Lelit Kate Review: How Good Is This Espresso Machine With a Built-In Coffee Grinder?

Home espresso machines are getting more and more sophisticated. But as this Lelit Kate review will show, few excel at narrowing the gap between professional-level performance and home-brewing practicality. 

I must say, I love Lelit, and this sleek, space-age machine certainly caught my attention. For starters, it claims to duplicate cafe-level performance at home. What’s more, it boasts a built-in grinder, which is rare among the best prosumer espresso machines.

But does it deliver? Let’s take a first look, and unpack what makes this Lelit machine stand out in a crowded home espresso market.

Lelit Kate Espresso Machine Review Overview

Lelit is a respected name in the home espresso machine market. Now, under Breville’s ownership, it continues to churn out some of the best home espresso machines that both impress, and in my previous experience, really deliver the goods.

Unlike most combination coffee machines, the Lelit Kate PL82T claims to perform across the board.

At first glance, you immediately appreciate its minimalist brushed stainless steel design and thoughtful layout. But it’s what’s inside that truly impresses.

To begin with, the conical burr coffee grinder isn’t just an afterthought. Instead, it boasts durable 38-millimeter steel burrs capable of precision espresso grinding.

Next, is the intuitive digital display aka the Lelit Control Center. Like the interfaces on the Lelit Elizabeth and Victoria, it’s easy to navigate. It pulls single or double shots with ease, and has programmable automatic pre-infusion and shot timing.

Under the hood, you’ll find a 10-ounce (300-milliliter) brass boiler with PID temperature control. This ensures accurate to-the-degree temperature adjustments and exceptional thermal stability. Ditto the commercial-grade 58-millimeter portafilter. Besides guaranteeing easier puck preparation, it delivers consistent shots, superior heat retention and is compatible with commercial accessories. A powerful manual steam wand finishes things off, handling milk frothing for all milk drink types.

At $1,300, the Kate PL82T is remarkable value for money. It’s certainly more affordable than buying a separate grinder and espresso machine. To me, it’s a compact, all-in-one solution that’s hard to beat.

Lelit Kate PL82T Features

The Lelit Kate PL82T combines compact dimensions with brewing versatility. But is Lelit trying to do too much in one machine? Or have they knocked it out of the park with this all-in-one semi-automatic?

Let’s explore some key elements for this Lelit Kate review.

Materials and Design

As compact espresso machines go, the Lelit Kate PL82T is impressive. Despite housing a built-in coffee grinder, it stands at a compact 16.3 inches (41.3 centimeters) tall. Plus, it’s only 13.5 inches ( centimeters) wide and 10.8 inches (27.3 centimeters) deep. This makes it ideal for smaller kitchens.

Besides its small footprint, this machine boasts a stylish but durable brushed stainless steel exterior. I also love the thoughtful layout; user controls, steam wand, coffee grinder, portafilter and grinding plate are exactly where they need to be.

Best of all, this coffee machine is not only stylish, but practical. It has a generous, removable stainless steel drip tray for easy cleaning, and a cup warmer up top for storage and preheating.

Indeed, it’s this attention to form and function that elevates this coffee maker above other prosumer machines.

Built-In Grinder

The standout feature in this Lelit Kate review is the coffee machine’s built-in grinder. At this price point it’s certainly impressive. The grinder boasts 38-millimeter hardened steel conical burrs and a stepless micrometric adjustment wheel for precision espresso grinding.

On top is an airtight bean hopper. It holds 12.3 ounces (350 grams) of coffee beans — plenty for daily use without sacrificing bean freshness. Coupled with Lelit’s grind-on-demand system, which precisely doses grounds directly into your portafilter, you’re guaranteed coffee with maximum freshness. This system also minimizes coffee mess and waste, making cleanup a breeze.

When brewing, you can choose between single or double shots with one tap. That’s classic Lelit — a thoughtful balance of aesthetics and functionality.

User Interface

The Lelit Kate PL82T intuitive interface centers around a modern digital display. Crucially, it doesn’t overwhelm, but provides clear, actionable brewing and maintenance information at a glance.

The screen mainly shows boiler temperature, extraction time and programmable parameters. A separate backlit gauge shows extraction pressure. Navigation is through three tactile side buttons. These adjust settings, such as temperature, pre-infusion time and automatic shot timing.

Despite its technological sophistication, this interface remains accessible, which is a boon for inexperienced home baristas.

