E61 machines

What you actually have

The E61 is a group head heated by water from the boiler circulating through it (a thermosiphon). The portafilter, basket, shower screen and gasket are standardised, so the same accessories fit the Lelit Mara X and Bianca, Rocket, Profitec Pro 400–700, ECM, Bezzera, Quick Mill and others.

1. Warm-up

Manufacturers state 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the machine: Rocket 15 to 18 minutes, Lelit up to 24 for the Mara X. Keep the portafilter in the group head while the machine heats up.

2. Flushing before the shot (heat exchanger machines)

On heat exchanger (HX) machines, the water in the group head overheats after standing. Before the shot, run water through the group head until the stream becomes steady, then for a few seconds more. Dual boiler machines as a rule do not need this.

3. Basket and tamper

Standard 58 mm precision baskets fit. IMS states a tamper of about 58.4 mm for its baskets, and most tampers on the market are 58.5 mm.

4. Gasket and shower screen

The E61 group gasket is 73 × 57 mm, and the thickness depends on the machine and its year: 8 or 8.5 mm. Measure the old one before buying. The shower screen is held in by the gasket, with no screw, so they come out and are replaced together.

5. Backflush, but in moderation

Rocket's manual states a backflush with water every day, and with a cleaning agent once a week. Lelit states the same. ECM states every 90 to 140 coffees and warns that cleaning with an agent too often strips the grease from the moving parts, so the lever squeaks and wears faster. The lever mechanism is then lubricated with food-safe grease.

6. Water and limescale

Do not descale it yourself. Rocket's manual does not recommend it, and ECM and Lelit leave it to a service centre. Instead they ask for soft or filtered water (ECM up to 4 °dH).