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Passion. Precision. Perfection. The Krups heritage of German engineered coffee machines and food preparation appliances provides clear functional, rigorous design at the highest level of technical perfection, performance and quality. Working with leading European designers, the product series also represents the newest European designs yet maintains the rigorous and clearly functional characteristics synonymous with Krups products. Designed and built for those who continuously seek out new gourm...
- 1200-watt espresso machine with Thermobloc 15-bar pump system
- Filter holder with 3 interchangeable inserts hold single, double, or E.S.E. pods
- Easily transition from brewing espresso to frothing milk with large, metal, selector dial
- Steam nozzle; 32-ounce removable water tank; stainless-steel drip tray; cup-warming tray
- Measures 9-1/2 by 9-2/3 by 12-1/4 inches; 1-year limited warranty
This give to us some advantages, like this :
1. It seems fine to me.
Well, I don't usually review products...cause some people who do are either way too passionate about their foam, or their kitchen or their whatever....and I don't care to be lumped into the whole lot.
Anyway, I just got the machine. I'm a darn tough person to please, and I'm fairly pleased. No hassles really. Made good n' hot lattes etc. no problem frothing milk etc. My only hangup is that there is no little lever or something to hold down the filter when cleaning the coffee out of it. I used to hold my old one down with my thumb and hit it against something to jar out the used coffee grounds.
The unit is really heavy, which tells me there is something inside...not just a $100 piece of plastic. Compared to my old Krups pump model, it is much more solid, heats everything more quickly and is easier to use than expected.
Let's face it. Anyone taking time to go through the hassle to actually make cappucinos at home is too spoiled for their own good anyway...
2. Very pleased so far
I picked up the machine this weekend after thumbing my nose at espresso machines for years. What I never realized is that I had been trying steam machines and the coffee the came out of them was HORRENDOUS.
I've been using a stove top model prior to buying the Krups XP4000. I brought it back with me from Italy but the aluminum quickly broke down and the taste was extremely variable and certainly nothing like what I could in an italian coffee bar.
After doing my reserach I realized that a pump machine was the way to go! Yes, they are noisey, but at this price point, I'm not sure you're going to find whisper quiet anywhere! I've seen home machines that go up to $2,000!
Anyway, I'm using grounds that I brought back from Sicily with me and it's absolutely delicious. Because of the vibration from the pump, though, I would recommend that you brew into a larger cup and then pour into smaller (warmed) cups. Otherwise you have to hold the cups in place to stop...
Need more appointment... ?
Some Design issues, but overall good for the price
Let's face it, if you want a professional machine, you are going to pay for it. This is a pretty good compromise. Overall this machine works consistantly well with both ground espresso and ESE pods. The coffee that comes out is as good (and some people have even said better) than what you get in most coffee shops. The unit heats quickly.
There are a couple of REALLY annoying design issues though:
1) The filters have a double bottom design (I imagine to induce crema) with one tiny pinhole where the espresso passes through. The problem: These get plugged up after about a month of use, even with regular washing... I am still searching for a good solution.
2) The drip tray is awkward to empty and has to be emptied regularly... don't put this unit somewhere that can't get wet.
3) The milk frother is so/so... takes a long time and WARNING: can detach when you turn on the steam if you have not completely attached it to the tube, or if you touch...
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