With a strong test performance, the Lelit Elizabeth PL92T makes a compelling case for the title of "Best Dual Boiler Espresso Machine for Beginners." We are pleasantly surprised and also feel validated. This is because, with the Elizabeth, Lelit is going the extra mile for dual boiler espresso machines and getting many things right. Consequently, our take on the Lelit Elizabeth is as positive as our previous review of the dual-circuit Lelit Mara X.
The Lelit Elizabeth is one of many dual boiler espresso machines we have tested and will continue to test. You can find the overview here.
Classification of the Lelit Elizabeth Dual Boiler
The Lelit Elizabeth is one of the most affordable dual boilers on the market. In Switzerland, prices range from 1100 francs on major online platforms to 1600 francs at local retailers. In Germany, the Lelit Elizabeth is available starting at 1050 euros. That is truly affordable!
Many dual boilers start at price points above 1800 francs or euros, which makes the Lelit Elizabeth's price all the more competitive. Pointing out that these prices are achieved due to high production volumes and primarily online sales doesn't change the fact: the Lelit Elizabeth is very affordably priced for a dual boiler!
At the same time, it comes with a backpack full of features and nuances that much more expensive models do not have. Various pre-infusion modes, a shot timer, and well-thought-out controls make the Lelit Elizabeth an exciting espresso machine for entering the dual boiler class!
Lelit Elizabeth Quick Check
Don't want to read the whole article? Then here are the most important strengths and weaknesses of the Lelit Elizabeth summarized.
Facts
- Dual boiler with PID temperature controller, vibration pump, and pump manometer.
- The Elizabeth weighs 12 kilograms, is 32.2 cm wide (with the steam wand), 38.2 cm high, and the body is 26 cm deep. If you include the portafilter and the protruding power cord, the Lelit Elizabeth reaches a depth of 43 cm.
- The drip tray holds 1.4 liters.
- The water tank has a capacity of 2.5 liters. The machine cannot be connected to a direct water line.
- Steam boiler volume: 0.6 liters (can be turned off)
- Brew boiler volume: 0.3 liters
- The machine's housing is made of brushed stainless steel.
- Lelit is an Italian manufacturer and belongs to the Breville Group.
Recommended specialist workshop for Lelit in Germany: Stoll Espresso*
Strengths of the Lelit Elizabeth
- The Lelit Elizabeth combines the strengths of a dual boiler espresso machine with a relatively affordable price. The separate boilers allow for precise adjustments of the espresso machine for the two main purposes: preparing espresso and frothing milk.
- The temperature of the Lelit Elizabeth is constant once the machine is fully heated. This is the case after more than 20 minutes of warm-up time.
- The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T has low power consumption of approx. 0.13 kWh for 5 double espresso shots including heating up without the steam boiler. With the steam boiler turned on, we measure 0.24 kWh.
- The steam performance of the Lelit Elizabeth is good. It rolls powerfully but heats slowly, which allows for a long rolling phase and therefore creamy foam. The boiler can be set up to 145 degrees Celsius.
- Practical shot timer to see the extraction length in seconds.
- Two different pre-infusion modes that leave plenty of room for timing, helping to get the perfect result out of every espresso.
- Clear LCC (Lelit Control Center) for controlling the machine, as well as displaying the shot timer. Additional functions for controlling and programming the machine in expert mode.
- Good basket with 18 grams capacity included.
- Programmable buttons, which can also be used for an automated flushing and cleaning program.
The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T allows control on different levels. On the surface, the temperature and, for example, the brewing time can be programmed. It is also possible to set the pre-infusion. Via the advanced control settings, many details of the PID can be regulated. Hardly any manufacturers allow access at this level.
Weaknesses of the Lelit Elizabeth
- The workmanship of the machine could be higher quality. The stainless steel body feels thin compared to other dual boilers.
- The portafilter is functionally good, but not balanced. The plastic on the handle feels cheap.
