The portafilter with double spout is 25 mm deep inside and the diameter is 61 mm.
The portafilter open at the bottom has a diameter of 55 mm at a depth of 25 mm
This can be a defective seal that is blocking or limescale.
However, it is relatively easy to remove the paddle and check it. Take a look at Youtube for Faema E61
I also had to have my Bianca repaired in November 21 (also bought here on Galaxus). The pump was always acting up when the machine was cold. Now everything works again. I knew that the machine would end up at Messina Coffee Store. That's why I ordered something from them. Messina was so nice and uncomplicated and then put the ordered stuff in the package. Apart from the shipping and the ordered things, it didn't cost me anything.
In real terms, the depth is not quite 41 cm because the plug for the cold appliance is at the rear. The length of the plug/cable end must be added to the depth of 41 cm. With an angled plug, this can possibly be minimised somewhat.
The Lelit Bianca has a normal E61 brew group (the part that sticks out at the front) - i.e. it takes a relatively long time for it to heat up properly. I would calculate 35 minutes.
However, Lelit has a slightly different opinion and gives an "OK" (and the temperature flashes off) in the display quite quickly, i.e. after about 15 minutes or so. But I can still touch the brew group without any problems - i.e. it can't be that hot yet.
But I ordered a timer for it: myStrom WLAN and programme the correct switch-on time every morning. When I'm on the road, I can also switch the machine on/off with my mobile phone and can thus switch it on while I'm shopping in the supermarket on Saturday so that it's properly heated when I get home.
I'm very happy with the Bianca - it's fun to make espresso with it!
Why should there be no guarantee on this set? The item description mentions the 24-minute bring-in guarantee. I have been using the Lelit Bianca for a few months now and can recommend it without reservation. It takes some time to get used to, but in my opinion it is one of the best machines ever and the price-performance ratio is top: dual boiler, pre-infusion, manual pressure control, brewing time display. I would prefer the machine without the hot water dispenser. If you weigh the coffee yourself before each brew, I would recommend a coffee grinder with as little dead space as possible, so not necessarily a Eureka Mignon - and if you do, one without a digital display is more than sufficient. Last but not least, I'd like to recommend some beans: "Apas" from the coffee makers in Basel.
Hello Tomilio... all good questions!
1) If the cost is so important (and not the experience, or the quality of a good espresso), then you shouldn't consider such a machine.... (but then Nespresso is also too expensive... and "only" Bialetti" or "Melitta" (V60 at best) might be justifiable) - or (THE BEST ALTERNATIVE FOR ME) "Aeropress".
2) BUT.... Aeropress, Bialetti, Melitta also have their costs, and they are mainly ... (where do you think??) with the coffee itself.
Examples:
a) You take "cheap" coffee (approx. 7,- CHF / kg) - with an espresso machine you should consume about 18g of coffee per double espresso (36-40 ml) (single doses: 9g of coffee for 18-20 ml of espresso will not satisfy you...); so you produce about 55 servings, and per serving it costs you about 12 centimes.
b) You take "reasonably good" coffee (about 20,- CHF / kg) -> you get about 40 centimes per double espresso.
c) You take "very good" coffee (approx. 30,- and more... per kg) -> you get 60 and more centimes per double espresso.
You can calculate your own costs for Aeropress (about 40 grams of coffee powder per 250 ml of coffee - but recipes are very individual and extremely variable with Aeropress...), or for V60 (about 60 grams of powder for 800 ml of coffee; recipes are variable here too).
3) Do not underestimate the investment in a good grinder! (Good hand grinders cost 250,- Fr or more; good electric grinders can easily cost 400,- Fr or more (quickly higher)).
4) The running costs (electricity and water and cleaning agents) I can't quantify exactly... but should be negligible in relation to the coffee costs... (electricity costs are included in the general electricity costs at home, and I don't want to measure electricity consumption... ;-)); I "brew" water myself (because the tap water in Winterthur is quite hard) - costs extremely low; important for me is that the boilers do not corrode (oxidative water) or calcify (lime-hard water); - as references I use kettles that neither calcify nor oxidise with "my water".
5) After 7 months of using my Bianca: (daily operation; private use; 5-6 double espressos per day; daily backflow cleaning with water and brushing of the brew head; weekly backflow cleaning with PuliCaff); no "problems" at all - everything runs like clockwork; - however, I am not afraid of a possible repair, because the Bianca is easy to maintain myself.
6) All parts seem to me to be of high quality; the wooden parts are functional and extremely beautiful (but I would have liked to have tilting valves instead of turning valves [maybe I will do this conversion one day...]).
- But (as you probably see), coffee and espresso are also a bit of a "hobby" for me.... and I think that's a prerequisite... If you "just want a quick coffee", this hobby is "too much of a good thing" ;-)
The machine is shipped by a third party service provider in Switzerland, whose job is clearly to deliver the machine. And on the other hand Galaxus assumes its guarantees. So version A: under warranty: Galaxus takes care of it (I had the recent case on the Barratza mill that I bought with the machine), Version B: it is no longer under warranty, so you have to see with the service provider who is behind the supply of this machine (their coordinates are very clearly indicated in the package). In this case, I've had it for almost two years, and no problems. I have also had a Lelit Mara (previous model) for 4 years, and no problems, just 2l of white vinegar from time to time, and cleaning the percolator holder too.
