The Lelit Bianca is an espresso machine that has set the bar high. Designed with the espresso aficionado in mind, the Lelit Bianca offers superb performance, a quality build, and a high level of control over shots. But its most distinct feature is a manual paddle offering direct control over water flow. This feature is previously unheard of in a machine at this price point, and has made the Lelit Bianca a popular home espresso machine among enthusiasts.
In this article, we will take a deep look at the Lelit Bianca dual boiler espresso machine to help you determine if it is right for you. We will also take a look at some of the new features on offer in the Lelit Bianca v3.
Lelit Bianca
The Lelit Bianca dual boiler is a beautifully designed machine that is packed full of features not commonly seen at this price point. The most notable of these is its flow control capabilities.
About Lelit
Lelit is a somewhat smaller-scale brand in the coffee industry. They are based in Italy and focus on producing high-quality home espresso machines, grinders, and coffee accessories among other things. They have a wide range of espresso machines from the entry-level Lelit Anna to the budget-friendly Lelit Mara x and then the top-end Lelit Bianca. The Lelit Bianca is a dual-boiler espresso machine and is punching above its weight with its customization options.
Lelit Bianca Review
Dimensions (WxHxD): 11.5 x 15.75 x 19 inches | Weight: 58.5lbs | Coffee Boiler Capacity: 800ml | Steam Boiler Capacity: 1.5L | Water Tank Capacity: 2.5L | Pump Type: Rotary
Design
The Lelit Bianca is a truly beautiful machine that will make a statement in any kitchen. It has been solidly built with quality components, however, some users note it doesn’t have quite the premium finish of some other Italian espresso machines. Early models had issues with the casing denting and the drip tray rattling. However, most of these issues have been ironed out with the new v3 model. Given the affordable price and number of bells and whistles, the trade-off in craftsmanship is to be expected.
The Lelit Bianca comes in a range of color options. The classic polished stainless steel with walnut accents or the new v3 model comes in a powder-coated matte black or white for a sleek, modern look.
The other thing to note is that this machine while being well-built, is extremely heavy! Weighing 26.5 kg, you better make sure you place it in the right spot on your bench because you don’t want to be moving this baby!
Aside from this, the machine comes chock full of extra accessories, including a bottomless and double-spouted portafilter, a decent 58mm stainless steel tamper, both a two and four-hole steam wand tip, three baskets, and the hoses required to plumb the machine in.
Features
The Lelit Bianca isn’t just a pretty face, inside the machine is packed with features to ensure it churns out good espresso.
Overall the Lelit Bianca dual boiler espresso machine is a beautiful and well-made machine that is packed full of features.
Ease of Use
The Lelit Bianca dual boiler espresso machine is unique in that it could be used as either a semi-automatic espresso machine or as a manual espresso machine using the flow control paddle. If you are just starting out, the learning curve is pretty similar to a standard semi-automatic espresso machine. If you turn the paddle all the way to the right, it pulls a shot as a standard E61 would. As you develop your skills, you can advance to using the paddle to manually adjust the water flow and thus the brew pressure.
The only downside some users have reported is that the Lelit Bianca takes a long time to heat up -about 25 minutes! This is a long time to wait if you want a quick espresso shot before you shoot out the door. Some users turn the machine on and then just leave it on stand by mode, making it quicker to come to temperature. It also has the option to turn the steam boiler off to save power if you do not intend to brew milk-based drinks.
Pressure Profiling
The Lelit Bianca allows you to adjust the brew pressure as you pull a shot. Similar to a faucet, you can turn the paddle and increase or decrease the amount of water flow. There is a pressure gauge on the group head, allowing you to track the pressure at the coffee puck. This feature allows the experienced barista to regulate the pressure manually, producing the best possible shot with every type of coffee blend.
The Lelit Bianca is unique in that it is by far the cheapest machine on the market that offers pressure profiling. It is comparable to the La Marzocco GS3, which is twice the price! It pays to note that pressure profiling is done manually, so you don’t have the technology to store profiles or reproduce excellent shots; rather, you have to pull your shot by feel. The Lelit Bianca v3 does have a new feature though, allowing you to set an automatic low flow at the start and end of a shot.
Customization
The Lelit Bianca offers unparalleled control over brewing parameters. In addition to allowing manual flow control during extraction, it has an LED screen built into the machine known as the LCC (Lelit Control Centre). The LCC allows you to program pre-infusion times and alter the temperature of both the coffee (between 80-115C) and steam (between 120-130C) boilers. You are also able to adjust the stand-by (energy-saving) times. When the machine goes into stand-by mode, the steam boiler switches off, but the coffee boiler is maintained at a temperature of 70C.
Milk Frothing
The Lelit Bianca dual boiler espresso machine has a decent milk frother. Unfortunately for Lelit, the Bianca is often compared to other machines like the La Marzocco GS3 or Slayer (which are at least twice the price), and in comparison to those machines, it does fall short. However, for the home barista, the steam power is more than adequate.
The Lelit Bianca comes with two steam wand tips, with either two or four holes. The two-hole tip allows you to steam milk at a slower rate and is good for beginners, whereas the four-hole tip is more powerful. The same and hot water wands are both cool touch wands, making cleaning a breeze. Overall the milk frothing capabilities are excellent considering the price.
Lelit Bianca v3
Lelit has introduced several new features in the Lelit Bianca v3. The first of these is a faster warm-up time. The v3 warms up within 10-12 minutes as opposed to the 18-20 minutes required from the v2.
The second notable feature is that the Lelit Bianca v3 has introduced four new powder modes:
The final improvement in the v3 is the Electronic Low Flow Mode. This mode allows the user to preset an automated low flow at the start and end of the shot. This upgrade means the machine is easier to use, allowing the brewer to pull a shot without using the paddle. It also means pressure and flow profiles can be precisely repeated.
Who Is The Lelit Bianca For?
The Lelit Bianca is for the hobbyist barista, who wants a machine that offers customization and pressure profiling. It would also be a good option for a beginner, who wants to jump straight into the deep end and invest in a machine that can grow with them. It really is a unique machine, in that it is at least half the price of its competitors (but at $3000 it’s still a pretty pricey machine!). If you are after an espresso machine you could use for a coffee cart, the Lelit Bianca dual boiler espresso machine is probably not your best bet, given the small steam boiler. It would be better to opt for something like the Linea Mini, which can pump out multiple lattes with ease.
Pros:
Cons:
Lelit Bianca- The Verdict
In conclusion, if you are in the market for a machine that offers pressure profiling, you should seriously consider the Lelit Bianca espresso machine. This machine offers exceptional value for money, a high level of customization, and good build quality. This would be an excellent home espresso machine for the hobbyist barista wanting to explore espresso or the beginner looking to be able to progress to a pro.
Happy Buying!
