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Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

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  • Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

    Hi Guys,

    forgive the noob question. Trying to choose among the top three. Ive done some reading and it seems the obvious choice would be to go to the most expensive in the list - but i need some advice...

    Is the lelit and the IC essentially the same thing? any real difference? clumping, noise, grind quality? the lelit is $50 cheaper so id opt for that... the overall price isnt too bad either...

    Im obviously grinding for espresso, but at work I have an aeropress (which is pretty fine grind too). I think the adjustment of the above two will be annoying. I will grind for the working week then return to espresso at home, so its not frequent changes, but im guessing marking the colar of the K3T is all that is required to relatively easily swap b/w the two grinds....

    (or are they similar enuff grinds that the lelit wont be too bad)

    finally is the compak really that much superior in terms of noise, mess longevity and not clumping?

    (these are all doserless btw)

    (for the espresso machine im heavily leaning lelit or silvia, the latter probably being more finicky for grind)

    Thanks all, some experiences or even just comments are greatly appreciated!

    Joe

  • #2
    Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

    Hi Joe and welcome,

    Its easy with grinders. You gets what you pays for

    Buy the best you can afford.

    Good luck!

    2mcm

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

      Hi Joe,

      I think the biggest difference youll notice between the Lelit/Challenge and the K3 is in the cup!

      I used to have a Lelit combi machine with essentially the same grinder built-in. I then bought myself a K3 (doser model) and the difference in depth of flavour was pretty huge. Until that point Id been happy with the built-in grinder, but once I tasted the difference I knew I couldnt go back.

      You may want to also consider the new Brevilel BCG800 which seems to be getting mostly positive reviews.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

        thanks guys!


        CJ - appreciate the words - experience is what counts! I was drawn to the combi as well, but I figured having it all in one would be limiting if i figure i dont like it at all..

        thanks for the pointer to the k3 T - ill look up the breville too...

        is the build quality of the k3T confidence insiring? quality bit of reliable kit - also the noise issue - is it as shrill sounding as the lelit?

        cheers,

        joe

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

          I just mentioned the combi because its what I owned and the grinder is essentially the same the PLO53.

          The K3 is a very solidly built unit, they pretty much all are at this price range and above. Used domestically it should last you many many years, decades possibly.

          I cant quite remember how the noise compared. One was a built-in grinder and the other was a free-standing so it would be hard to compare. There are several sponsors who sell both models so they would be the ones to answer this question.

          With regards to the espresso machine, the Lelit & Silvia are pretty similar beasts with regards to design & quirks. I would go the Silvia because of the commercial size group & resale value.


          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

            Visit your local sponsor and ask em if theyll do a side by side for you. Is why I now have a Iberital Challenge (i think) mainly because it was in budget as opposed to everything else being over budget. Now its noisy, no good if you want to go from coarse grind for plunger to espresso and a bit messy, but as for the in the cup result - no problemo make a nice even grind, and I makes a nice cup of coffee. I was well educated and then given a demonstration of the quality of grind it could produce and the quality of shot that came out of the machine.

            Will I replace the challenge - yes. Would I have bought something different given a bigger budget, definitely. Do I regret my purchase nope. It does have one thing going for it over the other machine I wanted, but just couldnt stretch too - its smaller and fits in the current somewhat cramped conditions.

            If your budget allows Id personally go larger for the larger grinding area, quicker grind per shot, better support for the pro handles and potentially even looks.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

              Why the want for a doserless grinder?

              I got the K3 WBC and it is great. I can grind for a couple of coffees in one go and the dosing chamber means I dont get clumping. Hardly any is left in the dosing chamber either.

              I originally had a Rancilio Lucy that has Silvia with a built in Rocky grinder. Im not sure that the K3 is any quieter but it is faster which is nice.

              Adjustment of grind is easy and if you mark your spots then you can easily get back to the original setting. I only make espresso with mine but have had other people bring machines around and given them some hints and they have easily been able to dial it in to their machine from a "way out" setting.

              I reckon if you go the K3 now then you will get a better result in the cup and it will be able to keep up with your next espresso machine upgrade. Mine is paired with a Giotto PP 8-)

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

                thanks trentski,

                no real reason - just dont have a burning need to make multiple cups - mostly just for me - at parties it wont be a problem since many ppl dont drink at night... even if they did - no problem...

                in the rocky where the price diff is negligible, id maybe look at a doser version - but IIRC on the k3 - doser model at a significant premium... $600 is about my absolute limit on a grinder.

                cheers,

                joe

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

                  I didnt realise the price diff was so much, it would be worth sending an email to the sponsors to get better than RRP pricing, you might be surprised.

                  See this thread for info on how to do that
                  http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1222094376

                  Each to their own but unless I was getting a big grinder that could do a double in 7 seconds I would go a dosered grinder again.

                  I hated standing there holding the group handle waiting for the "Rocky" to grind a double shot, now I stand there whacking the lever instead ;D I havent really timed it but my K3 would take about 20 seconds to grind a big double shot (I just count in my head)

                  Its therapeutic

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

                    thanks man, so u sposed to just PM bomb all the vendors asking for a best price?

                    thought about that, but figured it was a bit of a d*&k move...??

                    heard there were importers trading silvias for around $650 on here, but they werent named - i guess thats one way to go about it?

                    anyone think that is wrong? or just me?

                    cheers

                    joe

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

                      Originally posted by 4B5D52574F57553C0 link=1294356029/9#9 date=1294572679
                      thanks man, so u sposed to just PM bomb all the vendors asking for a best price?

                      thought about that, but figured it was a bit of a d*&k move...??

                      Thats what the emails for, if you have a fair idea what you are after and give as much detail as you can then the ones that can help will write back.

                      I used it when I got my gear, it was a pleasant experience. Alternatively you can go through the sponsor list on the left hand side and contact the sponsors nearest to you. If you let us know where you live we could advise you.

                      As for non-sponsor Silvia. You shouldnt have any issues with it and there is a big user base that can give you advice and help if something goes wrong. You may have trouble with after market support from the person you bought it from so factor that into your buying decision.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

                        thanks for that tentski - im more comfortable with it now given that one of teh sponsors has started ebaying with a .99 starting bid while advertising the silvia at 750 incl. extras. obviously they have room to move but wont quote you a lower price - thats a bit off methinks...

                        will give it a go! thanks!

                        Im in melb. as in cbd.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

                          should add, mazzer mini manual is in range too.. read Pullmans review b/w it and the compak... ill def go in to see it at some stage.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

                            Originally posted by 5046494C544C4E270 link=1294356029/12#12 date=1294650694
                            should add, mazzer mini manual is in range too.. read Pullmans review b/w it and the compak... ill def go in to see it at some stage.
                            I read the review before I bought mine and got the K3, I have no cpmplaints, well it could be faster but thats another $1000 worth of grinder to get more speed

                            I am guessing they start the auction at 1c to save on eBay fees but I would bet that none go for less than $650, I didnt find any sold new when I did an eBay search for completed listings

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Lelit PL053 vs Iberital Challange vs Compak K3T

                              not quite that much... the Mazzer Mini Manual can be had for around 800 vs around 600 for the Compak K3T....

                              silvias on aus ebay now.

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