Boiler

The Kate utilizes a professional-grade 10-ounce (300-milliliter) single brass boiler. It ensures excellent thermal stability compared to aluminum alternatives. Additionally, it has an integrated 58-millimeter group head that maintains optimal temperature from boiler to coffee puck. All this eliminates temperature fluctuations, the bane of home-brewed espresso shots

Despite being a single-boiler system, the clever design also allows for a relatively quick heat-up and transition between brew and steam modes. This design also minimizes limescale buildup, a common problem in home coffee machines.

PID Temperature Control

The Kate’s advanced PID temperature control system is a significant upgrade over traditional thermostats. Through the LCC display, you can customize brewing temperature, then monitor extraction pressure via the manometer. This flexibility allows for experimentation with different beans and coffee roast profiles without messing up your shots.

The PID algorithm also anticipates temperature fluctuations, compensating accordingly. You don’t have to worry about temperature swings, which cause sour (under-extracted) or bitter (over-extracted) espresso. This function also ensures that consecutive shots maintain their flavor profiles with absolutely no input from you. That’s pretty neat in my book!

Portafilter

This machine’s commercial 58-millimeter portafilter is a significant upgrade over other home espresso machines. It features chrome-plated brass for excellent puck preparation, precise extraction and heat stability. Moreover, it boasts an ergonomic black handle for a comfortable, secure grip.

Along with the portafilter comes precision-engineered single-shot and double-shot baskets. These boast properly sized holes that prevent channeling issues. Lelit also includes a blind basket and other espresso accessories for easy cleaning.

Overall, this portafilter’s design allows for proper pre-infusion and extraction. Its thermal stability and ergonomic design should guarantee barista-quality results with every brew.

Milk Foam

I love how this beginner-friendly espresso machine has a professional steam wand with a two-hole tip. Unlike plastic panarello attachments, this wand gives you complete control over milk texturing. Moreover, it rotates fully for easy operation. An insulated cool-touch design conveniently prevents burns.

Since this is a single-boiler machine, you’ll experience a brief delay after brewing. However, the Kate rewards your short wait with powerful, dry steam that creates precise foam every time.

I also love that you can control steam flow with a dedicated side knob. Create silky latte microfoam or stiffer cappuccino foam and ace your milk drinks!

The Lelit Kate In Use

Setting up this espresso machine should be pretty straightforward. After unboxing, place it on a stable surface near a grounded power outlet. Ensure enough clearance to access the water tank and bean hopper.

Next, wash all removable parts. Then, fill the tank with filtered water at room temperature. Oh, and don’t use distilled water – it lacks the minerals essential for optimal machine performance and flavor. 

Now, prime the machine by opening the hot water valve and steam wand fully. When you’re ready to brew, warm up the machine for 15-20 minutes. The Lelit Control Center (LCC) display should show when the machine is ready.

Add your best espresso beans to the hopper and position your portafilter on the grinding plate. Adjust the grind size using the side knob. Then, press the grinding button once for single shots or twice for doubles.

After distributing and tamping your grounds, lock the portafilter in place. Position your preheated espresso cup underneath the spouts on a tared coffee scale. A well-extracted double shot should take 25-30 seconds, yielding a 2:1 ratio (36-40 grams of espresso).

For milky drinks, fill your pitcher with cold milk and purge the steaming wand. Wait for the steam icon to stop flashing before frothing. I’ve gone into more detail about how to froth milk here.

Above all, be patient. Don’t expect to perfect your technique in a few sessions. Pay attention to your grind size, dose and extraction times, making one change at a time until you achieve your perfect shot.

Lelit Kate Espresso Machine Troubleshooting

As with all home espresso machines, you may encounter problems with the Lelit Kate PL82T. While some problems need expert help, most you can easily solve at home.

If espresso flows too quickly, yielding an under-extracted shot, try a finer grind, firmer tamp or larger dose. Conversely, if your coffee trickles out slowly, coarsen your grind. Then, ease up on the tamping pressure or reduce your dose.

Taste issues often signal temperature problems. Bitter espresso typically means your water is too hot. In contrast, sour notes indicate your machine temperature is too cool. Adjust the temperature using the LCC settings.

What about lackluster crema? In this instance, check that you’re using freshly roasted beans and tamping evenly. It could also mean that you’re brewing outside the optimal temperature and pressure.

Wand troubles typically stem from insufficient heating time or clogged steam holes. To solve this, always allow the boiler to reach steaming temperature before frothing milk. Also, clean the steam tip after milk frothing to ensure consistent, powerful performance.

