Lelit MaraX Internal Tour

[@orlandonoa]

Thank You for a great video ! I am considering upgrading to a Mara X from a Gaggia Classic. Do you have any videos demonstrating basic maintenance (descaling, backflush, changing gaskets) etc ?

[@DaveCorbey]

On my channel the "morning coffee" series contains a lot (most) of that, search for the playlist.

[@barneypaiby7016]

Hi Dave, This video prompted me to buy my Mara X V3. It makes superb coffee. Unfortunately my machine makes a horrible "Squeaking" noise. it can happen at any time the pump kicks in but doesn't happen every time the pump kicks in, if you see what I mean. The squeaking is sometimes short, other times it squeaks for a whole shot. I have contacted the shop I bought it from and they basically told me that the machine needs to be run-in (Not their words but that's what they mean). Would you agree with that, please? Or are they just leading me up the garden path? Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@DaveCorbey]

Try adjusting the expansion valve (OPV) just a little up or down, as little as 0.25 bar can make the difference. The Expansion valve is "reeding" like a musical instrument and this causes the sound. A slight change in pressure (spring tension inside), can stop this.

[@TREVTREVTREV]

Thanks for your videos Dave, really appreciate it. Do you think the MaraX has better overall build/quality than the Elizabeth? I noticed the Elizabeth seems to have more plastic parts and a brass brew boiler.

[@DaveCorbey]

In some respects yes, but you do get a lot of functions and cleverness in the Elizabeth, plus it's a dual boiler with good performance at a decent price point.

[@trevc]

​@@DaveCorbeyThanks. We ended up ordering the Mara X, since I realised it would feel nicer to use every day (compared to cheap feeling push buttons and steam knob). The Elizabeth seems like awesome value, but from a user experience and enjoyment perspective it's not what I'm after.

[@mcprjosmel]

Hey Dave, Thanks for all your help. Your channel is great! I have a question in descaling. If I am using machine safe water, and the resin filter, is descaling necessary? How often should I consider doing it? I hear that if you’re using good water descaling may not be necessary. What’s your experience been?

[@DaveCorbey]

if the water is machine safe, you don't need the resin filter and descaling won't be necessary. I use an Osmio Zero, so I never have to worry about descaling.

[@mathenault]

Hi, thanks for the excellent overview of the specs and build. Can you provide insights about the differences between the two operation modes? Is the only difference that in coffee mode, the PID listens to the thermosyphon return sensor, while in steam mode it switches to the boiler sensor?

[@DaveCorbey]

Pretty much yes...it's slightly more complicated, but in essence in steam mode it behaves like a standard HX

[@mfeld42]

Hey Dave, great video and great review. This machine is just perfect for me and I am really tempted to buy it. I just can't get rid of my concers about the cleaning flush I am used to from a normal HX. Is it possible to flush away the old coffee AFTER you made a shot? So that the machine does not overheat and you can pull another shot after the typical time of 90s - 2 minutes? I know you already wrote "Don’t flush clean the group in between a series of shots, only after you make the last shot in a group of shots" in the review, but I just want to be 100% sure that this machine works well for me. Thanks!

[@DaveCorbey]

You could flush a very small amount between shots, it might lower the temp of the following shot by 9.5 to 1C, no Biggie. However, you don't need to flush between shots, I promise you won't taste a problem if you don't.

[@billb5178]

G/day Dave, thank you for the informative vid, I'm contemplating upgrading to this from a VBM Junior HX, but can't find what the difference is from the Mara PL62T. Can you help

[@DaveCorbey]

The MaraX is a big step forward in all aspects. So whatever benefits MaraX has to normal HX, they the same when comparing MaraX to the PL62T. The Mara PL62T is like any other HX machine except it uses PID for the steam boiler temperature. This means you can set any temperature you want easily. You still have to flush, it's just like a normal HX. in MaraX boiler is larger, pump is quieter, pressure ramp will be better. I think MaraX is the machine to go for.

[@billb5178]

@@DaveCorbey ,thanks for the quick response, much appreciated, have subscribed and look forward to more from you.

