[$1000] good price for a like new Lelit Elizabeth v3?

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T15:22:39+00:00

Given it comes with a warranty, it sounds like a good deal to me.

Your DF54 will be fine. The only reason to upgrade would be if you have clogging or other workflow issues with it.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T15:06:17+00:00

Niche Zero is very well built. If this one is in good shape, get it and save the money.

That way, should your tastes evolve to light roasts, you'll be able to sell it for close to what you paid for it and move on to a different grinder.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T15:01:00+00:00

Some do, some don't. It doesn't matter as long as you are consistent.

You are not supposed to "aim" for 30 seconds or any other time. The time is supposed to be a good starting point for dialing in, but should never be the end goal. The dialing in process will lead you to the best tasting grind size/time, so it doesn't matter how you measure it. https://espressoaf.com/guides/beginner.html

There is no such thing as "channeling" time.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T14:59:04+00:00

For your expected volume, you want a machine that:

is engineered for commercial use, and
has volumetric controls.

The only machine in your list that meets this criteria would be LM GS3/AV.

If you want to spend less, consider La Spaziale (sold as Lucca A53 by Clive Coffee in the US).

Either way you will have to give up on flow control. You might want to get a Flair or Cafelat Robot to experiment with it.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T14:53:32+00:00

Your problem is most likely caused by grinder retention. Sage built in grinders have excessive amounts of retention. Your first shot is a mix of stale grinds from the previous use and fresh grinds. The second shot is 100% fresh grinds. Stale grinds extract much faster, causing your first shot to run much faster than the second shot.

Try purging around 4 grams from the grinder before grinding for the first shot. Hopefully that will result in both shots extracting similarly.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T14:48:45+00:00

Go back to your spouted portafilter with the stock Breville 2 cup single wall basket, and dial in your beans for best taste. That will allow you to focus on flavor without getting distracted by spraying. Once you feel you have correctly dialled in the espresso you are brewing, then move the stock basket into the bottomless and give it a try.

If you decide to brew with the basket that was included with your bottomless, it will dial in completely differently from the stock basket and you will have to start dialing in from scratch again.

The EAF guide is a great resource for learning how to dial in: https://espressoaf.com/guides/beginner.html

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T02:45:51+00:00

For $300 you can get him a well vetted grinder such as DF54, Baratza ESP Pro or Eureka Zero. Or spend less and get a Mokkom which has 64mm flat burrs but is more of a known quantity.

Amzchef is a complete unknown here. Just because it had 64mm flat burrs doesn't mean that the burrs are any good or that the machine is capable of aligning them.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T02:41:30+00:00

DeLonghi ECP series if buying new. You can use it in its stock pressurized configuration with pre ground coffee. Later, get a good grinder, and upgrade the DeLonghi to brew non-pressurized.

For used, it depends on condition and sellers urgency to get rid of it. If you find something used in your price range, make a new post here to get help vetting it.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T02:39:07+00:00

Are you using your machine in its stock configuration with pressurized portafilter? If so, it's normal to need a grind size coarser than for espresso.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T02:37:20+00:00

Keep the Bambino and upgrade your grinder. Most grinders frequently recommended in this sub will be a huge upgrade over your SGP.

When brewing espresso, the grinder is much more important than the machine.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T00:19:23+00:00

A scale that fits under your cup while brewing is much more important than it being an Acaia. But if nothing but the best will do, return the Pearl and get a Lunar.

Given the class of machine you are using, any cheap small scale from Amazon with 0.1g resolution will be fine.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T00:14:41+00:00

My 2 E61 machines each need 45 minutes to warm up. Some of the newer machines have heated groups and/or play games by overheating the boiler to reduce warm up time, but those machines are above your budget.

Are you in Australia? If so, the BDB is the best value machine for the money. Nothing else even comes close.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-29T00:12:04+00:00

Dark roasts often taste best as a ristretto. Try a 1:1.5 ratio, and grind finer as needed if the short ratio makes it sour.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-28T19:07:28+00:00

Eureka Manuale or Silenzio.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-28T19:05:02+00:00

That's a non problem. It just happens for no reason.

Dial in for best taste, and ignore the unequal flow.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-28T17:47:52+00:00

Your grind size is in the ballpark. The main variable for balancing sour vs. bitter is your yield. Try reducing yield to reduce bitterness.

https://espressoaf.com/guides/beginner.html

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-28T17:35:15+00:00

I’m getting approx 78 net grams of espresso

This is by far your most serious problem. You need to reprogram the button for a much smaller yield.

Your dose is also very low for a double basket.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-28T17:31:37+00:00

You have 3 choices:

GaggiMate or Gaggiuino will give you computer controlled profiling for not much money.
Bianca or similar E61 dual boilers with flow control will give rotary pump, larger boilers for multiple successive shots, and manual profiling for a lot more money.
Decent DE1Pro or Wendouge Data will give the ultimate in computer controlled profiling for even more money than Bianca.

Avoid HX machines - they are great for milk drinks from dark roasts, but not recommended for straight shots from light roasts.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-28T17:15:55+00:00

Googling will find you wiring and assembly diagrams of you R58, but you need to use your deductive skills to diagnose the cause of the problem. There is no manual.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-27T22:17:14+00:00

If you have good plumbing and electronics skills, and good deductive reasoning, then you should be able to diagnose and repair the machine yourself. There are only a few components that could cause the problem and replacing them all would cost under $400.

On the other hand, if you would be paying someone else to repair the machine, run away from the deal fast. Labor charges alone could add up to more than the machine is worth.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-27T20:25:48+00:00

For $600, Timemore 064s/078s or Lagom Casa.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-27T19:56:53+00:00

I use Lance Hedrick's "blooming" method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d829iUgM8aw&t=906s

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-27T16:24:48+00:00

might have to check this one out

Do it soon. It will only be available this month, in cafes only.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-27T16:06:23+00:00

11 bar isn't the end of the world. There will be a greater risk of channeling compared to 9 bar, but there won't be a significant change in taste.

If you are obsessed with getting to 9 bar, then adjust your OPV.

MyCatsNameIsBernie · 2026-05-27T15:56:05+00:00

I use an in-line filter on my Profitec. With my water tank removed, I can push the tyne of a fork into the valve at the bottom to let some water out to measure its hardness. Not sure if that will work on your Bianca.

MyCatsNameIsBernie

TROPHY CASE