How to Clean the Lelit Kate Machine

Cleaning and maintenance is non-negotiable with all espresso machines. Without a proper regimen, your Lelit Kate won’t last long, robbing you of a decent ROI.

After each use, discard the used coffee puck and rinse the portafilter under hot water. Wipe the group head screen with a clean cloth. Then, flush hot water through it, before cleaning the steaming wand thoroughly. Lastly, wipe down the machine’s exterior with a soft cloth to keep it clean and shiny.

Backflush your machine weekly using plain hot water and a blind filter basket. I don’t recommend using espresso detergent weekly. It’s tough on seals and lubrication, which may result in you taking your machine apart. Also, remember to clean the drip tray, water tank, portafilter and baskets weekly. Urnex powder is excellent for this.

I also recommend performing a monthly backflush with Urnex. While you’re at it, deep clean the shower screen and grinder. This is essential to prevent unseen clogs and coffee oil buildup.

Descaling is also essential if you live in a hard water area. If your machine is strictly for home use and you use filtered water every time, a proper descaling every 12 months should do nicely.

As with every kitchen appliance, consult the user manual if you’re unsure about any cleaning and maintenance protocols.

Lelit Kate Specifications

Lelit Kate PL82T Espresso Machine vs Other Espresso Machines

How does the Lelit Kate stand up against similar prosumer machines? It can be hard to choose one if you don’t have a handle on the features.

So, here’s my brief take on things for this Lelit Kate review.

Lelit Kate vs Lelit Elizabeth

When it comes to barista-quality espresso at home, Lelit offers two compelling options.

The Kate PL82T boasts a compact stainless steel design. In contrast, the Lelit Elizabeth requires more space. But it rewards this commitment with more refined aesthetics.

The differences extend beyond mere appearances, though. The Lelit Kate’s straightforward LCC gives you all your brewing information at a glance, including pre-infusion settings and shot timer. The Elizabeth elevates the experience with a more sophisticated dual-PID display.

However, the most significant difference lies in the boiler systems. Granted, the Kate’s brass boiler delivers. Still, this is a single boiler system, with a slight delay between brewing and steaming. Meanwhile, like the Lelit Bianca, the Elizabeth’s dual boiler system has no such problem. This difference is especially noticeable when preparing consecutive milky coffees.

Both machines feature commercial-grade 58-millimeter portafilters and PID temperature control. However, while lacking a built-in grinder, the Elizabeth offers built-in shot protection and an automated cleaning mode.

Ultimately, the Lelit Kate is more affordable at $1,300. And the Elizabeth? It’ll need you to dig deeper and shell out approximately $1,800. Notably, both machines have 2-year warranties, making either a protected investment.

See Also: Lelit Elizabeth Review

Lelit Kate Espresso Machine vs Lelit Victoria

The Lelit Kate PL82T and Victoria both represent excellent single-boiler options for home baristas.

Both machines boast sleek stainless steel bodies and compact footprints. However the Lelit Victoria has a traditional Italian profile that purists might prefer.

Their user interfaces also highlight different brewing philosophies. The Kate’s LCC digital display provides precise temperature and grinder settings at a glance. The Victoria has a similar interface, and like the Kate has a traditional backlit pressure gauge to monitor extraction pressure 

Unlike more hands-on Lelit machines such as the Lelit Mara X, both these models feature PID temperature control. They also leverage single boilers with a 300-milliliter capacity and commercial-grade 58-millimeter portafilters. 

So, which is the better machine? It all depends on your brewing appliance preferences and whether you want a built-in grinder. Expect to spend $1,300 on the Kate and $1,000 on the Victoria.

See Also: Lelit Victoria Review

Lelit Kate vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: Lelit Kate Review

After this first-look Lelit Kate review, I must say I’m impressed. Although I’m yet to get my hands on this semi-automatic, I plan to put it to the test as soon as possible.

What stands out for me is how Lelit has combined intelligent design, quality components and precise temperature control. In a compact machine, no less! Yes, there’s the occasional wait time between brewing and steaming, but that’s a reasonable compromise with a single-boiler system.

So, who is the Lelit Kate PL82T for? This machine is ideal for serious home baristas who appreciate Italian craftsmanship. It’ll also suit you if you want to level up from a basic machine but aren’t ready to commit to a separate grinder-machine setup.

At around $1,300, it represents good value for money. And while there is a learning curve, it’s one worth climbing for the excellent espresso waiting at the top!

Lelit Kate FAQ