[@mcprjosmel]

Dave. Quick question, I think you’d be experience in answering. I’m going to do my first chemical backflush on my new Mara X. Is it necessary to disassembly the leveler of the e61 (aka grease the cams)? I read that the cams naturally grease/oil once you pull a couple of shots. What are your thoughts/exp?

[@DaveCorbey]

Yes, I am afraid it is....but it's not a hard job, use an adjustable wrench with jaw protectors. tinyurl.com/y4f8u2ch

[@MaddinKi]

Thank you very much for the very informative explanations. Have you ever made a video for information about descaling the Mara X?

[@DaveCorbey]

I don't think so, but it's similar to other HX systems, however you might have to flush the boiler quite a lot as I am pretty sure the water exit tube is fairly high up in the boiler to prevent blockages. So you can only drain so much before you have to refill it.

[@MaddinKi]

Dave Corbey thank you for the quick response

[@MaddinKi]

Dave Corbey sorry it’s me again.... I know you are an expert, looking on details on the machines and go much deeper in your thoughts than others. My Question: how do you, as an expert, would see a descaling on a bianca? Is it possible do do it at home? The technician at the local store here, suggests NOT to buy a dual boiler, because of the descaling problem.

[@DaveCorbey]

@@MaddinKi Yes, of course it's possible to do at home. Dual boilers are often easier to descale than HX machines....The upright boiler makes draining and descaling the steam boiler much easier and the brew boiler although harder to descale can have the descaler flushed from it, takes a long time, or a fitting removed and a large syringe and tube used. The fitting should then be refitted using PTFE tape. Usually it's the temperature sensor that is removed. Some machines even have drain taps or plugs at the bottom of the boilers.

[@MaddinKi]

Dave Corbey thank you very much, your thought are always welcome.

[@pamsalad]

Hi Dave, thanks for the helpful video. My Mara X pump kicks in for a short period quite regularly whilst idle, which I presume is down to it maintaining brew temperature. Sometimes this is every 4/5 minutes that it gives a short blip. Is this normal?

[@DaveCorbey]

Yup...it can push a bit in and let a bit out...to help maintain that HX loop temperature.

[@cedricrachmad7605]

I'm looking at second hand machines for a while around €500-600. But I read many horror stories which makes me reconsider. Is it worth to buy new as an old one will also need servicing which would make me safe not so much money? This one will cost me around 11-1200€.

[@DaveCorbey]

Unless you are quite confident working with machines and checking them before you purchase, a new one with warranty is probably the best move.

[@jimmyhumphries953]

Can the PID be adjusted by 1 degree or is it only by the switch behind the drip tray, 2 degrees at a time? Is there an adjustment screw or some kind of adjustment for the brew pressure. I am upgrading from a Delongi and there is so much info and machines out there so I am confused. I like the Lelit, I was going to buy the Lelit PL41TEM but decided the take the next step up. So which of the Lelit's under $1800 would you recommend or is there something else out there worth looking at.

[@DaveCorbey]

The adjustments are fixed to three positions, 0, 1 and 2

[@jm7720]

Yeah breville LOL

[@ocinar78]

Are cooper and plastic pipes healthy with hot water ?

[@DaveCorbey]

I've always thought so.. I should add the high pressure pipes and those carrying very hot water are PTFE. Others carring cool water at low pressure are silicone.

[@timb15]

How does the Mara X compare to ECM Classika just on espresso shots?

[@DaveCorbey]

I have not used a classika I have no way to compare.

[@anonymoususer6683]

Please make a video on the internals of the Elizabeth.

[@DaveCorbey]

Ah, mine isn't quite the same as the production machines...I got the previous version without all the improvements I asked for in the production version. Some were software and others were hardware. I did most of the hardware and all the software ones...however my machine is going to look a bit different inside and might confuse people.

[@cipridev]

Dave, I saw in your previous video that the brew pressure is closer to 10 bar.. I have it the same on my machine, should I adjust it to be 9 bar?

[@DaveCorbey]

Personally I wouldn't bother....I've left mine as it is.

