Lelit Bianca

[Rho]

@DavecUK I noticed in your profile that you have the Izzo Duetto, along with the Bianca prototype. How would you compare these two machines? The Duetto seems like a solid machine (been around for a while, multiple revisions, various improvements over time, etc) while the Bianca seems high quality but perhaps unrefined. Would you recommend one over the other to someone upgrading from a BDB?

[DavecUK]

@DavecUK I noticed in your profile that you have the Izzo Duetto, along with the Bianca prototype. How would you compare these two machines? The Duetto seems like a solid machine (been around for a while, multiple revisions, various improvements over time, etc) while the Bianca seems high quality but perhaps unrefined. Would you recommend one over the other to someone upgrading from a BDB?

It's tricky I of course own both machines, I got the Bianca to add to my collection of dual boilers, mainly because it's unusual and quite pretty. From a raw engineering standpoint, the Vesuvius is really built, thick high quality stainless, lots of space inside, gear pump that gives control over pressure and is repeatable.

The Bianca, more delicate, undeniably pretty, some clever features...able to do a very low flow preinfusion shot like a slayer, that the Vesuvius can't quite match, although it comes close. However what the V can do with pressure on a repeatable basis is astounding. For me the V is my daily driver, but it's whatever floats your boat really. Even with the forum deals from time to time, depending on PTFE or Sainless Steel pipework becomes £300 to £500 more than a Bianca. Both machines come with a lot of standard equipment....you have to decide what fits your lifestyle best. I don't think I can advise you easily. They will both be fantastic machines....you will own either happily for decades?

Oops just noticed you said Duetto....yah I own one of those as well because I sort of designed it....Bianca definitely over the Duetto, not even a contest!

[Graham J]

For Lelit Bianca owners and anyone else so interested, there are some developing threads on Home Barista that I've found useful and interesting:

https://www.home-barista.com/reviews...ew-t54489.html

https://www.home-barista.com/espress...ce-t54490.html

We've had the Bianca available a few weeks longer in UK, than customers in the U.S. , So DaveC has shared some data from his pre-launch work (and ownership) and so have I. As a new user with 300+ Bianca shots in place that hardly makes me expert, but other responders on the threads are open minded (generally!) and offer good responses.

If you're interested in profiling and espresso machine engineering, this thread is a lot of fun and I read it for some months (it takes a while) before buying a Bianca:

https://www.home-barista.com/espress...ng-t49539.html
- might be good to start at the end and work backwards....

[TTM]

I'm close to taking the plunge on one of these. I'd assumed I'd be looking to BB for the purchase, but noticed that Lelit sell direct for £1600. Obviously I want a proper warranty and ease if it comes to needing anything fixed, so would that price mean that isn't offered if one were to purchase direct from Lelit?

[Dylan]

It's actually sold by Espresso Underground rather than direct from Lelit. You can email Peter on [email protected] - he is fairly responsive.

Bella Barista have an absolutely stellar reputation and fantastic after sales support, but it's quite a bit more expensive and Espresso Underground have a good rep themselves, although I dont think they have supplied a lot of machines to the con/prosumer market.

[cloughy]

As above, I bought mine from BB and the service was fantastic, first machine I wasn't happy with and they sent another out the next day. I was surprised they did that, many other companies wouldn't of.

[TTM]

Yep, I'm well aware of how good BB's reputation is. However, the price difference isn't insignificant, so was hoping someone had experience of purchasing via Espresso Underground.

I think I'll drop them a line and see what they say re warranty and after sales.

[TonyCoffeeNewbie]

fyi i spotted the bargain price at lelit-uk site also, and was tempted, but the price has now been corrected to £1800. So no meaningful saving over BB price. Only benefit is lelit-uk has stock.
FYI I bought a single boiler machine from lelit-uk and found them helpful.

Yep, I'm well aware of how good BB's reputation is. However, the price difference isn't insignificant, so was hoping someone had experience of purchasing via Espresso Underground.

I think I'll drop them a line and see what they say re warranty and after sales.

[DavecUK]

fyi i spotted the bargain price at lelit-uk site also, and was tempted, but the price has now been corrected to £1800. So no meaningful saving over BB price. Only benefit is lelit-uk has stock.
FYI I bought a single boiler machine from lelit-uk and found them helpful.

Lets tell it how it is. I have no idea how good or not Espresso Underground are. I do know for a fact that when you buy from Bella Barista they have your back 100%. You get a full 2 year fully transferrable warranty, tremendous customer support and proper backup of a bricks and mortar company with significant resources in place. You also get the goodwill and interest in your purchase when you go back for help/advice perhaps 3 or 4 years later. Warranty packages are now available as well I believe to extend the 2 year period and perhaps other packages, that can be purchased and if I remember rightly, they are good value (or were when I last looked). It's easy to miss them because they are presented at checkout/in your basket in a drop down list. You can move from 2 years (free), to 3 years for £110 and 4 years for £180 based on the cost of the Bianca. I think for these type of machines thats great value and gives you 4 years total peace of mind.

The retailer you buy from and the support you get are critical when buying these machines...everybody wants to save a few quid, but they soon come crying on here when something goes wrong and unlike yourself, don't ask us first. There are a couple of poor vendors. As hinted at in my Hitler skit.

[TTM]

Well, with Espresso Underground having upped the price it means I don’t need to even worry about the decision anymore. Bella Barista it is.

Sadly, out of stock.