Lelit Bianca paddle adjustment

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[@crawdaddyy]

Wow thank you so much for this - I installed the walnut wood kit on my black V3 and somehow/some-way I ended up getting all turned around when installing the paddle. I was worried I would never get it back to normal but this has helped tremendously. Thank you!!

[@1983cvg]

Adjusted the flow this morning, really easy - just rep-position the paddle. Thank you, DaveC

[@bilbyguy2389]

Thank you, made the adjustment this morning. In the minimum paddle position, it was previously registering a small amount of flow - 2mls/sec. Recalibrated to register zero flow making sure I did not secure it into a 'hard' adjustment but still feeling a soft paddle feeling when I increase the flow from zero. Hope that makes sense. Now I'll just remeasure my water deficits. My preinfusion is now easier to measure and I do feel more control. Thank you again.

[@sAmiZZle82]

Mine has been setup like yours (I can't turn the paddle enough to stop the flow). What do you mean by hard adjustment versus soft paddle feeling?

[@BurakBorhan]

Every useful; thank you 🙏

[@DaveCorbey]

You’re welcome 😊

[@jonbauer]

That was helpful. Thanks Dave! BTW - it IS a size 2 Allen...

[@DaveCorbey]

O think it's either 2 or 3

[@SanMartan]

Hi there. I just saw a video from Bella barista which they uploaded a few months back saying not to adjust the paddle to completely shut the flow off...but on here you do adjust it...I've just bought the Bianca is it worth doing or just leave well alone? Thanks

[@DaveCorbey]

I adjust mine so the flow can be completely shut off...if you don't you cannot prevent a pressure rises, as soon as flow rate exceeds the transmission rate of the coffee puck. e.g. if trying to hold low pressures for preinfusion, as water is incompressible

[@DaveCorbey]

@@stiksandstones Why? When you backflush a machine, you stop all flow...they seem to survive that. Obviously running the machine with no flow for extended periods would probably damage it, but were talking minutes and many times. Not a situation you would encounter when profiling a shot.

[@edmondtan8074]

@@DaveCorbey When adjusted as you suggested, when fully open my Bianca does 205ml/30sec (just under 7ml/sec) which is on the low side. When adjusted to flow a bit (it measured 2.6ml/sec) when the paddle is fully to the left, I get around 265ml/30sec (just under 9ml/sec) when fully open. I haven't touched the pump which has been set at 11 bars. I'm hesitant to set as you've suggested as the flow rate drops quite a bit, but yes it is difficult to get the pressure to fall with finer grinds. Any thoughts on the slow flow rate?

[@DaveCorbey]

@@edmondtan8074 Adjust it like I said...how big are your shots, 210ml is 30s is fine for a max flow rate.

[@chadgregory9037]

how the heck are you cutting off flow and the pressure gauge in the grouphead not going down? is there a blind basket or something holding the suction within the limits of the opv/ drain valve?

[@DaveCorbey]

Absolutely, the pressure has nowhere to go.

[@itaiashkenazi539]

wait..why doesnt the pressure go down when you turn the pedal left? it shouldnt stop but decrease no?

[@DaveCorbey]

If it is against coffee the pressure will decrease, but against a blind filter it has no where else to go/escape.

[@ct-t69]

why not making a video of the adjustment it self? =)

[@DaveCorbey]

I have done that, it's for the Bella Barista Userguide and their customers. Here I just give the general guidance.

[@anoid1212]

I don't know wether the following is an immensely stupid question, but: I can't quite understand, where the water ist flowing when the paddle is in the shown "fully off" position all the way to left. In my understanding there must be some kind of needle valve actuated by the paddle in the top of the grouphead, yes? The pump seems to be running all the time, so why isn't there an overpressure issue anywhere in the system? Is the water just bypassing through the group into the drip tray? Is there an overpressure valve silently opening in the background? Thanks!

[@DaveCorbey]

The Rotary pumps used in espresso machines like the Bianca use what's called a "balanced bypass" valve. On the Bianca I recommend setting this to 10.5 bar rather than the normal 9 bar (for profiling flexibility). When the needle valve is closed, water simply circulates through the balanced bypass and returns to the entrance to the pump once 9.5 bar is reached. Of course too long like this and the energy being put into the system causes this circulating water to heat up. So preinfusions with the valve closed should ideally be kept to a 30s maximum. Vibration pump machines use a completely different method to manage pressure.

[@anoid1212]

Okay, am I getting something wrong here? From the brewing standpoint this seems to be the better Slayer (with arguably less cosmetic thrills), the profiling capabilities sound on par with a LM Strada MP. Why isn't this machine "blowing up" in the usual coffee communities? Because the manufacturer is also producing ironing systems? Is there an obvious catch that I'm missing? Is this preinfusion time limit you were mentioning hinting at a higher stress or wear and tear the pump or the pressure adjustment system might experience even when staying withing the given limit? If not, I think my gear acquiring syndrom is getting triggered...

[@DaveCorbey]

@@anoid1212 The balanced bypass should handle it no problem, can probably handle longer. Sure it puts a small extra load on the bypass, but it should be fine. Some people want to believe advertising bling, they shout take my money. They love glitzy videos that show nothing. This machine simply isn't expensive enough compared to a slayer...that's all. It can of course do the same style of shots. The buyers of machines often don't understand how they really work...this is a problem, one I try and resolve in my reviewing. Go to this site and read my review on the Bianca, it will go into a lot more detail and link to all the public videos. coffeeequipmentreviews.wordpress.com/

[@elliotberinstein9351]

@@DaveCorbey How do i ajust the balanced bypass valve?

[@sAmiZZle82]

I can't even turn mine enough to get to the off position :|... So I guess I have an even larger range?

[@DaveCorbey]

Possibly you need to move the paddle round a bit on the spindle, loosen grub screw to do this, the process should be self explanatory. Just DON'T ever push to hard to try and stop all flow, as you may not be able to stop it all, and it's not necessary to do so.

[@fritterman6956]

Am i the only person who thinks that the flow paddle needs a redesign? It's a fugly looking thing sticking out proud at the top. C'mon Lelit give it a makeover please!

[@DaveCorbey]

I think considering the limited forces that are used to turn it, something more shaped and slimmer should be possible. I will make sure to mention it to them.

[@newyorkhereicome4083]

A nicer chromed horizontal lever would look much better. It's the overall height which spoils the aesthetics.