The Lelit Victoria (model PL91T) is an Italian-made prosumer espresso machine that often flies under the radar. At a competitive $999 price point, it offers a wealth of features that elevate it from consumer to prosumer status, rivaling models like the Profitec Go and Rancilio Silvia.
In this review, we will explore why the Victoria is a strong contender for home baristas looking for a serious machine.
What is Lelit Victoria Espresso Machines?
The Lelit Victoria is a premium espresso machine tailored for home baristas who desire café-quality coffee. Known for its compact design and robust performance, it features a single boiler, PID temperature control for precise brewing, and a pre-infusion function that enhances flavor extraction. The professional-grade steam wand allows for exceptional milk frothing, perfect for lattes and cappuccinos.
Founded in Italy in the early 1990s, Lelit has built a reputation for combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. The Victoria model embodies this legacy, offering both elegance and functionality to elevate your home brewing experience.
Design and Build Quality
The Lelit Victoria boasts a sleek, industrial design that emphasizes functionality over aesthetics. Built entirely from stainless steel, it’s designed to last and looks right at home in a high-end kitchen. Despite its compact dimensions (8” x 10” x 15”), the machine houses a robust set of features, including a 58mm commercial-grade portafilter, a spacious drip tray, and a water reservoir with a generous 2.8-liter capacity.
Key Design Features:
- Stainless Steel Construction: Durable and professional-grade.
- Compact Footprint: Fits comfortably on small countertops.
- Backlit Pressure Gauge: A practical tool for monitoring extraction.
- Lelit Control Center (LCC): Digital PID temperature control ensures precise brewing temperatures.
Brewing Performance
At the heart of the Lelit Victoria is its PID-controlled single boiler, which offers precise temperature management for both brewing and steaming. The PID control allows for fine-tuned adjustments, ensuring stable and repeatable shot quality. The machine also includes a programmable pre-infusion mode, which pre-wets the coffee grounds before extraction, helping to improve consistency by reducing channeling.
Noteworthy Brewing Features:
- PID Temperature Control: Maintains temperature within 1°C for consistent shots.
- Pre-infusion: Enhances extraction and flavor balance.
- Shot Timer: Allows users to track shot length in real-time, perfect for refining your technique.
Steaming and Milk Frothing
Despite being a single-boiler machine, the Lelit Victoria doesn’t disappoint when it comes to milk frothing. It offers a dedicated steam mode that quickly transitions from brewing to steaming, thanks to the auto-purge function, which brings the boiler down to brewing temperature in under a minute. The steam wand is fully articulated, making it easy to achieve the perfect milk texture for cappuccinos and lattes.
Steaming Highlights:
- Powerful Steam Wand: Delivers great microfoam for milk-based drinks.
- Quick Recovery Time: Auto-purge feature speeds up transitions from steam to brew.
- Large Boiler Capacity: Supports multiple drinks without needing to refill frequently.
Comparison: Lelit Victoria vs. Profitec Go
At similar price points, the Lelit Victoria often gets compared to the Profitec Go. However, the Victoria offers some advantages:
- Hot Water Feature: The Victoria includes a hot water function, useful for Americanos or tea, which the Profitec Go lacks.
- Cup Clearance and Adjustability: The Victoria’s higher cup clearance makes it more versatile for different cup sizes, unlike the lower clearance on the Profitec Go.
- Additional Features: The Victoria’s programmable pre-infusion and shot timer set it apart in terms of user control and customization.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
Lelit has made the Victoria user-friendly, despite its high-end features. The Lelit Control Center (LCC) allows users to adjust temperature, pre-infusion time, and shot volume with ease. The machine also features an auto-fill function for the boiler and an auto-shutoff mode, which prevents overheating if the machine is left on too long.
Maintenance Tips:
- Water Filter: Includes a built-in filter to protect against limescale.
- Drip Tray and Reservoir: Easy to remove and clean.
- Regular Descaling: Like all espresso machines, regular descaling will help extend its lifespan.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- PID Control: Ensures consistent and stable brewing temperatures.
- Compact Design: Fits easily in most kitchens while offering prosumer-level performance.
- Pre-Infusion: Enhances extraction quality.
- Auto-Purge Function: Quick temperature adjustment between brewing and steaming.
- Commercial-Grade Portafilter: High-end extraction capabilities.
Cons:
- Water Reservoir Placement: The deep placement of the water tank can be tricky to refill.
- Vibration and Noise: Some users report noise and vibration issues due to the pump.
- Steam Knob Quality: Made of plastic, feels less premium than the rest of the machine.
Price and Value
At $999, the Lelit Victoria offers excellent value for those looking to enter the prosumer espresso machine market. Comparable machines like the Profitec Go and Rancilio Silvia often lack features such as programmable pre-infusion or a hot water function, making the Victoria an excellent investment for serious home baristas.
Conclusion: Is the Lelit Victoria Right for You?
The Lelit Victoria is an outstanding option for those ready to upgrade to a prosumer espresso machine. It delivers a professional-grade espresso experience in a compact, durable package, with advanced features like PID control, pre-infusion, and hot water on demand. If you’re looking for an affordable, high-performance espresso machine with a small footprint, the Lelit Victoria is hard to beat.
FAQs
How does the Lelit Victoria handle milk frothing?
The steam wand offers powerful steaming for creating professional-grade microfoam, ideal for milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
Can the Lelit Victoria be used for making Americanos?
Yes, it includes a hot water feature, which is perfect for Americanos or even tea.
What kind of portafilter does the Lelit Victoria use?
The machine uses a 58mm commercial-grade portafilter, which ensures excellent shot quality.
How difficult is the Lelit Victoria to maintain?
The machine is easy to maintain, thanks to its removable drip tray and water reservoir. It also includes a built-in water filter to reduce scaling.
How does the Lelit Victoria compare to other machines in its price range?
Compared to models like the Profitec Go and Rancilio Silvia, the Victoria offers more features, including pre-infusion and hot water functionality.
Is the Lelit Victoria suitable for beginners?
While the Victoria is packed with advanced features, its straightforward interface and programmable options make it suitable for both beginners and experienced baristas.
Disclosure: Our blog contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
