Problem with the Two-Cup Filter of the Lelit 41 TEM PID

Discover the complications related to the filter of the Lelit 41 TEM PID espresso machine, which has a rounded shape making coffee tamping delicate. This article explores the difficulties in obtaining quality extraction and provides you with practical solutions to improve your results. Don’t let an unsuitable filter ruin your coffee moment!

My experience with the Lelit 41 TEM PID

I have been using a Lelit espresso machine for over a year to prepare my daily coffee. This machine has many strengths already detailed in another article, but today I want to focus exclusively on the original supplied filter and on the problem posed by its design.

Description of the problem

• Diameter: 57 mm
• Height: 23 mm

Upon careful observation, one notices that the bottom of the filter becomes rounded starting at 15 mm depth. The diameter then goes from 57 mm to 50 mm.

Problem: with a suitable 57 mm tamper, it is impossible to tamp the grounds properly, because the curvature blocks the descent at 15 mm. Even using 13 to 16 g of coffee, the pressure remains insufficient.

The two-cup filter is nevertheless the only one that allows you to obtain a beautiful crema, hence the obligation to use it even for a single cup.

The logical solution would be to buy a 57 mm straight-walled filter basket. Unfortunately, they are rare and more expensive than 58 mm models, which are much more standardized. The IMS brand offers them, but at around €30, shipping included. At that price, it’s better to be sure of the benefit.

A temporary solution

In the meantime, I’ve put together a simple modification: adapting my tamper to match the shape of the filter basket.

I added a rounded chipboard washer, which allows me to gain about 6 mm of depth. Result: the tamping is finally uniform, the extraction more consistent, the coffee more aromatic and balanced.

It’s almost a rediscovery of my usual beans: more subtlety, more aromas, a denser crema.

Extraction comparison

With modified tamper:

With unmodified tamper:

A tip before purchasing

Why sell machines with 57 mm filter baskets, which are less standard, rather than 58 mm?
Probably for commercial reasons: it is more difficult and more expensive to find accessories suitable for 57 mm. On the other hand, in 58 mm, the supply is abundant and cheaper, as this diameter is considered the “professional” standard.