DISCONTINUED Lelit PL53 Doserless Stepless Espresso Grinder
Check out the new PL044MM model.
This model has been replaced by the new Fred grinders PL044MM-120 and PL043MMI.
Lelit PL53 Fred Doserless Stepless Espresso Grinder
Do you want the best value in an espresso coffee grinder? This grinder produces a good consistent grind quality that no almost no other espresso coffee grinder can in this price range. The Lelit PL53 is the only all stainless steel, polished body, doserless, conical burr espresso grinder with stepless adjustment for under $300.00. Can we say more? This grinder is mainly for grinding espresso only. Although it ‘can’ be used for other coffee brewing methods, the turning of the knob on the stepless adjustment can be cumbersome to rotate many times for different brew methods. When we say many times, we mean hundreds of rotations. This is why we recommend to use the grinder for one brew method only – espresso.
Features:
- The powerful 150-watt motor activates through the use of a microswitch that you can press your portafilter right up against and get freshly ground coffee directly into your portafilter.
- The stepless adjustment allow you to fine tune your grind for the perfect espresso grind. This is different than stepped adjustment where one can use only setting #8 or #9, but no in-between!
- Conical burrs with the larger burr outside diameter size measured at 38mm.
- Burrs made of hardened steel.
- Approximate tinted plastic bean hopper capacity: 150 grams (5.29 ounces).
- Bean hopper which is easily removable for hand cleaning (not dishwasher safe).
- Standard 110 volt outlet comes out from back of unit.
- Compact size makes it even a great grinder for traveling!
- Doserless chute on front is removable for cleaning.
- The bean hopper now has numbers written which you can use a “guide” to see your current setting. Please note there is no indication on the grinder itself to line up with the numbers.
- Removable stainless steel catch tray allows easier cleaning versus a fixed tray.
- Accessories included: removable stainless steel catch tray and instructional sheet.
For more Lelit equipment, please visit our Lelit brands page. If you have any questions, please reference the Q&A tab on each product page.
| Brand | Lelit |
|---|---|
| Height (inches) | 12.5, approximate |
| Width (inches) | 5, approximate |
| Depth (inches) | 8.5, approximate |
| Weight (pounds) | 6 |
| Wattage (watts) | 150 |
| Voltage (volts) | 110 – 120 |
| Burr size (mm), Type | 38, conical |
| Grinding speed (RPM) | 570 |
| Country of manufacture | Italy |
- "Weird Al Yankovic has been satisfied with the performance of the Lelit PL53 grinder!"
- Warning: Be careful to not allow the burrs to touch and lock up the grinding burrs. This will not be covered under warranty if you lock up the burrs.
- Warning: If there are coffee beans in the hopper, the grinder should be turned on and running when changing settings more than 1 knob rotation. The reason is that the grinds can stick to the burrs - especially when turning the knob finer.
- Brewing methods: This grinder is designed for espresso grinding ONLY. It will not grind beans for American (aka brown) coffee. Try on of our Baratza grinders if you are looking for a home grinder for both espresso and regular coffee.
- Doserless chute: It can be a challenge to place the chute back on after removal. The chute needs to be held extremely firm against the body, and sometimes the screw needs to be positioned at a slight angle when inserted and tightened.
- Upon first use: Every grinder gets tested by Lelit. Every grinder will arrive with coffee grinds. This grinder also comes factory set 4 full rotations finer than necessary. We recommend turning the knob 4-6 full rotations coarser before using it for the first time.
- PL043 model: There is another Lelit grinder named PL043 which is brought into the United States by another importer. Please note this grinder is not the same as our PL53 which has a stepless adjustment feature to fine tune the espresso grind fineness settings and has metal guides for the portafilter.
- 220 volt version: Sorry, we only carry the 110 volt version.
- Environment: This grinder is intended for household use only. Commercial use will deem this product as non-returnable and will void the warranty.
- Grinding adjustment: This grinder uses a stepless worm-gear adjustment. This gives you grind adjustment to the nth degree, but also means switching from espresso grind to drip grind is quite a chore. Commonly, this adjustment requires 50+ turns of the knob. For most users this is an unacceptable ammount of dialing for a quick swap. We recommend using this grinder dedicated to one brew type. This means set it for a certain type of grind and leave it. You will still have to adjust (usually 1 to 5 turns) to compensate for bean type, oils, humidity, etc. If you require a grinder that is easily swappable from drip to espresso or any other type of grind, consider one of our Baratza grinders.
