Lelit PL41TEM

Jetblack Espresso

Introducing Lelit's newest model ...

[size=18pt]Lelit PL41TEM[/size]

The Lelit PL41TEM will make it's Australian debut in 2 weeks.  

Here are the vital stats:

[li]Body is all stainless steel[/li] [li]Brass boiler (250ml) and group head[/li] [li]Gicar PID control of brew mode[/li] [li]Thermostat control of steam mode[/li] [li]Ball jointed steam arm[/li] [li]Price: circa $900

charlie

Brett H

on 1309482713:

Introducing Lelit's newest model ...

[size=18pt]Lelit PL41TEM[/size]

The Lelit PL41TEM will make it's Australian debut in 2 weeks.   Here are the vital stats:

[li]Body is all stainless steel[/li] [li]Brass boiler (250ml) and group head[/li] [li]Gicar PID control of brew mode[/li] [li]Thermostat control of steam mode[/li] [li]Ball jointed steam arm[/li] [li]Price: circa $900

charlie

Whoa.... take that Silvia.  Let's see how many Breville early adopters also jump ship. Sure they are very different machines but the Euro aficionados now have another consideration. Well done Jet Black on making available an exciting new toy!

RichardM

Woah that model looks cool. So the obligatory question - can the steam wand be retrofitted on old models, and is it longer? Maybe I should just sell my current Lelit and buy that one...

Lacehim

PID control of the brew temp would make more different to you coffee RichardM

RichardM

on 1309507009:

PID control of the brew temp would make more different to you coffee RichardM

Yeah, but there's a future wife involved.....the steam wand she wouldn't even notice. The selling/buying of a new machine she would.

Jetblack Espresso

on 1309506846:

Woah that model looks cool. So the obligatory question - can the steam wand be retrofitted on old models, and is it longer? Maybe I should just sell my current Lelit and buy that one...

Sorry Richard, the problem is that the hole in the case needs to be bigger to fit the new wand. Apart from that issue, it would go on ...  ::) And yes, it's longer. charlie

Jetblack Espresso

on 1316824017:

2: Grab a Sunbeam EM69XX steam wand...  (I have a few around)  .

and if you don't have a spare Sunbeam EM69XX steam wand in your spare parts bin  :D you can grab one of these ... when they're back in stock  http://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/shop/p/lelit-ball-jointed-steam-wand/ charlie

Eskil

on 1316839619:

I would also suggest that where possible the correct parts should be used and Charlie is correct... So check jetblackespresso out and think about what you WANT vs NEED to do. Anger

True. What I want is to improve the steam action, the original wand is limited. I have done my research and there are 4 options I have found: 1. Get an elektra microcasa tip ($?) 2. Get the Pullman custom attachment with the Silvia tip ($70+postage) 3. Purchase the new Lelit wand ($49.90+postage+tools) 4. Retrofit a wand ($0 + tools) I already have a sunbeam wand so I figure I'll go for the retrofit - provided it will fit. I have a few more questions to ask regarding the procedure, if you can help me out a little more. I have attached pictures of my machine and the relevant parts for reference. 1. I gather the sunbeam wand is attached to the steam valve with the joint above the hole? Does that limit the movement much? 2. The sunbeam wand has a brass nut with a small fitting, does that actually screw into the steam valve? The original steam wand is attached with a nut that sits around the valve (see pic 1 and 2). 3. How much dissasembly is required? Can I remove just the steam valve or does the boiler need to come out (pic 3)? I have attached  two more photos of my machine for reference so that you may point out any dissimilarities to the machine you have played with (pic 4). Thank you for the feedback so far!

Eskil

on 1316860303:

I would drop the org steam  wand and see how the Sunbeam one might fit... You can just use the brass insert/nut  (pic 1) from the top of the Sunbeam steam wand as a guide to start with...   Leave the wand and bulky stuff for later.

Sorry to pester, but do you (or anyone else) know if the steam valve t-joint can be removed without removing the boiler as well? I'm am very reluctant to start this project if I have to remove the whole boiler assembly (the nuts that attach the collar to the boiler apparently requires modified tools...). Forgive me for asking all these questions but I need to understand as much as possible before I even attempt to do any modifications...  :-[

Eskil

on 1316910244:

Yes it can, but there is no need to ???? To try it you self, just do a dry run....  As per my steps provided.... If you can not fit the Brass bit from the Sunbeam, to the existing steam valve  outlet (old steam wand removed) , then your looking at JB modification (once back in stock). ...

Ok, one last question (I promise): Does the stream wand just come out by simply pulling the wand out or will I need to remove the split nut (it must be there for a reason)? It is kind of cramped in there and I'm not sure if I would be able to try to fit the sunbeam brass bit without any dissassembly...

Eskil

:D I appreciate your concern. I am simply just asking as much as I can so that I have a complete understanding of the job at hand. I am not an electrician  or plumber by trade (systems programmer, actually), but I do possess enough common sense as to not tinker with anything electrical unless unplugged . I am hoping to find the correct procedures to do this mod so that I don't disassemble more than I need to. Because I cannot directly observe how the wand holds together from above, I am looking for any advice as to how this part correctly comes off...

beanflying

on 1316919494:

:D I appreciate your concern. ........ (systems programmer, actually), but I do possess enough common sense as to not tinker with anything electrical unless unplugged .

