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Introduction
Indulge in the ultimate espresso experience with the Lelit Bianca Double Boiler Espresso Machine. This magnificent machine combines elegance and performance, boasting dual boilers for simultaneous brewing and steaming, allowing you to effortlessly craft exquisite espresso shots and velvety milk textures. With its innovative paddle-controlled flow profiling system, the Bianca puts the power of customization at your fingertips, enabling you to explore a world of flavor possibilities. Elevate your home brewing setup with the Lelit Bianca and enjoy the art of espresso like never before.
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V3 changes:
New software update which includes:
- Low Flow function
- Stand By mode
- Brewing Temperature Offset
- Faster warmup time
Want to upgrade?
Discover the pinnacle of espresso craftsmanship with the all-new Lelit Bianca V3. If you’re seeking an upgrade from your current Lelit Bianca, now is the time to experience the latest advancements. Immerse yourself in a world of choice as the Lelit Bianca V3 is available in three exquisite colors: Stainless Steel, Black, and White. Unleash your inner barista and elevate your espresso game with this stunning machine that effortlessly combines innovation, style, and unrivaled brewing performance.
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Lelit Bianca Version 2 Changes, as of 6/3/2021! (2021.5)
- Extended Steam Valve and Hot Water Valve: The steam valve and hot water valve have been extended in length to place them further away from the front panel of the machine. This upgrade facilitates more side-to-side movement of the wands.
- Water Tank: The water tank’s appearance has changed slightly and includes the new Lelit logo on the side of the tank.
- Filter Baskets: The Bianca now includes the Lelit by IMS filter baskets.
- Internal Changes: One of the two safety thermostats on the steam boiler has been updated.
Lelit Bianca Version 2 Upgraded Features, as of 1/20/2020!
- Instant Stand-By Sleep Mode: By holding the plus and minus buttons simultaneously for three seconds on the LCC display, the machine will go into sleep mode. Please note the LCC must have sleep mode ‘on’ in the menu for 30, 60…up to 540 minutes. This is just a quick way to get the machine into standby mode where the coffee boiler stays at 80 degrees C and the steam boiler is off.
- Reserve Mode for Water Reservoir: The machine can perform the espresso extraction while the water level is low in the reservoir. Also, if the water level in the reservoir is just above the low water indicator, the extraction will continue for 60 seconds after the LCC indicator shows low water. Thus, this will save the espresso shot!
- Instant Economy Mode for Powering Coffee Boiler Only: By holding the minus button for three seconds, users can deactivate the steam boiler and maintain the programmed temperature of the coffee boiler.
- Actual Boiler Temperature Display: Press the LCC plus button on the right side ONCE quickly and hold to see the current coffee boiler temperature. Press the LCC plus button TWICE and hold quickly to see the actual steam temperature.
- Shot Clock Timer Display Delay: At the end of extraction, the shot clock time will continue to show on the LCC for 20 seconds.
- Steam Temperature:
- The maximum steam boiler temperature increased from 125 degrees C to 135 degrees C (266 degrees F to 275 degrees F).
- The minimum steam boiler temperature on both V1 and V2 are consistently 115 degrees C (239 degrees F).
- No change is necessary for the safety valve on the steam boiler! In fact, the boiler and boiler safety valve for 3 bar allow increases on the version 1 espresso machines.
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All About the Lelit Bianca Dual Boiler Espresso Machine!
The PL162T Bianca from Lelit is their newest luxury dual boiler espresso machine. After over two years of studying with a well-known espresso academy in Italy, many baristas, and professionals, including 1st-line, the Lelit Bianca espresso machine was built from the ground up and designed for flow control through the brew pressure paddle. There are many secrets learned from the two years. In fact, one of those secrets of the espresso academy was the precise range of flow to create the best espresso.
Thus, we can certainly say that the Bianca is more than just a flow control device slapped onto an L58E espresso machine. Since September 2018, our customers started switching out their $8000+ espresso machine for the Bianca! Don’t be fooled by Lelit’s advertising if you are not a barista…
With the Bianca, Lelit continues to outdo themselves and now leads the industry with the widest range of prosumer models. However, although the Lelit Bianca can be a beginner dual boiler espresso machine, it packs some of the best technology that will make any barista jump for joy. In other words, the Bianca has really disrupted the worldwide prosumer espresso machine market. This is all thanks to its manual brew pressure via flow control as well as its external reservoir! In fact, the needle for the flow control is made of stainless steel and the gicleur is made of brass. This prevents galling between the same metals under intense heat.
More about the Lelit Bianca
Not only does the machine include a PID-controlled dual boiler, for those who are looking to experiment with pressure profiling/flow control seeking the Holy Grail; but, sitting on top of the legendary L58E grouphead is a wooden paddle that allows the user to manually adjust the brew pressure (control the flow of water) as the espresso shot is extracting! All are under 16″ in height! No need to pre-program it with your fingers crossed that your flavor profile will be to your liking. You have the control, right at your fingertips with a brew pressure readout at the group! And, the wooden paddle diffuses the high intense heat emanating from a super hot L58E grouphead. Thoughtful design by Lelit!
Clean design inside and out! Nice curves make Bianca look super sexy! Unlike other machines with multiple body panels, the Bianca affords one easy wraparound body panel to gain inside access. Inside, all wiring and layout are superbly placed for performance and easy repair. Even 2 bottom port holes for access to both heating elements in the powerful boilers.
Finally, after working with Lelit for two years on features and design, we (as of March 2018) have the prototype in our showroom for testing and feedback to the manufacturer. We are running it 24/7 and trying to break it! In addition, customers can make an appointment to see the machine in action in our Freehold, NJ location.
The Lelit Bianca Dual Boiler Espresso Machine is beautiful in design and proves to be awesome in what she produces in the cup! Light roast, no problem! City roast, no problem! Dark roast, definitely not a problem! The paddle on top of the grouphead allows on-the-fly brew pressure profiling while you are watching the extraction and brew pressure gauge.
With dark roasts, you can smooth out the flavor of a spring piston lever machine that starts off with high brew pressure, then diminishes throughout the shot. With city and full city roasts, use a low-pressure profile to extract pure sweetness. Moreover, on light roasts, experiment with any of your imaginary brew pressure profiles to find the best flavor in the cup! On June 4th, 2019, a customer said “Bianca makes stupid good coffee!” It is so true, with a good grinder, the espresso that comes out is amazing!
Another innovative design component! The external AND movable reservoir that does not heat when the machine operates for hours as other machines do. Furthermore, the Bianca has a water reservoir that can re-position on either side of the machine to suit your needs and your countertop. Don’t want a tank? No worries! The Bianca is directly plumb-able too, (even the drip tray is drainable!) All of these features are in a stainless steel body, with accents by wooden handles, feet, and lever.
Forget your shot timer! The Bianca has a shot timer in its LCC. The shot timer continues during the programmable pre-infusion and programmable soak time!
The Lelit Bianca was selected as one of the top 12 most innovative products at the 2019 Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show
- Furthermore, this was against not only espresso machines, but also various food and drink recipes and equipment as well! Thanks to the Bianca’s game-changing manual brew pressure profiling, the espresso came out as perfect as it can get!
Bianca won 3rd place Best New Non-consumable Product at Coffeefest NYC 2019
- This was impressive against all new products, not just espresso machines. The 1st L58E grouphead espresso machine with manual brew pressure profiling uses flow control during the extraction!
Do you want more information? Please read an independent UK review made for the Bianca. However, although there are a lot of details, please keep in mind of differences in performance, like warm-up times being faster under 220 volts, or other small differences that may be made for the UK market, or changes in packaging, etc by the manufacturer for the UK market.
If you wish to have your machine turn on and off automatically or have your phone control it, we strongly suggest using Wemo as the preferred smart plug (minimum 15 amp rating) from your favorite mass-market retailers. Many of our Bianca customers have successfully used Wemo smart plugs without any incidences to date. We are glad Lelit did not program a built in timer because then there would be no phone control to turn the machine on.
If you’re looking for a grinder that pairs well with the Bianca, the Lelit Fred is a great choice!
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L58E Grouphead with Flow Control
The L58E grouphead ensures consistent water stability. Hot water circulates from the boiler through the grouphead and back. The result? The grouphead and your portafilter stay nice and hot, especially important to get a great shot of espresso. A lever next to the grouphead easily activates the pump to draw water through the coffee grinds.
Control Brew Pressure on the Fly! A 1st for any L58E Grouphead
The wooden paddle and brew pressure gauge on top of the grouphead allows full manual control over the brew pressure (through control over water flow) as you are pulling your shot of espresso. Create different flavor profiles to your heart’s content!
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Reservoir: Pick a side, any side!
Have you ever seen an espresso machine that gives you a choice where to put the water reservoir? Well, the Lelit Bianca does! An even bigger benefit is that when the reservoir is on the outside, the heat built up on the inside of the machine is not heating the water in the plastic reservoir. The heated reservoir water on other machines can change the thermodynamics of the water entering the coffee boiler and thus the water going through the grouphead.
Even better, it also allows users to directly plumb it in, including the drip tray. When plumbed in, the reservoir assembly can be removed to save precious counter space.
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PID and Dual Pressure Gauge
Lelit adds their sophisticated PID system, that allows timed preinfusion, a reference timer, and a low-water level alert. A dual-pressure gauge on the other side of the machine measures both the boiler pressure (0-4 bar) on top and pump pressure (0-16 bar) on the bottom.
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Rotary Vane Pump and Motor
Produces a quieter extraction than a vibratory vane pump and much quieter than the ‘whiney’ gear driven pumps found on other brew pressure profiling espresso machines. You can make adjustments underneath the espresso machine.
Additionally, the rotary vane pump is so much more reliable than gear driven pumps. Gear driven pumps have magnetic drives which tend to fail sometimes in the first 3 months of ownership.
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Steam and Hot Water Wand
Allows for more flexibility. Rosette-style knobs control the separate steam and hot water wands, which are multi-directional. Moreover, the steam wand comes with a 2 hole steam tip (1.5mm holes). Hidden in the accessory box is a 2 hole tip with 1.0mm holes for those needing to froth fewer amounts of milk.
The wands are no-burn to the touch. Insulation on the inside allows you to move the wands easily to find the perfect angle you are seeking.
The Lelit Bianca powers some punch with steam power by programming the steam boiler up to 266 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, two tips are available with the machine. The smaller 2 holes with 1mm openings were included for those who wanted to steam with less power.
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Built with Quality Components
On the outside, the Lelit Bianca shines with stainless steel body polished to a mirror finish. Also, in the inside, it has two insulated stainless steel boilers with copper tubing connecting the boilers to the grouphead or valves. The 0.8-liter coffee boiler is matched to perform well with a 1000 watt heating element, and the steam boiler integrates very well with a 1400 heating element to pack a great punch of steam power!
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Wooden Elements
3-cup bottomless portafilter with smooth wooden handle included with the machine. The 3 cup baskets can hold up to 22 grams of ground coffee (this depends upon the type of coffee and grind fineness as coarser grinds or lighter density coffees may less the 22-gram capability).
The dual spout portafilter also has a very nice wooden handle and two forward streaming spouts for easier espresso extraction viewing.
Less plastic is always a bonus in our eyes. In addition to the portafilter handle wood crafted, the Lelit Bianca also has wooden accents on steam and hot water knobs, lever, wooden paddle, and feet! Furthermore, the wooden paddle on top of the grouphead diffuses the heat that builds upon the grouphead.
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A Whirlwind of Accessories!
- Instructional manual: Please read this manual first!
- Stainless steel inlet water hose: ~4’10” L. Also comes with adapter fitting and gasket. If you are plumbing, please use only cold water with a backflow preventer and pressure regulator set to 35 psi.
- Vinyl waste drain hose: ~4’8″ L x 3/4″ OD x 1/2″ ID.
- Heavy stainless steel cup warmer grate: Sits above the top panel to prevent cup marks.
- Rechargeable water softener filter: Good for up to 70 liters of water before recharge. Replace once a year.
- Cleaning cloth: Nonabrasive antibacterial microfiber. Helps to remove smudges and stains on the body panel.
- Stainless steel cover: For the water tank.
- 58.55mm stainless steel tamper: No need to purchase a new one.
- Extra steam tip: With 2 holes. Each hole measures ~1.0 mm.
- Bottomless portafilter: Wood handle and stainless steel 3-cup filter basket.
- Dual spout portafilter: Wood handle and stainless steel 1-cup filter basket and 2-cup filter basket.
- Stainless steel blind filter basket: For backflushing. Effective March 30, 2020, a blind filter holder slot is built into the frame below the drip tray.
- Plastic grouphead cleaning brush: With nylon bristles to clean grouphead gasket.
- Plastic scoop: If you are using ground coffee.
- Stainless grate platform: Place over drip tray grate if you are using espresso cups or shot glass.
- Accessories on the machine: 2.5-liter removable water reservoir, stainless steel drip tray & grate, and effective March 30, 2020, the four-hole steam tip replaces the two 1mm holes steam tip. You will find the nozzle with two holes at 30° and 1mm of diameter (22/100) directly assembled on the machine. The nozzle with four holes at 60° and 1mm of diameter (22/108) will be positioned in the supply box.
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- Before Shipping: Please note that every Bianca is bench tested for 24 hours. There is a 24-48 hour process on weekdays. This means Friday 12 noon to Monday 11 AM EST does not count. There will be a delay between placing your order and receiving a tracking number.
- Shipping:
- As of August 1, 2019, all Bianca’s are shipping regular UPS ground.
- V3 models started shipping in July 2022.
- Receiving:
- If there is any box damage, please immediately note it on the UPS signature line. No notation means you accept the shipment in good order.
- If the machine arrives wet, please allow to air dry for at least 24 hours before plugging in. All units are drained after testing but not all the water can be removed. Some water may dislodge during shipping.
- If there are any concealed damages or defects found once outside of the box, please notify us within 5 business days.
- In any case above, please keep the original box and packaging if the unit must be shipped back out.
- Warranty: Please note any shipping to or from 1st-line Equipment (including under warranty) is not included. If at all possible for the customer, it is best they save the original box & packaging.
Additional Information:
- Direct connect mode: There is a small plug underneath the machine that needs to be disconnected. This plug has the other wire going to the reservoir. In the machine accessories, there will be included a fitting cod. n.1600064 and gasket 8700013, which one needs to screw on the machine water inlet fitting to connect the machine to the mains water.
- Pre-infusion: In the Bianca, the pre-infusion works by programming the “Time ON: Xx S.” and “Time OFF: Xx S.” of the water pump. If Time ON is zero seconds, then pre-infusion is off and can be managed with the manual paddle.
- Once the pre-infusion times (both “time ON” and “time OFF”) have been programmed, the coffee dispensing begins: the pump will be activated for the previously programmed “time ON” in order to wet the coffee puck. Once the “time ON” has elapsed, the pump will stop working for the previously programmed “time OFF”. Terminating the “time OFF”, the pump will start working again.
- When extracting the espresso with the pre-infusion programmed, we recommend leaving the paddle, positioned completely to the right (maximum water flow) until the end of the pre-infusion time.
- The internal parts of the E61 brewer have been modified to eliminate the mechanical pre-infusion normally present in the standard E61 brewers.
- Pump: The pump is a standard rotary pump, with the screw on the bottom body to adjust the pressure.
- Brew paddle: When the paddle is completely in the left position, the water flow is totally closed. So, by moving the paddle we move up and down a needle which goes into the restrictor/gicleur by decreasing or increasing the water flow and the pressure on the coffee puck.
- Construction: The construction is robust and the machine is really heavy. The tubing is a traditional all copper tube construction, it has great component quality and the excellent boilers are in stainless steel.
- Change in design: Newer models will not have the elbow. The hose will be attached directly to the vacuum valve.
- Thread on each foot: M8x12mm.
- Until further notice: Due to supplier issues, the 90-degree plug is now a straight 180-degree plug.
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MichaelL93950 (verified owner) –
The bianca is the best. I use to own the expobar 4 double boiler but this machine is the best . best shot ever and the steamer is so much better then the expobar. I love how quiet this machine is. the best machine ever.
nasser.frwan (verified owner) –
Great machine that built with powerful equipments that last for decades. Also the Bianca is the best among all other machine with E61 group head based on its price and its options. It has 130 watts motor bump than 120 for other, also 2 bar steaming pressure than 1.5 bar, it has a pressure profile and it has nice bottom less portafilter.
Highly recommended with no risk at all
sghagen (verified owner) –
I had an older E61 HX which I loved but it had some electrical issues – was considering an ECM and this – key to my decision was the great reviews and open dialogue on Home-Barista. I love the steam and the temp control but the paddle flow control has really helped me to ensure a great shot every time. Thanks!
sgwizdak (verified owner) –
Bianca is special compared to other E61 groupheads. It gives you the ability to play with temperature (built in pid) and pressure (via flow). And it lives in a nice sturdy stainless steel frame, with an awesome moveable / detachable external tank. The manostat on the grouphead is attractive and really useful. The pump is quiet. The drip tray is deep enough for my needs.
I can’t think of any criticisms about the machine itself. Shipping was via pallet so be prepared to figure out how a semi-truck will get to your place.
jacy.clare (verified owner) –
I’ve had the Bianca for about 3 months now and I couldn’t be happier. It’s compact, quiet, consistent, and makes excellent espresso. I love being able to play around with the pressure profiling as well. Additionally, the steam pressure is great for steaming milk quickly and effectively.
Lelit put so many small details on this machine that make it feel truly premium and well thought out, and I wouldn’t trade it for any other machine under $10k.
infernokelken (verified owner) –
I have had a great experience with this machine. The construction is great and the performance is amazing. It definitely takes some getting used to but I don’t think that you can beat the the level of control and features that you get at this price point. The pressure profiling took me alot of practice to get right but it can really make some light roasts shine.
sgwizdak (verified owner) –
Quiet, well-built, and it makes great espresso. The manostat on the grouphead, mobile external tank, and pressure control really sets this apart from other machines. I have had no issues with mine, and would highly recommend this machine to any espresso enthusiast.
sweaner (verified owner) –
I had not planned on upgrading my equipment. Then I saw the Bianca. I just knew that it was the machine I was looking for. I always wanted to try a profiling machine but the costs were out of reach. Not anymore!
