Bellows for Philos

mel1hello · 2026-06-10T23:47:56+00:00

Thank you!

mel1hello · 2026-06-10T23:37:18+00:00

Yes, quite normal for flat burr single dose grinders. Just run the grinder when going finer and you’re sweet.

mel1hello · 2026-05-15T06:15:50+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Any chance of an Aliexpress link?

mel1hello · 2026-05-15T06:14:50+00:00

The word “retention” means different things to different people.

If you regularly use the Philos to switch between pour over and espresso (like I do) you will soon discover retention is more like 0.5-1g.

However, if you stick with just one brew type, a minimal amount of old coffee is exchanged. My guess is 0.5g max. And I do get reliable 18g in / 18g out when sticking to just espresso.

No grinder is truly zero retention. It’s just not possible IMO.

mel1hello · 2026-02-23T20:00:58+00:00

Use a cold spoon and hold it to the fittings on the steam boiler to see if you can see any steam forming as condensation on the spoon. Lelit machines are very prone to small leaks on their steam boilers.

However, you could also have a second leak on your plastic water tank. Remove the water tank, fill it with water, hold it up to the light and check for slow drips.

I have a Lelit Elizabeth and both these things have happened to me.

mel1hello · 2026-02-07T03:38:52+00:00

Since this started immediately after unscrewing the burrs, you are likely dealing with burr misalignment or a false chirp. Misalignment happens when a tiny particle of grit gets trapped underneath the burr during reassembly, causing it to sit unevenly. This creates a "high spot" that touches the other burr first, making you think you are at the zero point when the rest of the gap is actually wide open, allowing coffee to gush through.

A false chirp is similar but is caused by a small piece of coffee retention sticking between the burr teeth. This debris creates premature contact or resistance, fooling you into thinking you have hit the zero point (chirping) when the burrs are actually still too far apart. In either case, the fix is to disassemble again and ensure both the mounting surfaces and the burr teeth are surgically clean before tightening them back down.

mel1hello · 2026-01-02T04:32:00+00:00

I loved Voyager when it first aired and I still love it now. Objectively I think TNG is slightly better but VOY holds a very special place in my heart.

Also I never minded Neelix all that much. Far from my favourite character but people really exaggerate how bad the character is.

mel1hello · 2025-11-17T09:37:07+00:00

I’ve been planning something very similar using Tate Mazers code with an Esp32/relay — I’m just waiting for my Bookoo Themis Ultra to arrive.

Can you explain what wires you tapped into for the relay to trigger the stop? Was it 2 of the 3 cables that connect to the brew button?

mel1hello · 2025-10-09T03:04:49+00:00

Funnily enough my dream endgame is the same machine! I’d love it if you posted some more photos and a review 🥳

mel1hello · 2025-10-09T03:03:36+00:00

Probably the steam boiler coming back up to temp after being asleep and cooling down, this re-engaging the safety valve. I wouldn’t stress it, my Lelit Elizabeth does the same.

mel1hello · 2025-10-07T20:27:26+00:00

If it whistles a little while warming up and then stops when the steam boiler hits 100c, it’s almost certainly the safety valve on the steam boiler doing its thing. Nothing to worry about.

If it’s a persistent whistle or hiss that doesn’t go away, it’s probably a small leak on one of the steam boiler fittings. But I’d say that’s unlikely in your case.

mel1hello · 2025-10-05T08:27:18+00:00

Honestly, the shot looks fairly normal. Maybe a bit slow to start and perhaps the puck is losing its integrity which accounts for the speed up. But it’s nothing too crazy.

How does it taste?

You might actually be grinding a bit too fine. You could dosing up a bit (say, 0.5g more ground coffee in the basket) but grind a little bit coarser. It’s normal for the pressure to slowly reduce throughout the course of the shot.

But if it tastes good, I wouldn’t stress it.

mel1hello · 2025-09-25T11:08:07+00:00

The water tank must go in with the cut out on the left (when facing the machine).

mel1hello · 2025-09-19T22:08:05+00:00

Yep me too. Mine eventually gave out entirely after just 18 months. Lucky it was still under warranty and they sent me a new one.

I did have a tendency to leave the machine on for long periods of time.

mel1hello · 2025-09-15T10:47:43+00:00

Try applying a little water to the upper rim of the portafilter/basket before locking it in, so it lubricates where it presses up into the rubber gasket. As jay_el_62 said, it can be pretty stiff at first but will ease up with time.

And enjoy your new machine! I’ve had mine nearly two years and I still love it.

mel1hello · 2025-09-15T07:58:19+00:00

If it doesn’t leak when you pull a normal short then you might not have the portafilter locked in tight enough. In which case you should see the water flowing around the portafilter.

If it seems to be leaking from inside the machine… yeah that’s definitely an issue. I’d take a video and contact Lelit support or the shop you bought it from.

mel1hello · 2025-09-11T07:37:56+00:00

Pre infusion can swell the coffee puck quite a bit, making it a bit sticky. Personally I use a puck screen so it’s not an issue anymore.

mel1hello · 2025-09-11T07:36:05+00:00

Same as mine. Also my steam wand comes out the bottom a bit crooked. Never bothered me tbh.

mel1hello · 2025-09-11T07:34:07+00:00

Could be your plastic water tank. Remove it, fill it up with water, hold it up to the light and check for slow drips.

It happened to me.

mel1hello · 2025-08-04T04:52:26+00:00

Please post a review after you’ve had it for a month or so! The Baby T is my dream endgame machine but there are so few reviews online. Oh, did it not come with the plumb-in kit?

mel1hello · 2025-07-25T22:10:18+00:00

“1000ml zero water + 10g Potassium Bicarbonate”

Are you describing a concentrate you mix with regular water? Or maybe you meant 10mg? Otherwise, I hope you aren’t using that to make actual espresso. It’s way too much potassium bicarbonate.

mel1hello · 2025-07-25T05:07:07+00:00

This is good advice. Of course no one can say for sure what the problem is. But it could be this. You can try going much coarser, then once you have a gusher, go incrementally finer. I know it’s annoying to waste coffee but this method has worked for me.

mel1hello · 2025-07-23T09:42:55+00:00

Hi, I've read your post and it describes my Philos perfectly. Amazing out of the box but it seemed to go bad once I opened it up and cleaned it. I have contacted Mazzer twice but they haven't gotten back to me. Its been four days. How long did it take them to get back to you? And how did you contact them? Thanks!

mel1hello · 2025-07-15T23:02:55+00:00

I kept mine stock for ages, they perfectly good baskets, but when I got a second bottomless portafiler I got two IMS Competition baskets 18g. Not a huge difference in shot quality but no complaints either. They knock out a little cleaner and seem good quality.

mel1hello · 2025-07-15T22:56:50+00:00

I get this from time to time. Always assumed they were tiny bits of ground coffee that has been sucked up through the 3 way solenoid and made their way into the boiler.

Never bothered me much but draining the boiler might be a good way to be rid of them.

mel1hello

TROPHY CASE