Says it all then (not sure what the coffee equivalent of a software guy is)  Not so much with this fairly simple mod but taking some pictures along the way is a good thing too. Also  lay an old light coloured sheet or pillowslip under the work area saves screws bouncing as far or getting lost. Just one thing for AM are the bolts or screws on the Lelit's held on with threadlock or loctite?

Eskil

on 1316921219:

Says it all then (not sure what the coffee equivalent of a software guy is) 

I suppose that with programming I'm a professional and with coffee I'm an amateur, but in both ways I'm a geek I attempted a 'dry run', but there was no way to get a spanner on to the plit nut so that it could be undone. The solenoid valve blocks the path from the rear and from the front there is no room, even if the steam valve was removed. I'm not feeling confident enough to remove the entire t-joint from the boiler - I'd rather not risk steam or water leaking after re-assembling - just to check if the part will fit (or not). I may as well put some money aside for a new wand and maybe professional service... In the mean time I will enjoy a machine that WORKS and maybe revisit this after some more thought. Thanks for all your advice, though. Much appreciated.

Eskil

I'm in Melbourne. Lack of tools (and experience) most definitely my pivot point. Although my jack-of-all-trades neighbour has every tool imaginable, he did not have more than ordinary spanners... I'm not entirely discouraged yet, but will consider it more and weigh up my alternatives. Rushed jobs end in disaster...

UNM

I am in glen waverley, would be happy to help out with loan of tools or assist if I can. I'm not sure exactly what is required. Any chance of a photo or exploded parts diagram?

Eskil

on 1316998548:

I am in glen waverley, would be happy to help out with loan of tools or assist if I can. I'm not sure exactly what is required. Any chance of a photo or exploded parts diagram?

Thanks for the offer. I'm in Maidstone, pretty much on the other side of town from you... a bit of a hike. School hols at the moment and the kids are driving my wife up the wall so I don't think it will go down well if I just take off on a weekend just now ;D. I have not found any specific technical documentation for my exact model, but there is an exploded diagram of the Le'lit PL041QE here: http://www.lelit.com/scarica_file.asp?c=dati%2FCatalogoOnLine%2Fupload%2Fpdf%5Fesplosi%2F&f=ESPLOSO+PL41QE%2Epdf. As far as I can tell, the only difference with my QUAHA is that the steam knob is on the front, so the valve assembly could be different, although the steam wand assembly looks the same (split nut, etc). I contacted Alan Frew of coffeco.com.au and he kindly pointed out that the wand upgrade is not possible on older models, as stated in is July 2011 newsletter: http://www.coffeeco.com.au/newsletter/july2011.html. He explaiend that the entire steam assembly has been upgraded on the later le'lit models. But I can't help but think though that since my machine looks so similar to the QE it may still be achievable...  :-\ It would be intersting to see how much information can be gathered from other members about the specifications (and differences) of all the Imat, QUAHA, Nemox and Mokita variants of the Le'lit..?

Eskil

So... I finally managed to to remove the original wand. I used a spanner that came with one of the kid's bikes that could be bent to a 90 degree angle so that I could get to the split nut without disassembling any other parts. Unfortunately the sunbeam nut did not screw into the steam assembly  :P. I have not completed the mod yet, but I believe I have found the right solution: A brass reducing socket of size 1/8f - 3/8f is by my observations be the correct fitting to use. It will connect the sunbeam brass nipple to the existing steam valve. It will also lower the the wand so far the joint will be below the hole in the casing (must be enlarged). This is the brass fitting: http://www2.blackwoods.com.au/PartDetail.aspx?part_no=03646005. I tried 1/8-1/4 - it fit on the sunbeam nipple, but was too small for the valve... In the mean time I have found repeating the technique in this video (found on jetblack web site) I get a decent result when frothing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zMPQAVNXqvg

Kester

Hi Eskil and UNM, I've been searching for someone like yous for a long time. I wonder if you guys could be generous enough to lend me the tools you used to fix your Quaha machine. It is time for me to fix my Quaha Junior and Napoletana, as I am planning to get rid of the steam wands and have them replaced with Lelit's Pro steam wand. I don't normally register myself to forums, but for this one, I just have to. I could not find anything like this on coffeegeek or coffeesnobs, due to the nature of the machines, as they are discontinued and resemble (but not exactly) Lelit's. Any suggestions?

UNM

Hello and welcome. I have never owned a lelit/quaha, but happy to help if I can. Are you near me? Can you post pictures of what you need to remove and install?

Kester

Hi UNM, Thanks for the quick reply. I'm in Melbourne. I'd very much like to disassemble the boiler and open it up for a thorough cleaning. Tools needed will be a tool to remove hexagonal nuts, a spanner will not work as the nuts are placed in corners. I'll post some pictures when I get home tonight.

Kester

Hi UNM, I was so stupid. My machine is exactly the same as that from this post, Quaha Junior. Any idea which kind of tools needed to remove the steam wand? I can't wait to put on the new Pro steam wand by Lelit.

Kester

Hey guys, I received my steam wand today. I really hope that Eskil is reading this post, as the steam wand looks fabulous! I'd really appreciate it if anyone knows how to replace my Quaha steam wand with the Lelit pro steam wand. Here I have the pictures of the current configuration of the Quaha steam wand, and another picture of the Lelit steam wand I'd like to fit in.