I placed my pre-order, then visited 1st Line and was able to try the machine out with Jim. It seemed to be everything I had been looking for. Since receiving the machine I have been honing my skills and experimenting. It has been great fun. The machine is a joy to use. I almost never make a bad shot.
Anyone who is on the fence…GET OFF THE FENCE…GET A BIANCA!
xor (verified owner) –
I upgraded to this machine after using the Crossland CC1 for about 5 years. I’ve had the machine about 2-3 months as of this review. While initially intimidating, I’ve been using it every day for an average of 2-5 drinks per day. It’s been a pleasure to use. The paddle really makes dialing in espresso much easier. By controlling the flow on the fly, it makes it possible to adjust the shots where the espresso may be ground too fine or too coarse. The no-burn steam wand is a feature I didn’t think I would care if I had it or not, but it really does the make cleanup a breeze. The other nice features is that the relocatable water tank has made it quite easy to refill the reservoir as I moved it to the side where there is easy access. The only thing that it’s missing that I wish it had would be an integrated timer. I still have many things to learn and this machine should keep me busy for many years to come.
JamesO48732 (verified owner) –
I have been playing with the Bianca now for approximately 2 months. When I first initially received the espresso machine I had mild issues with a water sensor but with expert and expedient customer service from 1st-Line the problem was quickly resolved. Since then I have been attending barista to school and have come to appreciate and love the features of the Bianca. It is like having a professional machine in my home. Having the ability to adjust the group head pressure, I have been able to compensate for irregularities in the amount of pressure packing coffee into the filterholder as well as the size of the grind for coffee. The double boiler arrangement has lessened the amount of time that it takes for me to either make a cappuccino or espresso. The quality of construction is without a doubt the best I have seen in the multiple espresso machines that I have owned. It is also aesthetically beautiful to look at and is a wonderful addition to our kitchen. I also purchased the Lelit PL71 grinder which has been a nice addition. In general this is the best machine that I have ever had and I strongly recommended it to anyone who wants to improve their skills as a barista as well as someone who wants to become a coffee aficionado. Lastly customer support relative to the machine has been wonderful and I commend 1st-Line for the response to my initial difficulties with the Bianca.
dtcbox (verified owner) –
This is a very elegant looking and wonderful machine! There are lots of features that I have not yet experienced with, especially with the shot profiling on the adjustable brew head paddle. The Lelit Control Center (LCC) is very easy to setup and configure. I am happy to say that I made a right decision coming from a fully automatic expresso user, of course there are still many learning curve ahead, but don’t be scared and buy it!
wesleynance (verified owner) –
Waited for years to upgrade from a basic HX machine, narrowed it down to a couple PID double boilers, then found the Bianca at 1st-line. So happy that I did- having the paddle control over pressure gives me total control over the shot. Mostly using it for longer preinfusions, learning a lot over at home-barista.com. Steaming pressure is excellent, temp control is right on the money. Terrific support from Jim at 1st-line , next step is to plumb it in.
I don’t think you can top this machine right now, especially in this price range. The espresso is fantastic, it’s a beautiful machine, and it’s built from top quality components. Bravo to Lelit and 1st-line for this game changer!
dtcbox (verified owner) –
This is an elegant looking expresso machine, there are lots of features that I have not experienced yet, especially the shot profiling adjustable pedal for the brew head. The Lelit Control Center (LCC) is also very easy to setup and configure. If you are coming from a fully automated expresso machine, you will be happy even though there might be a learning curve ahead!
craigandersonmn (verified owner) –
I really want to say thank you to 1st Line for such a great experience. It is not easy to drop a few grand, sight unseen, with an unfamiliar company, on an untested product. They made it easy, and the product, worth every penny. The service by 1st Line, from ordering to delivery were exceptional. The pallet arrived at the prearranged time in perfect condition. It was a joy to unbox, easy to set up and I was pulling my first shots within 2 hours.
The Lelit Bianca is a first rate machine. It not only looks beautiful, it’s strong suit is function. If you want to control every aspect of your espresso experience, this is the machine for you. From, the simplest E61 25 second pulls, to long pre-infusions on super fine grinds to straight up lever style profiles Bianca excels. She encourages experimentation and rewards with flavor profiles not easily achieved on machines many times more expensive. The quality of Bianca is exceptional. The fit and finish and attention to detail is wonderful. I would highly recommend Bianca to anyone who loves coffee, from those in the early stages of their espresso addiction to experts and aficionados. Bianca is sure to please.
jake (verified owner) –
I’ve only had the Bianca for a few days, but so far I’m really liking it. I was considering this or an ECM Synchronika. I was a little nervous that the quality and finish would not be quite as good as the ECM since this machine is new and less known, but everything looks really good. There is one small defect on the portafilter chrome plating, but otherwise the attention to detail is good. The main reason I chose this was the profiling paddle, but I also like the wood details and removable water tank since it will be more compact when I plumb it in. As long as it’s as reliable as I expect, I think this was a good choice.
kvnmny (verified owner) –
This is an amazing machine for those that want to extract multiple grind sizes readily. I always have several coffees on hand which grind at different settings on my grinder. It is a pain to make adjustments for proper espresso extraction if you want different coffee from one to the next easily. The Bianca has solved this problem for me by providing manual pressure for each grain size difference. I no longer need to get as picky with the grinder adjustments to extract properly. The paddle allows me to set pressure and flow for each shot no matter what the bean has been ground to. I can slow down the extraction if needed to keep fine grinds from choking or increase pressure on other grinds as I see fit. I love the versatility of my new machine!
paulcrager (verified owner) –
I’ve had a Bianca for a little over a month now and I’m really enjoying the consistent, full-bodied espresso it produces. It’s an enormous upgrade over my old Gaggia Classic. It’s a solid modern E61 machine but with the unique flow profiling paddle, plus ability to plumb-in and remove the water tank. The paddle adds a whole other dimension of control that’s very fun and interesting to experiment with. The steam boiler is more than powerful enough, and frothing while brewing is a great convenience.
Susanna (verified owner) –
Reliable, quiet, and looks really good. I love that I can choose myself which side to put the water reservoir.
Pressure profiling can be a bit tricky to learn but you have always the option not to use it. However, after couple of months pressure profiling with Bianca I can’t imagine making my coffee without it. Either way Bianca is easy to use and the espresso is excellent.
wesleynance (verified owner) –
Waited for years to upgrade from a basic HX machine, narrowed it down to a couple PID double boilers, then found the Bianca at 1st-line. So happy that I did- having the paddle control over pressure gives me total control over the shot. Mostly using it for longer preinfusions, learning a lot over at home-barista.com. Steaming pressure is excellent, temp control is right on the money. Terrific support from Jim at 1st-line , next step is to plumb it in.
I don’t think you can top this machine right now, especially in this price range. The espresso is fantastic, it’s a beautiful machine, and it’s built from top quality components. Bravo to Lelit and 1st-line!
Bobby G (verified owner) –
My review title says it all. This is it. As a home barista who was constantly playing with my grind this machine has changed everything. I can now completely control my per-infusion and pressure profiling on the fly. The Paddle puts this machine in another class I thought I would never be able to afford. My results are beyond expectations. The only problem is when we entertain the coffee requests do not stop (LOL).
mauijer (verified owner) –
Purchased as a Pre-Order based on expectations and so happy I did. The machine is gorgeous from every angle and even better in person. It was packaged well (arrives on a crate) and I had great communication with 1st Line the whole time. I wanted a machine with hands-on paddle and pressure profiling ability but didn’t want to spent a fortune on a La Marzocco, Vesuzius, etc; this was the solution I was waiting for. Its quiet and gives so much versatility. I would write more great things, but now I’m craving an espresso 🙂
jdab87 –
We are upgrading to the Lelite Bianca from a Breville BES920XL Espresso Machine, and it was worth it.
From the steam pressure, to the having the option to control the pressure on the group hear, its a great machine.
Not to mention Jim was more helpful from phone calls to showing us all the features of the machine at his store. When I got home, watch the videos on youtube about the machine.
Even my wife is learning how to make a cappuccino first thing in the morning.
Alex –
We just bought the Lelit Bianca before Christmas. A beautiful looking espresso machine. Although our espresso making experience with the machine is still very limited, a few experiences we like to share already:
– Although the advertisement and appearance may suggest operating the machine needs “barista” experience, the handling was actually easy and uncomplicated. The machine was already pre-tested and set at 1st Line Equipment. However, for customers who may only seek an easy single-button coffee-making experience, the Bianca may be less suitable. While easy to operate, the Bianca allows many parameters to be adjusted including the pressure profiling option sitting on top of the grouphead to continuously develop an evolving espresso experience. Not using the options would be a pity.
– When installing the Lelit Bianca and to start working with it the videos on the 1st-Line Equipment website proved to be very helpful and insightful.
– One minor issue encountered: when frosting milk for latte in first instance no satisfactory results could be achieved. When unscrewing the steam line tip the inner Teflon lining showed to have an unclean cut and some small particles were residing in the tip. Making the inner tubing-end a clean cut and rinsing the steam tip resulted in a the expected steaming and therefore excellent frosted milk results.
The machine is a pleasure to work with and makes espresso-making for the whole family very much enjoyable.
Alex –
We recently upgraded our espresso machine from a Breville to a Lelit Bianca through 1st Line Equipment. Regarding the Lelit Bianca, our espresso making experience is still very limited. A few experiences we like to share already:
Although the advertisement and appearance may suggest operating the machine needs “barista” experience, the handling was actually easy and uncomplicated. The machine was already pre-tested and set at 1st Line Equipment. However, for customers who may only seek an easy single-button coffee-making experience, the Bianca may be less suitable. While easy to operate, the Bianca allows many parameters to be adjusted including the pressure profiling option sitting on top of the group head to continuously develop an evolving espresso experience. It would be pity to not try or use all the options.
When installing the Lelit Bianca and to start working with it the videos on the 1st Line Equipment website proved to be very helpful and insightful.
One minor issue we encountered: when frosting milk for latte in first instance no satisfactory results could be achieved. When unscrewing the steam line tip the inner Teflon lining showed to have an unclean cut and some small particles were residing in the tip. Making the inner tubing-end a clean cut and rinsing the steam tip resulted in a the expected steam pressure and therefore excellent frosted milk results.
The machine is a pleasure to operate and makes it for the whole family enjoyable to make espressos and lattes.
mike (verified owner) –
We are so pleased with our Bianca. I was a bit more careful about choosing a new espresso machine after a bad experience with our first prosumer espresso machine, a Breville Oracle. I was concerned about the serviceability of our next machine. Watching video clips shows me I can repair this machine if needed…I prefer the manual operation of Bianca and the profiling paddle. I have it set up with a 15 amp smart plug. Our bedroom is only about 15 feet from Bianca. She is noisy enough during warm up to wake us with the steam boiler switched on, but quiet with the steam boiler off. Allow approximately 45 minutes for a good warm up. We typically drink a couple of long blacks in the morning and then turn on the steam boiler for cup 3. We’ve tried 18 grams in/36 grams out with 6 oz. of hot water as well as 20 grams in/40 grams out. From Bianca, these are the best cups we’ve had to date. For the first time ever, espresso shots are also delicious. I’m a home roaster, and find it is now quite nice to experience different roast profiles with the same & different beans. Flavors are coming through clearly. I’m able to use our tall double glass mugs by pulling the drip tray. I removed the included plastic drain cup from Bianca since we are not plumbed. My Acaia Lunar scale now sits nicely on the bottom frame. I use a shot glass under the E61 exhaust to catch the drips. With the tall cup directly under the portafilter (I prefer our drinking cups directly under the portafilter so I don’t miss a single gram of extraction) we get outstanding crema. The drip tray removes and installs easily for a flush between shots. I installed felt pads under the feet so Bianca will slide on the counter. We have large corner cabinets where Bianca rests, so I need to move her out to fill the water tank and make use easier. Even though she is heavy, she slides nicely due to the felt pads. The water tank is very easy to deal with since there are no hoses to remove or reinstall. The handles on the tank are wonderful. I fill from a separate tap of BWT “M” filtered/softened water. Our favorite profile so far: Start with manual preinfusion (Manually adjusting preinfusion is awesome since we use a variety of beans and a variety of roast levels). Move the paddle to approximately 7 o’clock position . Take group pressure to 2 bar (approx. 20 seconds). Close paddle to 10:00 position for approx. 5 seconds. Paddle wide open to right for 5-20 seconds depending on bean, roast, and shot appearance. Close paddle down slowly while watching extraction as shot progresses. Total of 40 gram shot. Shots are beautiful with both the included bottomless & standard portafilters. I’m still learning about milk steaming. We use grass fed A2 whole milk. Watching videos is helping. I’m getting a really good quality glossy froth when I do it right. Bianca is certainly capable. Latte art is yet to come…. There are a couple of minor things I wish were different: 1. I would prefer the steam boiler had a latching power button that matches the machine on/off button. We turn the steam boiler off when we shut Bianca down for the day because we don’t want the steam boiler on when the machine comes on the next day. Sometimes, I forget to access the steam boiler on/off through the LCC which means I have to start the machine back up to turn off the steam boiler. 2. There is no steam boiler temperature feature. The LCC shows the brew boiler temp, but it does not show the steam boiler temp. There is a steam boiler pressure gauge. There is a steam boiler temperature setting in the LCC. The brew boiler temp flashes when the steam boiler is not up to temp, but we do not get a steam boiler temperature reading. From the information that IS available (steam pressure and LCC flashing), we can assume the steam boiler is not up to temp. I would prefer to know for certain, and what the actual steam boiler temp is as it heats up.
ottmandavid (verified owner) –
If you took away the special features of the Bianca, such as the the pressure profiling paddle, the moveable water tank, or the LCC’s preinfusion capabilities, you’d still be left with a terrific double boiler machine, roughly in line with many of its competitors in terms of features-at-price. Frankly, I’d likely still buy such a machine. Having had a Lelit Mara before this machine, I recognize Lelit’s build quality and the benefits of 1st Line’s dedicated partnership with the brand. Those count for a lot.
The fact that these additional features are, in fact, present on this machine at this price point make the Bianca’s value undeniable. Other than Decent Espresso machines, there is nothing else on the market which offers such tremendous capacity for experimentation around extraction times and pressures at this price point. The Bianca readily handles what would otherwise be challenging light roasts and allows you to get the espresso exactly right. If tinkering is not to your taste, though, a paddle position can be found which will approximate a traditional E61 shot. This is a machine you can grow with.
ccq (verified owner) –
I bought this machine in October to upgrade from a Quickmill Andreja Premium after 15 years of pretty good service. I’m happy with it in all respects – overall shot quality, temperature control, aesthetics, etc. Plumbing it in all the way is a game changer, and I really appreciate how quiet the whole setup is. I’ll never go back to my old HX machine! Even my wife, who was quite skeptical, has been won over simply by the noticeable taste improvement of her morning coffee.
ben’s_bianca (verified owner) –
This machine is everything I had hoped for. I wanted a machine that had all the bells and whistles of modern profiling espresso makers, but that still had a classic look. I thought long and hard about the Decent espresso machine and the Vesuvius, but I’m so glad I decided on the Bianca.
First, the Bianca is beautiful. It’s reflective stainless steel and wood accents look even better in person than they do online. The front panel is clean and well organized. And the only hint of modern technology is in the LCC, which is unobtrusive and well designed.
Bianca is also incredibly capable machine that’s still fun to use. In fact, it’s even more capable an espresso maker than I had expected it to be. When I purchased the Bianca, I was excited to play with different pressure profiles. The paddle makes that process easy, and I have enjoyed experimenting with many different pulls. But what I did not expect is that the paddle lets me save shots that are otherwise not dialed in. If my shot is gushing or choking the machine, I can usually use the paddle to save the flow. That’s a feature that the Decent and Vesuvius (and any other pre-programmed profiling machine) just can’t match. Also, because of that feature, the Bianca is actually a bit easier to use than my old machine because it takes some of the pressure off of the grind.
Finally, the Bianca creates powerful steam. The steam pressure gets up to 1.5-1.8 bar, and that’s more than enough for me. I even had to turn the steam down at first to control the flow.
The only downside was the process of getting it shipped to my house. The Bianca is a serious machine that needs to be shipped on a pallet, so organizing delivery was a bit of a pain. But the folks at 1st-Line are great to work with, and they communicated everything to me step-by-step. Jim in particular was great to talk to and really helpful.
ramalone (verified owner) –
1st-Line sales and customer service are great. Very helpful with selection of the Lelit Bianca based on their experience with a prototype. Previously I used a Vibiemme which I also bought from 1st-Line and still have. The Bianca is thoughtfully designed and beautifully built machine which takes espresso making to the next level for me due to more control over extraction. I highly recommend both.
bimalrdesai –
I upgraded to the Bianca from a thermoblock / vibe pump machine that was decent, but lacked steam power and lacked the ability to pull back-to-back shots. I went to 1st Line’s store in NJ and “Java” Jim spent a few hours with me, helping me to decide between a few different options.
In the end, I chose the Bianca because it is – hands down – the best value and most advanced machine I could afford. Try this exercise: look for a dual-boiler, dual-PID machine with a rotary pump, add-on the price of custom-turned wooden knobs, two portafilter handles (also wood), plumbable (with plumbing kit included), two steam nozzles, now try to find one that has a continuous pressure profile adjustment (digital or paddle). There is no such machine (except for the Bianca), and nothing even comes close to this under $3K. The Bianca is a unicorn. Dollar-for-dollar, this is an exceptional value.
