Lelit Mara X – Temperature Tips

The temperature control of the Lelit Mara X differs from all other dual-boiler espresso machines. With our tips, the Lelit Mara X becomes a very precise and reliable espresso machine that offers many advantages. Anyone who operates the Lelit Mara X like a classic dual-boiler machine will have difficulty managing the temperature.

The Lelit Mara X has already been extensively tested on our test bench. And the Lelit Mara X also performed well in our major dual-boiler comparison. The ability to switch between brew priority and steam priority is what makes it special.

Brew priority and steam priority on the Lelit Mara X

The steam priority mode (side switch set to 0) corresponds to a dual-boiler machine using the Faema E61 thermosyphon principle and PID. A temperature probe measures the temperature in the steam boiler and triggers heating if the steam boiler is not at the desired temperature. The steam boiler itself transfers heat to the brewing water flowing through a separate pipe via the heat exchanger principle.

Temperature control is correspondingly imprecise and varies, for example, when a lot of water rushes through the heat exchanger. At the same time, the thermosyphon tends to overheat during longer periods of inactivity. This is one of the reasons why sufficient flushing before brewing espresso is necessary.

Lelit has recognized this problem and provided a remedy with a second temperature sensor. This is located in the heat exchanger and monitors the incoming temperature, heating accordingly. However, this principle also has some pitfalls. During our first test, we drove the temperature beyond the target temperature by flushing between shots. This is likely to happen to many people who already have experience with dual-boiler machines.

Temperature management in brew priority

The temperature control, which is divided into three levels, is hidden behind the drip tray on the Lelit Mara X. These levels control the following temperature ranges:

• Level 0: 90 – 91 degrees Celsius
• Level 1: 91 – 92 degrees Celsius
• Level 2: 93 – 95 degrees Celsius

It takes some time for the Lelit Mara X to build up the temperature, and the temperature rises during the brewing process.

The temperature levels of the Lelit Mara X.

The temperatures shown were achieved by brewing according to the following protocol. The machine was flushed after each espresso, not before. We always gave the espresso machine two minutes between brews to stabilize the temperature. With shortened intervals, we observed a drop in temperature, as the following graph shows.

The interval between brews was shortened. This reduced the brewing temperature.

We did very well with this principle. Nevertheless, the Lelit Mara X got out of rhythm during a longer session—which, however, hardly corresponds to everyday use. A longer "stabilization phase" of at least 15 minutes was subsequently necessary.

Switching between brew and steam priority also takes at least 15 minutes.

Since steaming works just as well in brew priority mode as it does in steam mode, we see no reason to switch to this mode. The only reason might be if you prefer to use the Lelit Mara X in the classic way, like many other dual-boiler machines on the market.

The intelligent solution of the Lelit Mara X is truly clever and compensates for some typical problems of dual-boiler thermosyphon machines. For that, it is worth adjusting your rhythm to the Mara X.

Temperature control at home via Coffee Sensor

We have long promised you a comparative measurement between the temperature in the thermosyphon and our measurement portafilter. For the measurement, we again screwed in the practical little thermometer from Coffee Sensor. Then we started the shot.

At first, the Coffee Sensor shows a temperature that is two degrees higher, then levels off at approx. 1.5 degrees higher at a distance. With this knowledge, you can improve your espresso machine very effectively with a sensor. This makes particular sense with the Lelit Mara X, as you know exactly whether it is currently in the right range or has perhaps spiked upwards.