After putting the Lelit William PL72 through its paces over the past few weeks, I’ve developed an appreciation for what this grinder brings to the home coffee setup. At $1,299, it sits in a competitive space between entry-level and commercial grinders – but its features and performance make a compelling case for serious coffee enthusiasts.
Build Quality and Design
The William’s brushed stainless steel housing isn’t just about looks – it’s built to handle the daily grind of a busy kitchen. Standing 39cm tall with a footprint of 14 x 23cm, it strikes a good balance between counter presence and practicality. The 6.6kg weight, combined with the solid construction, means this grinder stays put during operation.
The smoked hopper might seem like a mere styling choice, but it serves a crucial purpose. It protects your beans from UV light damage while holding a generous 350g. The stainless steel lid creates a proper seal – a thoughtful touch that keeps moisture out and preserves bean freshness.
Grinding Mechanism and Performance
The heart of any grinder is its burrs, and the William doesn’t disappoint. The 64mm flat steel burrs are impressive for this price point, delivering consistent particle size at a brisk 2.5 grams per second. This size puts it in league with commercial grinders, ensuring even extraction and balanced flavours in your cup.
The stepless micro-adjustment system deserves special mention, with the William’s micrometric regulation providing precise control over your grind size. The numbered scale from 1-10 helps you track and repeat successful settings, though you’ll need to keep notes as you dial in different beans.
Electronic Features and Controls
The OLED display strikes a perfect balance between functionality and simplicity, allowing programming of both single and double doses with precision down to a tenth of a second. The display also keeps track of your shot counts – helpful for burr maintenance scheduling.
The add/stop button proves helpful during dialing in, letting you fine-tune doses on the fly. It’s positioned sensibly next to the grind adjustment, making it easy to reach during the inevitable tweaking sessions that come with new beans.
Daily Operation and Practical Features
The adjustable coffee chute might seem like a minor detail, but I’ve found it works really well for even distribution in the portafilter. Combined with the adjustable holder pin, it ensures grounds land exactly where you want them, reducing mess and waste.
The magnetic coffee rest tray is another example of practical design. It’s sturdy enough for daily use but detaches easily for cleaning. The self-locking mechanism means it won’t accidentally come loose during grinding.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning is straightforward thanks to the removable design elements. The magnetic tray catches stray grounds effectively, and the chute design minimises retention.
I haven’t had to access the burrs for deep cleaning yet, but the instructions seem fairly straightforward.
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Professional-grade 64mm flat burrs
- Robust all-metal construction
- Precise stepless adjustment
- Fast grinding speed (2.5g/sec)
- Excellent grind consistency
- Well-designed bean storage
- Intuitive digital controls
- Minimal grind retention
- Effective anti-static measures
Limitations
- Significant height requirement (39cm)
- Learning curve for grind adjustment
- Premium price point
- Fixed hopper design
- May be overkill for casual users
Value Proposition
At $1,299, the William PL72 represents a serious investment for home users. However, when you consider the commercial-grade burrs, build quality, and precision controls, it offers good value for dedicated coffee enthusiasts. The durability suggests it will serve well for many years, making the cost easier to justify.
Final Assessment
The Lelit William PL72 delivers professional-grade grinding capability in a well-designed package suitable for home use. It combines commercial features like large flat burrs and stepless adjustment with user-friendly elements like the OLED display and practical storage solutions.
While it may be more grinder than casual users need, for those serious about their coffee, it represents a solid investment. The build quality, grinding performance, and thoughtful features make it a reliable partner for your daily coffee ritual.
For anyone looking to upgrade from an entry-level grinder or building a serious home setup, the William PL72 deserves strong consideration. It’s a grinder that will grow with your coffee journey, offering the precision and consistency needed for exploring the full potential of your beans.
