Lelit Fred Grinder Review: Is This the Right Espresso Grinder for You?

I’m always on the lookout for coffee grinders with great price-performance ratios, hence this Lelit Fred grinder review. I’m actually really excited about this particular model for quite a few reasons, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the thing. So, I’ve put in my order with Seattle Coffee Gear and I’m waiting for the box to arrive.

In the meantime, I figured it’d be worth writing an initial Lelit Fred grinder review to give you an idea of what’s what. And once I’ve put the Lelit Fred through its paces I’ll make sure to update this review with my findings.

Entry-Level Espresso Grinder

Lelit Fred Espresso Grinder

A worthy companion for your prosumer espresso machine!

Stainless steel construction

Stepless micrometric grind adjsutments

Programmable timer

Easy to use

Flimsy plastic hopper

Burrs are rather small

CHECK PRICE

Lelit Fred Grinder Review Overview

I’ve already reviewed quite a few Lelit espresso machines, but this Lelit Fred grinder review is the first time I’ve inspected one of the Italian manufacturer’s coffee grinders.

As you may already know, Lelit is a highly respected brand that produces some of the best prosumer espresso machines on the market. So, I’m not surprised to see that the Lelit Fred PL044MMT is both beautiful and extremely well made. However, what does surprise me is this burr grinder’s extremely reasonable asking price. Seriously, who’d have thought you could get hold of an espresso-focused grinder with a stepless adjustment mechanism and polished stainless steel construction for under $260.00?

To be honest, that seems almost too good to be true! I mean, consider another entry-level espresso grinder, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. It retails for $199.95, which is in the same ballpark as the Lelit Fred. However, the Breville’s 60 adjustment settings make it of much more limited use for espresso preparation. Plus, it’s made of plastic, which is to be expected from a budget-friendly model.

Ultimately, the Lelit Fred looks like it could be the best burr coffee grinder for beginner espresso enthusiasts on a budget. And I’d say you might never feel the need to upgrade as you continue on your espresso journey.

Lelit Fred Coffee Grinder Features

Thus far, I’ve established that the Lelit Fred represents really good value for money. Still, I feel like we need to dig a little deeper to see what makes the grinder tick. Let’s continue this Lelit Fred grinder review by taking a closer look at its most important features.

Materials and Design

Thanks to its Italian pedigree and durable stainless steel body, the Lelit Fred looks sharp and shiny. With that said, I feel like the grinder’s boxy, minimalist aesthetic won’t be to everyone’s taste. However, if you’re pairing the Fred with the Lelit Anna, you’ll be very happy – these two share the same design language and were obviously meant for each other.

I have to say that I’m rather confused by the bean hopper that’s installed on the Lelit Fred grinder. Featuring a big grind scale that looks totally out of place and cheap plastic construction, the hopper is rather disappointing. It seems to me that the design team may have let the intern take care of this particular feature.

See Also: Lelit Anna Review

Controls

Featuring a very straightforward setup, the Lelit Fred promises to be easy to use for newbies. There’s little more than a power switch on the rear panel and an on-demand microswitch above the portafilter cradle.

With that said, the Fred does have a trick up its sleeve in that it offers a timer function with programmable dosing. In other words, you can set the amount of coffee to be ground via an additional button on the side of the grinder.

However, what’s weird is that even when you’ve programmed your dose, you still have to keep the microswitch engaged with your portafilter the whole time. Sorry, but there’s no hands-free action with this grinder folks!

Stainless Steel Burrs

The Lelit Fred grinder is equipped with 38-millimeter stainless steel conical burrs. Now, if you’re an espresso snob, you’ll likely write off this grinder after hearing that. After all, it’s common knowledge that bigger burrs are way faster, more consistent and produce less heat. For reference, the best espresso grinders for home use come with huge burrs; the amazing DF64 grinder is a case in point.

Listen, I don’t want to ruffle anyone’s feathers. I’m a total espresso nerd and I understand that 38mm burrs are on the small side for espresso preparation. However, I’m convinced that size won’t matter for beginner baristas. As long as you pair the Lelit Fred with a halfway decent espresso machine and use the best espresso beans you can find, you’ll be able to pull great shots.

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Lelit Grinder Settings and Adjustment

In my opinion, the feature that really elevates the Lelit Fred above the competition is its stepless micrometric grind adjustment system. For the uninitiated, stepless grinders do away with the idea of grind settings. Instead, you’re able to tweak your grind size to the smallest degree, meaning you have almost infinite options.

And trust me when I tell you that this is a real benefit for espresso preparation. That’ because even a tiny grind adjustment can have a big effect on your shots.

The Lelit grind adjustment system is pretty cool. There’s a chunky knob on the side of the grinder, next to the bean hopper, and gently turning the knob moves the burrs. I imagine this system will take some getting used to, especially given that there’s no real way of knowing where you are. Sure, there’s the aforementioned scale on the hopper, but I don’t think it’ll be of much use. Rather, you’ll likely have to go more by “feel” when adjusting the grind with the Lelit Fred.