I personally love the look of the machine – clean, throwback lines that fit into any decor. Lelit is also doing notable work in the design department. The LCC (Lelit Control Center) with its custom circular bezel doesn’t look garish. Instead, it looks like it was designed for this machine and not an afterthought. The wooden handles and feet develop a beautiful patina after a few months of use. The insanely clever design of the water tank is noteworthy both because of how it can be repositioned on any side of the machine and how it integrates the water filter and water level sensor into the tank (I have mine mounted on the back, to narrow the profile of the machine). And it’s not too tall, fits under standard countertops with room to spare for short espresso cups. It’s heavy on the counter, but I put some teflon furniture sliders on the feet and now I can spin it around easily to access the water tank. Long term, I want to get it plumbed in, so it’s good that the machine comes with the plumbing kit. I put the machine on a wifi smart outlet rated at 15Amps and connected via Google Home, so I can turn it on/off either with voice commands or on a schedule. I have it set to turn on 30min before I come down each AM, and that’s more than enough time to bring the E61 group head up to temp.
I paired this with the Eureka Mignon Specialita and have been very pleased. With each batch of beans I get, it takes me 2 shots or so to “dial it in”, and it’s very consistent after that. I had to experiment with the different steam nozzles (and my latte art is still mediocre), but I’m more than happy with how easy it is to use and maintain the machine. The paddle is also very intuitive and very easy to use.
As far as 1st Line’s service, I have been more than impressed. I drove an hour to the store to see the machine in person and Jim was very accomodating. Shortly after purchasing the machine, there was a strange symptom where the tank would suck air and the machine would read low water – we diagnosed it together over email and by phone and determined the resin filter had a leak in it, allowing air in through the top of the filter. Jim happened to be in the area delivering a machine and called me to let me know he could drop off the replacement filter. I was impressed with his attentiveness and dedication.
In the end, I love this machine, I’m glad I bought “local” (at least, close enough I could drop off the machine in my own car if it ever needed service).
My thanks to Jim and the entire crew at 1st Line for helping me to select this machine, and steering me towards the Bianca!
silver (verified owner) –
If you can enjoy seeing the world reflected from a polished steel machine adorned with wooden dials and gauges, I barely need to say more. Many thanks to Angelo Moriondo of Turin Italy and the many others that came after him to give us the amazing Lelit Bianca Espresso machine. I came late in life to appreciate the sensual pleasures of a great espresso. I spent many hours researching, tasting, and just pondering what should be my first and most likely last espresso machine. I’m lucky to live in the San Francisco Bay Area where there is a wealth of knowledge. There are literally hundreds of great boutique coffee shops with their own roasting equipment. Being an ex-wine maker it was easy to appreciate the nuances and complexity of a fine coffee drink. It was easy to acquire the joyful habit of drinking an espresso each morning. Most days that starts at home looking out my back window watching the sun rise over the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Calculating the cost of a $4.00 espresso drink over many months and years I figured the cost of the machine was less important than achieving the best quality and reliability that one could achieve in their home. No need to read further. After four months — the Bianca repeatedly makes espresso of equal or higher quality than my local coffee bars. Almost always higher quality.
Most of my career has been spent around particle accelerators and semiconductors. Reviewing the electrical and thermal mechanics that goes into an espresso machine was fun. It was easy to see the value of a double boiler, the importance of a good bean grinder, and the ability to experiment. The Bianca comes factory tuned to make a great espresso by simply pulling a lever, or it can be manipulated manually by controlling the pressure or by changing the operating temperatures. That extra ability is great for those that want to extend the concept of what makes a great espresso is.
I was a little worried about my wife, a life-long coffee drinker. If there is a way to break something, she’ll find it. I’m very happy to say she only managed to make the machine malfunction once (I was crushed and we got the owner Jim of 1st-Line on the phone the same day. It was a minor problem, the machine thought we were trying to fill the boiler for the first time. Not a real malfunction, just a mode that got accidentally selected.). So yes, very easy to use this machine. I will caution that finely ground coffee beans can make a mess and cleanup is important. I guess pre-pressed coffee pods might work better for some. If you can’t tell the difference between freshly roasted coffee beans and the pre-pressed pods, that might be the way to go. If your’e after the perfect shot of espresso, be prepared: have fresh beans, proper storage for the beans, and a good grinder. You can’t make a silk purse from sow’s ear. I love my Bianca!
mbartlet98 (verified owner) –
This is my first espresso machine, and I could not be happier. Paired with a Eureka Olympus grinder, I’ve been really pleased with the quality shots I’ve been pulling with the Bianca. The paddle opens up so many possibilities, and tasting different profiles of the same espresso blend has been a blast. With lots of family in town for the holidays, the Bianca easily handled successive shots and steamed pitcher after pitcher of milk with no issues. The machine is beautiful to boot.
1st Line was also incredibly helpful and responsive when the shipping company made a mistake on my delivery date. I called 1st Line and they immediately worked it out with the shipper so I could receive my machine on schedule. 3 months in and I could not be happier with this investment.
rpier11222 –
Last November I sent a family member by 1st Line Equipment to check out some machines. I was not aware of the Lelit Bianca at that time. Upon arrival my family member met up with the owner who walked her through the benefits of Lelit Bianca over the machine I was thinking factoring our personal desires and our situation. Over 8 weeks now since our purchase, we could not be happier. The Bianca replaced our 15 year old Pasquini Livia and I only wish I could have bought the Bianca 15 years ago.
The quality of the machine is proven in the quality of the espresso it pumps out! The amazing features of dual boiler has reduced our Pasquini power bill by more than half (yes, I had a meter on it). The sleep/standby mode is fantastic for energy savings and sparing the machine the wear of 24 hour a day high heat…a couple minutes for espresso from standby and under 10 minutes for boiler hot-water. There is NO disadvantage with the the lower wattage boilers or less watts from the wall. Making it great, the machine’s internal computer assesses the heating requirement to the espresso boiler and to the water boiler and seamlessly diverts power between the two with no delays to brewing and hot water delivery
The machine is an eye catching centerpiece of the kitchen. We love it!
Tech Support questions to 1st Line were answered online in a timely fashion. I called back to check on a plumbing fitting I need to plumb to my house and again the owner was there for me and walked me through the process and the fitting I needed for my specific objectives and desires.
Can’t imagine anyone would be disappointed with 1st Line or Lelit Bianca! Just get beyond the price and buy the machine that will make you very happy for years to come…that was our decision and I feel the workmanship and support from 1st Line Equipment will ensure we are satisfied for years to come.
taylay (verified owner) –
Bought the machine on Nov 26th and it was personally delivered by Jim on Nov 29th because I am traveling on 30th. What a great customer service. This machine does not disappoint. My favorite coffee beans are light roasts (from Ethiopia, Kenya, Guatemala) and I prefer to drink single region espresso. Lelit Bianca, with manual brew pressure profile control, can brew any type of beans and I am drinking best tasting espressos everyday. The best manual pressure profiling machine for the price, a real game changer……
nboffa (verified owner) –
I love my Lelit Bianca. I am a newbie at this and learning fast with the help of Java Jim and the whole 1st-line equipment crew. One of my best friends bought a different machine a few months before the Bianca was available and wishes he would have this machine was available at that time, He would have without a doubt has purchased the Bianca instead. He has several years of experience with several respected names of espresso machines and really likes my new Bianca.
Also this machine attracts a lot of attention on our counter it’s beautiful. My wife wasn’t so sure about replacing our semi automatic Jura. She now loves the taste of her latte and is excited to learn this machine.
sobannon6 –
I did extensive research to buy this thing (5+ sheets in an Excel Spreadsheet, 15+ hours of reading) and have not been disappointed! Used mostly for home use and entertainment, I’ve been super impressed with heat up time (20 mins), thermal regularity, and accuracy of pressure profiling. Very easy to clean, and definitely a well thought out machine. 1st line is very responsive with service and organizing delivery.
miriamnouri (verified owner) –
Recommended by a friend, we decided to look into the Lelit Bianca – and were we impressed! We ordered the machine through 1st Line and what a treat that was! It was hand delivered to us by the owner, who chatted with us for awhile and recommended the Super Jolly grinder which we then ordered as well. It’s the perfect machine for our small General Store, The Millstone Workshop. We wanted to be able to offer our customers espresso drinks without compromising on quality but not breaking the bank. I highly recommend this machine to, well, pretty much anyone. Not only is it completely and utterly gorgeous but it also makes a wonderful espresso. 10/10 we will always order from 1st Line in the future for all our coffee needs!
lucas (verified owner) –
Five weeks with this machine and all is great. The flow control combined with programmable settings makes the Bianca incredibly flexible. Build quality is super and the wooden handles fit the home set up. The serviceable water softener in the tank is helpful feature, as well. Coming from a early edition of a Quick Mill Ventrano, also a nice machine, is a welcome upgrade. 1st-line service perfect as always.
gman4commerce (verified owner) –
When my espresso machine “passed away” just before the Christmas holidays, I didn’t know what I would do! The team at 1st line was so great in first, giving my guidance on what to do about my older machine, and that in reality a) best to replace it because the repairs are too much and b) I really needed a water system to stop scaling! Between that and the great online videos, the Bianca was the machine for me and I added the BWT water system. Every morning is a delight with the Bianca. I love the fact, I can dial in my grinder and do different pulls for totally different flavor profiles. This by far is a high quality machine – everything was thought out in the design. Just do the ROI vs. buying your espresso and latte’s and you will find, a purchase like this is worth it. Great job by 1st-line – I will never shop anywhere else!
robert0999 (verified owner) –
I upgraded to this machine from ECM Classika which is a German company well known for great craftsmanship. I’m happy to say that the craftsmanship of this machine is comparable to that of the ECM’s. It comes with a full array of accessories including my favorite bottomless portablefilter and one extra steam tip. The SS tamper is the heaviest I have seen, very nice! One main reason for my need to upgrade was milk steaming which is quite unsatisfactory from ECM Classika. Bianca’s steaming boiler proves to be much more powerful and drier. In addition, the energy saving feature is very nice.
I have had only limited time to play with the paddle so far. With espresso blend coffee beans, the two machines are not too different. For medium roasted single origin coffee beans(Sumatran Mandheiling), however, I have gotten much better drinks from Bianca using either program or manual pre-infusion. I look forward to many more fun experiments in the future.
romeroqfb (verified owner) –
I´ve been using the Lelit Bianca for a couple of months, time in which coffee consumption has gone up substantially in our household; before this machine I was the only coffee drinker at home, today, besides my americano, I make at least 3 mokas and on a daily basis for people that, strange as it may sound, did not like coffee at all.
Yes, coming from the Breville aluminum thermoblock world, I can say that taste was elevated to a level that perhaps is impossible to surpass, same for milk texture, it´s just unbelievable, better than anything that has been served to me anywhere, perhaps these are the reasons that explain our new coffee fandom.
The machine is beautiful with impeccable finish, nothing rattles, nothing feels flimsy, it has been performing flawlessly since day 1. Being a novice, I am still learning how to make 1 oz of espresso with 9-11 grams of coffee in 25-30 seconds, it´s not easy but it has been a lot of fun and very interesting to taste the difference between too fast, to slow and just right espresso. Since I didn´t want to involve any more variables than coffee weight / grind size / tamping pressure I haven´t explored any of the additional functions of the machine such as pre-infusion times or pressure profiling, but I will as soon as I´m ready.
I can´t imagine needing/ wanting another coffee machine in this lifetime.
anthonygrech (verified owner) –
I have had the Bianca for a while and am very happy with the machine. It is built to last with many great features and the service that 1st Line provides is excellent. I can see that the Bianca will provide me with a lifetime of coffee pleasure, plenty of room to experiment and learn more about extracting great espresso.
estebanpasquale –
Amazing piece of art, have been one week since we bought bianca and we are impress with the performance and the way that is built!
danbryce410 (verified owner) –
I satisfied my upgrade-itis with the Bianca after much research. 1st-line’s videos, descriptions, and phone support were very helpful in making my selection.
I decided it was time to replace my entry level espresso machine, which served me well for several years. The main factors I sought to improve were: steam power, temperature stability, longevity, and bling. I narrowed my choices down to the ECM Synchronika and the Lelit Bianca. The tie-breaker was the Bianca’s pressure profiling capability. In addition to playing with new recipes, the possibility of saving a shot from a too fast extraction by lowering pressure was appealing to me.
After using the Bianca for several days, I’m very happy with the steam power. I am able to get great microfoam very quickly, which was impossible with my previous machine. Straight espresso shots have flavors that I was only able to get from the same coffee served at a cafe. I don’t know if I can attribute the espresso quality to my new grinder (Atom) or the Bianca, but I suspect improved temperature stability didn’t hurt. The Bianca definitely has bling. The mirror finish and wood details make it really stand out. In terms of longevity — time will tell. The Bianca is a new machine, but the build quality is top-notch and it is quite sturdy (and heavy). After watching the videos of the internal construction, I was satisfied. I hope to get 20+ years out of it.
mchimienti1 –
The Lelit Bianca is without question one of the best espresso machines I have ever used… I bought this machine after different family members all purchased different machines ….ECM… BEZZERA…RANCILIO…. these machines all make good espresso but only one machine makes great espresso and gives you the option of flavor profiling with the paddle in real time as the shot is brewing… this option is only found on machines that are at least 3x the price of the BIANCA…. THIS alone makes the Bianca hands down one of the best buys in the espresso machine market today…. THE espresso this machine produces is some of the best I HAVE EVER HAD…. IF you are in the market for an espresso machine do yourself a huge favor look into the LELIT BIANCA you will be glad you did and don’t hesitate to give JAVA JIM A CALL HE’S AWESOME AN 1ST LINE IS A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS….5STAR RATING ALL AROUND… BEST MONEY I EVER SENT….
Zacharyrday (verified owner) –
This has been my first real espresso machine, and it has been a joy to use. I still have a lot to learn, but even in the hands of an amateur, this machine is producing much better shots than the ones at my local cafe. I would recommend this machine to anyone!
RafaelG93722 (verified owner) –
Beautiful Thing is the title of an original song by Grace Vanderwaal. And like the song, the Lelit Bianca is a beautiful thing. Listen to the song then order a Lelit Bianca, you won’t regret it. The Bianca is definitely a game changer for me. My first and only espresso machine was a Rancilio Silvia, a great machine and a work horse for 20 years and still going strong but a single boiler. I considered the Slayer but the price tag I could not stomach, along comes the Bianca with the profiling paddle and double boiler, PID, mirror finish, wood detail, LCC, awesome tamper, the entire package is great.
I have had the Bianca for about 2 weeks and it’s impressive. I thought the steam pressure was low but after talking with Jim and following his direction, stay with the large hole tip and bump up steam temp to 266, and most importantly let the Bianca warm up for a full 45 minutes, and the steam pressure is maybe too high. I’ll probably lower the steam temp a few degrees.
I don’t think I’ll ever use the LCC for profiling, the paddle is…..well, it opens up a whole new dimension to pulling an espresso shot.
So as I immerse myself in this new dimension I have the dilemma of what to do with Silvia, I am so attached to her I can’t bare the thought. Bianca sites sits on the edge of my counter awaiting her spot on the throne. OMgosh, the agony!
davidjfree (verified owner) –
After using the machine over four months, I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. My Bianca replaced an Expobar single boiler/heat exchange machine that lasted 12 years. Based on the Lelit build quality, I expect to get years of service out the Bianca.
Having 2 boilers is truly a game changer. The steam pressure produces better micro froth, and does so in considerably less time than my previous machine.
I’m surprised how frequently I use the paddle. It has allowed much greater flexibility when trying new espresso blends. Controlling the extraction while I’m dialing in grind/dose was far easier to master than I expected.
Using the paddle, I’m able to pull shots with much greater consistency.
martianpc (verified owner) –
I am in awe each time I make a shot with this machine. Everything is simply perfect. A few highlights for me:
-Nearly 2 bar steam, super fast for caps and lattes
-Extremely easy to control speed of shot or play with flavor profile
-Quality – Shiny and solid. No issues at all as of so far
-Wood accent, these all metal machines can feel cold, the wood makes it special
I love this machine and would buy it again.
Elizabeth C (verified owner) –
Great service and support!
I have called many times to ask about the machine and Java Jim and Gregg have been helpful. I ask tons of questions and they have patient to answer my question and make sure I understand.i am using the machine every night and morning and just love it. The only thing I wish it came with is a pound of whole coffee beans and a free water tester. Other than that I am pretty darn happy about the machine so far. Since this is day 4 I have it in my home. The grinder was a really good deal when you buy the machine together. The paddle is a learning curve and I am still learning coming from HX machine. Also, java Jim introduce this machine to me when I first called about wanting to buy the la marzocco for $8000. He told me to look into this machine. I spend 6 hours reading about this machine and decided to buy it. There is only good thing about this machine. Also, I emailed Lelit company almost 30 times and each time they helped me understand the machine more of the specifics! They were very helpful and that made me happy to spend my hard work money on a company that gets back to customers like me that have tons of questions! I love it!! Thank you! Anyone who wants a really great machine that looks pretty, works wonders, quiet, and want a company that will help you in the future, lelit Bianca is the one! And of course 1st-line equipment! My machine came in one piece. The only thing I see wrong with my machine is 2 black lines on the portifilter. I am waiting for the company to email me about it.but no big deal because the machine as a whole is pretty!
perry747 (verified owner) –
We have now had our Lelit Bianca for two weeks and each day brings more exquisite espresso pulls than the day before. I have been performing pressure profiling for two years using another high end machine that utilizes customizable computer controlled shot recipes. The only drawback is that on such machines, once the shot begins, results are dictated by how the grind and tamp were performed. With a new bag of beans, there is no “dancing” as the shot progresses, because the computer program “recipe” is in control. This is where the Lelit Bianca is a game changer. With the Bianca, the barista/user is in control, not a computer. Basically, the barista can, for example, choose whether or not to program in a desired level of preinfusion and then allow the shot to progress normall as a typical double boiler machine would without any manipulation of the shot. That’s great for beginners or when the grind and tamp of the bean in use is “dialed in” and the barista/user is perhaps pulling shots as quickly as possible for a larger group of guests. However, as the barista/user begins to experiment with the Bianca paddle and the magic of manually controlled pressure profiling, the true value of dynamic shot control becomes readily apparent as each shot can be optimized “on the fly” for any bean, grind, or tamp combination. The Bianca is quite simply fun to use and the dry steam power for stretching milk is excellent. The true Italian quality of the Bianca is instantly apparent from the moment the machine is unpacked. It is heavy, it is solid, it is quiet, and the metal work is beautiful and of the highest caliber. 1st-line was excellent to work with and the delivery was completed within the requested time frame. We are very pleased with this decision.
ram.ganeshan (verified owner) –
I have been using the Bianca with the Eureka Atom 75 for about 3 weeks now. I mainly drink Espresso and Americanos and so far the results have been excellent. I have not played around with the paddle much but have begun experimenting with long pre-infusions with good results. The machine has all the hallmarks of excellent craftsmanship, including walnut handles for the steam/hot water values and the portafilter.
