Lelit Elizabeth - first shot runs slow
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jb_bryant
I've been having an issue where my Lelit Elizabeth always runs shots slow when it's my first shot of the day or if I haven't pulled a shot in a while. I have standby disabled.
I tried doing a good back flush with cleaner, then about 30 minutes later I pulled my first shot. It pulled in 44 seconds. Then I tossed it and pulled a second with the same dose and grind size and it pulled in 29. This seems to happen most days. I can mitigate the issue by going like a half gram less on my first shot, but I don't think I should have to do that.
I'm using a VST 18g basket and I'm dosing 19g in. The same issue happened with 18g and 17g doses. 17g was way worse though because channeling happened easier. I also did adjust my machine down to just barely above 9 bars with the blank basket. And I'm using Dave Corbey's recommended settings. I did try on default settings but had the same issues but the temp doesn't seem to recover/stabilize as fast with default settings.
The only thing I want to try is doing a water back flush right before pulling the first shot of the day. I did already try flushing hot water into my cup before grinding to make sure it wasn't a temp issue. I've tried from the hot water spout and group. I do also leave my portafilter in the group to stay warm. This also has happened after the machine has been sitting for a while not in standby, so I don't think it's a temp issue.
Nothing I've tried so far has helped. Any advice is appreciated.
I tried doing a good back flush with cleaner, then about 30 minutes later I pulled my first shot. It pulled in 44 seconds. Then I tossed it and pulled a second with the same dose and grind size and it pulled in 29. This seems to happen most days. I can mitigate the issue by going like a half gram less on my first shot, but I don't think I should have to do that.
I'm using a VST 18g basket and I'm dosing 19g in. The same issue happened with 18g and 17g doses. 17g was way worse though because channeling happened easier. I also did adjust my machine down to just barely above 9 bars with the blank basket. And I'm using Dave Corbey's recommended settings. I did try on default settings but had the same issues but the temp doesn't seem to recover/stabilize as fast with default settings.
The only thing I want to try is doing a water back flush right before pulling the first shot of the day. I did already try flushing hot water into my cup before grinding to make sure it wasn't a temp issue. I've tried from the hot water spout and group. I do also leave my portafilter in the group to stay warm. This also has happened after the machine has been sitting for a while not in standby, so I don't think it's a temp issue.
Nothing I've tried so far has helped. Any advice is appreciated.
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JRising
- Team HB
To rule out the grinder... Do everything as you normally would, but set aside your first 19g (maybe you'll want another in 5 minutes). Dose out another 19g into the portafilter and brew that to see if it runs slowly or normally. (Normally the retention of coffee in the grinder's chute over night should make the first dose run a bit faster than normal, but let's see the results of the test before deciding what it means).
Additional: If the first brew runs slower than the consecutive brews simply because it takes longer to start, this could be due to a leak in your brew circuit. The water is heated to boiling temp, normally it can't expand to steam because it's a closed container until the brew valve opens, but because of the leak the water boils to steam, the steam is able to expand and displace the liquid water out through the leak. Then, when you start brewing, it takes a few seconds for the pump to replace the volume of water that was displaced before the boiler is filled and forced out through the brewhead.
Additional: If the first brew runs slower than the consecutive brews simply because it takes longer to start, this could be due to a leak in your brew circuit. The water is heated to boiling temp, normally it can't expand to steam because it's a closed container until the brew valve opens, but because of the leak the water boils to steam, the steam is able to expand and displace the liquid water out through the leak. Then, when you start brewing, it takes a few seconds for the pump to replace the volume of water that was displaced before the boiler is filled and forced out through the brewhead.
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gobucks
FWIW I've been dealing with the exact same issue. Haven't figured out what's causing it either.
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jb_bryant (original poster)
I did plan on trying this at some point, but I seriously doubt it's the issue. I use a DF64E as single-dose and weigh in and out to make sure the doses are correct. I bellows really well at the end of each grind.JRising wrote:To rule out the grinder... Do everything as you normally would, but set aside your first 19g (maybe you'll want another in 5 minutes). Dose out another 19g into the portafilter and brew that to see if it runs slowly or normally. (Normally the retention of coffee in the grinder's chute over night should make the first dose run a bit faster than normal, but let's see the results of the test before deciding what it means).
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JayBeck
I have the same issue with my Lelit Bianca. Grinder is a Key. First shot of the day runs slow, rest are 15-20 seconds faster but are consistent.
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Clodius
I believe the auto refill of the brew boiler doesn't work in eco mode. Maybe there's not enough water in your boiler
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