- A plastic tamper is included, but it is not suitable as a tamper.
- The plastic steam knob feels like a temporary solution and conveys the same lower quality as the portafilter handle.
- In several places, the Lelit Elizabeth has relatively sharp edges, which can lead to unsightly cuts even with daily use.
- The machine sometimes becomes very loud when the water level in the water tank is too low. The pump itself is rather quiet.
- The water tank feels like a relic from an older era. Unlike the Lelit Mara X, the water is not drawn from the bottom, but via hoses that have to be threaded back in each time after refilling.
- The heating time is 20 minutes if the machine really needs to get up to temperature. The machine itself indicates it is ready for use earlier, but this does not correspond to our measurements.
- The temperature optimum is reached when the machine has been in operation for longer. Therefore, it is important to get to know your machine and to have it checked and set to the current ACTUAL temperature together with a local dealer.
- The buttons sometimes do not respond sensitively.
Low power consumption without steam boiler
Compared to other dual boilers, the Lelit Elizabeth has relatively low power consumption when the steam boiler is switched off. It should be noted, however, that performance was measured using a protocol of only 15 minutes. At this point, the machine was not yet fully up to temperature. The actual performance will therefore be slightly higher, yet still rather low. It cannot be compared with some thermoblocks that reach a consumption of only 0.1 kWh. Nevertheless, approx. 0.13 - 0.15 kWh is a good result. We will repeat the power measurement without the steam boiler with an operating time of 20 minutes.
With the steam boiler, we measure 0.24 kWh, which corresponds to the result of the Rancilio Silvia Pro X. With many dual boilers, we arrive at high values of more than 0.35 kWh in our comparative measurements.
Heating time of the Lelit Elizabeth PL92T
We read a lot about the short heating time of the Elizabeth. We disagree with this. At 10 and 15 minutes, the PL92T is not yet at the target temperature. We advise you to warm up the machine for at least 20 minutes.
The Lelit Elizabeth is really in its comfort zone when it has been on for longer. Our measurement with the WBC protocol also shows this. We have the feeling that the machine was optimized for the goal of "being on for 1 hour." This seems only conditionally suitable for the everyday home scenario. Because, at least we really like to drink an espresso when the machine has just reached temperature. Afterwards, we usually turn the machine off after brewing and turn it back on a few hours later for the next espresso.
To be more precise: the Lelit is in the temperature corridor even earlier. However, it only becomes truly stable with the factory default settings if it has been on for a longer time. Perhaps this can be adjusted via the LCC's advanced setting options.
In the time window up to 30 minutes, we would rather set the machine two degrees above the displayed target temperature.
The measurements were carried out with the factory default settings of the Lelit Elizabeth. These were for us: KPc 2.0; Klc 0.04; KDc 1.0; BC 30; KPs 2.0; KIs 0.00; KDs 20.0; BS 30; Ec 10; Es 0; F01 1; Tr 0
These settings can be adjusted in the "Advanced Settings" of the Lelit via the LCC. Lelit provides everything here to adapt many nuances in the behavior of the PID and control system. The length of the pump phase during pre-infusion can also be set, etc. A good explanation for this is provided by Dave Corbey in a blog post. We will discuss the setting options in a future video and also check the temperature of the Lelit with the settings suggested by Dave.
Pre-infusion and espresso quality
Even in standard mode, the Lelit Elizabeth allows us to brew good espresso. When the machine is well heated, we get good results. However, we set the machine two degrees higher if we want to drink espresso 20 minutes after turning it on!
Additionally, the espresso machine allows the use of two different pre-infusion modes. For one, with the steam boiler switched on, we can use the steam to apply gentle pressure to the coffee puck after stopping the pump after 3 seconds for up to 20 seconds.
On the other hand, a type of blooming pre-infusion can be carried out. For this, the steam boiler must not be running. Now, the pump automatically stops after 6 seconds of operation and then goes into a definable pause phase.
