Lelit group head screen 57 mm – shower screen for Anna and Anita
When you flush, the water leaves the group as an even veil, not as a few separate jets.
The group head screen is the last stop before the water meets the coffee. Its job is simple and decisive at the same time: to split the stream from the group so that it reaches the whole coffee bed at once.
Why a clear hole pattern shows up in the cup
Over the months, coffee oils and fine grounds settle in the holes. The water then looks for the spots where it gets through more easily and loads the puck unevenly. In the cup, this shows up as an unsteady, thin shot – even though nothing was changed in grind size or dose.
Because temperature decides which compounds dissolve at all – higher temperature more body, lower more complexity and aroma – uneven distribution has a double effect: where less water arrives, less heat arrives too. The espresso turns dense on one side and thin on the other, and both end up together in the same cup.
The screen stays clear longest with regular backflushing: daily without detergent, every fifty shots or every two weeks with detergent, which takes around five minutes. At some point, a fresh screen is still the simpler answer. That's our experience, and one of many.
This screen belongs to the 57 mm group of the EM series. For Lelit's 58 mm groups there's a different shower screen, which we stock separately – the two aren't interchangeable.
At a glance
| Type |
Group head screen (shower screen) |
| Group head |
57 mm, EM series |
| Brand |
Lelit |
| Compatible with |
Lelit PL41EM, PL41LEM, PL41TEM, PL42EMI, PL42TEMD |
| In the box |
1 piece |
| Distinction |
Not for Lelit's 58 mm groups – there's a separate shower screen for those |
Who this screen is for
For anyone with an Anna or Anita whose hole pattern has clogged up. Swapping it is a matter of minutes: loosen the screw, old screen out, new one in.
Nobody has to replace this part. Those who do have noticed how much difference a clear surface makes – and those who wait until the shot tells them are doing it right too. There are no espresso laws and no espresso police.
What goes with it
To keep the new screen clear for a long time, backflushing helps: powder and brushes are under machine and grinder cleaning.
From below, a puck screen keeps the grounds away from the screen. Affordable and precise with Normcore, more elaborately made with Weber Workshops – the selection is under puck screens.
If you're working on the group anyway, you'll find suitable baskets under precision baskets and filter baskets. The choice of basket fundamentally changes the aroma profile – that's our observation; others see it differently.
Frequently asked questions
Does this group head screen fit my machine?
It's specified for the Lelit PL41EM, PL41LEM, PL41TEM, PL42EMI and PL42TEMD – i.e. the 57 mm group around Anna and Anita. Lelit models with a 58 mm group need a different shower screen. If you're unsure, send us the item number or the rating plate of your machine at [email protected] – we'll check the fit before you order.
How do I know the screen should be replaced?
The flush water no longer comes out as an even veil, but in separate jets or to one side. Often the shot becomes less steady at the same time, even though nothing was changed in grind size or dose.
Can I clean the old screen instead of replacing it?
Often, yes. Regular backflushing keeps the holes clear: daily without detergent, every fifty shots or every two weeks with detergent, around five minutes. If that no longer opens up the hole pattern, a fresh screen is the simpler answer.
Do I also need a new gasket?
Not necessarily, but it makes sense. If you have the group open anyway, you replace the group head gasket and the shower plate O-ring at the same time. We stock both individually, each to fit the 57 mm group.
Can I see the product before buying?
Our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) show a wide selection, but not our entire range – the display changes. Drop us a quick line at [email protected] before your visit, and we will check whether the product you have in mind is currently there.
How long does delivery take?
2 to 4 working days to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Click and Collect in Bern and Zurich Oerlikon is also possible.
Roastery tip
A clear brewing surface brings calm to the shot, especially with dense, chocolatey roasts. From our coffee roastery, Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight run through round and sweet. If you're after maximum body without any acidity, stay with Very Nutty, and as a discovery for the curious, Wild Peach awaits with a fruity peach note. That's our recommendation – one of many.
Questions about fit: [email protected] – by phone during business hours
Showrooms: Bern, Gerberngasse 44 and Zurich Oerlikon, Hagenholzstrasse 50b
Delivery: 2–4 working days – Switzerland and Liechtenstein