I would recommend this machine to anyone interested in Espresso.
m –
Profiling is a true game changer and the future of espresso. It has made pulling a shot even more enjoyable and puts you in complete command of your extraction, but more importantly it has opened up so many possibilities with beans I thought impossible to use on espresso. Another amazing advantage is that precise “dialing in” ceased to be a hassle, I hardly waste beans on the process. I wouldn’t even think of going back to a normal machine after getting the Bianca. Its night and day, really, night and day.
The Bianca is Lelit’s first DB machine, but in difference to other companies, Lelit seemed to have designed the whole machine around the Pressure Profiling Paddle feature, this can be noted on the integration of a second solenoid valve that resets all internal pressure (no other e61 machine has this) and with the modification of the e61 lever to bypass the mechanical pre-infusion, not to mention the implementation of their LCC brain. The inclined brew boiler and overall integration of the rotary pump are also solid design decisions that seemed to improve the ubiquitous e61 DB design. In short, I think this is the best espresso machine one can get for less than $10K, I have used the Marzocco Linea Mini, GS3, Slayer and Vesuvius, the Bianca is ahead!
mbitici24 –
I was in search of an espresso machine from a different brand so I called this store to see if they had it in stock. Jim, the owner, was extremely helpful & knowledgeable. He asked me what it was that I was in search of and pointed me in the direction of the Lelit Bianca. Turns out it was everything I didn’t know I needed! I look forward to waking up every morning and using this machine. Jim was very patient, kind, & informative. He took the time to walk through the entire process, the pros, cons, etc. Overall, it was a tremendous experience and I am thrilled with my purchase!
tristan.timbrook (verified owner) –
This is my second experience with 1st line, the first with a La Nuova Era Cuadra. Both times I was beyond pleased with their service. Excellent communication and customer service. Great shipping experience – fast and excellent packaging. This time with the Lelit Bianca I’ve been overjoyed with the machine as it has pulls great shots, very flexible with movable water tank and plumb-able options, very adequate drainage tray in terms of capacity, a truly excellent assortment of accessories include with purchase (portafilters etc). Overall, extremely pleased with the purchase and look forward to learning how to profile shots properly.
Tristan Timbrook –
This is my second experience with 1st line, the first with a La Nuova Era Cuadra. Both times I was beyond pleased with their service. Excellent communication and customer service. Great shipping experience – fast and excellent packaging. This time with the Lelit Bianca I’ve been overjoyed with the machine as it has pulls great shots, very flexible with movable water tank and plumb-able options, very adequate drainage tray in terms of capacity, a truly excellent assortment of accessories include with purchase (portafilters etc). Overall, extremely pleased with the purchase and look forward to learning how to profile shots properly.
brentgardner71 (verified owner) –
I am the happy owner of the Lelit Bianca! This may be the ultimate machine. Double boiler? Check. Pressure profiling capability? Check. Powerful steam for perfect microfoam? Check. Great aesthetics? Double check! The only issue I’ve had is user error. I’ve been using RO water, which is apparently a no-no because the water sensors rely on magnetic (?) feedback to tell if the boilers are full. RO strips everything out of the water, which can cause the tanks to overfill and just keep filling. No biggie. The overfill just bleeds into the drip tray. One call to 1st-line and Jim explained the problem and I’m back in business. I just need to add a bit of tap water when I refill the water reservoir (Jim recommends starting with 50/50 RO/tap). 10/10. Would buy again.
brentgardner71 (verified owner) –
Whoops, I left my review as a response to another comment. This machine is great. Really great. The only problem I’ve had is user error. I used RO water, which apparently doesn’t work well with the water sensors and can lead to the machine overfilling the boilers and dumping the excess water into the drip tray. Jim gave me the easy fix: Just use a 50/50 ratio of RO to tap water (at least to start, then you can reduce the tap water until you find the right ratio). Perfect machine. Great support.
JimFr (verified owner) –
I’ve bought a number of machines from 1st-line and always had a great experience. This purchase was no exception. Jim was, as always, very helpful, answering all my questions and concerns and steered me to a machine that I had not even considered. I’m so glad he did. The Bianca is simply amazing. It’s beautifully built, quiet, has amazing features, and makes a great addition to my kitchen.
It’s the machine I didn’t know I had to have. I’m having so much fun making espresso (downside: I’ve increased my espresso intake dramatically) I can’t believe it. The Bianca gives you so much control over the shot, including the ability to “save” a shot that starts to go bad. The espresso is so delicious and it’s so easy to produce a great cup. There seems like there’s a steep learning curve with this machine, but I simply started with basics and worked from there, and I’m up and running and now I’m experimenting with various brew profiles. So much fun!
If you are hesitating to buy this machine, as I was, I can only advise you to run, not walk, to buy this machine. 1st-line and Jim are fantastic, and will make sure you are comfortable with your purchase. You’ll wake up every morning itching to make an espresso. Thanks Jim!
Will S –
I got the Bianca after concluding its the best value dual boiler on the market and I’ve been blown away. It’s a beast and everything is well thought out. The steam power is solid. The whole thing is beautiful. The moveable reservoir alone puts it ahead of the competition for me since I have a depth constraint and positioning it on the side makes it the shallowest good dual boiler machine available. I may eventually plumb it directly and get rid of the reservoir altogether. The accessory package is really nice and comes with everything you need except a pitcher. I have my machine plugged into a Teckin wifi smart plug so I can turn it on from my iPhone to heat up (make sure you buy a 16amp model wifi plug, many are 10 amps but the Bianca needs at least 15). Overall I couldn’t be happier with the Bianca. The espresso is amazing and I’ve been able to do some nice latte art. I look forward to playing with the paddle more. Jim was also great to work with. 10/10.
Vetallist (verified owner) –
Great machine, had it for about 7 weeks now. Plenty of reviews out already, so will just add my 2c that might not have been mentioned before.
1. Consider its size – the height is about 16.75″, so should fit under most traditional 17″ cabinets. However it is also very deep (long?), hence I had to place it diagonally in my kitchen. You cannot place it with front legs hanging over the counter. Was so excited to get the Bianca that haven’t considered that aspect before ordering!
2. The only timer built into Bianca is to shut off boilers after 30/60/90/etc. minutes of inactivity. That’s good, but since it takes 20-25 minutes to warm up, you will also want to have a start up timer, especially for your morning coffee rituals. Luckily, ebay solves this issue spectacularly with $10 Wi-Fi smart plugs. You can set schedules and turn on/off remotely with your phone. Love it, especially since it is one less thing to go wrong with the Bianca.
3. Since most people looking into this machine are likely upgrading from $500-$1,500 equipment, you will appreciate the build quality (at least on the outside), the mechanical feel of pulling shot lever (like shutting the door of a Rolls or a G-Wagen) and of course the pressure paddle! The quality has actually grown on me more now, instead of something to get used to and take for granted.
simons (verified owner) –
I purchased the Bianca as a way to combine the quality and power of a prosumer machine with the ability to manually control the drawing of shots. The Bianaca, with its unique paddle, was the natural choice. Indeed, the machine is proving itself with gusto. The Bianca emulates powerful ristrettos as served in my favorite coffee shop: they burst with flavor, are full bodied, and lack the bitterness and acidity. I am profoundly happy with the Bianca.
debstore (verified owner) –
I’ve been a serious enthusiast for several years and was previously using a breville dual boiler. I have a eureka atom grinder (which I love), weigh everything, and am into latte art. No real complaints about the breville (I actually think it was very intelligently designed) except for several required repairs over the few years. But I was ready for a change, and wanted to get into pressure profiling (I know there are hacks for the breville, but I was not into trying that). I was seriously considering several more expensive machines (Rocket and Vesuvius). Went for the Lelit based on reviews, the paddle, the analog pressure gauges, and the look. So far, seems perfect. I like that I can change pressure easily on the fly—I can salvage imperfect grind settings, and it’s also a lot of fun to “fly the plane” rather than just programming the profile. Maybe less reproducible, but that doesn’t bother me at all. The paddle is easy to use with the group head pressure gauge in a great position front and center, and the pressure is very responsive to small movements of the paddle. The preinfusion setting works perfectly, with the ability to program preinfusion and pause time; I’m looking forward to experimenting with variations on these times, but I set it to 5/3 seconds and have simply been enjoying it right now. I never thought an insulated steam wand was important (never burned myself on the breville), but it’s great that the milk doesn’t immediately scald and dry on the wand—much simpler to clean. Both portafilters are solid, and I like the spout design. The tamper is heavy and very nice to use. I almost avoided this unit due to the lack of being able to program on/off time (I like the machine warmed up and ready for me in the morning) but this functionality was simple to add with a Wemo outlet (I’d suggest 1st line include this in the sale—it easily added a key feature, and most people would not think it was so easy to set up). The quality seems high—only had it a month so I hoping this means it’ll hold up.
I’m using Temple coffee (single origin Sonora Estate Costa Rica). The lattes are exceptional—rich, complex, and I really taste berry on top of chocolate. I can actually taste the difference with different profiles—seems like a great way to develop the palate. Even an americano tastes interesting and more flavorful than I had come to expect from a watered down espresso!
All in all, the Lelit checks every box and seems to work exactly as described. If you want to pressure profile, this seems unbeatable in the 3-5k range.
Eric Harrison –
Over the years I have had numerous machines, from entry level Gaggia to super automatic from De’Longhi and this machine just blows them all away. I had admired the slayer machines purely from the aesthetic perspective having never been able to taste anything from them. When the Bianca came out I had to give it a go. The control of a paddle, dual boilers, PID control, it had it all. And let me tell you, it does not disappoint. If anything it gave more than expected and that bar was set pretty high already.
This machine is beautiful sitting on my bench. We had a a spot made for it during the kitchen remodel, fully plumbed in, and it is a conversation piece. The detail and craftsmanship of it is on a whole new level. It is quiet thanks to its rotary pump and puts out an amazing espresso every single time.
It takes a little to be able to use the paddle to help bring out different flavors of different beans, but if you put in the time, it will reward you handsomely. Start by just trying to hold the brew pressure at 7bar, then play with a slow start and adding pressure, or the inverse and have a higher pressure to start and back it off.
Whatever you want from this machine, it will deliver. Just buy it already and grab a great grinder to go with it if you don’t already. I grabbed an Eureka Atom in the combo and I can grind and pull shots while the whole family is asleep and not disturb even the dogs.
On top of the machine being the best thing ever (might be exaggeration but I don’t believe so, seriously) 1st line is the place to get it all your coffee supplies. Jim is nothing short of fantastic. Called me before they processed the order to confirm my needs and wants so as to make sure I ordered the right machine, called to make sure I understood how to plumb it in once my kitchen was ready (ran on the tank for 3 months first). Nothing short of 5 star service and equipment.
JWP –
Fifteen years after getting my first 1st Line purchase — a Silvia that still works beautifully — I decided to upgrade to something that will handle those times when I need to make 4-6 cappuccinos at once. After 10 days I am getting the best coffee I have ever made AND am still on a steep learning curve and having a blast. I have been using the bottomless portafilter with the 20g basket. The Bianca is so beautiful my wife doesn’t mind that it takes up more counter space than Silvia did!
One other note — being able to mount the water tank on the side was helpful — I only have about 8 inches of clearance — but other double boiler machines are at least 3 inches deeper than the Bianca so those three inches of extra counter space are nice to have.
cczl2905 –
I purchased the Lelit Bianca from 1st Line and Jim at their store in New Jersey. I actually drove out to take a look at the machine as it would be my first ever espresso machine. It took me almost a year to pull the trigger and doing extensive research. I was attracted to the Lelit Bianca because of the extra functionality it is able to provide at the same price point as the ECM and Profitec lines. Jim was very professional and also gave me a tour of their warehouse.
I’m still learning the ins and outs of the machine and how to pull great shots but I’m already quite satisfied with the espresso’s I’ve been pulling so far. There’s a lot of room to learn and experiment with the paddle (pressure profiling) on the Bianca and I’m sure I’ll be doing it for a long time.
Thanks to Jim and his team at 1st Line!
david potter (verified owner) –
I’ve had my Bianca for about 3 weeks now. It was an upgrade from a La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi II that was giving me issues with the second boiler but I used that as a reason to move up the espresso ladder. It will be fixed and moved to my other house. The ECM Synchronika was the other machine that I really wanted. But after talking with Jim at 1st line and realizing that the Bianca’s brew pressure paddle worked so well I decided to pull the trigger (whereas ECM is working on the 3rd version of their pressure adjustment system and it isn’t even out yet).
I have to say, the Vivaldi is a fabulous machine, but the Bianca is a whole other experience. The S1 is a push button style machine while the Bianca is a user experience each time that you pull a shot. With the exact same grinder and beans, the coffee just tastes smoother and with more of the nuances coming to the taste. The machine’s ability to steam milk is light years ahead of the Vivaldi.
a couple of things to think about…
1. you will use more coffee with this larger group head from a machine like a Vivaldi.
2. It is very important to completely fill the portafilter before tamping.
3. be careful with certain dish towels as I actually scratched the top of my tray, but I think that it was more the towel’s fault and not the BIanca as it’s construction quality appears to be top notch!
4. plumb it to your water system but be sure to put an inline water filter on that line.
The staff at 1st line has been fantastic, both presales and after sales.
What else can I say? Now I have to think about a new scale and possibly grinder.
Erik Kellison (verified owner) –
OK, this thing is magical.
Granted, I did research for weeks before buying this, but part of that is because I’ve never owned an espresso machine or made home espresso before. Italy will do that to you (to be fair, I liked good coffee before visiting).
My major goals were to be able to:
*Make great espresso, reliably
*Make espresso from different roasts
*Make any sort of coffee-drink (cappuccino, Americano, latte, macchiato, etc.)
*Have headroom for my inevitable fiddling nature (pressure profiling sounded intriguing)
*Service the machine myself, hopefully many, many years in the future (instead of replacement, or shipping it somewhere)
*Be able to make multiple (2+) drinks in a row, with steaming, quickly (but not have to be pouring frequent drinks to get good ones; I wanted a great shot the first time, every time)
After an exhaustive review, I narrowed it to this, the Profitec Pro 700 Flow Control, and ECM Synchronika Flow Control. I went with the Lelit Bianca because of the looks, the 2 included portafilters, the rotary pump with reservoir and included option for plumbing, price, and the burgeoning, passionate user base who would be there to advise me when the need arose.
In no way do I regret my decision.
I am surprised that I had to spend this much money to get what I wanted (before starting research, I thought I’d be able to get something that met my needs for $500 or less, but I really had no idea about any of this stuff). So the sticker price is a bit shocking, but I have no regrets. Not only is the machine great, but 1st Line has also very supportive at every step.
I am having trouble using the (very nice) tamper in the bottomless portafilter double basket as it doesn’t seem to be able to tamp without bottoming out on the tapering walls of that particular basket (unless I really put a lot of coffee in there!). Despite that, my best shot to date has been from the bottomless. No issue with the one with the coffee slide (or whatever they call it).
That’s about all the constructive criticism I have. It’s short enough to fit under my 16″ cabinets (barely). It is easy to clean. Easy to make drinks. If you are already familiar with espresso machines, there will be no learning curve, but with the ability to pressure profile on the fly with a gauge to show you your pressure, it’s just so easy, and encouraging of experimentation! The downside is that I’m drinking more coffee than I ever have, but only because it’s delicious.
This is the manifestation of all my Italian coffee dreams (honestly better, because even in Italy there is bad coffee!).
dgangola (verified owner) –
I’d been wanting a dual-boiler machine for many years, when my 18 year old Isomac Millennium started having problems. It seemed like a good time to upgrade.
I looked at a few dual-boilers, and the Bianca had a reputation for temperature stability, which some of the others did not. That stability was what I was looking for. 1st-line, an unknown to me at the time, seemed to be the preferred vendor. I took what I thought was a chance, and just bought it.
After a day or two, I got a call from Jim letting me know that bench testing was complete, and outlining how the shipping would be handled, and what I should do on my end, upon receipt. A very nice chat. The machine arrived on my driveway about a week later. It’s a heavy piece of equipment, but it really wasn’t a problem for one guy to get it upstairs to our “espresso bar”.
It’s been about 3 weeks now. It’s easy to use, I would tell any beginner considering the Bianca to disregard Lelit’s slogan, “If you are not a real Barista, keep away from me.” The Bianca is a whole lot easier to use than my much simpler Millennium. By nailing down the brew temperature, Lelit has eliminated one of the biggest impediments to making good espresso. You can ignore temperature – if the machine has been on for 30 minutes, or 6 hours, it’s the same. No more “water dance”.
I’m stunned by the espresso I’ve been making. The flavors! OMG! Repeatability is now so easy to achieve. You are free to make subtle tweaks to your technique, and you can taste the difference shot after shot. Or, after one shot, if it’s not what you want, change it back, and change something else, confident that it’s “the recipe”, and not you.