[@kutibence]

@@DaveCorbey If I am well informed the 9 bar Coffee association settings is only a recommended thing. The companies set their machines after they test OPV settings. Probably they set this up closer to 10 bar after tests. In some lower category Lelit machine they set it over 10bar. And they also glued the OPV to prevent you from adjust it. But also lowering the pressure is only matters in dark roasted beans. On the hand of light roasted beans 10-14bar results a more tasteful expirience. :) I will buy this machine over the PL62S I think. :)

[@DaveCorbey]

@@kutibence For sure the 9 bar was a number they came up with after watching the pressure on Lever machines starting at 11 and reducing to 6 bar...they felt 9 bar was a good average. The MaraX is a wonderful machine, you will enjoy it.

[@cmacd8879]

Question on the steam / water valves; are these the sprung type, or traditional friction valves? Haven't been able to find this out.... Excellent overview and thank you for the walk through.

[@DaveCorbey]

Sprung type.

[@keto4life197]

My wife don't like the look of it... i love it... it reminds me of a real espresso machine 🤣

[@DaveCorbey]

WAF, always an issue with the espresso machines.

[@leprechaun9]

Hi can it be water mains fed ?

[@DaveCorbey]

No internal tank only

[@leprechaun9]

@@DaveCorbey Cheers looking for something this size mains fed have you any recommendations ?

[@DaveCorbey]

@@leprechaun9 check out the Lelit Bianca, tank clips on outside and is removable if mains fed for a smalller machine

[@leprechaun9]

Dave Corbey thanks I’ll have a look at that 👍

[@coupe9876]

Interesting. My machine started overfilling recently. After some internet research I found your video and it transpires that my machine has both a level sensor and a combined temp and level sensor as your video shows. Moving the wire from the level sensor to the combined sensor restored correct opration.

[@DaveCorbey]

Smart move, it was fortunate they were still using the combined sensors when they added the separate level sensor. Just a very important tip for you. If ever the tempo sensor part of the combines sensor fails...replace the Level sensor you are no longer using with a temp sensor...relegating the combines sensor to level sensing duty only. It's much cheaper and more reliable than the temp sensor on the combined probe. hope you understand what I'm saying.

[@GlenEdwards]

Great video Dave, interesting how you find that the pressure relief valve is 3 bar. Have you seen the posts from the people like me having over-pressure faulty temp probes, the pressure goes well over 3, right off the scale on the gauge, before finally the OPV lets some out. I am also VERY interested in the temp probe on top which is missing from your boiler here at 7:06 there is a spot on top of the boiler closest to the hot water tap corner of the machine. This spot is where Lelit Insider is showing the 9600092 probe being replaced here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p17PeoOhaJKIZsk If you know about this Dave, I would be extremely grateful in hearing what you have to say.

[@DaveCorbey]

Mine is an earlier model and I think it uses the combined temp sensor and level probe....which I rather liked the idea of. I don't know too much about the faulty temp probes, because it's hard to get good data and often difficult to test in the field. Sometimes what looks like a faulty temperature probe can be something else entirely. Changing the probe may solve it, but that doesn't mean the probe was faulty.

[@GlenEdwards]

@@DaveCorbey Yes it's very confusing indeed. Seems more likely to be the Gicar box getting things wrong, but then the two other people I've read posts about this problem said they had the probe alone replaced and it solved the problem. Lelit themselves told me that the probe AND the Gicar should be replaced, so that indicates that there must actually be a problem with both... Thanks for your reply.

[@DaveCorbey]

@@GlenEdwards often disturbing something can "fix" it.

[@chadgregory9037]

The more I learn about machines, the more it pisses me off and makes me want to have a bare bones machine with a fuck ton of sensors and digital controls, and wire them up and code my own programs to operate them, and also record data and utilize machine learning models to optimize performance... which would not be difficult to do at all. Give me data and I can do anything

[@DaveCorbey]

When you get older still a simpler machine can appeal. Although a friend of mine is over 90 and uses a Decent espresso machine that's more complicated than I would want to use.

[@htinaung4916]

Could be more useful for us if you could kindly show each part using the thin long screw driver or a long pencil rather than mumbling to yourself.

[@DaveCorbey]

I will do, it was made many years ago, pity you didn't enjoy it.