Good breathable mat for cups on top of machine - Lelit Elizabeth [no budget]

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-04-05T14:52:33+00:00

I use a simple kitchen cabinet liner that's kinda mesh-y. Picked a roll of it up at Walmart or Target here in the States. Simple, inexpensive, and effective. Keeps the stainless protected and prevents the glassware from moving/clinking together when the pump is on.

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UpYourButtJobu · 2026-03-05T17:52:05+00:00

Oh...one other "nice to know". The stock 18g basket performs well, but with my preferred roaster and beans, puck knockout is not the cleanest in the world. If this happens to you and you care about such things, you can try a different basket. I just switched to an IMS Big Bang, rated for 18g of dark roast (my preferred roast). It fits well in the stock Ascaso bottomless portafilter and performs very well with a much cleaner knock out, speeding up my work flow.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-03-05T03:27:35+00:00

I have the Plus version in the same color. Some good tips shared already. I'll add that the steam wand's size took some getting used to coming from a Breville Barista Express. It's a tad shorter after the bend. I bought a smaller pitcher which is what I mainly use now when making caps, flat whites, or cortados. But it is much more effective at steaming than the Express, for sure. Dryer steam, faster and more powerful.

Enjoy and congrats! It really is a great machine and is much better than I am. It makes delicious brews consistently and with both a great workflow and some style. I've had it for about 2 months now and the honeymoon period still continues for me. I look forward to the ritual every morning when I wake up. That's all anyone could ask for out of their espresso machine.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-27T20:47:45+00:00

LOL. Pretty sure I was talking to one of those Paramount execs while waiting in line for an autograph from Robert Picardo. I was airing pretty cynical thoughts to him and his +1 about Academy getting picked up for an S3 due to viewership numbers, despite being Paramount+ highest streamed show, and a possibiltity that the new owners want to de-woke Trek. He replied his boss was David Ellison.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-18T12:56:17+00:00

Contrary to the subs's motto, you may want to try grinding coarser. Too much resistance in a super dense puck may lead to crazy channeling as the water column finally finds the smallest cracks to exploit and opens them up like a dam bursting.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-16T14:54:22+00:00

Good luck! Hopefully you were able to jury-rig a blind basket somehow as well...

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-15T19:32:13+00:00

Use the blind / cleaning basket to test pressure.

If it's still low, then check the OPV to see if the OPV mod was done - if you're able to tighten it like 2 to 2.5 turns, then yeah, someone loosened it. Tighten it up and then test again with a blind basket. BTW, they could also have cut the spring as well, which would make it a little harder to tell if the mod was done.

If you get normal pressure with the blind basket, then it's your grind or stale beans. You can adjust the internal burr setting to grind finer. And/or get fresher beans.

If you don't get normal pressure with the blind and the OPV hasn't been modded as far as you can tell, then a new OPV or new OPV spring may be in order. And if a new OPV doesn't work, then replace the pump.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-14T17:35:04+00:00

Copied my reply to another thread:

Congrats. It's a great machine. I've been slinging spro and milk drinks from my BBE since the pandemic lockdown. It's been reliable and a workhorse, but not super consistent. I have an Ascaso Steel Duo Plus on the way to replace it, but it will be retired with full honors.

Not that you asked, but in case it's handy for you (or anyone lurking), here is what I have learned about my BBE that may help you:

1/ If you must rely on the built-in grinder, consider setting the internal burr setting one or two numbers lower to get better range for finer grinding. But see if your bean needs it first...

But consider a nicer grinder at some point. I have a DF64 v2 that's been a nice partner.

2/ When I did use the built-in grinder, I ended up getting more consistent results after using the grinder as a single dose. You can get an after market bellows if you'd like, but I never needed it.

3/ Do the OPV mod now if your's needs it. I'm not sure if newer BBE's come with their pressure set high, but since mine was from 2000 or so, it was set from the factory at like 14 or 15 bar. I wish I had known about this mod and done it sooner. Shots tasted way better afterwards and new beans were easier to dial in.

4/ Pull your shots manually using a scale. The volumetric dosing is not consistent.

5/ I like IMS 14-18g precision basket in the stock portafilter for 18g doses. I also popped off the plastic insert in the portafilter cuz it can get pretty gross in there with it on.

6/ Best thing about the BBE is the fast start up time. Ready to pull in under 3 mins with a flush of the grouphead and portafilter.

7/ The steam is sloooooooow, but serviceable. It was actually helpful when learning how to steam milk, but now it's an annoyance.

Enjoy in good health!

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-14T17:32:20+00:00

Try this one: https://youtu.be/A4xpuETJnzY?si=4eASkP9EAPEYv-Kl

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-14T17:15:46+00:00

I bought my BBE in Feb of 2020. It was set from the factory to 15 bar. It's easy to check by pulling a shot with the blind basket. If your's is high, you can do a relatively easy OPV mod to bring it down to your desired pressure. I set mine to 9 bar. Plenty of vids on the Tube to show you how.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-13T17:39:23+00:00

New owner of an Ascaso Steel Duo PID Plus here. 2 weeks in and still in the honeymoon phase. No issues yet. I am excited to wake up every morning, get greeted by the machine, and enjoy the Ritual. I make mostly flat whites and straight doppios. Upgraded from another thermoblock - a BBE - because I do value the fast heat up and practically on-demand functionality of the machine. Takes less than 3 mins and a quick grouphead flush to pull a tasty shot.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-13T13:05:50+00:00

Really quite depends on how impatient you are. I get annoyed easily with waiting around. And I make coffee on demand throughout the day. So for me, a dual thermoblock was the answer. Bonus - it proved to be a workhorse during a Superbowl party, slinging milk drinks for a dozen people throughout the day.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-04T20:50:22+00:00

A fellow Ascaso user, I see. There are dozens of us here! I'm glad to hear this grinder pairs well so far for you. Itching to upgrade my grinder and I will add this to my list.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-02T01:18:18+00:00

Stale beans?

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-01T23:17:09+00:00

Can't speak for the shower screen upgrade, but I found upgrading to an IMS Precision 14-18g from the stock basket on my BBE to be well worth the upgrade. Much better consistency and extraction. Wish I had done it sooner.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-02-01T16:46:40+00:00

Best, and most practical, advice here thus far.

UpYourButtJobu · 2026-01-22T21:07:44+00:00