The fit and finish of the machine is outstanding. Even the tamper provided is something I’m using, not the traditional molded piece of plastic. The supply and drain lines for a plumbed-in installation are provided, although I’m using it in stand-alone mode. In addition to the standard porta-filter handle, a bottomless handle is provided, which helps diagnose issues with your technique. Nothing says “You’re doing it wrong”, like espresso all over your shirt.
The steam wand and valve assembly are not to my liking. The valve, although beautiful, is a bit weird. It turns off before it gets tight, (that takes getting used to) and when opened, rotates on it’s own closed again. Not fully, mind you, but enough to be annoying. The steam wand was too long for my taste, I ended up swapping the water wand and steam wand. That makes for a steam wand that’s a little bit short, but good enough.
Overall, I love this machine, and am extremely happy with my purchase. So is my wife – she says it’s the best coffee she’s ever had, even after spending a few weeks in Italy.
Gregg (verified owner) –
Great machine for the money- spent a month looking at other DB machines but glad I found Bianca. Looks amazing in the kitchen, easy to use but best of all makes great espresso.
Movable/removable (when plumbed in) tank is novel and useful as is the paddle.
Highly recommended- WAF* was high as well, and she drinks mostly tea…
Also recommended is 1st-Line. Jim was great to deal with, machine came tested and without a scratch.
*Wife Acceptance Factor
paul.henry.burns (verified owner) –
This is my first espresso machine. It was fairly easy to set up and dial in. Great for espresso and strong enough streaming. Love the ability to move or remove the tank. I’m working on plumbing it, but 1) can still use it while I hunt down fittings and 2) will benefit from the smaller footprint after it’s plumbed. Great service from 1st- line.
Dan Hutcheson –
What I can say is …
1) Trust them. I know it’s a lot of money, but it really did arrive in perfect condition as promised.
2) The espresso shots are amazing.
Here’s my story: I finally pulled the plug and bought the Bianca. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. I had been looking to replace my Rancilio Silvia for some time. I bought it more than 10 years ago from 1st-line and it was still going gangbusters, which with the help of 1st-Line’s support I had always been able to fix. But as I got better, I wanted a machine that could serve more than 1 or 2 at a time. I went with 1st-line because of the many years positive experiences.
Problem was, there are so many choices. I had centered on the Bianca because of the reviews, but boy is it a lot more than a Silvia. Was it really worth it? Would it be a trouble-free as the Silvia? The tipping point came after seeing seeing Java Jim’s youtube customer walkthrough with Sheila. It explained what I was getting into and then going over my concerns with Jim really sold me. These machines are real investments. Then it was a credit card and a painful wait of a several days for it to arrive. When it did come, it was clear that they had spent a lot of time making sure it shipped safely.
I will tell you that it is heavy, unless you’re comfortable with lifting heavy weights, make sure someone is there to help. Second, recommendation is to take you time and get it unpacked and set up right. The unpacking video is really helpful.
Once I had dialed everything in, I ran shots through both machines. The difference was amazing. Much more flavor and much more repeatable. Then I started playing with profiling and fell in love.
NealK01907 –
I purchased the Bianca and Atom 60 bundle from Jim and could not be happier. When my Breville Oracle broke for the second time I figured it was time to invest in something that has high quality parts and backed by the experts at 1st Line. Even though I am somewhat of an espresso newbie I was able to quickly get the 9 bar extraction. Since then I have started playing more with the paddle and trying different profiles. If you like to tinker and really have full control of the extraction at all phases then I think this is a perfect choice. Also happy with the Atom 60 that I paired it with. Highly recommend this. I think if I maintain it properly it will likely outlive me! It screams high quality (and looks awesome!). Thanks 1st Line!
hitchcock (verified owner) –
We have been using the Lelit Bianca for about 2 months now. Our last machine was a 20-year old Pasquini Livia, very cutting edge at the time we purchased it, but quite tired at this point. The current setup includes a Mazzer Luigi grinder. Bianca has a learning curve, but we are very satisfied with the performance even at our “kindergarten” level of learning. Java Jim’s YouTube videos are really helpful and answer questions I didn’t even know I should be asking! Keep the videos coming, please. Experimenting with pressure, time and grind has been both frustrating and fun. Sometimes I just want that morning cup of coffee! Other days I’m more adventuresome and enjoy the hunt for that perfect cup and playing around to see what changes. In our family, we drink cappuccinos and americanos, with the occasional straight espresso shot. So glad we made the leap to the Bianca and anticipate years of great coffee ahead of us.
ty.stover (verified owner) –
This machine is absolutely gorgeous, easy to use, and a joy to use. Love the ability to pull regular shots or take advantage of pressure profiling.
nasser.frwan (verified owner) –
Excellent machine and build with powerful equipments to last for decades. Best among all other machine with E61 group head.
Highly recommended with now risk at all.
Ashraf Ibrahim (verified owner) –
I’m about 150 shots in so far, so my review is based on pretty extensive usage.
I thought I knew what a shot of good espresso was, but when I bought this machine it took it to a new level. I never drank espresso straight until now — the Bianca brings out the nuance in flavor: sweetness, fruit, nuttiness, acidity, brightness, floral notes, etc. And all of that is just keeping the pressure study at 8 o 9 bar of pressure. By playing with different pressure profiles (along with different grind sizes) you can “marry” the flavors or emphasize different notes.
As with any dual boiler, the machine takes 20-30 minutes to warm up. The steam and water wants have excellent pressure. The shots are very consistent – I’ve been able to eliminate most channeling on the shots once I bought a better grinder thanks to Jim’s great recommendations. The heat dissipation is excellent to — it warms up my ceramic espresso cups put on the top without the heat escaping to the sides or back. Having said that, it gets pretty hot (which I love for my espresso shots and I only have it a 94 degrees). The temperature control is also fantastic.
One thing I don’t love about this machine is it is very heavy. Moving it around (not that you should) is a chore. It’s also a big presence on my counter, but it’s beautiful so I don’t mind that. It’s easy to take apart if you’re the Andy type, but it’s obvious to a novice (at least me) how to get at leaks or any other issues.
In terms of customer service, I can’t speak highly enough of Jim and the team at 1st-line. I had a small leak on the machine that Jim personally came over and took care of. He was also excellent in walking me through different grinder options.
Heath Hignight (verified owner) –
The Bianca is my third machine, and my second E61. My hopes for the Lelit included having a slightly more manual feel after having lived with a BDB the past four years, and the opportunity to experiment with profiling on a grouphead that I felt comfortable with. Pairing it with a Compak K8 and my go-to espresso by Red Bird, the Bianca has been a great move. After nearly three months, I’ve had no mechanical issues, and as I get to know the profiling capabilities I’m starting to uncover flavors in the Red Bird previously unbeknownst to me. I’m no master with steaming milk, but the Bianca has lots of power and with time my milk drinks are improving. Fit and finish are as advertised–nice, clean lines, seams line up nicely, and it’s a joy to behold at 5 am. I’m currently using the tank instead of plumb-in, and having the ability to hang it off the side is an unexpected benefit thanks to my temporary housing (low cabinet clearance until our house is finished next year). So far, the only complaint: the Bianca lacks a programmable on/off timer, the one thing my old BDB had that I wish was on this machine. Other than that, it’s been great so far. I had zero experience with Lelit before this machine, but the company is now on my radar for future recommendations.
Sean Engie (verified owner) –
I was doing a bunch of research on e61 machines with pressure/flow profiling because I wanted to find my “dream machine” – the final machine I would need to buy. The Lelit Bianca was the one I landed on and I must say.. it’s absolutely been a dream to use. The quality of shots that I can pull from it is unmatched (paired with my Niche Zero grinder) compared to anything I’ve had before and the amount of customization you have at your disposal is amazing. On top of that, the steam power is great and I’ve been making cafe quality lattes every morning since I’ve gotten it. I highly recommend this machine to any serious espresso enthusiast.
It does take a while to warm up so I’ve paired it up with a smart plug so it turns on automatically every morning before my alarm goes off. 1st-line was great with customer service and their shipping company worked with me on my schedule to get the delivery in my hands the day before I left on a work trip. A great experience from top to bottom!
marbarnes (verified owner) –
This is my 3rd espresso machine, second dbl boiler and second E61 group machine. I love combining the best of both world’s! This machine is simply fantastic. It looks great and has a small foot print. The outside moveable water tank is a really great innovation. The flow control is great fun to work with and really allows the user to extract the best from every bean. The control center is easy to use and provides great control over functionality. The accessories from portafilters to tamper are top notch. This is a really awesome espresso machine that will last years at a great value to boot!!
Sharmini Ilankovan –
I am LOVING the Bianca. Right of the bat, I started making great espresso with it, and continue to do so daily, sometimes multiple times a day, and it’s been brewing amazing espresso consistently for the past week and a half. There have been a slight misses here and there as I swap out the beans and try new ones but it only takes me a few attempts at changing the grinding profile before I strike the right ones to allow it to brew nicely with crema!
Customer service was topnotch. Jim spent 3 hours with me, walking through all the details, showing me his warehouse and pulling me shots with different pressure profiles. Jim, thank you again so spending so much time with us!
It’s already been amazing week and half with the Bianca, to say the least!
smilinghouse –
Hi everyone, I got the Bianca packaged with a Eureka grinder (not what I expected from a $900.00 unit) about 5 months ago and I thought I will fall love with it right away, but it was not the case. I had own many espresso machines since the 80’s from Saeco, DeLonghi, Breville and others brand ranging from $800.00 to $3000.00 more or less. The results are different on every machine regardless of prices, coffee and freshness of the coffee, but not to go into specifics, I thought getting the Lelit Bianco will be the end of my searching for years to come but it is to soon to say. I have try many types of fresh coffees but not sure I could say I always get a great creamy espresso from this machine, not sure I would recommend to some else.
smilinghouse –
Hello everyone, I purchased the Bianca about five months ago and I thought I would fall in love with it right away, but that was not the case. I’ve owned many prosumer espresso machines since the 80’s from brands such as Saeco, DeLonghi, Breville and others ranging from $800.00 to $3000.00. The results, of course, are always different on every machine regardless of price, depending on the coffee and freshness, but I thought getting the highest end model I’ve ever purchased, the Lelit Bianca, would have pulled more consistent shots and brought out more complexity in flavors. Since purchasing the machine and familiarizing myself with the settings of this specific model, I have gotten in depth and set baseline standards for my dosing, tamping, grind, etc, and have tried many types of fresh coffees but not sure I could say I always get a great, consistent, creamy espresso from this machine even though my standards for everything leading up to pulling the shot are quite strict. Based on that, I’m not sure yet I would recommend it to someone else – but that being said I am still learning, and will continue to experiment as the machine allows for that (something I am very pleased with) and is top notch in terms of handfeel, minute adjustments, power and overall an immersive experiene and beautiful product.
br (verified owner) –
I love drinking good quality coffee. I have been spending lot of money at the coffee shops and thought, I should be able to make latte at home. After a failed experiment of buying a cheap $300 machine, I spent a lot of time online about coffee machines for home use. I liked Lelit Bianca. I was a bit apprehensive as I did not want to spend a lot of money and end up with bad coffee at home. After all, commercial coffee shops seem to have machines that are way more sophisticated and pricier.
Finally I decided that I will give 1st-line a try after reading many positive reviews online. I spoke to Jim for an hour before I made my purchase. He is very knowledgeable and talking to him made me feel comfortable.
After two months I am happy to recommend Lelit Bianca to beginners like me. I am glad that I went with 1st-line for their customer service.
A happy customer.
dan-5150 (verified owner) –
This is an update to my previous review with was a a couple of weeks after I got it going. It’s only gotten better as I’ve learned to use it. And I’ve learned a lot, to a level that I get much better and more repeatable shots, which has been a lot of fun. I was a bit confused at first because the pressure gauge on the head would vary shot-to-shot. This taught me to be much more careful about tamping, which was key to getting the repeatability.
Tim Giordano –
Fifteen years ago I contacted Jim at 1st-line about the purchase of an espresso machine. I did a ton of research at that time. I decided upon the Elektra A3. A beast of a machine weighing 40 kg. It was directly plumbed and had its own circuit. That machine could produce some amazing steam and espresso. I chose to do business with Jim because he was the sole importer of the machines at that time. I’m in NJ and he’s in NJ. It wasn’t only the machine I was buying, it was Jim’s customer service as well. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for an espresso machine.
Fast forward 15 years. There was only one time in 15 years I needed Jim to service the A3. As I said, it was a beast. However, as life throws you curveballs, I went through a dissolution of a civil union and we went our separate ways. I had to sell my Elektra to a neighbor who always came over for espresso and always wanted it if I ever parted with it. It was a very, very sad day. So, after I settled into my new place, I called Jim. He told me his top 3 recommendations – 1. Bianca, 2. Bianca, 3. Bianca. I’m like, who the hell is Bianca. The only Bianca I know is Bianca Del Rio who won the sixth season of RuPaul’s drag race. So, I started my research again. I see the machine is by a company called LeLit. I see they make irons and espresso machines. Sounds like they know steam. (It’s really hard to find a good iron these days – have to check them out.) I also see that they are not a very old company. However, I trust Jim’s judgement to the nth degree. He didn’t steer me wrong with the Elektra. I then see all these awards, videos, even a review by a coffee company in France, who pretty much stated it’s the best machine they’ve used. It was also necessary for me to now have a machine that I could plug into the wall and also have a water reservoir.
So, I went to visit Jim, who is only 40 minutes away from me. His knowledge of the coffee business and espresso is worthy of an honorary degree from Princeton. The service provided to his customers is beyond reproach. I am not a person who gives underserved accolades, but Jim is a genius in this business. No other coffee company can compare to his. Of course, we talked for 2 hours before we got to Ms. Bianca. I’ve watched all of the videos and I have 15 years of making espresso with a prosumer machine. However, this machine is amazing. It’s not as powerful as the Elektra; however, it’s a way better machine because of 3 factors – the preinfusion, the temperature consistency and regulation, and that paddle – which is worthy of a patent. Of course, during the 3rd hour, the machine was boxed up and in my car. I didn’t play with it until a day later. I had to get used to the knobs and differences from what I was used to, but I never pulled as consistent shots or had the ability of changing the flavor profile of a shot with all else remaining the same, as I did with this machine. Unbelievable is all I can say. I still have some playing around to do, but my first impressions of this machine – c’est magnifique! Just watch the eyes of the reviewer in this French video after he tastes espresso from this machine. It says it all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wi2QBFClaw
For someone who is new to an espresso machine, if you buy this, there will be a learning curve; however, what you have at your hands is like nothing else. For those looking for a new machine, I would echo Jim’s advice for his top 3 machines – 1. Bianca, 2. Bianca, 3. Bianca.
Dean F (verified owner) –
We have had a Rancilio Silvia for the past 15 years, also purchased from 1st Line. That machine has been great, reliable, and a workhorse for a long time. It was time to step up, and boy what a step. The Bianca is just so much better in the short time we have had her. The espresso tastes better in the cup instantly from the first shot and are now experimenting with the pressure profiling and pre-infusion. This machine truly has a tremendous amount possibilities, but it is also remarkable easy to use and get going with (watch the excellent “Java Jim” videos on this). Very happy with the purchase and super happy with 1st Line – the pre-purchase support and questions were answered well and the machine has been better than for us than described. I have the Bianca paired with Baratza Sette 270wi grinder and thus far that is a really good match for me at home. Also added a WEMO smart plug to turn it on about 30 mins before normal wake up time to have it nice and warm for morning espressos and cappuccinos.
I did have one small issue with the water softener that was included with the machine. It has developed a “leak” and has to be replaced after a couple of weeks of work. A quick call to 1st Line, about 5 minutes on the phone with Jim and a replacement filter and sent.
Overall excellent and would purchase again in a heart beat and recommend to those looking to take to the next level.
derekhansen (verified owner) –
I’ve been using Bianca for about 2 months now and I am beyond satisfied. Pulling great shots and making excellent microfoam for my lattes. I wasn’t sure if I would use the flow profiling feature, but I actually use it quite a bit to fine tune a shot. I don’t think there is another machine out there that comes close to Bianca in terms of value. The hype is totally justified!
leo.zick –
After nearly 15 years of having my Hx machine, I felt I deserved an upgrade. Jim and crew have been around through the years for my old machine, and I knew he would be a trusted resource in making a decision for what to buy next, with the hope that a new machine will survive equally as long as, or longer than before. I did some research and had it narrowed down to the Bianca and a couple of others, so set up some time with Jim to pressure test my options. He didnt blink an eye after he quizzed me on use and goals – bianca it was! We bench tested the shop machine to see the profiling, etc, and I was sold. After only a week of having it at home, I will admit, its perfect. The flexibility of a dual boiler machine lets me dial in precise microfoam without worrying about temp hunting for brew vs steam. The rotary pump lets me enjoy early morning shots without waking the house. The profiling is simply next level! I am able to change the flavor and complexity of each shot just by modifying (experimenting, really) with the brew pressure. Lelit has definitely set the bar for the next generation of machine.
lotus.ns5 (verified owner) –
This is my first espresso machine at home that costed me more than a $100. Had been considering getting one for a home setup for over a year, and one fine day jumped on the phone with Jim to discuss my requirements as I enjoy drinking cappuccinos and lattes at the various speciality coffee shops on the West coast.
Jim was very kind to go over the details and share some pleasant (did I say humorous?) reports from some Bianca customers who were suddenly drinking way too much coffee, not using their steam boiler as much because the espresso by itself tasted so great 🙂
It became clear that the time was right for me to purchase a prosumer level machine, as I was ready to take that leap into some learning and experimentation. Jim also assured me how a UPS shipment is sorted out and the damage rate has been extremely low. The after sales support has been amazing with a replacement component being sent free of cost as the one I received had a cosmetic quality control issue from Lelit.
