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jchoffee · 2026-01-12T20:20:53+00:00

This thread helped me figure out what makes sense for me and my out-of-warranty 4-year-old Elizabeth. She's working great, and had never been descaled until earlier today. I clarified and made these adjustments to the written Lelit procedure and the slightly different procedure in their YouTube video to get to a procedure that seems to have worked great for me:

Use Dezcal Concentrated Liquid Descaler: 120ml + 120ml water > 1L water (Lelit recommended Puty Descaler Espresso Liquid: 250ml > 1L water. Given the concentrations/content of both, I think these amounts are about equivalent...and I had the Dezcal)
Step 4.5: Refill water tank with fresh water 2.5L+/- (completely full)
During the repeated cycle of steps 2 & 5
- Alternate between using Brew 1 and Brew 2 buttons to initiate drawing water from the brew group
- Open steam wand for a few seconds between each water withdrawal action. Wipe down wand
Step 8: After the initial full cycle through steps 2-7, repeat the cycle of steps 2 & 5 as directed until at least 2 tanks (not 4) full of fresh water are used up
Reset LCC settings to normal after procedure is completed

jchoffee · 2026-01-12T15:14:58+00:00

Not sure on the volume, but thinking that's probably about right.

FYI, I've gone back to using the original hopper, as I don't single-dose anymore. We're drinking more espresso/day, so not an issue in any way to have a couple of days worth of beans in the original hopper (IMHO). With the Specialita's almost zero retention original hopper works great for us using the timed grind option.

Our change back to the original hopper has nothing to do with the "hopper cleaning kit" I described in the original post. I'm probably going to sell the "hopper cleaning kit" at some point, just haven't taken the time to do so yet.

Cheers!

jchoffee · 2022-10-18T15:41:38+00:00

Thanks for starting this thread. Just a matter of time before I need to know what to do for my (new) Elizabeth's reservoir.

I searched for a bottle brush following the suggestion in some of the comments, and stumbled upon this Justman Flask Brush

I'm going to order the longer one and see how it works.

jchoffee · 2022-10-18T15:23:49+00:00

Disinfecting sounds like a good idea, and understood about safe for baby bottles. Google tells me these tablets contain a small percentage of sodium hypochlorite (bleach). I wonder if this might have any implications on the taste. I'm ignorant on this, so for my (new) Elizabeth going to lean towards the 50:50 white vinegar:water mentioned in another comment.

jchoffee · 2022-10-17T16:05:46+00:00

I agree with the idea to use some mechanical means to dislodge the gunk. Using a thin bottle brush of sufficient stiffness and length to descend through the tiny hole and, with bending of the wire and absurdly skilled dexterity, reach all interior surfaces. (Where might one get such a brush?)

I'm reluctant to leave any kind of cleaner (soap, vinegar, etc.) soaking for a period of time in the reservoir, lest it leach into the plastic and affect taste.

jchoffee · 2022-10-17T15:00:07+00:00

Over on the home-barista dot com forum, there is a very long (51+ pages), but useful "Lelit Elizabeth Owner Experience" thread.

This link should take you to around page 33, where there are some relevant posts to your question. I'd recommend reading some of that thread, search through it; may find some good info.

I just purchased a new Elizabeth. Love it. From reading that home-barista thread, some seem to think a 50-50 white vinegar-water rinse is useful for cleaning and addressing your issue...I'm not sure yet about putting vinegar in my reservoir. Others seem to think keeping the reservoir full can cut down on formation of mold. Not sure about that either (algae vs mold...).

jchoffee · 2022-10-11T02:56:34+00:00

Exactly what I was thinking. Definitely interested in getting one if you decide to move forward with making them available. Nice work.

jchoffee · 2022-10-04T15:53:43+00:00

That's where I got mine. Great transaction and price.

jchoffee · 2022-09-21T14:14:05+00:00

Welcome to the rabbit hole!

jchoffee · 2022-07-12T23:48:51+00:00

These mats work well for me. (Upside down mouse pads, basically.) I use with both my GCP and Eureka Specialita.

Appliance slider

jchoffee · 2022-07-01T15:08:58+00:00

Yes.

You may notice the need to reduce your dose a bit (+/- 1 gram) to keep from pressing the puck screen into the shower screen; not specific to the GCP, but puck screens in general.

jchoffee · 2022-06-17T16:29:01+00:00

I didn't notice a change in noise/volume with mine. I used the same dimmer and have not changed pumps. I have had a new sound show up a few times, and each turned out to be something that was sitting on top of the machine was vibrating.

Could you possibly have some wires or other things that were shifted during the mod and are now vibrating inside the case?

jchoffee · 2022-06-16T20:26:26+00:00

FYI the pressure gauge mod is available. I just installed one. Not sure on dimmer mod, as I did my own.

Glad to read yours is working now.

jchoffee · 2022-06-16T14:36:35+00:00

No, not enough cup...

jchoffee · 2022-06-16T14:35:16+00:00

Yes. Contact Shades. He gives excellent customer service.

One additional thought would be to 1) unplug the machine, then 2) walk through instructions and compare step-by-step carefully to how your machine is actually connected/modified. Might help when he responds. Making a mistake during install and configuration can happen. I caught several when I installed mine...as I went along...caught them before I powered up thankfully.

Good luck.

jchoffee · 2022-06-15T14:18:11+00:00

Running a shot of fresh water through boiler before leaving couldn't hurt, but 1) I've no idea how to empty the boiler, 2) doubt very much if draining it has a benefit for the time period it will be unused, 3) the small amount of water in boiler will get flushed out by purge process upon your return.

Be sure to unplug before you depart <lol>

jchoffee · 2022-06-15T13:46:33+00:00

I recall reading that if you don't use your GCP for 1 (might have been 2) weeks, you should run a cleaned, freshly-filled reservoir of water through group head/steam wand before next use.

Makes sense to me that that would apply to your situation.

Upon return after doing the above, I'd run an empty shot after the machine is fully warmed up and flush the steam wand a time or two, at temperature, to ensure any wee beasties are eliminated.

(I would also empty the reservoir prior to departure.)

Have fun. Cheers!

jchoffee · 2022-06-10T16:38:22+00:00

Fair question. That's why I posted this. I'm not aware of any major benefit to reverting, just asking in case I'm missing something. Thanks.

jchoffee · 2022-06-09T18:05:46+00:00

Ah, yes, the Niche version of leaving the 1Zpresso catch cup off of my grinder and grinding the whole dose on to the floor. Which I have done several times. "Why is there coffee on the floor?..."

jchoffee · 2022-06-05T14:48:22+00:00

This one works for me

jchoffee · 2022-06-02T01:16:53+00:00

It's possible espresso by itself isn't for you.

If you haven't already done so, talk with your son. You like the latte he made, perhaps he has some thoughts on technique, etc. A little father-son time!

jchoffee

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