The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T presents itself with a strong test performance for the title "Best Entry-Level Dual Boiler Espresso Machine". We are positively surprised and yet also feel confirmed. Because Lelit goes the extra mile with the Elizabeth, even among dual boiler espresso machines, and thus does a lot right. Therefore, our view of the Lelit Elizabeth is as positive as our previous test of the heat exchanger Lelit Mara X.
The Lelit Elizabeth is one of many dual boiler espresso machines that we have tested and will continue to test. Click here for the overview.
Classification Lelit Elizabeth Dual Boiler
The Lelit Elizabeth is one of the cheapest dual boilers on the market. In Switzerland, prices range between 1100 francs on large online platforms and 1600 francs in local retail. In Germany, the Lelit Elizabeth is available from 1050 euros. That is really cheap!
Many dual boilers only start at prices of more than 1800 francs or euros, which makes the price of the Lelit Elizabeth even more competitive. Pointing out that these prices are realized due to high volumes and especially through online sales does not change the fact: the Lelit Elizabeth is very cheap for a dual boiler!
At the same time, it comes with a bundle of features and refinements that even much more expensive models don't have. Various pre-infusion modes, a shot timer, and a well-thought-out control system 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? Here you will find the most important strengths and weaknesses of the Lelit Elizabeth summarized.
Facts
- Dual boiler with PID temperature controller and vibration pump as well as pump manometer.
- The Elizabeth weighs 12 kilograms, is 32.2 cm wide (with wand), 38.2 cm high and the body is 26 cm deep. If you add the portafilter and the protruding power cable, the Lelit Elizabeth has 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 fixed water supply.
- Steam boiler volume: 0.6 liters (can be switched off)
- Brewing boiler volume: 0.3 liters
- The machine's casing 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 adjustment of the espresso machine for its two main purposes: preparing espresso and frothing milk.
- The temperature of the Lelit Elizabeth is constant when the machine is well heated. This is the case after more than 20 minutes of heating time.
- The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T shows low power consumption of approx. 0.13 kWh for 5 double espresso shots with heating, without the steam boiler on. With the steam boiler 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 thus creamy foam. The boiler can be regulated up to 145 degrees Celsius.
- Practical shot timer to see the extraction time in seconds.
- Two different pre-infusion modes that allow a lot of leeway to get the perfect result from every espresso.
- Clear LCC (Lelit Control Center) for controlling the machine, as well as displaying the shot timer. Further functions for controlling and programming the machine in expert mode.
- Good sieve with 18 grams capacity included.
- Programmable buttons, which can also be used for automated flushing and cleaning programs.
The Lelit Elizabeth PL92T allows control at different levels. On the surface, the temperature and, for example, the extraction time can be programmed. Pre-infusion can also be set. Via the extended control, many details of the PID can be regulated. Hardly any manufacturers allow access at this level.
Weaknesses of the Lelit Elizabeth
- The machine's build quality could be better. The stainless steel body feels thin compared to other dual boilers.
- The portafilter is functionally good, but not balanced. The plastic of the handle feels cheap.
- A plastic tamper is included, but it is not suitable as a tamper.
- The plastic steam wheel looks like a temporary solution and radiates the lower quality of the portafilter handle.
- In various places, the Lelit Elizabeth has relatively sharp edges, which can lead to unsightly cuts even with everyday 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 seems like a relic from an older era. Unlike the Lelit Mara X, water is not drawn from below, but via hoses that have to be re-threaded after each refill.
- The heat-up time is 20 minutes if the machine is to reach its target temperature. The machine itself indicates readiness earlier, but this does not correspond to our measurements.
- The optimum temperature is reached when the machine has been in operation for a longer period. Therefore, it is important to know your machine and to check and set it to the current actual temperature with a local dealer.
- The buttons sometimes do not react 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. However, it should be noted that the power was measured here with a protocol of only 15 minutes. At this point, the machine was not yet fully up to temperature. The actual power will therefore be slightly higher and yet still rather low. It cannot be compared to some thermoblocks, which consume only 0.1 kWh. And yet, 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. For many dual boilers, our comparative measurement shows high values of more than 0.35 kWh.
Heat-up time of the Lelit Elizabeth PL92T
We've read a lot about the Elizabeth's short heat-up time. We don't agree. At 10 and 15 minutes, the PL92T is not yet at its target temperature. We advise you to warm up the machine for at least 20 minutes.