I went with Jim’s recommendation on the grinder to pair with the Lelit Bianca, and it has been working very well for my needs. I have used beans from Bologna Italy, and from roasters in Seattle. With some careful steps I was able to start making latte art in less than a month. Highly recommend working with 1st-line and can’t say enough good things about Jim. He is passionate about helping you make the right choice for your needs, and his wealth of knowledge gives you that peace of mind.
lotus.ns5 (verified owner) –
My first Espresso machine. Jim was extremely helpful to suggest a grinder pairing and assure me that a UPS shipment would be perfectly safe option for shipment. The machine and the grinder arrived in great condition with a minor cosmetic imperfection on the portafilter that Jim instantly offered to replace. Customer care has been excellent, and I very much appreciate the wealth of knowledge Jim is willing to share with his customers while helping them choose a setup that is right for them.
As a complete novice at making espresso and latte art, with some dedication and practice within 2 weeks I was able to get drinkable shots from the Bianca, and made some latte art in a month of receiving the setup. 1st-line has been great in taking care of me, and gratitude to Jim for being a great resource to the coffee community bringing some Italian goodness to the US customers.
Scott Carpenter –
I love my Bianca! I really can pull a great shot with any bean. It’s a delight to have the control and adjust based on how it’s pulling. It’s also just an awesome all around machine. The detachable tank saves space, it’s got great steam, and it’s very easy on the eyes. Jim was also a great help when I dropped a piece while unpacking it and broke it (was my fault). Really appreciate it!
Brian –
Could not be happier with my Bianca. Quality build, great coffee, easy and intuitive controls. Jim was patient while answering all my noobie questions. It has been great fun playing around with different roasts and profiling. The machine is also very compact and fits well on our kitchen countertop underneath the cabinets. The external reservoir is easy to fill. I added small felt furniture sliders to facilitate moving the machine to fill. Could not be happier with the machine and with the experience and support from 1st line.
Alberto Padovani (verified owner) –
After more than 12 years of service from my Rocky Rancilio and Quickmill Anita it was time to get an espresso machine that offered the latest in technology such as the PID controller and especially the latest trend which is the flow control device. In terms of longevity, I was looking for a prosumer machine that can last between 12-15 years while providing the required maintenance . During the searching phase, I communicated with a few vendors to include 1st Line Equipment whereby I spoke to Jim who is co-partner of the company. Jim’s knowledge of the espresso machine industry to include those offered by his competitors provided much-needed guidance. That night I reevaluated all the information gathered from all the vendors and it came down to the Profitec Pro 700 (with flow control) and Lelit Bianca. Jim’s argument about Bianca and with much emphasis placed on how well it was built was compelling enough to persuade me on the purchase of this machine.
It has become a work in progress and will become a never-ending journey trying to improve the quality and taste of the coffee beans so that I may come up with this “perfect” gourmet espresso shot with a nice layer of crema. From roasting different coffee beans and applying the right amount of time and temperature to ticking with the coffee grinder settings, to being consistent in my tampering pressure and to add another variable, living in Denver I have to deal with higher altitude and lower atmospheric pressure and oxygen level. This is where Bianca comes in handy whereby, I could correct some of the possible defects/issues stated above by using the flow control device by manipulating the amount of water flow to the coffee puck. I will be able to correct any over/under extraction by the use of the flow control device with the use of the paddle. Also, The PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) allows me to control the brewing temperature. It is like being in a laboratory, experimenting, and tweaking and creating different profiles. If I would have purchased a fully automatic espresso machine it would have taken all the fun and control away and for this reason, I am enjoying all the benefits and features provided by Bianca. The steam wand with its 2 steam tip holes is so powerful and quick that I have to turn off the steam wand once the milk heats up to approximately 118°F and within a few seconds, the thermometer reaches the 140-145°F mark. With my new Ceado E37S grinder and Bianca I am able to extract more soluble compounds out of the beans providing a cup of coffee with additional flavors and more crema as compare to my prior espresso machine and grinder setup. The rotary pump that comes with Bianca provides a quiet operation as compared to the vibratory pump on my Anita.
After a few weeks of operation, I am glad I made this long term investment in Bianca not only because it is the most affordable and best value for your money but because it includes flow control, PID (known as the Lelit Control Center), ability to profiling, it is well built, nice features and the aesthetic is amazing. There is an elegance to this Italian craftsmanship. The walnut wood included on the steam knobs, portafilter handle, paddle, and machine feet make it stand out from other machines. I like the fact that the portafilter spout is designed so that I may have a better view of the espresso extraction being poured out into the cup. Lelit stands behind its product by offering a three-year manufacturer’s warranty which brings peace of mind.
The only drawback to this dangerous machine is that I have been drinking way too much coffee which I am not supposed to because I am borderline hypertension without medication.
AnthonyB19082 –
I purchased my Bianca direct from Jim at his showroom just before Thanksgiving 2019. Jim took a lot of time to walk me through the Bianca features, and bench tested one for me and I took it home that day. The Bianca replaced a Quick Mill Vetrano that had served me well for 10+ years.
I have been using the Bianca for almost a month, and it has performed flawlessly. I ran it for ~1 week with the tank, and then switched over to direct plumb. The ability to remove the water reservoir when directly plumbed is fantastic, it allows the machine to sit further back, saving valuable counter space. Plumbing in was straightforward, I just followed the info provided by Jim on the website and his excellent videos. The limited electronics are ‘just right’, in my opinion. The ability to set the temp, have a shot timer, and set an energy saver mode (as well as some other functions) really add convenience without making the machine feel like a computer.
The Bianca has worked well from day one. The highest compliment I can pay to the machine is that after I gained some familiarity, it became transparent, very easy to adjust shots and the paddle is a fantastic tool. I have a way to go to master it, but it is a feature I would not want to live without. I pull several double shots a day, and steam milk occasionally. Steam performance is great, and the no-burn wands are easy to handle.
The fit-and-finish on the Bianca is excellent. The stainless steel is beautifully polished, and the wood accents really add to the look. The machine is very quiet in operation, no rattles or buzzing… just the smooth hum from the rotary pump. I would prefer if the drip tray had more capacity (I did not plumb in the drain hose), but it does match with the compact design of the machine. I feel that the two included portafilters (a bottomless and a double spout with a unique design) are a great value and very high quality.
Now for the most important part, the espresso! After dialing in my grinder and pulling ~10 shots, I was making great espresso. I continue to use the paddle to adjust the flow, but performance is very reproducible without it and I can easily and quickly make my shots in the morning. So far, the Bianca has been a perfect performer, looks fantastic, and when I think about all the small features and well thought out touches, is a great value. I am looking forward to many years of great espresso with the Bianca!
Bret Brase –
First off, Jim and his team were so patient with me, and thorough with their explanations. Their passion for what they do is easily evident. Next, there was absolutely no pressure. Jim steered me to a perfectly wonderful double boiler machine that was much less money. I am the one who fell in love with everything about the Bianca. This machine ultimately checked off all boxes on my wish list, plus others. (double boiler, PID, pre-infusion, shot-timer, spring valves) Because the Bianca has a commercial rotary pump the machine is plumable. This is a lifetime machine.
My other thought is that due to all of the items mentioned above, the Bianca is suitable for serious Baristas to the novice. The flow control is a game changer. This morning I extracted the sweetest, most balanced shot of my favorite espresso beans ever…using flow control and an 57 second pull.
Allen –
I purchased the Lelit Bianca (along with a Mazzer Mini) on Christmas Eve and what a gift! The beautiful hardware, innovative control paddle, PID, and separate moveable water tank fit all my needs and then some. It was a pleasure to talk shop with Diane and Jim at 1st line; their knowledge was very impressive! Unable to contain my excitement, I set-up the machine that night. Set-up was super easy. Both my wife and I could tell the difference in taste, crema, and overall ease of use from my prior machine. I look forward to using my new set-up for years to come.
ANDREY KRASNOV –
I was looking for an upgrade from my Rancilio Sylvia and was mesmerized by huge number of options available on the market. Should I purchase dual boiler, heat exchanger machine? There are at least 100 different machines on the market, so it is virtually impossible to choose.
Finally I contacted Jim at 1st line, made and appointment and drove to his NJ office. I never regretted a trip – not only I got really good roundup of different coffee machines, but also also Jim explained to me why does he carry certain brands of espresso makers, but not the others. He he pointed out that Lelit Bianca was one of his favorites. So after some coffee tasting and looking at the features – I got the machine.
I am not best barrista in the world, but with Bianca I’ve managed to get good results even without having perfect beans or grinder settings. I brought it home and made nice latter 2 hours later!
Bianca is so versatile with customizable pre-infusion and flow control, that your get different flavors from the same coffee grind/tamp. Also even for novices – it can solve most of your problems while pulling a shot – just watch the pressure gauges. My wife was extremely happy with lattes I was making, and actually she just pulled her own first shot and she loved it.
I would also add that the machine fit nicely in our small NYC kitchen. And it looks great!
Thank you 1st line!
Christian Straub (verified owner) –
I think this machine is a great first step into next level espresso machines. If you are looking at E61 brew head type machine, this will perform that function admirably. Even if you are not thinking about using the pressure profiler, I would start here so that you can expand into that kind of exploration later. In short, if you leave the paddle all the way to the right, this will function as a very nice simple to use espresso machine. When you get better, you can then experiment with the paddle without having to buy a whole other machine.
What I really appreciate about using the paddle is I can keep a consistent 9 bar or pressure, even if I mess up the original grind. This also works really well for light roasts that can be tricky to dial in perfectly, as you can reduce the pressure to get a consistent pull.
As for steam pressure, it’s more than sufficient. While I wish the steam was paddle based instead of knob based, this can properly steam really velvety milk in about 20 seconds. It also includes two steam tips so if you need more practice (I.e. less steam) you can use the other tip. The Lelit also includes a bottomless filter in addition to a dual filter. While this is far less forgiving to use, it’s very cool to see this come out of the box as most people would probably make this a future purchase.
At this price range the Lelit is really hard to beat. It competes with machines that are 2 or 3 times as expensive and comes with a lot of accessories that you would normally have to buy separately. If you are looking at any E61 alternatives, consider spending a little more up front to future proof your espresso journey for years to come.
Jacob Bockelmann (verified owner) –
Jim spent over one hour on the phone with me explaining the differences between many different machines before helping me select the Bianca. I am a complete novice at making my own espressos and ultimately chose the Bianca because it’s a machine that is easy to use and it has all of the bells and whistles like a shot timer, pressure profiler, dual boiler, PID control, and more that I’m eager to fiddle with in time as I experiment and go deeper down the rabbit hole of learning to pull the perfect shot of espresso. This is a machine that I can learn with and not out grow.
When not making espresso the machine serves as a gorgeous sculpture on my counter top. The Bianca is well designed aesthetically (it’s gorgeous) and practically with that moveable external water tank and shock-isolated parts to minimize vibration and noise when in use. I’ve set my Bianca on a smart plug that turns on and off on a schedule so it’s nice and hot in the morning for that first shot. When you use a scheduled plug, a surge protector is a must and I’m using this one from Amazon “Woods 41008 Surge Protector One 3-Prong Power Outlet LED Indicator Light and Alarm, 1080J, White”. It’s the smallest 1080j unit that I’ve found and it fits nicely under the water tank.
Raphael –
5 stars to Jim Piccinich and 1st-Line Equipment!
3 weeks ago, I purchased a La Bianca expresso machine and a Eureka Atom 75. Both have been outstanding.
Jim walked me through the operation of the Atom 75 and the La Bianca.
The first expresso shots were wonderful.
I decided not to connect the La Bianca to the plumbing set up that I now have for an expresso machine and decided to go with bottled water. Tried Acqua Panna, Amelia Springs Electrolyte spring water, and Volvic. Loved the taste on all three but after reading various postings on Home-Barista, am sticking with Volvic as the best option to limit scaling.
After my initial success pulling expresso shots, I started to get inconsistent shots as I tried various expresso beans — Allegro, Stumptown Hair Bender, Swings, Counter Culture, Ily, Intelligentsia and other coffees. Added a scale to weigh expresso in the portafilter, Acaia Lunar scale and an OCD distribution tool. The combination of pulling many shots and adding the “training wheels” — the two scales and the OCD enabled me to get over the hump.
The replacement of my Vibiemme Domobar Super and Mazzer Mini grinder with the La Bianca and Atom 75 has enabled me to make cappuccinos and lattes at a whole new level. Having followed a path of various expresso machines which I greatly enjoyed — Gaggia, Pasquini Livia (if you get to LA, you must stop in at the Pasquini store — great staff and equipment), and the Vibiemme. One reason that I kept moving up was searching for better frothing with more ease. Frothing with the La Bianca is incredible; you don’t have to employ maximum skills to get the frothing on the mark — it seems to do it by itself. After pulling expresso shots with the La Bianca, I realize that in addition to outstanding frothing, I am getting wonderful expresso shots and on a consistent basis.
David H Swedes Jr (verified owner) –
I was an 11-year owner of a Rancilio Silvia and upgraded to a Mahlkoenig K30 grinder. I had pushed the Silvia (unmodified) as far as it could go and was ready for the next step. The problem was, what I really wanted was the GS3 MP or Linea, but these were too expensive, so each year, I thought, “Oh well” another year with no upgrade. When I saw the reviews of the Bianca, it seemed too good to be true, but after 11 years of dialing-in everything possible on the Silvia (except a PID mod) I felt that this was the perfect solution. My expectations have been met. The primary unique feature, the flow control knob, is actually controllable. The threads are clearly very fine pitch to allow a range of adjustment of the needle valve to actually control flow which is difficult. The shots are delicate, nuanced and consistent. The various blends and single-origins I have tried have expressed themselves in new ways and I can remove all unpleasant flavors. Simply having a bottom-less portafilter is so helpful. I have some beans that work best at the full 12 bar. Others benefit from the pressure control. The controls are simple and that will make them last. Good job Lelit! My company has a division in Brescia so I will be visiting the Lelit factory soon to give them my accolades in person. Buying from 1st-Line Equipment was a pleasure and I will continue to get accessories from them. Thanks to Jim and the rest of the team.
Big Al –
This is our first espresso machine and we love it. Even though we are beginners on how to make espresso, we are very happy that this machine. The possibilities are endless. There are so many things that make this machine outstanding. The quality is really showing every time we pull a shot. I hope we can master the coffee art soon so we can really see what this machine can produce.
We purchased it together with the grinder, Mazzer Mini Type A. The grinder is amazing. Powerful and high quality. We were deciding between 2 machines: Bianca & Profitec.
Thank you, Jim Picconich for your service, help, & pointing us in the right direction towards this machine. We had a pleasure meeting you and a great experience at your coffee faculty. It was very educational and interesting to see the back room where all the action goes on. A personal touch, every detail covered, a great experience, & highly recommend this web site, this machine, this grinder.
Big Al –
This is our first espresso machine and we love it. Even though we are beginners on how to make espresso, we are very happy that this machine. The possibilities are endless. There are so many things that make this machine outstanding. The quality is really showing every time we pull a shot. I hope we can master the coffee art soon so we can really see what this machine can produce.
We purchased it together with the grinder, Mazzer Mini Type A. The grinder is amazing. Powerful and high quality. We were deciding between 2 machines: Bianca & Profitec.
Thank you, Jim Picconich for your service, help, & pointing us in the right direction with this machine. We had a pleasure meeting you and a great experience at your coffee faculty. It was very educational and interesting to see the back room where all the action goes on. A personal touch, every detail covered, a great experience, & highly recommend this web site, this machine, this grinder.
Albert S –
This is our first espresso machine and we love it. Even though we are beginners on how to make espresso, we are very happy that this machine. The possibilities are endless. There are so many things that make this machine outstanding. The quality is really showing every time we pull a shot. I hope we can master the coffee art soon so we can really see what this machine can produce.
We purchased it together with the grinder, Mazzer Mini Type A. The grinder is amazing. Powerful and high quality. We were deciding between 2 machines: Bianca & Profitec.
Thank you, Jim Picconich for your service, help, & pointing us in the right direction with this machine. We had a pleasure meeting you and a great experience at your coffee faculty. It was very educational and interesting to see the back room where all the action goes on. A personal touch, every detail covered, a great experience, & highly recommend this web site, this machine, this grinder.
tackmer (verified owner) –
I received the Lelit on Monday and put it on my counter, but haven’t been able to use it until Saturday. It looked so gorgeous beside my white Eureka Atom 65. The packaging was on point and the machine looked secure and safe with the extra foam 1st Line added. Setup was quick and easy, it had already been water tested so I just repeated the setup process outlined in the book without the LCC prompts. It came with a ton of accessories and everything I needed (except steaming pitchers which I already owned). I absolutely love that they included a bottomless portafilter instead of the usual 1 and 2 spout. They seem to know their target consumer well.
My first espresso machine was a Breville Barista Express, then after 2 years upgraded to a Rocket Giotto Type V, and finally the Bianca. The Giotto was good, but I wanted a little more control over the pressure and to have it plumbed and drained. I hope this machine cures the upgradeitus! I feel like this machine and I will be best friends for a very long time. It’s definitely leaps and bounds above the others I’ve used.
On to the first pull- I kid you not, a perfect shot right off the bat. The very first! I expected a few wasted shots to at least get the grinder adjusted, but nope. Everything was right on target. Today, I played around with the pre-infusion settings and I had great results. I can’t wait to try out more profiling recipes, especially the ones 1st Line made videos about. I steamed milk easily with great texture using the smaller two hole attachment since I use an 8oz pitcher most of the time. The pump is a little louder than I expected but I have never owned a rotary pump machine so I can’t say if it’s typically louder or not.
Thanks to 1st Line for being super quick with communication and shipping. I missed the train on the v2 by about a week but I’ll be getting the upgrade unit when it comes in!
Chad (verified owner) –
This is the first really nice espresso machine we’ve had and we use it just about every day for espresso and lattes. I’ve never experimented with pre-infusion before so it’s been fun playing around with that feature and seeing how it changes the flavor profile.
