After OVER 15 years my former Krups espresso machine finally lost its seal and had to be replaced. YES! 15 years of excellent home made espresso (and saving money over buying from the coffee shop that is on every corner - and Mines better!). This replacement has metal detailing that I could live without, but my most important advice is to get rid of the black tube cover on the steam attachment. The first two times I made espresso with this machine with the black attachment on the steam - it foamed not frothed and milk was EVERYWHERE! Removed the plastic cover and no problems. It is very important that you clean milk from the steam attachment thoroughly each time you use it. You will have to remove the black attachment anyway or have trapped milk froth there. My other advice is you must have a metal frothing pitcher if you want foam. I just started using a thermometer for the milk. I'm hoping this one lasts like the last one. In any case, saving $5 over the commercial coffee store drink means it pays for itself in 11 drinks. Buying my own syrups (and whipped cream) means I can make just about any drink the big chain coffee stores make (and sometimes sugarless). We buy Torani syrups. So if you decide to become your own barrista, Enjoy! New 20 oz Espresso Coffee Milk Frothing Pitcher, Stainless Steel Rattleware 20-Ounce Latte Art Milk Frothing Pitcher Taylor Classic Cappuccino Frothing Dial Thermometer Read more
I paid 59.99 (!) for this machine, have had it for almost a year now, use it every day, and it still works perfectly. I've read a couple of reviewers saying the machine 'blew up' the first time they used it. I suspect this is user error. This machine is so simple, it could be from the 19th century. Basically, you pour water in the tank, the water gets heated, and the pressure/steam can be directed out of one of three places: through the coffee spout, the steamer nozzle, or from the tank (if you loosen the cap-and ONLY choose that option if you've already released some pressure via the steamer nozzle). If your heated water does not have one of those escape routes, then yes, the machine will probably explode (I've laid out the basic principle, but DO read the directions). Anyway, the carafe broke, as predicted (very thin glass with a long handle...I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did). And the little symbols (coffee, steam, off/on) have worn off the knob, but it only has three settings (one turn forward, back, or in the middle), so no problem there. Truth be told, I think this machine actually works better after prolonged use (maybe there's a break-in period, who knows). I liken it to really bare-bones base-model cars that are built to run FOREVER, so that when you finally decide to upgrade, you have brand loyalty. Oh, and, I taught my hubby how to make lattes, and he makes me one every Saturday morning. Totally worth the money! All told, this machine is a simple little workhorse that does what it's supposed to do for a ridiculously low sum of money. Get one and quit blowing your hard-earned cash at Starbucks. Read more
I'm a repeat customer of Krups products and previously owned another Espresso maker by them model Bravo 871-42 and was quite pleased with it for last five years until the seal wore out. Krups quality is usually very good but this time I'm disappointed with their replacement Espresso maker product XP1020. They seem to have skimped on quality this time around. The On-Off switch combination is a rotary dial type instead on the positive feeling click on-off like a light switch in the earlier model. It gave me a positive tactile feel plus an ON/OFF light to indicate immediate status. The XP1020 is slightly larger than my previous product making it slightly less portable and that is important to me because I travel and like to bring my espresso maker with me wherever I go. The metal trim looks cheap and I don't think it will wear as well as the solid plastic of my previous model. All said and done I'd still buy from Krups, just not this item. Read more
I have been a fan of Krups cappucino machines for years and even though they don't last long ( I use mine every day), they have always made a nice cup of espresso with good capability to foam milk. This machine was an exception and extreme disappointment. First, it looks and feels cheaply made. The button to switch from off to on to steam is hard to manipulate and so stiff you can barely turn it. The foamer is weak as well. I don't know if KRUPs has gone down hill or this particular model is a bad one, but I almost returned it. I should have. Read more
This machine has a tank that pressurizes. It pushes pure steam through the coffee instead of just hot water. It makes fantastic coffee. If you fill it with water to the top and pack the coffee holder tight, You may have trouble. I have found that if you fill the water to the second mark (2 person) fill the coffee holder half to 3/4 full and tamp it very lightly, you will have no trouble. I bought an older one at a garage sale, filled it up with water and packed the coffee. It blew coffee everywhere. The gasket was old and weak. I found I could order replacements from Krups for less than $3 dollars. I ordered 4.I buy only from strictlyorganic.com and I buy their Organic Sunnyside Espress in the Espresso grind. I buy 6 pounds at a time to save on shipping. If you can beat it, tell me how. I bought a new one from Amazon and put it in my camper. Read more