Bean Hopper

I already trashed the Lelit Fred’s plastic bean hopper earlier, so I’ll try to stay positive on this section! The bean hopper has an 8.8-ounce (250-gram) capacity, which might sound rather limited. However, I always recommend avoiding storing your coffee beans in a hopper, even if this one does have a freshness seal lid and UV tinting.

Besides, if I were using the Lelit Fred as my main squeeze for espresso, I’d treat it as a single dose grinder. That means getting hold of a high-quality coffee scale and measuring your dose before every grind cycle. Trust me, that’s the only way to maintain high levels of consistency between shots. I mean, a timed dose function sounds great, but once you’ve adjusted your grind size, everything will change.

Lelit Fred Espresso Grinder in Use

Seeing as I haven’t actually tested the Lelit Fred yet, I can’t comment on how it performs. However, I can give you some idea of what to expect when it comes to using the thing.

As I mentioned earlier, you can set the Fred to grind for a specific amount of time, up to 20 seconds. To do this, hold down the side button until the light goes out. Then, each press of the button represents half a second of grinding time.

Personally, I’d skip that and use the Lelit Fred as a single dose grinder. To do so, weigh out your preferred dose of coffee on a scale. Then, place your portafilter on the fork and engage the microswitch before pouring your beans into the hopper.

Incidentally, it’s very important to make grind adjustments only when the grinder is running. That way you’ll avoid locking up the burrs with partially ground beans. Believe me, you don’t want that to happen!

Cleaning the Lelit Fred Grinder

Regular cleaning and maintenance will not only prolong the life of your Lelit Fred grinder but also keep your espresso tasting as it should. Fortunately, taking care of the Fred is super straightforward, so you have no excuses!

It’s important to remove the burrs and give ’em a good cleaning every so often. I’d recommend doing so once every couple of weeks, especially if your grinder sees frequent use. To do so, remove the bean hopper before removing the upper burr. Then, use a stiff brush to remove coffee dust, before wiping off any coffee oils. While you’re at it, consider using a vacuum to remove dust and debris from the burr chamber.

Of course, you can also use grinder cleaning tablets like Urnex Grindz. Still, I’d say that’s unnecessary if you’re giving the burrs the regular attention they deserve.

Finally, don’t neglect your bean hopper! Remember that coffee oils can build up in there and go rancid, so wipe the thing out with a paper towel here and there.

Lelit Fred PL044MMT Grinder Specifications

Lelit Fred Conical Burr Grinder vs Other Grinders

I have to say that I’m very impressed by what I’ve seen in this Lelit Fred grinder review. Given its reasonable asking price, I’d say this baby punches well above its weight. Let’s continue by seeing how the Lelit Fred measures up in comparison with a couple of other popular coffee grinders.

Lelit Fred vs Eureka Mignon Notte

For around $300.00, the Eureka Mignon Notte is only a little more expensive than the Lelit Fred. And while the Notte doesn’t have programmable timed dosing, it does boast 50mm stainless steel flat burrs and stepless micrometric grind adjustments.

Ultimately, I’d say either of these espresso grinders will serve you well. Still, I do feel like the Eureka model represents somewhat of a more serious proposition for true espresso enthusiasts.

Related: Eureka Mignon Notte Review

Lelit Fred vs Baratza Encore ESP

I’m a huge fan of the Baratza Encore ESP, which will set you back $199.95. While the Encore ESP is certainly an entry-level coffee grinder, it’s more than capable of grinding for espresso, thanks to an innovative adjustment system.

However, seeing as the Encore ESP is touted as an “all-rounder” for everything from Turkish to French press, it’s not really suitable to use as a dedicated espresso grinder. Sure, it can get the job done, but it isn’t set up to dose a portafilter and making grind adjustments will quickly get frustrating.

See Also: Baratza Encore ESP Review

Lelit Grinder vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: Lelit Fred On Demand Espresso Grinder Review

Entry-Level Espresso Grinder

Lelit Fred Espresso Grinder

A worthy companion for your prosumer espresso machine!

Stainless steel construction

Stepless micrometric grind adjsutments

Programmable timer

Easy to use

Flimsy plastic hopper

Burrs are rather small

CHECK PRICE

As I’m sure you can imagine, I simply can’t wait to play around with the Lelit Fred grinder. I have to say things look very promising indeed. I mean, if this on-demand espresso grinder functions half as well as I think it will, I’ll be extremely happy to recommend it. After all, it isn’t every day you stumble across such an affordable and sophisticated espresso grinder.

So, I’ll be waiting eagerly for the box to arrive from Seattle Coffee Gear. And once I’ve put the Lelit Fred through its paces I’ll update this review. Keep checking back in if you’re interested to know what I think!

Lelit Coffee Grinder FAQ

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