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Bz99 or lelit pl60t?

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  • Bz99 or lelit pl60t?

    After several weeks of research, I have finally narrowed my search down to these two machines.

    Background is that I enjoy my daily coffee and have owned sub par machines however it's time to get serious so that I don't need to make a daily trip to the cafe. I am not an expert at making coffee but did work in a cafe for a short time so am not a complete novice.

    I like the look of the lelit, but the brand reputation of the bz99. I will only be using it once a day most days, and perhaps more on the weekends mostly for milk coffees. I want a machine that will last though, and who knows if I will be entertaining more in 5 years! Hence moving away from a single boiler. Fast heat up is important to me, however I am willing to let this slide if I can use a plug timer and turn if on an hour before I wake up that way. The cooling flush of a HX seems to be something most people don't mind too much?

    If the gauges on the lelit are helpful, that is a plus, however of they are aesthetical mostly and I will ignore them in a few months (like a rev counter on a car) I won't base my decision on them.

    In order of importance, what I want in a machine

    1- makes good coffee without needing to be an expert
    2- will last years (with proper care of course!)
    3- features/convenience (gauges, hot water tap, I note in the lelit the jug can rest on the drip tray to steam -not sure about the bz99?)
    4- looks
    5- resale value
    6- noise level

    Which would you suggest for me? I am going to get a mini mazzer grinder.
    Last edited by shellila; 30 October 2013, 05:48 PM.

  • #2
    After owning my new Lelit PL60T V2 for a couple of months now, I'll give a little insight.
    -Gauges. no point really. it has a 9bar OPB. so no matter what you do, the gauge doesn't go past 9bar and the steam boiler is super-fast to heat and pressurise that you never look at it.
    -user adjustable brew temp on the PID is nice and lets you know when it's up to temp.
    -twin smaller boilers (400ml each) and twin heating elements will have a much faster heat-up compared with the single 1300Watt element and 1.5L boiler in the BZ99.
    -no tap's. originally I thought that this would be a bad thing. but it's not. taps and their seals get old and wear out, squeak, etc. the Lelit just has big sturdy switches and internal solenoids.
    it's very rare I would only turn on the steam tap part of the way anyway.

    There's some of my thoughts and I've been very very happy with the Lelit so far

    Comment


    • #3
      How long does your machine take to heat up robb?

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi shellila,

        I had a second hand bz99 for a few years that I bought from the Bezzera Distributor.

        1: Paired with a decent grinder and good beans, it makes great coffee. You just have to follow a simple cleaning routine.

        2: They do have a reputation of being bulletproof and will last you many years. The Australian distributor carries a full set of spare parts.

        3: Features - Not many features - no gauges but it does have a hot water tap.

        4: Looks -As far as looks go, it does have a certain retro appeal but many prefer the newer style shinny stainless models

        5: Resale - I think Bezzera offer a 50% trade in after 5 years if it has been serviced regularly.

        6: Noise - My machine was old and loud but I saw a new machine being demonstrated and it was considerably quieter.

        One thing that annoyed me about the bz99 was the small drip tray, it would fill up quickly especially during back flushing.

        Heat up time was about 20 minutes - I used to have it on a timer so that it was ready to go in the morning.

        I'd recommend finding a nearby sponsor and checking out the machines in the flesh. I've now moved on to a Bezzera Strega and it has finally cured my case of "upgradeitis"

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Canelli View Post
          Hi shellila,

          I had a second hand bz99 for a few years that I bought from the Bezzera Distributor.

          1: Paired with a decent grinder and good beans, it makes great coffee. You just have to follow a simple cleaning routine.

          2: They do have a reputation of being bulletproof and will last you many years. The Australian distributor carries a full set of spare parts.

          3: Features - Not many features - no gauges but it does have a hot water tap.

          4: Looks -As far as looks go, it does have a certain retro appeal but many prefer the newer style shinny stainless models

          5: Resale - I think Bezzera offer a 50% trade in after 5 years if it has been serviced regularly.

          6: Noise - My machine was old and loud but I saw a new machine being demonstrated and it was considerably quieter.

          One thing that annoyed me about the bz99 was the small drip tray, it would fill up quickly especially during back flushing.

          Heat up time was about 20 minutes - I used to have it on a timer so that it was ready to go in the morning.

          I'd recommend finding a nearby sponsor and checking out the machines in the flesh. I've now moved on to a Bezzera Strega and it has finally cured my case of "upgradeitis"
          Thank you for your thoughts. I am going to check out the lelit this weekend but unfortunately I don't think there is a Bezzera stockist who is a sponsor near me (I'm in brisbane). I will have to go to another distributor for that one.

          Comment


          • #6
            ' unfortunately I don't think there is a Bezzera stockist who is a sponsor near me (I'm in brisbane)'

            Hi shellila,

            It would appear you are in luck with a Bezerra stockist in Brisbane, they are in Coopers Plains. I know they were site sponsors previously but can't see them listed now. Apologies to site mods if they are no longer sponsors.

            Bezzera Australia

            Contact

            Christopher Newsome

            Address:
            2/25 Boyland Ave
            Coopers Plains
            QLD
            4108
            Australia
            Phone: 1300 550 927

            Comment


            • #7
              I bought a used BZ99s a few months ago. It is over 15 years old and I paid around 25% of the rrp (including shipping). It is built like a tank! The pump is a little noisy - I have a feeling they come in a rotary pump variant also.

              I haven't had any issues with the drip tray personally, however I tend to purge/flush into a jug (habit from my breville).

              I have timed the heat time before, which I think was about 13 mins. I have rarely noticed the wait.

              Comment


              • #8
                the Lelit is up to it's 95deg in just over 5 minutes,
                Bu I usually switch it on, take a shower and get dressed, then make my coffee. so it;'s had a good 15 minutes or so go fully stabilise

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