LELIT PL041 Instructions

Unpack the machine from the box. In the small box you will find a portafilter, 1 x 1 cup filter basket, 1 x 2 cup filter basket, a blind filter for backflushing, a long handled measuring spoon and a plastic tamper.

Open the water tank cover, remove both tubes from the tank, lift out the tank and fill it with water. Replace the tank and put the tubes back in. Plug in the machine and turn it on using the main power switch, then immediately prime the pump.

To prime the pump, push the steam wand towards the rear so that it’s over the drip tray. Open the steam knob up then turn on the brew switch. When water squirts from the steam wand, close the steam knob. Water should then start running from the brew head. Wait a couple of seconds then turn the brew switch off. You are now ready to start brewing.

When the indicator light marked "Ready" turns ON, it means that the machine has reached the correct operating temperature. 

Coffee for espresso should be ground very fine, and requires a good quality grinder to achieve the best brewing results. Included with your machine is some free coffee to get you started. If it is ground you should look closely at the grind of this coffee; rub some between your thumb and forefinger, and it will feel like a slightly gritty powder. For optimum brewing results your coffee should always be ground like this.

Place a filter basket into the portafilter. Using the measuring spoon add 1 flat scoop of coffee (7g) for the single filter, or 2 flat scoops (14g) for the double filter. Tamp the coffee firmly into the basket using the tamper. The coffee level should be 2 – 3mm below the rim of the basket. Brush excess coffee from the rim of the portafilter using the flat of your hand.

Push the portafilter up into the brewhead, sealing it in firmly by turning the handle to the right; it should be a fraction to the right of square. Place a cup under the portafilter, then turn on the brew switch. If everything else has been done correctly, it should take between 20 – 25 seconds from the time the switch is pressed to produce 60ml of coffee for a double or 30ml of coffee for a single. Faster than this and you need a finer grind or a firmer tamp; slower a coarser grind or lighter tamp. Your espresso should have a rich, reddish brown crema on top. The above applies whichever filter basket is used.

When your coffee is brewed, turn off the brew switch. You can remove the portafilter immediately. You can brew 2 cups at once by using the double filter and a cup under each spout of the portafilter, but it takes considerable tamping practice to get an even flow from both spouts. It’s often easier to brew into a single cup then pour half the coffee into the second cup.