![Why are my short pulling so fast? [Lelit Anna PL41EM]](https://www.diningandcooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1760029568_h5lvvyhzr3uf1-scaled.png "Why are my short pulling so fast? [Lelit Anna PL41EM]")
3 years ago, I thrifted a Breville Café Roma for 16$ and used it (and loved it!) every day since. However, a few weeks ago, my apartment had an electrical problem and the machine died on me.
I thus bought the Lelit Anna PL41EM off Facebook Marketplace from a guy who seemed to take really good care of it. It's a big upgrade and, although the milk steaming is much better than the Breville was giving, the espresso isn't great (too sour).
My problem I have is that the shots are pulling way too fast (10-15 seconds) and the pressure doesn't go past 3 (far from the ideal 9 bar). There isn't any crema on my espresso either. Since I was using a dual-wall basket in the Breville, I used to always get crema, but I know this is an adjustment now that I'm using a single-wall basket.
I am using 17g of coffee, which I get every 3-4 weeks from a local café that grinds it finely for me, knowing my type of machine. I also have a calibrated tamper. I let the machine heat up for 15-20 minutes before making my coffee.
I thought this might get resolved by getting a grinder, since maybe the grind at the café wasn't fine enough. However, I got too excited and bought the first Baratza Encore I found for 125$ on Facebook Marketplace. Then, I realized I should have gotten the ESP version. I haven't used it yet. I know I can add a shim to it in order to get a finer grind.
So I'm wondering, is it worth keeping the Encore or should I get the ESP? And more importantly, how can I make my espresso taste better/get the pressure up to 9 bar on my Lelit?
Thank you!
by chablouin
15 Comments
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Grind finer
Pre ground coffee is a bit of a pain on this machine, try tamping it in multiple small layers to see if that works.
Your own grinder would most likely solve it.
Try a blank basket to see if the machine goes to 9 bars
G
Your short is pulling fast because you either aren’t using enough coffee or need to grind f i n e r.
Go back to pressurized filter or get yourself a grinder. Pre ground coffee will never be as good as fresh ground
No way will you be able to get it to work with pre ground coffee, you need a GOOD grinder, espresso aimed grinder with flat burrs.
The beans could also be too fresh and need to degas, also good to use a double wall basket with pre ground. Not likely with pre ground but good to know once you move into grinding your own. The DF54 is fairly compact but you may want to set up a space outside of your kitchen.
You should get the ESP. The normal Encore does not grind fine enough for espresso with a single wall as far as I am aware. Alternatively, if you don’t mind hand-grinding, the Kingrinder K6 is $100 new, and I think it has better burs than the Encore ESP. I personally use the K6, but if you want the convenience of an electric, you should find an ESP.
I think a sette or a ranchilio rocky are other good cheap espresso grinder options.
If you want a Baratza ESP cheap shoot me a DM. I upgraded and have one sitting around I would part with.
This is a great machine BTW once you get your grinding. But you’ll need to have your own grinder as each new batch of coffee beans might require small adjustments. Fun learning process though ☕️
https://preview.redd.it/ebff6plu34uf1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=14013d18e902b0c0571155d0f9524270d08754e8
U need to return it and get the esp …. Or better a eureka zero 55 mm … they have sales on it all the time and it the same internal components / burr geometry as the specialita w out the dose by time option … it produces thick syrupy conical like shots that are wonderful for medium to dark roast coffees . If u are wanting a light roast tho it not big on those fruity notes / clarity but if that not even something u like / want then a zero 55 is wonderful will last u forever !