The Lelit Elizabeth is truly in its comfort zone when it's been on for a while. This is also shown by our measurement with the WBC protocol. We have the feeling that the machine was optimized for the "1-hour-on" target. This seems only conditionally suitable for the everyday scenario at home. Because at least we like to drink an espresso when the machine is just at temperature. Afterwards, in everyday life, we switch the machine off after extraction and switch it on again a few hours later for the next espresso.
To be precise: the Lelit is already in the temperature corridor earlier. However, it becomes really stable with the factory programming when it has been on for longer. This may still be regulable via the extended setting options of the LCC.
Within the time window of up to 30 minutes, we would rather set the machine two degrees above the indicated target temperature.
The measurements were taken 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 controlled in the "Advanced Settings" of the Lelit via the LCC. Lelit provides everything here to adapt many fine details in the behavior of the PID and control. The length of the pump phase in pre-infusion can also be set, etc. A good explanation of this is provided by Dave Corbey in a blog post. In a further video, we will discuss the setting options and check the temperature of the Lelit also with the settings suggested by Dave.
Pre-infusion and Espresso Quality
Even in standard mode, the Lelit Elizabeth allows us to brew good espresso. If 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!
In addition, the espresso machine allows the use of two different pre-infusion modes. On the one hand, with the steam boiler switched on, we can use the steam to apply gentle pressure to the coffee puck for up to 20 seconds after stopping the pump for 3 seconds.
On the other hand, a kind of blooming pre-infusion can be used. For this, the steam boiler must not be running. Now the pump stops as standard after 6 seconds of operation and then enters a definable pause phase.
Advanced Pre-infusion Settings
The pump stop phase can be defined for both modes in the advanced settings. To open the advanced settings, switch off the machine. Press - and + together and switch the Lelit Elizabeth on again. The display KPc appears. With Minus you can now switch through the menus. Click through to the BLS1 setting.
BLS1 stands for button 1 and BLS 2 stands for button 2. The following number defines the activated pump phase before 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 blooming pre-infusion and BLP2 sets button 2. In the example above, we chose 6 seconds before stopping the pump.
In both modes, the activated pump time is deducted from the total set pre-infusion time. So if we select a ten-second pre-infusion in the menu, it will be 7 or 4 seconds, as the pump pressure time is counted as part of the pre-infusion.
Effects of Pre-infusion on Different Espressos
We've experimented a lot with pre-infusion and tried the modes with different espresso roasts and timings. The possibilities here are immense. We achieved better results with steam pressure pre-infusion. Especially lighter roasted specialty coffee espressos became sweeter and more balanced. In the video test, we sample Toca from our organic project partner in Mexico, for example.
► With Toca and the cooperative behind the coffee, we are breaking new ground. We are supporting an entire valley community in transitioning 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. The Lelit Elizabeth, with its setting options, offers a playground for curious coffee aficionados. However, it also harbors the danger of getting lost. In that case, a step back to the standard profile is sensible.
Mamy Dioubaté during the post-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 to froth with. It rolls powerfully without heating up too quickly. This allows for a long rolling phase and is a prerequisite for very good milk foam.
Especially for those who are new to frothing milk, the Lelit is also an interesting choice for foam. The long rolling phase helps to break down any bubbles that have formed during inexperienced frothing.
Only the steam wheel frustrates a little every time we start frothing again. But there will certainly be some nice upgrades from tinkerers soon.
This dial controls the steam for frothing milk. In the comments, we received the tip that Peter on Etsy* makes great custom wooden designs here.
Conclusion and further tips
What an exciting espresso machine. Not only in terms of price-performance, the Lelit Elizabeth sets a real exclamation mark. The various pre-infusion modes, the overall good performance and also the possibility offered by Lelit to delve deep into the machine's control in an advanced mode, allows for a steep learning curve.
The Lelit Elizabeth is a very exciting dual boiler espresso machine for beginners with the potential to outperform many more expensive machines in terms of performance. And that's already in the basic settings. With the many tips and tricks of the Lelit community and if you get to know the machine, the Elizabeth opens up spheres that are distant future noise for an espresso machine with an anachronistic Faema E61 brew group.
The Lelit Elizabeth has made us curious and we will experiment further with our model. Findings, tips and tricks and perhaps also hints for good upgrades will then be incorporated into accompanying videos or articles.
Best regards, your Benjamin
And what are your experiences with the Lelit Elizabeth? Feel free to write them in the comments.
By the way, the following also applies to this machine: we bought it, we conduct our tests independently and 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 provide 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, which we invest in new test equipment.
