Lelit Victoria PL91T Espresso Machine | Made in Italia

Victoria – the name sounds very British but it’s actually a home espresso machine manufactured in Italy.

1. LELIT VICTORIA HAS VERY FAST WARM-UP TIME

From power-on, the machine is ready to brew coffee in just 5 minutes (screen shows “OK”). For best results, leave the machine another 5 minutes with the portafilter attached to the group head for complete temperature stabilization. This is the optimal time to start brewing with the Lelit Victoria.

This feature saves users considerable waiting time and simplifies the brewing process, eliminating the need to turn on the machine 30 minutes in advance like E61 group head machines.

2. LELIT VICTORIA IS A SINGLE BOILER ESPRESSO MACHINE

The single 300ml copper boiler sits directly above the group head, so temperature is nearly identical to brewing temperature (a type of saturated group head).

The drawback of single boiler design is inability to simultaneously brew coffee and steam milk. Wait time for the boiler to be ready is about 50-60 seconds after espresso extraction. Therefore, this machine suits those who mainly drink espresso/americano and occasionally make lattes/cappuccinos for friends.

3. LELIT VICTORIA HAS PID TEMPERATURE CONTROL

On typical single boiler espresso machines, you can only adjust coffee brewing temperature but not steam power. However, Victoria can also set PID for steam temperature for milk frothing. Users can select boiler temperatures up to 140°C for optimal steam wand power.

However, you still must wait for the machine to heat the boiler after espresso extraction. Wait time is about 50-60 seconds.

During milk steaming, Victoria’s boiler doesn’t automatically refill but only replenishes after frothing ends. This ensures steam power is maintained while quickly cooling water in the boiler so you can immediately brew espresso without shooting out steam like other single boiler machines. Lelit is very thoughtful in programming this feature!

4. LELIT VICTORIA PRE-INFUSION SETTINGS

This added feature helps Victoria extract better with light roast coffees. Pre-infusion timing is set through the central LCC control screen. Users can set both pump run time and infusion time.

To customize, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off machine
• Step 2: Press and hold both +/- buttons
• Step 3: Turn on machine while holding both +/- buttons. Press “-” to browse settings menu. “PR ON” is pump run time and “PR OFF” is pump rest time. If user selects PR ON 3 seconds and PR OFF 5 seconds, the pump runs for 3 seconds, then rests 5 seconds to pre-infuse coffee before resuming main extraction phase.

5. LELIT VICTORIA HAS CENTRAL CONTROL SYSTEM (LCC)

The electronic control system displays on OLED screen supporting multiple machine settings: Activate automatic cleaning cycle; Set pre-infusion mode; Display steam temperature and coffee brewing temperature; Low water indicator; Automatic timing for each extraction.

• Press “-” to access settings menu. Continuous pressing cycles through different settings (wrench icon)
• Press “+” to edit settings
• Press “+” and “-” to change parameters (add/subtract, forward/back through options)
• Stop pressing for a few seconds for machine to auto-save settings (stops blinking)
• Press + and – simultaneously to toggle °F/°C display

6. LELIT VICTORIA HAS BREWING PRESSURE GAUGE

The backlit gauge is positioned on top for easy monitoring during brewing. This is an essential accessory for users to control espresso quality.

Optimal pressure is 8-12 bar and can be set via internal OPV valve. Victoria’s default brewing pressure limit is 10 bar.

7. LELIT VICTORIA USES VIBRATION PUMP WITH SOFT CONNECTION

The pump is suspended on rubber dampening system to limit vibration transmission to machine body. Therefore, vibration pump noise on Victoria is quieter compared to machines using directly bolted vibration pumps.

8. LELIT VICTORIA HAS ENERGY SAVING MODE (ECO MODE)

By default, the machine enters sleep mode after 30 minutes, temporarily cutting heating and maintaining warmth to save electricity if users forget to turn off. However, some users want the machine always ready.

Energy saving mode can be enabled or disabled as follows:

• Step 1: Turn off machine
• Step 2: Press and hold all 3 switches on machine front simultaneously
• Step 3: Turn on machine while holding 3 switches. If hot water switch light blinks, Eco mode is on; if light doesn’t illuminate, Eco mode is off.