Advanced settings for pre-infusion
The pump stop phase can be defined for both modes in the advanced settings. To open the advanced settings, switch off the machine. Now press - and + together and switch the Lelit Elizabeth back on. The display KPc appears. You can now switch through the menus with the minus button. Click until you reach the BLS1 setting.
BLS1 stands for button 1 and BLS 2 stands for button 2. The following number defines the activated phase of the pump before the steam pressure pre-infusion. In the example above, we chose 3 seconds, which seems like a sensible value to us.
BLP1 sets button 1 for the blooming pre-infusion and BLP2 button 2. In the example above, we chose 6 seconds before stopping the pump.
In both modes, the activated pump time is subtracted from the total set pre-infusion time. So if we choose a ten-second pre-infusion in the menu, it is 7 or 4 seconds, as the pump pressure time is calculated as part of the pre-infusion.
Effects of pre-infusion on different espressos
We have played a lot with the pre-infusion and tried out the modes with different espresso roasts and times. The possibilities here are immense. We obtained better results with the steam pressure pre-infusion. Especially lighter roasted specialty coffee espressos have become sweeter and more balanced as a result. In the video test, for example, we taste Toca from our organic project partner in Mexico.
► With Toca and the cooperative behind the coffee, we are taking new steps. We are supporting an entire valley in switching together to regenerative coffee farming. We will report much more on this project and the work on-site in Ixpaluca and Zongolica in Mexico.
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Our Robusta espresso Mamy, on the other hand, achieved a good result even without pre-infusion. With its setting options, the Lelit Elizabeth offers a playground for curious coffee aficionados. However, it also carries the risk of getting lost. In that case, a step back to the standard profile is useful.
Mamy Dioubaté during the follow-up inspection of the Robusta cherries on a drying bed in Guinea.
Frothing behavior
The base pressure of the steam boiler is rather low. However, the temperature can be increased to 145 degrees Celsius, and then the Lelit Elizabeth is really fun for frothing. It rolls powerfully without heating up too quickly. This allows for a long rolling phase and is the prerequisite for very good milk foam.
Especially for those who are just starting to froth milk, the Lelit is also an interesting choice in terms of foam. The long rolling phase helps to break down the bubbles created during inexperienced frothing.
Only the steam knob frustrates us a little every time we start frothing again. But there will surely be some fine upgrades from DIY enthusiasts soon.
This dial controls the steam for frothing milk. In the comments, we received the tip that Peter on Etsy* makes great custom wooden versions here.
Conclusion and further tips
What an exciting espresso machine. The Lelit Elizabeth makes a real statement, and not just in terms of price-performance ratio. The different pre-infusion modes, the overall good performance, and the possibility opened up by Lelit to intervene deeply in the machine's control system in an advanced mode allow for a steep learning curve.
The Lelit Elizabeth is a very exciting entry-level dual boiler espresso machine with the potential to outperform many more expensive machines in terms of performance. And that is already the case with the basic settings. With the many tips and tricks from the Lelit community, and if you work your way into the machine, the Elizabeth opens up realms that are like distant future echoes for an espresso machine with an anachronistic Faema E61 brew group.
The Lelit Elizabeth has made us curious, and we will continue to experiment with our model. Findings, tips and tricks, and perhaps also hints for good upgrades will then flow into accompanying videos or articles.
Best regards, your Benjamin
And what are your experiences with the Lelit Elizabeth? Feel free to write to us in the comments.
By the way, the following also applies to this machine: we bought it, we conduct our tests independently, and we test to the best of our knowledge and belief.
Recommended specialist workshop for Lelit
Lelit Elizabeth PL92T at Stoll Espresso
*We look for specialist partners for you who we know offer good work and good service. We are in close contact with the retailers. These are affiliate links. If you order via this link, it won't cost you more, but we get a small commission that we put into new test equipment.