- Bean hopper: The only recurring complaint we've received about the pre-2011 PL53 grinder is the bean hopper. Removing and replacing the hopper requires a gentle touch on pre-2011 models. Several customers have experienced the neck of the hopper cracking. We offer an upgraded hopper for the Lelit for this reason. Some folks may still want to order this smaller bean hopper as the optional one is smaller. To order this stronger upgraded hopper, please purchase SKU: MI110. Please note however, while less prone to cracking- this hopper is not tinted and sunlight may affect your beans faster.
- Electrical cord: The electrical cord is placed between the packaging (foam or cardboard) and the underside body of the grinder. During shipping, it is normal for a bend or insignificant blemish/slice to damage the cord.
Customer reviews
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I smashed my Mc342 and mc343 and need to buy a new one . Do you sell this ? If not can you give me any tips on where to buy
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Q I smashed my Mc342 and mc343 and need to buy a new one . Do you sell this ? If not can you give m...... Read more answer nowAsked by on October 2, 2021 2:01 pmAnswered by the admin
https://www.1st-line.com/omega-search/?q=lelit%20hopper&post_type=page
I've had a Lelit Fred PL53 (a gift) for several years and it has started to choke up or jam even though the grind setting is not super fine. The problem started halfway through a bag of beans with no grind adjustments so I do not believe it is the coffee.
I took the burrs apart and gave everything a good clean, removing a bunch of old grinds that had caked up inside. But, the problem is persisting on reassembly.
Specifically, when I add a single cup worth of beans, ~14 grams, it starts to grind but gets overwhelmed and the motor stalls. Pushing the button, the motor tries to go but is jammed. I remove all of the beans and can slowly grind them all (i.e. no stones or anything).
What do you think I should do about this? Based on similar stories online, it seems to be a semi-regular issue with lighter roasted coffee for the Fred.
Do you know if once this has started it will continue to get worse as the motor wears for example?
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Q I've had a Lelit Fred PL53 (a gift) for several years and it has started to choke up or jam even ...... Read more answer nowAsked by on March 30, 2021 2:31 pmAnswered by the admin
European espresso grinders are designed for espresso roast profiles, not light roast profiles.Hence, the stories found online.
Basically, the lighter profiles can cause choking and faster wear and tear on the motor and burrs. You may need new burrs, a new motor, or a new grinder.
Hi I have a lelit pl53 and I believe the motor or solenoid went bad. Are parts available since it’s now discontinued. I bought it from you about 6 years ago
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Q Hi I have a lelit pl53 and I believe the motor or solenoid went bad. Are parts available since it...... Read more answer nowAsked by on February 24, 2021 3:46 pmAnswered by the admin
Hi,
Here is a link to the Lelit PL53 parts diagram. Some parts may be compatible with the PL043MMI or the PL044MM model, in which case they will still be available. However, any parts specific to the PL53 will most likely be unavailable.
Is there a wiring diagram for the Lelit PL53 grinder?
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Q Is there a wiring diagram for the Lelit PL53 grinder? answer nowAsked by on October 12, 2020 7:03 amAnswered by the admin
Sorry, there is not.
Hello, my grinder has suddenly stopped working. The motor still runs and the adjustment still works but suddenly the beans don't go down. It seems as if the burrs are worn out but they were working last week so it's strange... please call me to discuss this issue.
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Q Hello, my grinder has suddenly stopped working. The motor still runs and the adjustment still wor...... Read more answer nowAsked by on September 8, 2020 8:01 pmA First thing is to remove the hopper and make sure the burrs aren't locked up. If they are, use a socket on the retaining nut and wiggle it back and forth to free it up. If it's already spinning, clean out the grinder chute and check if that worked, if not, remove the burrs and give them a thorough cleaning (also check for excessive wear). I hope this helps.
Hi guys,
I have lost access to the email that I used when I purchased this grinder back in 2011 or so. It is a LeLit ART PL53/110 Lot #113, Serial #1997 with Date of production of 6/10/2011. It has served me very well over the last 7 years but has recently started making noises and getting jammed making me think the burr is at the end of service. Are there any replacement parts for this ol' gal?
