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The latest all metal model from Francis!Francis! Designed by Luca Trazzi.Featuring a brass boiler and a chrome plated brass brewing handle. Comes with both an ESC pod and ground coffee handle.FrancisFrancis! espresso machines aren't just a design dream aesthetically. They're also engineered to do much of the barista work for you, removing intimidation and trial-by-fire from the home espresso game. This fabulous-looking all-metal X5 model features a brass boiler and the Supercrema brewing system,...
- Pump-driven Supercrema brewing system with 18 bars of dynamic pressure
- Chrome-plated brass brewing handles maintain ideal temperature
- 48-ounce water tank with rear access; battery-powered clock on the front
- Includes both ESE pods and ground coffee handles
- Measures 10-1/4 by 8-1/4 by 11-1/4 inches
This Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines give to us some advantages, like this :
1. Good espresso, not so good machine
This machine makes a good cup of espresso, particularly from the Illy ground coffee (not the pods, in my opinion). But I have had inconsistent performance from the machine itself. It is temperamental, and after about five months of average use, it began to take 40 seconds to make a cup of espresso instead of 20-25, as it did in the beginning. The non ESE handle also got a little warped (no clue why; I did not drop it). And, and this is perhaps a big one, that cheap crappy clock on the front that looks so cool fell out. Kept falling out. There is nothing that secures that clock in there, and it is horribly made. I really wish they had left that thing out.
So it was under warranty and I sent it back to Francis Francis. 3 weeks later, I got it back and it doesn't appear that they changed ANYTHING about my machine. The work order claims they fixed gaskets, but I don't see a difference. They didn't even unpack the handles that they requested I send (they were still...
2. Tips for getting the most out of this machine
I was initially reluctant to get this model (through Illy's offer), and thought I had just been seduced by it's cool looks. I've had it for 4 years now, and I'm only now finally happy with it because I've finally learned that the mixed quality shots was my own fault, not the machine's.
It's a steep learning curve to make a good espresso, and I'm probably the worst espresso snob you can imagine. I wouldn't dream of drinking the stuff from the big well known chain. But once you've learned the tricks, this machine does a good job. I strongly recommend that you read up on wholelattelove's website and elsewhere for tips.
Here are some of mine:
-use bottled water!
-get your own burr grinder! It makes a world of a difference. I got the Baratza Maestro Plus. My shots were hit or miss for the longest time, but since I got my own grinder they are consitantly great. And grind just before each shot. I put it at the finest setting.
-experiment...
Need more appointment... ?
15 minutes out of the box, and I've got excellent espresso.
I am extremely pleased with this machine thus far. It came with the illy E.S.E. pods, as well as illy ground espresso and a different filter kit to use with ground coffee. I found the instructions easy to understand; set-up was very easy and quick. I had never made a cup of espresso in my life, and within 15 minutes I had a cup of espresso normal and had even steamed some milk to make a fabulous latte. I have the red machine, and it looks so sharp on my kitchen counter. The machine feels very solid, very well-made, and is designed to look good and work well (how Italian!). I read up a lot on this machine at wholelattelove.com, before choosing this particular one. Slate.com also gave it an excellent review.
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