How to Adjust Pressure on a Lelit Victoria Espresso Machine

Why Trust This Guide?

This article is written to support real Lelit Victoria owners with clear, practical instructions based on manufacturer guidance, industry standards, and servicing best practices used by Australian coffee equipment specialists. The goal is not promotion, but accuracy—helping you understand espresso pressure in plain language and decide whether to adjust it yourself or rely on professional servicing.

The Lelit Victoria is a favourite among home baristas for good reason. It combines a compact footprint with genuinely professional features, including PID temperature control and a front-mounted pressure gauge. One of the most important variables you can control on any espresso machine is brew pressure—and the Victoria gives you direct visibility into how your machine is performing.

If you’ve noticed your shots running too fast, tasting harsh, or lacking sweetness, pressure may be part of the equation. Below, we explain what espresso pressure means and how it can be safely adjusted on the Lelit Victoria.

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Understanding Espresso Pressure

Espresso pressure refers to the force used to push hot water through compacted coffee grounds in the portafilter. The widely accepted standard for balanced espresso extraction is around 9 bars at the group head.

The Lelit Victoria features a built-in pressure gauge (manometer) on the front panel. During extraction, this gauge shows real-time brew pressure. If your machine consistently reads much higher (11–12 bars) or lower (6–7 bars), flavour clarity and balance can suffer.

Correct pressure helps achieve:

• Even extraction across the coffee puck
• Improved sweetness and body
• Reduced bitterness and channeling

How Pressure Is Controlled on the Lelit Victoria

The Lelit Victoria regulates brew pressure using an Over-Pressure Valve (OPV). The OPV releases excess water back into the reservoir once a set pressure limit is reached, protecting both the coffee puck and the internal pump.

Adjusting the OPV changes the maximum pressure the machine can produce during extraction.

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Step-by-Step: Adjusting the OPV on a Lelit Victoria

Important safety note: Always switch the machine off, unplug it from power, and allow it to cool completely before opening or adjusting any components.

1. Locate the OPV
   The OPV is usually a brass fitting located near the top-rear of the machine. Refer to your Lelit Victoria manual for an exact diagram.
2. Prepare the tools
   You will need:
   • A blind (backflush) basket
   • The portafilter
   • A correctly sized wrench or spanner
3. Heat the machine
   Reconnect power and allow the machine to fully heat to operating temperature.
4. Run a pressure test
   Insert the blind basket into the portafilter, lock it into the group head, and activate the brew switch. Pressure will rise and stabilise.
5. Read the gauge
   Observe where the needle settles. This is your current maximum brew pressure.
6. Adjust the OPV
   • Turn counter-clockwise to reduce pressure
   • Turn clockwise to increase pressure
   • Make very small adjustments (¼ turn at a time)
7. Repeat and confirm
   Run the pump again after each adjustment until pressure consistently settles close to 9 bars.

Should You Adjust It Yourself?

While OPV adjustment is mechanically simple, not every owner feels comfortable working inside their espresso machine—and that’s completely reasonable. Incorrect adjustment, poor water quality, or underlying pump issues can all affect results.

If you are unsure, professional calibration is the safest option.

Professional Calibration & Servicing at Di Pacci Coffee Company

At Di Pacci Coffee Company, pressure adjustment is never treated as a standalone tweak. When a Lelit Victoria is calibrated by our technicians, we:

• Check pump health and pressure consistency
• Inspect the group head and solenoid valve
• Confirm flow rate and temperature stability
• Ensure long-term reliability, not just a number on the gauge

This ownership-focused approach helps prevent premature wear and ensures your machine performs as intended for years—not just today.

Final Thoughts

Understanding and controlling brew pressure is a key milestone in becoming a confident home barista. Whether you choose to adjust the OPV yourself or rely on professional servicing, knowing how your Lelit Victoria behaves under pressure will directly improve your espresso quality.

When in doubt, expert support is always the smarter long-term choice—for both flavour and machine longevity.