Otherwise the machine looks beautiful and operates great. It’s obvious a lot of though went into its design and construction. I plan to run a hard line eventually but we’re just using the water tank in a rear mount configuration for the time being. If you only want o buy one machine that will last for a long time this is the best choice out there right now as far as I’m concerned.
Minh Nguyen (verified owner) –
The machine. Like many, I was seriously considering the ECM Synchronika, Lucca M58 and Lelit Bianca. After thoroughly doing my research by studying reviews and end-users’ feedback and having discussions with Jim at 1st-Equipment, I finally decided on the Lelit Bianca primarily due to flow profiling functionality, its looks, and the option to move the water tank (to fit my counter-top space). I paired the Leit Biacan with Eureka Atom 75. After a few extractions, I was able to dial in and achieve some excellent extractions with rich flavor and crema, dense body, with long aftertaste without bitterness or sourness. I used Essse Caffe Masini and Speciale. The milk-frothing capability is fast and excellent as well, especially with the tip having larger holes. The frothed milk is uniform with paint-like consistency. I wish they made the four-hole or three-hole options. One thing to note is the wand retains quite a large portion of water; as a result, one or two long purges need to be implemented before frothing.
The merchant. With the advent of ecommerce, we have an abundance of choices to pick and choose merchants to do business with. I chose 1st-Equipment primarily because of Jim. He provided me with excellent customer service via pre-purchase informative chats with respect to functionality, build quality, reliability, maintenance, etc. of the Lelit Bianca, and post-purchase setting-up questions/coaching. In addition, buying from 1st-Equipment, I feel reasonably confident in the build quality and reliability of the Lelit Bianca, and support thereafter, due to a large collection of data points from Jim, his staff, and us end-users.
Conclusion. If you are in a market for an espresso machine, do give the Lelit Bianca a serious consideration. I’d recommend that you do your homework by reading various reviews by professionals and by end-users (both review and Q&A sections) – especially the Lelit Bianca page via 1st-Equipment website, and then give Jim a call. Hope this helps.
Len Shober –
I have used a lot of espresso machines, my last being a VBM DD which I loved. But after I got the Bianca, I had to reconsider my affection for the VBM machine. Nothing against VBM, but I love the control the Bianca affords me in making espresso. I use the paddle almost every time I make a cup and I can really dial in the brew. I love the automation and the digital settings and the steam pressure and the general look and feel of this machine. After a year it is still fun to use. And Lelit really paid attention to detail on this machine. Things that used to annoy me on the VBM have been resolved on the Bianca. Things are the right size and move out of the way if necessary and it doesn’t rattle because they padded everything in the right places. I must admit it took me a while to get used to the Bianca but now that I have, I can say that I am VERY happy that I spent the money and got a quality product. Worth every penny. And Jim and the company are great to deal with and I LOVE their coffee as well.
RoyD08876 –
I take a long time to decide on a major new purchase and gladly my patience paid off! I was already impressed with the Lelit Bianca from countless reviews and the attention to how this machine is built, however after taking a trip in person to 1st-line I had such a great time with Jim as he explained exactly how this machine had come into being and how much it really dominates all other machines at this price point and why. We made espresso and I learned about the profiling E61 group head which allows you to change the pressure to the espresso shot during the extraction. It was fascinating and Jim showed me how to do a long extraction for over a minute at 2 bar and another with a little pre-infusion and then finishing at 6 bar. The flavor in each espresso was wonderful but distinctly different with the same coffee – amazing! Jim was so helpful spending a lot of time and yes we did have so much fun with the machine too! I really like to get a lot of life out things I buy so money is less of an issue – I used my Pasquini Livia 90 for 17 years and it was serviced by 1-st line so I was absolutely ready to move on and partner with them on a new machine and the lifetime of service that makes owning a good machine a worthwhile investment. The Lelit is well built actually that it comes with three years of warranty which is amazing! So that day I made the decision and I’ve been so enjoying having this machine at home and making more coffee then ever in the morning and for folks who come over for coffee. Honestly I really couldn’t make espresso like this with my old machine and this machine simply makes fabulous syrupy crema-laden espresso that tastes great with or without milk. I’ve had an excellent grinder too for years (the Mini Mazza) and is essential to getting the right grind and tamp when using the tamper. What is extraordinary about this whole package is the provided extras that are themselves works of art. Even the tamper is much better than the one I had which I paid a lot for. So yes I’m enthusiastic and loving this so far. If you are interested I’ve been using one bean only for now and adjusting the grind and tamp to get the absolute best shots ever – I do look forward to trying other coffee (currently I’m using the excellent sweet and smooth Bulletproof Original medium roast.) Oh and I forgot to mention that this machine looks gorgeous in the kitchen and on display photo attached!
jmoran62 (verified owner) –
Let’s face it most people can’t justify spending almost 3,000 dollars and an espresso machine combined with another 500 plus dollars to get a respectable grinder. Some of my fellow co-workers thought I was nuts, but yet they’ll go by a coffee house a couples times a week for a latte. (who’s nuts!!) I’ve been researching the purchase of a double boiler machine for sometime but never quite able to pull to trigger, basically because I wasn’t confident in which machine was right for me. (I liked Rocket, ECM, VBM , not to mention couple other too). Spending this kind of money for an espresso machine, I truly needed to be confident in my purchase. When I discovered the Lelit Bianca about a year ago, I thought this might the one, but I wanted to wait for some reviews on the unit. In November my wife and I decided it would be the perfect holiday gift for both of us. Now, I just needed a few more questions answered and I really wanted to see what the guts of this machine looked liked, because I know repairs will be necessary eventually. I have repaired my current Simonelli machine (3 to 4 times) over the approximate 10 years I’ve had it, and wanted to be able repair this unit myself if necessary. I called a couple internet shops that were selling the Bianca, but no one really impressed me about knowing the internal components or even having a video of the inside. Then I found Java Jim’s videos, you may chuckle at first when you watch, but the videos are extremely useful, and even somewhat entertaining while I’m eating my lunch at work. (keep them going). I called 1st Line equipment to ask my questions and who do I get to talk to… the man himself. Jim answered every question, and then some, easing all my concerns. I got the machine a week before Christmas, and I’ve had it for two months now. The profiling feature is everything it advertises to be and then some. I use the paddle on most extraction and continuing to experiment with it. It’s ironic that two issue I have with the machine were fixed in the version 2 units. You can put me down for the upgrade module when it comes out, standby mode will be an assume add-on feature. The bottom line… if you have the money to spend for an Espresso Machine, I highly recommend the Lelit Bianca or even if your looking for another type of machine or other equipment, I think Jim at 1st Line Equipment can guide you to whatever your looking for. I’ll be looking to him first… for any of my future purchases.
young.toddj (verified owner) –
I got started with espresso machines with a Gaggia classic. When it stopped functioning properly I thought I was really upgrading when I bought a Crossland CC1. Compared to the Gaggia, I was. But when it started to have problems I decided enough with messing with the lower end machines. So I did a bunch of research to find one that would last. I started looking at heat exchanger models then on to ones with a PID. I then decided to go double boiler since I make many milk based drinks. I looked at several different models and almost bought others. I almost bought one then decided a lever machine would be great. Then I found the Bianca with the paddle. It was really new and there were very few reviews but the paddle would allow many different types of extractions like a lever machine without the downsides. And I realized even if I didn’t use the paddle, it is a regular machine. And with the reconfigurable tank I could move it back farther and put the tank on the side! And eventually plumb it. By the way, having the ability to have a tank or direct plumb along with a rotary pump isn’t the most common option on a machine. Many want to use a vibratory pump instead when a tank is involved.
Anyway, I was nervous spending so much on a new machine. So after much review I realized most of the machine was already proven. The pump and electronics, or at least a version of them, were used in other machines made by Lelit. The unique part, which nobody else was doing, was the ability to alter the pressure at the puck with the paddle. So I made the plunge and am glad I did. It has been a perfect machine. I start it with a timer every morning so by the time I am ready it is up to perfect temperature. As far as the espresso extractions, I can get sweet espresso or more sour or anywhere in between just by adjusting the paddle. Or the temperature can be changed as well to further experiment. The only downside is there is only so much espresso I can make to experiment. I have had the machine since January 2019 and I still haven’t put the machine through its full abilities. Most of the time I just use the paddle to adjust the flow but sometimes will change the temperature, particularly for lighter roasts. Oh and steaming is excellent as well. If I actually try I have found the ability to make some latte art, even if it isn’t quite perfect.
As far as problems, the only one I had was the clear tube at the top of the boiler that attaches to the relief valve was split about a quarter of an inch from the end. So this was causing some water to leak out of the bottom. It was a simple fix of opening the top, cutting that small amount off, and sticking the hose back on.
So considering everything about the machine I recommend it to anyone. It is really interesting to experiment and learn what it can do. And it is nice looking too with the wood handles.
Oh one last thing. The whole thing is stainless. Other machines that are a similar price and have recently copied the paddle design have a painted steel frame which will eventually rust. That was another big factor that I considered when buying the machine.
Jacob Ouellette (verified owner) –
I bought this machine because I was starting to work from home more frequently, and Chemex coffee just wasn’t cutting it. My office has professional la marzocco espresso machines available for use. I was considering the linea mini, but what I read about preinfusion in this machine appealed to me. When I bought this machine, I was hoping to somewhat replicate the bright flavors of the espressos I make at work, and it sounded like preinfusion could help with that.
Well, I was successful! This machine does a fantastic job making bright flavorful espresso. I drink like 3 or 4 cups a day (mostly tandem coffee from Portland, ME, and Barisimo coffee, from Cambridge, MA). Heck, I’m writing this review hyped up on coffee right now. It’s amazing.
Some other thoughts:
* Preinfusion seems to make brews more consistent, when enabled.
* Machine makes excellent cappuccino and cortados (I’m a big fan of oat milk cortados).
* My partner was excited to learn how to use it.
* Despite its weight, it is pretty compact on my countertop.
* The ability to reposition the water filter let us set it up in a way that fits our kitchen best.
* I had to upgrade my burr grinder to get to the place where I could dial it in
Super glad I bought this thing. Have told all my coworkers they should get one.
Thanks folks for the great machine!
Fabio Passarelli –
Yes, it appears that this machine cured my upgratitis for good. After reading a lot about all the different types of espresso machines, the Lelit Bianca has finally replaced my Breville BES870 and has taken me into the real world of espresso. This machine ticked all the boxes, and still managed to have the same price tag as many inferior options. It has been one year now with this machine, and I still love it like day one. The only way this machine could be better is if it had phone connectivity to allow control over its system, but that would open a whole new can of worms and warranty claims (people love to push the limits), so it’s understandable. This machine has been around long enough to allow anyone to find hundreds of reviews and explanations, so I won’t replicate them in my review. I’ll just say that I did a lot of research, chose this machine and I don’t have the slightest bit of regret. It would still be my choice if I was looking for a machine today. Capable, beautiful, silent.
Maksim Shklyar –
Hello Here Is my review on my experience of my Lelit Bianca machine. So far it has been a very great machine. The ability to control the flow is really the reason I was interested in this machine and it does not disappoint. I have had no issues with the machine I bought it august 2019. I have been getting the most out of my espresso. The steam works well. Don’t have anything negative to say about this machine.Flow control is very important when it comes to 3rd wave coffee/light roasts. Just a great buy! Strongly recommend. I bought my machine at 1st line equipment great people to work with. Thank you. Enjoy some pictures!
Charles Shapiro (verified owner) –
This is a great machine. The moveable water supply. You do have to mess around the granulation of your grinds. But once you get the correct the machine is perfect.
ntrail (verified owner) –
Overall – the Bianca machine has been a real joy over the past year of ownership. There have been zero quality or performance issues, and enjoyed probably a couple hundred espressos in that timeline (low-to-moderate usage overall). The biggest win was actually a minor detail when I bought it overall – by moving the water tank to the side, I can easily fill it up below my upper cabinets without spilling water everywhere or otherwise dragging it back/forward multiple times on its feet (it is still a heavy piece of equipment). My only gripe – really with all of these espresso machines – is that I am waiting for the pump sound volume to get dramatically better in the future. Again, this is not unique to Bianca, just these class of machines in general.
steven halpern –
I have had this machine in operation for more than six months. It is my third prosumer espresso maker over the last fifteen years and, by far, the best. It allows a wide range of control over brew temperature, time and pressure, thereby allowing the extraction of variety of flavor profiles from the same and different coffees. I also like the quiet pump, the outside water reservoir, the water softener, and the ease with which the drip tray can be plumbed. All in all, an excellent experience
Mark Spears (verified owner) –
I have been enjoying espresso/cappuccino since the mid 90’s. I started roasting my own coffee in the mid 80’s. I, like many did, started off with the inexpensive espresso machine and continued to graduate up after a few years to a more expensive model/brand. I discovered 1stline about 14 years ago. I have purchased a couple of nice machines from 1stline and have been VERY happy with their delivery time to Texas and service and help over the phone the couple of times I have needed it.
I knew the Bianca was being designed and kept an eye out for it about 6 months before its release. I figured it was one of those, “too good to be true” machines! However, I also know that Jim at 1stline wants something to be absolutely well built and easy to service. He is picky that way thank goodness!
In December of 2018, I went for it and purchased the Bianca. It arrived from New Jersey to me in Texas in 3 days in perfect shape. Pictures almost don’t do justice to the Bianca. It’s a bit like the Grand Canyon – ya gotta be there! It is stunningly made and finished visually and, many things were thought out in advance to make adjustments/maintenance easy. In other words, the Bianca is as perfect an espresso machine in every way as I will ever own! I had my heart and dreams set on another brand that has an adjustable flow but I knew that I could never afford it. It is twice the price of the Bianca and the wife would never have agreed to it!
The beauty of the Bianca, to me, is that ANYONE can operate it! One can make the brewing process as easy as one wants or one can get complicated with it. Have it your way! Regardless of what it may look like, it is very user friendly. The Bianca makes as close to “fool proof” espresso as ANY machine I have ever used OR owned! Period!
I really don’t know how it is SO consistent with the brew results! I have never had the privilege to have this happen. In the past with every machine, I would rejoice when I actually got what I considered a great shot of espresso. It was only about 1 out of every 6 pulls that were REALLY good. Oh I drank all of them, but the occasional great shot was few and far between. The Bianca sets a new standard for me in that it is just the opposite. It is SO rare to get a bad shot on the Bianca!
You can leave the paddle all the way to the right and pull a regular shot or you can adjust it on the fly and keep it on 9 bar or whatever pressure you want the shot to stay on during the pull. Grind is not as critical with the Bianca because one can EASILY adjust the flow to make the shot time/volume what one wants it to be.
If one wants to get wild and pull flavors out of coffee that you have never tasted before, preinfuse and make a 60 or 70 second shot with the pressure at 3 bar using the paddle and pressure gauge on the group head! I have tasted espresso using that method that tases like it has sugar in it!
I have fallen love with a machine! Coffee is a way of life! It gives me something to look forward to every day and, for the most part, is a high point in every day! I don’t have to go anywhere to get the best espresso/cappuccino in town. It’s at my house!
As for its steam ability, it is very powerful, dry, and has more that I can use at a time.
While the cost is high especially for someone like me, it has been one of the best purchases I have ever made! I figured up the cost of going out and buying a cappuccino 3 times a week and making my own at home. It has already more than paid for itself!
I have put off writing a review because I wanted to see how it would hold up. After a year and 4 months, it is going as smooth and trouble free as it did the day it arrived.
The Bianca really IS a no brainer!
Andrew B. (verified owner) –
I’m pretty new to this kind of espresso making. I have used Breville Oracle for about two years. It was breaking down every 6 months. I decided to get rid of it and invest in something that would last. I called Jim, we spoke for a while and here I am.
The machine is incredibly quiet and quick to start up, for a dual boiler. I think Bianca was designed by people who are extremely detail-oriented and user focused. One that stick out to me is well thought out water tank configurations and inline plumbing options. The needle valve and paddle, took me a while to get use to it, but worth the effort. If you’re scared of it, don’t be, the Bianca can be used with the paddle in a fixed spot to emulate a traditional E-61 setup.
Steaming milk is sooooo easy, the pressure is outstanding.
But the best of all is that shot of espresso.
I have purchased Eureka Specialita with it, highly recommending, great grinder.
This machine provides all you need for a lifetime of coffee discoveries.
Harvey Himelfarb (verified owner) –
I started my espresso journey many, many years ago with a La Pavoni lever and somehow never reached the pleasing coffee quality I had experienced in Italian espresso bars. This was many years ago, before the amazing quantity of enthusiast information was available online. I basically stopped using the La Pavoni and went back to drip. Then, as the internet came to life, I found a couple of espresso-specific sites and having read them thoroughly, bought an HX machine and preceded to happily make good espresso for the following 12 years. As my machine began to age and my knowledge-base increased, I began to look to upgrade to a double-boiler machine that also had the ability to pressure profile. There were, and are, a number of those machines on the market and my research led me to the Bianca. I purchased my machine at the beginning of last August, and have just completed a nine-month gestation using it and feel absolutely certain that I made a wonderful decision.
From morning to morning, I find myself vacillating between two different states of mind when making my espresso.: first, some mornings, I just want an excellent cup of espresso and the Bianca allows that easily – I can control the extraction, the temperature is always right where I set it, and my standard method of puck preparation and a bit of gentle concentration gives me a wonderful tasting espresso from my house coffee bean blend without fail and without fuss. Other mornings, I have the urge to experiment with variations in my standard method or with new beans or just want to change some variable to see what happens. The Bianca, with its high degree of control over temperature, pressure and extraction time allows me to actually do those rather random experiments which result in espresso pulls that, if good, I can later easily repeat. I love this aspect of control and repeatability that the Bianca affords with clear real-time data to analyze, wonderful precise control of variables and small incremental changes that are discernible in the cup.
My machine has behaved flawlessly and looks absolutely brand-new after nine months of daily use. I have experienced nothing but perfection from its behavior. I have it on a timer, so that when I walk into the kitchen in the morning, it greets me fully warmed up and ready to offer its services – at the very moment I most need a good espresso.
