LELIT KATE REVIEW: CONVENIENCE, QUALITY, AND AFFORDABILITY

It’s rare to find a prosumer espresso machine with an integrated grinder. Is the Lelit Kate the perfect choice for your busy lifestyle?

An espresso machine with a built-in grinder is incredibly convenient, as well as saving counter space and money. But not everyone wants to sacrifice all control and get a super-automatic model. That’s where the Lelit Kate PL82T comes in.

It’s a compact semi-automatic prosumer machine with an integrated conical burr grinder. In this review, I’ll cover my experience using this model so you can decide if it’s what you’re looking for.

A Full Review Of The Lelit Kate PL82T 

Let’s dig into the details of the Kate to find out where it fits in the Lelit line and how it can fit into your lifestyle. I think it’s a fantastic little espresso machine – but only for the right candidate.

How I Rated It

• Brewing Capability
• User-friendliness
• Milk Frothing
• Build Quality
• Value For Money

3.9

• see on my espresso shop

How Does The Lelit Kate Work?

The Lelit Kate PL82T is a single-boiler dual-use machine with a 15-bar vibratory pump. Rather than separate boilers for brewing coffee and generating steam, it has a single 300 mL brass boiler for both. So you can’t pull a shot and froth milk simultaneously; it takes a minute for the boiler temperature to adjust between processes. 

It gets a little tiresome if you make a lot of milky drinks, but for straight espresso lovers, it’s an affordable and compact solution.

Lelit uses a powerful 1200 W heating element in the Kate, so the little boiler comes to temperature fairly quickly. From turning it on, I timed it at about 3 minutes to heat up and another  7 to 10 minutes for the group and portafilter to stabilize.

The Built-In Grinder

The unique selling point of the Kate is its built-in grinder, a rarity among prosumer-quality machines. The integrated grinder is a notable step up from an average cheap burr grinder, with a micrometric stepless grind adjustment and 38mm conical burrs (1). 

I thought it felt kind of on par with something like the Baratza Sette 270 – producing uniform and fluffy grounds throughout the espresso range. In fact, now that both Lelit and Baratza are owned by Breville, I wouldn’t be surprised to see future iterations of the Kate with Baratza burrs (2).

Using The Lelit Kate: The Lelit Control Center

All higher-end Lelit espresso machine models are equipped with the Lelit Control Center (LCC), an onboard computer. It’s a hallmark of the brand, which has become renowned for machines with a lot of functionality despite modest price tags.

The LCC is easy to use with a vibrant and intuitive OLED display. You can program the temperature for brewing, steaming, and hot water; turn the automatic pre-infusion on and off; set double and single dose grind times; and activate the automatic cleaning cycle. The display reports the current boiler temperature, alerts you to a low water tank, or acts as a shot timer during extraction.

Using The Grinder

The grinder has a convenient hands-free holder for the portafilter. Simply press the portafilter against the grinding plate — once for a single shot or twice for a double shot – and it doses based on the pre-programmed time. Alternatively, hold the portafilter against the plate for manual grinding.

Perhaps my least favorite aspect of this machine is the grind size selector, a small knob on the side of the machine. The knob is only vaguely marked, so it can be challenging to keep track of grind settings. It’s also set up so that you might need more than a 360-degree rotation for larger adjustments, though that isn’t an issue if you’re only dialing in espresso grind.

Pulling A Shot

The Lelit Kate is a semi-automatic espresso machine, so you’re responsible for puck prep and shot timing. To start and stop a shot, press the top backlit stainless-steel button on the front panel, which also starts the shot timer.

The front panel also sports a backlit pressure gauge to monitor the brew pressure, which is very helpful when dialing in puck prep.

As with all new European-made espresso machines of this type, the Lelit Kate PL82T has a standby mode. After 30 minutes of inactivity, it will drop into a low-power mode. You can turn this feature off (3).

Cleaning and Maintenance Needs

Keeping the Lelit Kate up and running is easy – an advantage of a machine with one boiler. Yes, there is some extra cleaning regarding the grinder, particularly if you favor oily dark roasts, but this is true of any grinder.

The 3-way solenoid valve releases excess water and pressure from the group into the drip tray. So the used coffee puck is dry enough to easily knock into the garbage, simplifying clean-up after each shot.

To keep the internal equipment in good working condition, I’d suggest using the blind disc to backflush with water at least once a week. Backflush with a cleaning solution and swap out the water filter every six months (for a moderate user). 

Brass boilers are more prone to scale build-up than stainless steel boilers, so consider using a water softener if you live in a region with hard water.