OTHER FEATURES OF THE LELIT VICTORIA ESPRESSO MACHINE

• Standard commercial 58mm portafilter: Convenient for adding accessories like dosing cups, dosing rings, tampers, OCD…
• Includes cup stand: Can be installed for espresso cups or removed for direct brewing into tall large-capacity cups (personal travel mugs)
• Brushed stainless steel body: Gives extremely solid feel
• Low water warning: Triangle exclamation and water tap icons appear on screen
• 360° multi-directional steam wand: Easy angle adjustment for milk frothing

DRAWBACKS OF THE LELIT VICTORIA ESPRESSO MACHINE

• Plastic tamper included: At this price point, few espresso machines include such a tamper. The manufacturer should provide a steel tamper with wooden handle similar to the Lelit Mara X. Users should consider upgrading this accessory
• No automatic volumetric dosing: Strange since most machines of this type have timed volumetric buttons, but Victoria doesn’t. This is a supplementary feature that feels missing – having it would be convenient and worthy of a simple espresso machine’s value
• Rear C13 power plug prevents wall placement (5cm gap needed): Solution is buying C13/C14 adapter cable (left or right angle depending on specific machine placement) reducing wall gap to about 2cm

USAGE NOTES FOR LELIT VICTORIA ESPRESSO MACHINE

• Victoria’s water tank has 2 different orientations – if installed backwards, the bottom switch won’t activate and machine won’t work (pump won’t run, screen shows water tap). Not sure why Lelit designed this complexity, but users must note during operation. Even the admin was extremely embarrassed when first opening the machine to guide customers and couldn’t get it working. Fortunately, the customer was understanding…
• Victoria’s switches look mechanical but aren’t mechanical switches, so pressing them springs back. Many people mistake this as a fault when first opening the machine. But it’s a feature!
• Machine includes 1 water filter, 35L filtering capacity: Only for those using hard water with high calcium (usable about 3 months before replacement needed). Those using RO filtered water with TDS under 50 don’t need this water filter

ADVANCED SETTINGS IN LELIT VICTORIA LCC DISPLAY

Victoria’s settings screen has advanced menu for deeper brewing process intervention. This section fine-tunes certain parameters.

Turn off machine, press and hold + and – buttons while turning on to access advanced mode:

• KP: PID proportional value of boiler (don’t interfere)
• KI: Boiler integral value for PID calculation – shouldn’t change as it belongs to programmed PID calculation formula
• KD: PID derivative value of boiler. Also shouldn’t change this parameter
• B: Temperature range where PID reactivates in coffee brewing boiler. Factor 5 = 1 degree actual change. Smaller numbers make PID operate continuously at smaller ranges
• Ec: Calculation and display setting for hot water deviation in boiler vs temperature exiting group head. Increasing/decreasing this parameter correspondingly increases/decreases temperature display (Victoria has ~5 degree actual difference, so 93°C coffee brewing setting equals boiler at 98°C)
• Es: Display compensation value for hot steam temperature. No need to change as it leads to on-screen parameters not matching reality
• F01: Turn on switch lights if set to 1. Setting to 0 turns off switch lights and gauge backlighting
• F02: No documentation for this parameter
• SL: No documentation for this parameter
• TR: Value 0 allows screen to display set temperature. Setting to 1 displays real-time temperature (Should change this value to 1)
• ToT: Shot counter and cannot be interfered with

Note: Turning off machine, pressing and holding + button while turning on will reset machine to factory settings and pump will reactivate continuously for about 30 seconds.

WHO IS THE LELIT VICTORIA NOT SUITABLE FOR?

• Not for office use: Most office workers lack skills for grinding and tamping coffee into filter baskets (unless company has someone who loves brewing coffee and… is very idle)
• Not suitable for café service: Small boiler mainly serves espresso. Milk steaming requires 1-minute wait after pressing button, and 2.5L water tank requires constant refilling

In summary, this machine is only for personal users who love espresso/americano. Little to no milk-based coffee like lattes (occasionally making some for friends is fine).

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – LELIT VICTORIA ESPRESSO MACHINE

• Brand: Lelit
• Model: PL91T
• Dimensions (W x D x H): 23 x 27 x 38cm
• Weight: 11kg
• Material: Stainless steel
• 300ml copper boiler, 1200W power
• Ulka vibration pump
• Default pump pressure: 10 bar, adjustable via internal OPV valve
• 3-way solenoid valve for drying coffee puck before portafilter removal
• Integrated coffee brewing pressure gauge
• Water reservoir: 2500ml (2.5 liters)
• Voltage: 220V
• Made in Italia
• 12-month warranty

LELIT VICTORIA ESPRESSO MACHINE PACKAGE INCLUDES

• 1 Espresso machine
• 1 x 58mm double portafilter
• 2 IMS filter baskets: 9-11g and 14-18g
• 1 metal blind basket
• 1 plastic tamper
• 1 plastic coffee scoop
• 1 water softening filter kit
• 1 metal cup stand
• User manual

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