Finally, I should say something about 1st line: Jim is a pro, has personally taken my few phone calls or responded to my e-mails quickly. I did call him one-time after receiving my machine with a question about water debit and he put the phone on hold and went over to his machine, measured its water output against time, and came back on the phone and answered my question. One simply cannot expect better support then that!
My longish espresso journey has been worth it, but if I had to repeat it, I would buy a Bianca right off the bat and enjoy both using this wonderful machine and the espresso which so enriches my mornings.
michael.didomenico (verified owner) –
I have been using my Bianca for almost a year now — generally 2 espresso and 1 latte every day — and am very happy with the purchase. Previously, I had been using a Gaggia Classic and a LaPavoni Europiccola. This machine is a definite step up. I like that you can play around with pressure profiling, but you also can just use the preinfusion and leave a constant pressure if you want to put it on autopilot. I tend to be one among the very light roast crowd, and the Bianca does really well with them. More than anything, I have been surprised how much better the steaming is with a dual boiler. If you are making milk drinks, going dual boiler is definitely worth it. My only little nit to pick is that the handle of the bottomless portafilter developed a slight crack after using it for a couple months. Overall, this is a great machine that lets you tinker with lots of variables if you want, or offers you the experience of more typical dual boiler E61 machines.
rusty6174 (verified owner) –
First, let me discuss the product, then I’ll get to the experience. As a home consumer the Lelit Bianca is easily the best machine I’ve ever used. I’m coming from previous experience using an HX with a vibration pump that I had and serviced myself for over 7 years. I was overdue for an upgrade, and took too long trying to make a decision on what to get. After my experience with the Bianca all my fears have melted away. The build quality of this machine is excellent. The polish on the chrome results in exclamations of joy from the people that turn the corner and the machine first comes into view. Those who don’t even know or appreciate espresso are immediately intrigued at one glance. It’s a nice conversation piece in the home.
The Lelit Bianca’s features and performance are, in my mind, LEGENDARY. I had high expectations after all the research that I had done, but they were exceedingly surpassed. The paddle is not near as complicated as you may be thinking if you’ve never used one, but it’s also as complicated as you would like to make it. What I mean by this is there are endless possibilities with experimentation of shot extraction to your taste. The brew power of this machine is perfect and steam power is very good. To steam a medium pitcher of very cold milk takes around 18-24 seconds. The first time I used this machine I couldn’t believe how quiet it was. It has to be one of the quietest machines on the market. It’s highly versatile with it’s removable water tank and ability to be plumbed, and even the option for a drain on the drip pan! If you keep the tank you may even move it to either side or keep it on the back. A very unique feature indeed!
The equipment that comes with this machine will blow your mind. I’ve never seen such a comprehensive array of supplies with any other machine. They even include a tamper that is perfect for the Bianca! Perhaps the best thing is the inclusion of both a bottomless portafilter and a dual spout PF as well as three sizes of baskets. It basically comes with everything you need to start other than coffee beans and a grinder. The wood accents on this machine are also worth mentioning because they are beautiful.
Lastly, the experience with 1st-line has been first-rate. The videos that they do answered all of my questions and helped me to make an educated decision. The way the products are packaged is perfectly done, and with much care. It’s obvious that they don’t just sell espresso products but try to understand things from the viewpoint of the home consumer and what they may want and need.
I highly recommend the Lelit Bianca and 1st-Line Equipment for all your espressso needs! Thanks for reading.
Sz013 –
I really enjoy it, it is an awesome machine above all other competitors (dual boiler)
smilinghouse –
Strong steam, makes great expresso, adjustable pressure while you making a shoot, large water tank and you could also direct connect it to water supply.
The machine is very heavy, takes to long to heat up, and doesn’t include a build in timer, coffee pod is almost never dry.
I have the Bianca connected with a smart outlet and I programmed to star the day a 7am it takes around 30 minutes to be ready and then It goes to sleep after 90 minutes. I make about 4 to 6 cortados a day and really love the way it comes out, i really compensate the long wait.
I have the Bianca and the Eureka side by side and it really makes a great combination. My younger son loves coffee as well and we always experimenting with different coffees bean and we do some time play around with the customized pressure build needle on top of the group-head.
The Bianca is really a piece of art, compare to my Breville and Saeco it is quite superior in craftmanship a quality. You could make a shoot while you steaming milk and it is unstoppable.
Buying the Bianca & Eureka was quite a great experience, I travel al the way from Brooklyn to Freehold NJ where I was treated very well by Jim.
so0jun9 (verified owner) –
I bought my Bianca (and Eureka grinder) in September 2019, and have been making espresso (lattes & americanos) daily (~2 shots/day). This was my first espresso machine and there was definitely a learning curve (and I am still learning) and I love the bottomless portafilter that comes with the machine. The dual boiler is great for making lattes and the machine does great at steaming & pulling shots at the same time. Performance on this machine is great, and it looks amazing as well.
I did have the machine develop a small leak after ~3 months, and Jim was great as he walked me through diagnostics and how to fix (just a bit of plumber tape), which also made me appreciate Jim’s experience with the machine and how well the machine was made.
DavidN90266 (verified owner) –
I purchased a Bianca and Eureka Specialita mid-January 2020. My previous machine was a GS3 with Mahlkonig K30 Vario grinder which I sold a few years ago due to bench space and the need to now drink decaf.
I’m really impressed with the Bianca ‘s pressure profiling. If the grind is too tight, then back off the pressure to stay at 9 bar extraction and get a great shot pretty much every time (and I’ve pulled over 300 shots on it now).
I’m a NZ’er and love flat whites, so the steam pressure is important. The GS3 had a plenty of pressure with a 3.7L steam boiler. I was concerned the Bianca wouldn’t be enough, but again I have been pleasantly surprised at how well it does. I’m making great flat whites twice a day.
Dennis K (verified owner) –
You might want a La Marzocco, Slayer or Kees van der Westen, but honestly- the Lelit Bianca is where it’s at. It has all the features that an espresso geek wants, with a price tag that is still somewhat acceptable compared to the competition.
If you’re looking for the best value in high end espresso machines, look no further. This is it.
Thomas Gappmayer –
I’ve had my Bianca for a little over 2 weeks at this point, and it is an absolute gamechanger. This machine is so well thought out it leaves virtually nothing to be desired – it is truly perfect. While I was expecting an upgrade coming from my Vibiemme Domobar Super HX, I had no idea how good this machine would be. A few personal highlights:
– The profiling paddle makes it possible to extract coffees in really unique ways. I’ve become a big fan of aeropress style extractions (roughly 5:1 water to coffee ratios) that would be otherwise impossible with a normal machine. This has allowed me to get absolutely wild flavors out of a number of tricky beans (Acatenango Gesha, Othaya Gura peaberry) that I would never have gotten from v60. It’s like aeropress, but with perfect temperature stability.
– The unit heats up FAST, and the steam boiler really has some serious output. I’ve never had microfoam this good.
– The external water tank is extremely well thought out and easy to use.
– Energy saving mode is a thoughtful touch, as well as the ability to disable the steam boiler (I don’t always have milk on hand during the COVID quarantine, so it’s nice to be able to shut it down altogether)
– the LCC is the right level of tech on an e61 – easy to navigate without being obtrusive.
– I’ve been able to pull some really tasty shots with lighter-roasted coffee. With my old e61, these would always come out over-extracted and gross, but now they are just lovely.
Overall, the machine is an absolute pleasure to work with. The profiling feature only took a few shots to get really good at, and now I feel like I have incredible control over how the shot is progressing. I also haven’t had any problems with channeling since getting the machine.
I can’t think of any complaints at all – I don’t think the shot timer is all that useful (it’s a nice touch, but with long pre-infusions or starting with the paddle all the way closed, it doesn’t really accurately reflect the total extraction time), but that’s a minor complaint. Fit and finish, attention to detail, and build quality mean that this machine is truly the perfect e61. I don’t think that I will ever need to upgrade again in my life.
Antonio Aguirre (verified owner) –
Ordered the Lelit Bianca and a Eureka grinder and it has been nothing but joy. Along with instructional videos and customer service, dealing with 1st-line was seamless and their prices are best in the market I feel. The earning curve was less than I expected. This machine will reward you the most if approached as a hobby of sorts and not a machine to just make coffee. Can’t recommend enough
mtaljeh (verified owner) –
This is my unbiased review of my experience with dealing 1st-line and my impressions of the machine. I received no discount/incentive to provide a review. Delivery/unpacking: Got my order a day earlier than scheduled day, bonus right there! Machine was packed very well with extra padding, more than the manufacturer would provide. Definitely gives feeling of extra safety and shows the level of care 1st-line has. Nothing broken, chipped, dented or scratched. Appreciated that fact that they unpacked the machine, tested in-house, repacked it prior to sending it to me. Machine: beautiful, shiny, well-built, beautiful wood accents. I had my mind already set on this machine after an immense amount of of research, youtube videos, H-B review and forum posts. It is living so far to my expectations, and I’m quite happy with it! First thing I did is upgrade shower screen to an IMS. And got a VST and Pullman baskets. From my research on the forums, majority of folks favor those baskets (not to stock ones are sub-par, i honesty haven’t tried them) I’m still learning a lot and practicing as much as I can before I hit my caffeine limit, but I am quite enjoying the espresso journey so far. Verdict: Love this machine! 1st-line is a superb distributor that take pride in their work and the process they have in place to ensure customers receive the product in ideal condition. Thank you 1st-line! You have got a future repeat customer =) Side note: I enjoy YouTube videos. Keep them coming Java Jim! =D
azekool –
This review has been long due. I bought mine in Dec 2019 and have been super happy with the performance of Lelit Bianca. It was easy to get a hang of it and its been great in mixing up profile notes of my favorite coffees. Jim was incredible and it was a pleasure dealing with him. The whole transaction was smooth and while testing out newly unwrapped Bianca (warming it up, leak checks etc.). It was good to chat with Jim. Thank you for showing me the ropes on how to best enjoy the machine.
fs (verified owner) –
I had a different machine for 9 years and was very happy with it. A conversation with Jim about five months ago convinced me that I should go for the Lelit Bianca. As soon as I got the Bianca I understood what Jim was talking about. It’s just at a different level. There is a learning curve, of course; but once you get there, the result is perfect. Highly recommended. It’s probably the best machine one can get!
tengy03 (verified owner) –
September of 2020 marks my 2-year ownership of the Lelit Bianca dual boiler espresso machine. Very satisfied customer, and I see no reason why the machine will not continue to serve for years to come. I am one of the earliest adopters, learnt about the machine when Jim posted the early designing discussions on Home-Barsita. I was happy to see the ideas realized, a pressure profiling double boiler machine within reasonable price range. I put in pre-order during a move in 2018, and was happy to get Bianca as the first major appliance in a new house. I upgraded from a Gaggia Classic for 6 years, so I didn’t have direct experience on other prosumer machines to compare with. Through my studies and comparisons, I do see Bianca has all designs I could want at the time, and more. The facts that Bianca becoming more popular, and similar flow control device got sold in other brands, prove this innovation is a success. I have great shopping experience with 1st-line. Jim was very helpful since the beginning. As an early adopter, I did run into a tech problem with the heating element failure in the steam boiler after 6 months. Jim helped me diagnose and fix the problem in a timely fashion. The machine has been performing strong since then. My regular routine is pre-infusion at 2 bar, reach maximum pressure at 9 bar, and then gradually reduce pressure to 6 bar. I will refer more tech discussion to other reviews. It is great to see all the videos posted on Youtube by 1st line, please keep them coming. The learning will continue.
mark.dimant –
I’ve had this machine for about a year and really enjoy the coffee it produces. The build quality is great and I had no issues with the machine. I’m really happy with all the features that are packed into this device. You do need to learn how to use it which will take some time but that time will be well spent once you master the controls. You will have plenty of hot water with dual boiler for your drinks and your steaming needs. I love the look of it and the ability to manually control the whole process of pulling the shot. Paired with a good grinder this machine is capable of making great shots! I also like the security of 3 years warranty on this machine that is not that common for this type of equipment. Overall I’m very happy with my decision to get Bianca and would recommend it to anyone else who is looking for the best machine for your $$.
Ryan Clay (verified owner) –
Not only is the Bianca the bomb, but the entire crew at 1st-Line is top notch. They are always available to answer questions and support the products that they sell you. I never feel like I’m alone in this journey. I thought I knew a lot about coffee, these guys (and gals) are next level. Thank you Jim, especially, for the support in getting set up early on. I use my Bianca every day and am so glad I have a “dialed in” coffee bar at home.
Tom Backus –
Have been running the Bianca, plumbed in, for around 2 years now. Rock solid, top tier performing machine, and a dream to look at. For the money, I don’t think there is a better value in the prosumer espresso market.
StevenS21035 –
I am going on about 20 months now of Bianca ownership and this machine still makes me happy every morning. Prior to this machine I had an E61 HX machine (also from 1st line) for about 8 years. I enjoyed the prior machine, but the Bianca is much more refined. Build quality is very very good. It heats up quickly. The temperature control is precise, effortless and repeatable. The pump is quiet. A HUGE improvement of this machine is water reservoir – which doesn’t get a lot of attention. The ability to move the reservoir around the machine (back or sides) is very convenient. The machine barely has to be slid to the side for me to remove the reservoir to refill. Also, because the reservoir is external to the machine and does not get warm, the water and the reservoir don’t get funky. This sounds like a small thing, but it makes a real difference in daily use. The ergonomics of the portafilter are wonderful. It sits level on the countertop. It is gorgeous to watch the espresso flow around each side to the front. The cup warmer tray is spacious. The programmable pre-infusion is very useful. The shot timer is very useful. It is hard to describe but the whole really is greater than the sum of its parts. A lot of small things really come together well to make for a great user experience. That goes to what is in the cup as well. Bianca makes better coffee than the HX machine did. I think a large part of that is the precise temperature management of the dual boiler/PID versus the HX flush/guess. Pressure profiling factors into that as well though. I did not buy the machine for the pressure profiling, in fact I bought it DESPITE the pressure profiling. I considered it a gimmick and one more variable I did not want to have to deal with. I was wrong! It really has proven is useful. It gives you the ability to save a shot on the fly that otherwise might have ended up in the sink. It also lets you use coffees that might otherwise be too fresh (still off-gassing). It also lets you coax that last little bit of refinement out of a given shot. Recovery time between shots is nearly non-existent. Steaming power is fantastic. I am using the small hole tip and pitchers are done quick – like 30 seconds. I tried the large hole tip and it was crazy fast. Too fast for me. The point being, there is no shortage of power to work with and tune to how you like it. There are a few small niggles I would change. Nothing is completely perfect. I would prefer the wire of the drip tray were a bit more substantial. I might prefer a redesign of the drip tray to make it a little easier to slide in. That is really about it though – which says a lot. Anyhow, if you are on the fence, jump on. You won’t regret it.
curtshen (verified owner) –
My Bianca purchase was my first real espresso machine and like many, I was overwhelmed with all the choices when I started my research. The Bianca had just came out and really sounded exciting. I emailed 1st-line with some questions and within 30 min, Java Jim actually called me and probably spent 45 min on the phone with me just answering my questions and just geeking out on coffee. He wasn’t pushy or forceful, he truly wanted to help me be happy with whatever I end up purchasing. That call truly solidified 1st-line as my go to coffee vendor. On to the Bianca, wow what can I say that haven’t been said. It’s truly a beauty and a solid machine. Approachable for a beginner and endless possibilities to tinker with your shot as a expert. I am still excited everyday when I wake up getting ready to make my drink, and it couldn’t have come at a better time than last two years when we spent so much time at home. If you are on the fence about the Bianca, don’t be, it’s pretty awesome, and if you have questions, just email 1st-line. You can’t beat their customer service!!
NealK01907 –
I purchased the v1 Lelit Bianca from 1st-line.com back in June 2019. I’ve probably pulled over 4,000 shots by now, using it every day. I’ve only had one little problem since ownership. A small leak developed under the machine due to the plastic Y-connector melting internally. Lelit has since upgraded this to a brass material and 1st-line provided a free warranty upgrade upgrade kit. It was very easy to install and I was back up in running in 20 minutes. The Bianca makes espresso as good as the day I got it. My maintenance schedule – every other week I backflush w/ ascaso detergent purchased here, give the water filter a salt bath, and polish the stainless steel. I replace the water filter yearly (we don’t have harsh water here) since I keep it maintained as the detailed videos show here. I’m by no means a coffee expert, but I still get excited waking up in the morning knowing I will be pulling some shots. Before the Bianca, I had super-automatic and semi-automatic machines. I don’t think any of them lasted more than 2 years. Something always broke and it was clear they were made with cheap parts inside. The Bianca is the exact opposite. Quality inside and out and I think it may last forever as long as I maintain it. And I found that having paddle control really gives a lot of fun exploration opportunities as well. I also purchased the Eureka Atom 65 from 1st-line which has held up just as well. I’ve been a customer of 1st-line for over 15 years and can’t recommend their knowledge and customer service enough. If you are looking for a Bianca, this is THE PLACE to buy it!
jhoward321 (verified owner) –
Honestly this machine is everything I hoped it would be. Let me preface this by saying that I am definitely NOT a morning person. Ever since I got my bianca I actually look forward to the morning and making some fantastic espresso. The machine is rock solid, and is easy to maintain and operate. The killer feature is definitely the flow control. Can’t recommend this machine enough, and would happily buy it again. Big fan of 1st line as well, and the shipping materials were fantastic – the machine was very safe in its packaging.
Chris T (verified owner) –
If you’re buying this equipment, you know what you’re getting… and it delivers. Lelit Bianca is incredible. I hope you’ve done your research and are purchasing from 1st-Line. Their knowledge, research, available resources and customer support are exceptional. From pre-testing prior to delivery, exceptional packaging, and communications through delivery…. please make an informed decision in who you make this big investment from. You need to buy from 1st-Line.