Thank you
Max
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Q Hi guys, I have lost access to the email that I used when I purchased this grinder back in 201...... Read more answer nowAsked by on December 17, 2019 6:34 pmAnswered by the admin
It could be the burrs or the motor, or the capacitor. Take it out to the coarser setting. If it still jams, then it is the motor or capacitor. Then it becomes a question of making the investment for a 7 year old grinder. If it does not stop on the coarser setting, then it is most likely the burrs which can be searched fro on our web site.
How often does the LP53 need cleaning and what product(s) do you recommendation using?
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Q How often does the LP53 need cleaning and what product(s) do you recommendation using? answer nowAsked by on December 29, 2018 11:49 pmAnswered by the admin
With grinders, we recommend leaving well enough alone as long as you change grind settings. Otherwise, use Urnex Grindz which is sold on our web site.
I find that the stepless adjustment on this grinder changes when you grind. Is there a way to lock the grind adjustment so this does not happen?
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Q I find that the stepless adjustment on this grinder changes when you grind. Is there a way to loc...... Read more answer nowAsked by on September 5, 2018 5:18 pmAnswered by the admin We are sorry you have experienced this as we never saw this grinder do this since we first start carrying it (Dec 2007). The wormless gear drive or the gears on the upper carrier may need replacement as there may be wear and tear OR damage. The only other thing we can think of is putting some teflon tape on the upper carrier threading.
I bought my grinder from you seven years ago and it has the large hopper (and lid). Would the small hopper (and lid) fit into my grinder? I would prefer the smaller one for size reasons and to use less beans per fill.
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Q I bought my grinder from you seven years ago and it has the large hopper (and lid). Would the sma...... Read more answer nowAsked by on July 23, 2018 3:41 pmAnswered by the admin
Please note that Lelit has changed hopper suppliers several times. In some cases, the replacements can be loose or tight fits - for which we can not tell. In general, they should all fit. Its a good idea to purchase the cover as each cover usually does not fit the other.
My Pl53 is doing something odd. The grinder assembly is oscillating while grinding, not real fast. is there something that may have come loose inside? It started by just getting tight (it seemed to self adjust too fine), so I loosened it and it got too course and wobbly. I am kind of puzzled. I believe it is 2 1/2 to 3 years old. Any idea's?
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Q My Pl53 is doing something odd. The grinder assembly is oscillating while grinding, not real fast...... Read more answer nowAsked by on March 12, 2018 5:13 pmAnswered by the admin
This is unusual. We suggest checking the inside to inspect the worm gear for the stepless adjustment, its platform, and the burr set play.
A Well I disassembled the unit. What I found was the top burr had unwound off the threads. The unit kept grinding since the space had been occupied by old coffee, I guess the light roast allowed it to stick in place. Great grinder performance wise, I am very happy with it. I just need to figure a easy way to keep the buildup from happening.
I have this unit - how often does the burrs need to be changed ? or better yet - how can i know when its time for new burrs - i have mines 4 years now - are they instructions on changing them ?
thanks
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Q I have this unit - how often does the burrs need to be changed ? or better yet - how can i know w...... Read more answer nowAsked by on January 23, 2018 8:19 pmAnswered by the admin
Wear and tear depends upon usage, bean hardness, and any foreign matter that may be mixed up with the beans ground. Usually, the burrs last about 400-600 pounds.
Hi! I need a replacement been hopper for my Lelit PL53/110. Lot and serial number are 106/1399. Date of production 09/03/2009. Please advise if you could sell one and how much it would cost. Thanks.
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Q Hi! I need a replacement been hopper for my Lelit PL53/110. Lot and serial number are 106/1399. D...... Read more answer nowAsked by on January 18, 2018 7:03 pmAnswered by the admin
Sorry, we are unable to determine the correct size as Lelit has changed bean hoppers several times and discontinued a few hoppers in between. Here is a link for the hopper.
Is there access to the burrs for cleaning? Are there parts available to the user for the repair of this unit should it ever need it, such as replacement burrs, switches, etc? Thanks!
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Q Is there access to the burrs for cleaning? Are there parts available to the user for the repair o...... Read more answer nowAsked by on December 6, 2017 4:55 pmAnswered by the admin
Yes, the bean hopper on the Lelit PL53 espresso coffee grinder can be removed to clean the grinding chamber with a vacuum. To remove the burrs, the body needs to be disassembled. The only time this should happen is when changing the burrs.
Please look in the parts section of our web site for Lelit. There are plenty of parts there. The biggest seller part for this grinder is the grinding burrs.
4 reviews for DISCONTINUED Lelit PL53 Doserless Stepless Espresso Grinder