I did experience some frustration dealing with the 2.5-liter water tank. It’s removable but lacks a handle and has a few tubes to remove before taking it out. I ended up just leaving it in all the time and refilling it with a separate water pitcher. There’s also no way to gauge the water level from the outside, so you have to wait for the LCC to alert you when it’s getting low.

Adequate But Not Exceptional Milk Frothing

As with any one-boiler machine, milk frothing isn’t a priority with the Lelit Kate PL82T. Anyone with a true penchant for milky drinks will be more inclined towards a heat exchanger or dual boiler. 

That said, I found the available steam power was more than enough to produce silky microfoam for latte art or airy froth for a cappuccino. You just can’t do it while brewing coffee. And it’s a little slow; it took me about 45 seconds to steam 6 ounces of milk for a latte.

The steam wand is multidirectional, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that Lelit includes both a 1-hole and 2-hole steam tip. The steam pressure is controlled using a knob on the side of the machine, and it is responsive and intuitive to use. 

The Lelit Kate PL82T doesn’t have a separate hot water wand, but you can dispense hot water from the steam wand. In fact, you can adjust the temperature of the hot water using the LCC, a rarity even among more expensive models.

Standout Build Quality And Design

Build quality is where a prosumer machine like the Kate really differentiates itself from consumer models like the Breville Barista Express. With commercial-grade components housed in a durable brushed stainless steel casing, this machine is built to last decades rather than years.

I know some people prefer the more polished look of mirror-finish stainless steel, but I like how the brushed stainless doesn’t show scratches, grime, or fingerprints. It’s easy to keep it looking pristine.

Commercial-Quality Portafilter

The portafilter is a highlight of this machine, which is not something I say often. It’s a standard commercial size 58 mm portafilter, making it easy to purchase accessories. The handle is ergonomic and angled so that it lies flat for tamping, saving you from buying a separate tamping station.

You only get a dual-spout portafilter, but it features Lelit’s innovative Coffee Slide design. Aside from being aesthetically beautiful, the idea of the Coffee Slide is that it causes the espresso to flow more smoothly with less sputtering, ensuring your layer of crema stays intact. 

According to barista and cafe manager Tyler Hickmott, maintaining the crema until you’re ready to drink improves the tasting experience by enhancing the espresso’s aroma (4).

Three baskets are included, a single shot, a double shot, and a blind filter for backflushing.

Bear in mind that this machine is quite tall due to the extra height of the bean hopper. At 16 inches high, it won’t fit comfortably under all cupboards, especially if you want easy access to the bean hopper or water tank at the back. However, at just 10 inches deep and 12 inches wide, its footprint is small enough that finding the right space shouldn’t be too hard.

Is The Lelit Kate Good Value?

The Lelit Kate retails for around $1400, which is excellent value for the target audience. In my estimation, it’s roughly a $1000 espresso machine coupled with a $500 grinder, so you’re definitely netting some savings by bundling the two.

That said, I’m not sure the target audience for this model is particularly large. Most home baristas serious enough to want a prosumer machine will also want the flexibility of a separate grinder (and if I’m being honest, probably a high-quality grinder). 

I can see this machine being the perfect upgrade for anyone who has been using something like the Breville Barista Express and wants to keep a similar workflow in a higher-end package.

Don’t Buy the Lelit Kate PL82T If…

• You already have a grinder: If you already have a good espresso grinder, there’s no reason to pay for another. Instead, save your money and get the Lelit Victoria, which is nearly the same model without integrated grinding.
• You prefer milky drinks: If you drink a lot of lattes or cappuccinos, you’ll benefit from a machine that can froth milk and make espresso simultaneously. Sure, it will cost a bit more upfront, but you’ll appreciate the time saved in the long run. Try the heat exchanger Lelit Mara espresso machine or the dual boiler Lelit Elizabeth. For something even more impressive, take a look at the Lelit Bianca. This model allows flow profiling so you can really optimize your espresso.
• You’re on a tight budget: If you want an espresso maker with an integrated grinder but can’t justify the price of a Lelit, check out the best-selling Breville Barista Express. This popular machine doesn’t quite have the user control or build quality of the Lelit Kate, but it is great value at less than half the price.

The Verdict

The Lelit Kate PL82T is a fantastic first step if you’re ready to dip your toes in the water of semi-auto prosumer espresso machines. The premium build quality, 58-mm portafilter, and brass boiler put it a big step up from a typical appliance-level machine. But the built-in grinder and easy-to-use Lelit Control System make it an unintimidating intro to the world of higher-end espresso. It offers a beautiful balance between convenience and control.