that needs to be adjusted.
Steam and frothing performance
From a dual boiler for over 2000 euros, we expect not only good frothing performance but also, of course, parallel frothing to the espresso draw. What is felt during frothing can also be objectively illustrated. The frothing performance – and here again the spectrum of possibilities that Lelit has intended – enables us to “tailor” the Lelit Bianca to everyone.
To assess the steam power, we use 300 ml of 20-degree cold water and check how long it takes to heat this up to 60 degrees.
In the standard setting with 125-degree boiler temperature, we need 47 seconds for this with the standard 2-hole nozzle. If we want more power, we turn the Bianca up to 135 degrees. The same exercise is then completed in about 36 seconds. Anyone who wants even more pressure switches to the 4-hole nozzle, which is also included in the scope of delivery. Now we need 25 seconds to heat the 300 ml to 60 degrees.
As I said: The Lelit Bianca can be the frothing partner for everyone that is desired. Those who want to froth well and safely set it to 4-hole at 135 degrees. Those who prefer to take their time to go through the phases of frothing in peace remain at 125 degrees and try it with the 2-hole nozzle.
Energy consumption Lelit Bianca
Depending on the use of espresso machines, the energy consumption of espresso machines differs. Espresso machines consume power primarily when they bring the boilers up to temperature. The power consumption of the pump or displays is low compared to the energy-hungry heating elements of the boilers.
Those who only drink espresso consume significantly less electricity than cappuccino drinkers. Provided that the mostly larger steam boiler of the dual boiler can be switched off. This is possible with the Lelit Bianca. If we only switch on the 0.8-liter, insulated brew boiler, the energy consumption is reduced significantly. We arrive at 0.133 kWh consumption for heating up and preparing 5 double espressos. Preparing one espresso consumes 0.1194 kWh in this scenario, taking heating up into account and including it.
If the steam boiler is switched on as well, the consumption is more than three times as high. We measure 0.4259 kWh, taking the same criteria into account with heating up and 5 double shots. For preparing one cappuccino including heating up, 0.34616 kWh are incurred.
Conclusion on the Lelit Bianca V3
When we look at the overall performance of the Lelit Bianca, what remains is primarily appreciation for a consistently very good espresso machine. Hardly any wishes remain unfulfilled because the total package is right. The variety of setting options and variants in the area of flow rate control, the possibilities of the LCC, the good technical implementation, and the extensive scope of delivery make the Lelit Bianca an outstanding espresso machine. Furthermore, the espresso machine is priced very competitively, and not just when we look at the total package in relation to other dual boiler espresso machines.
Only a few wishes remain that would make the Lelit Bianca the perfect espresso machine: a precise and good default setting of the offset, slightly more material thickness on the flanks, optimized energy usage when using the steam boiler, and last but not least, a quiet wish for a flow meter and thus a programmable shot stop.
Honestly, it's perhaps even good that the Lelit Bianca cannot do that too. Because already, not only espresso machines in the same price range have great difficulties keeping up with the Lelit Bianca.
At the beginning, we asked who the Bianca is the right machine for. Even at the end, we would say: It is an espresso machine that can grow with you, and that is why we have no reservations about recommending the investment in this machine to espresso beginners as well.
Appendix and supplementary materials
Pressure and flow rate measurements
Below, we show you some possibilities for how the Lelit Control Center can be used to run different profiles. These curves were recorded with the help of the Espresso Smart Sensor and its associated app. However, we used a Scace 2 as the portafilter. The curve would look somewhat different with coffee because the resistance is reduced when using coffee. The resulting pressure on the puck would decrease in this process. However, we find this visualization helpful to show the principle of the different curves.
5 seconds pre-infusion with subsequent 5-second pause.
5 seconds pre-infusion, 5 seconds pause with 20 seconds low flow. After a total of 40 seconds, back to low flow.
5 seconds low-flow pre-infusion, 5 seconds pause.
