Lelit Bianca V3 – Dual Boiler with L58E Brew Group and Paddle
Buy the Lelit Bianca V3 in Switzerland: dual boiler with L58E group and paddle for water flow, in chrome, black and white. On display in Bern and Zurich.
The Bianca V3 (model PL162T) is an espresso machine from Lelit with an E61-type L58E brew group, dual boiler and manual control of the water flow via a paddle. According to Lelit, all its products are designed and made in Italy. We carry it in chrome with walnut, and in black and white with maple.
Features of the Bianca V3
Black and white colours
The black and white versions have a coloured body with a textured finish and a screen-printed logo. They also feature a redesigned drip tray with a grid that reaches the edge, stainless steel on the inside. The paddle, knobs, lever, feet, tamper and the two-spout and bottomless portafilters are made of maple.
Dual boiler
Two separate boilers, one for steam and hot water, one for coffee. According to Lelit, this provides greater thermal stability, lets you brew coffee and steam at the same time, and shortens the heat-up time.
High-quality materials
On the chrome version, the paddle, knobs, adjustable feet and portafilter handles are made of walnut. The body, water tank, drip tray and grid are made of polished AISI 304 stainless steel, durable and easy to clean.
Sleepy Mode
After an adjustable idle time, the steam boiler switches off and the coffee boiler holds 70 °C. According to Lelit, returning to operating temperature takes around 10 minutes.
The details in everyday use
Paddle with registered design
As you turn the paddle, the water flow onto the coffee changes until the highest possible pressure is reached.
Pressure gauge on the L58E group
It measures the actual extraction pressure and shows you what is happening in the portafilter.
LCC
The Lelit Control Center with high-resolution OLED display controls all settings: Low Flow and brew temperature, pre-infusion and standby times, switching off the steam boiler, shot counter, shot timer, display in °C or °F, and a low-water alert with reserve mode.
Dual pressure gauge
Shows the pump pressure during extraction and the pressure in the steam boiler. The pump can be calibrated from the outside using an adjustment screw.
Movable water tank
The tank sits outside the machine so the water does not warm up, and can be placed on three sides. Alternatively, a plumbed-in water connection and direct drain are possible.
Cool-touch wands
The multidirectional steam and hot water wands are ergonomic, protected against burns and easy to clean. The valves close with a spring mechanism.
Coffee Slide
According to Lelit, the angle, length and open surfaces of the spout on the two-spout portafilter are designed for the best possible result. There is also room for mugs under the spout.
The L58E group is compatible with the LELIT58 barista tools. We extract by weight ratio and adjust via the paddle and grind size. We grind fine, start at 14.5 grams and work our way up from there, usually to 17 grams, at a ratio below 1:2. There is no right and no wrong; the coffee just has to taste good to you.
At a glance
| Model | Lelit Bianca PL162T (V3) |
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| Type | Dual boiler |
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| Brew group | L58E (E61 type) with paddle for water flow, pressure gauge on the group |
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| Steam boiler | 1.5 l, AISI 316L stainless steel |
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| Coffee boiler | 800 ml, AISI 316L stainless steel |
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| Control | LCC with OLED display, Low Flow, brew temperature, pre-infusion, standby, shot timer |
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| Portafilter | LELIT58 (58 mm) |
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| Water supply | 2.5 l tank, can be placed on three sides, or plumbed-in connection with direct drain |
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| Material | Body polished AISI 304 stainless steel (chrome); black and white with coloured body |
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| Wood details | Chrome: walnut; black and white: maple |
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| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 29 × 58.5 × 39 cm, plus 8 cm for the movable tank (according to Lelit) |
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| Weight | 27.2 kg |
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| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
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| Heat-up time | not specified by Lelit; in our experience around 20–25 minutes |
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| In the box | Bottomless portafilter and two-spout portafilter with Coffee Slide, IMS baskets 9–11 g, 14–18 g and 18–21 g, blind basket, stainless steel tamper, coffee spoon, cup tray, 70 l water softening filter, brush, microfibre cloth, optional 4-hole steam tip, initial cleaning kit (according to Lelit) |
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| Origin | Italy (according to Lelit) |
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Who the Bianca V3 is made for
For everyone who wants to guide the flow during extraction themselves, and just as much for everyone who simply makes espresso and milk drinks with a saved temperature and a fixed routine. Nobody needs a paddle. You want it or you don't.
The E61 group is a classic. In our opinion, one of many, a saturated brew group delivers a more refined aroma profile; the tech check on E61 and saturated groups puts this into context. Our advice tool helps you choose the machine class, and a free consultation appointment is also available. In the espresso machine and grinder comparison you test machines side by side, an option, not a requirement.
What goes with it
Grinders: for everyone who wants affordable, precise grinding, Varia (VS3) and Comandante. If you want more: the EG-1 from Weber Workshops or the full range of coffee grinders. Scales: compact and precise from Normcore, with app and flow-rate display from Acaia. Tampers and puck screens: Normcore or Weber Workshops in the tamper collection.
Delivery in 2–4 working days, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Click & Collect in Bern and Zurich. Financing available. You will find the conditions for the introductory course when buying a machine further down on this page. We answer questions at [email protected] or by phone during business hours.
Frequently asked questions
What does the paddle on the Lelit Bianca V3 do?
With the paddle on the L58E brew group, you change the water flow onto the coffee, up to the highest possible pressure. The gauge on the group shows the actual extraction pressure. Flow control is a learning process, not an automatic button: we extract by weight ratio. We grind fine, start at 14.5 grams and work our way up from there, usually to 17 grams, at a ratio below 1:2.
Is the Lelit Bianca V3 a dual boiler?
Yes. A 1.5 l steam boiler for steam and hot water and an 800 ml coffee boiler, both made of AISI 316L stainless steel. According to Lelit, this allows high thermal stability as well as brewing and steaming at the same time.
Can I connect the Bianca V3 to the water line?
Yes. Lelit specifies a plumbed-in water connection and direct drain. Alternatively, you use the 2.5 l tank, which can be placed on three sides of the machine.
How long does the Bianca V3 take to heat up?
Lelit does not specify a heat-up time. In our experience, the Bianca with its E61 group needs around 20 to 25 minutes until everything is evenly warmed through. With Sleepy Mode, the steam boiler switches off after an adjustable time and the coffee boiler holds 70 °C; according to Lelit, returning to temperature takes around 10 minutes.
How do I maintain the Lelit Bianca V3?
A daily backflush without cleaning agent, and roughly every 50 shots with cleaning agent, which takes around 5 minutes. According to Lelit, a 70 l water softening filter is included.
Can I see the Lelit Bianca V3 before buying?
In our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) we display a wide selection, but not every model is set up at all times. Write to us before your visit at [email protected]. If you would like to test several machines side by side, book the espresso machine and grinder comparison in the showroom.
Tip from the roastery: For full, chocolatey espresso and milk drinks from the Bianca, we recommend Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight. For maximum body without acidity: Very Nutty. If you would like to discover a fruity side via the paddle, you will find it in Wild Peach. That is our recommendation, one of many.
