Francis Francis X7 Espresso Machine for Easy Serving Espresso and Ground Coffee

This is my second Francis Francis X7 the first one I returned due to leaking (it was leaking immediately when I first used it). The second one did not even make it a full year before it started to leak above the brew head (where it bolts to the machine). illy customer service has been less than responsive. I called them about the first machine and about a reset issues I had after cleaning the second machine. Every time I call the person I speak with doesn't even seem to know anything about the machine. When I told them I sent the warranty card in I was told "we still need the proof of purchase because we may have lost your warranty card" ....WHAT? Really? Thankfully a proof of purchase is easy to come by when you use Amazon. I would not recommend anyone buying this machine, mainly because illy's customer service is awful and for the price this machine does not hold up.

I was very disappointed that after paying $495 for this machine it broke just 10 months later. When the decalcification light came on I followed the instructions and the machine wouldn't decalcify and stopped functioning. I returned it to the manufacturer for a warranty exchange and received a new machine. The new machine did the exact same thing the first time I ran the decalcification cycle. The customer service rep at the iLLy 1-800# told me her sister had purchased the same machine and had similar problems, so she just ignored the decalcification warning light and continued to use it. I told the rep that that voided the warranty according to the instructions and for $495 I wanted a machine that worked. She agreed to exchange my machine for a refurbished unit. I received the refurbished unit and it worked fine for a while, then it stopped functioning. It overheated and water would not pass through. This time when I called iLLy customer service I was told that since the warranty had expired they could not help me and they referred me to their authorized post warranty service provider. The authorized post warranty service provider told me it would cost a minimum of $120 plus shipping for them to examine the machine and make repairs, and that was the minimum fee even if it was determined to be unrepairable. I decided it was not worth it given the likelihood that it will break again soon. I consider this completely unacceptable for a $495 espresso machine.

On the good side, it did make good espresso when it worked.

Buy Francis Francis X7 Espresso Machine for Easy Serving Espresso and Ground Coffee Now

Looks great in kitchen and after a bit of trial and error trying different makes of ground espresso coffee I can get a decent espresso using the ground coffee holder. The ESE pod holder on the other hand has been a pain from day one I use Illy's own ESE pods but nearly every time I do, hot water and steam sprays out from behind the pod holder head.

Read Best Reviews of Francis Francis X7 Espresso Machine for Easy Serving Espresso and Ground Coffee Here

There isn't much to say the product we received had a large water leak at the brewhead and was returned. It's disappointing that this condition wasn't caught by the manufacturer.

Want Francis Francis X7 Espresso Machine for Easy Serving Espresso and Ground Coffee Discount?

La Pavoni Stradavari Espresso Machines

Update: At the three year mark, the heating elements on my machine failed. Repair costs TBD. If it's a write off, I estimate my service life equipment cost to have been right around a buck a shot. I had hoped for better longevity from a simple, expensively over-built machine. My initial rating was five stars, which I now reduce to three. Original review follows, with updates noted:

I have owned the 16-cup La Pavoni Stradivari model for about six months. I purchased it through Seattle Coffee Gear, a nearby dealer and repair shop I have come to trust. My wife and I use the machine at home for 4-6 Americanos or lattes per day.

My machine arrived in good order and was easy to set up. Per directions, I ran a tank of water with baking soda through initially, and set up the steamer with the venturi frothing attachment. There's a lot about this machine I like: its small footprint and steamship-era aesthetics, sturdiness and perpetual maintainability, silent operation, and the ability to pull an absolutely perfect shot. The venturi frother is a black plastic gizmo with a silicon tube to put into the milk to be frothed. Turning on the steam draws the milk into the frother and deposits the result directly into a cup. The result is hot and tasty, but with bubbles not quite fine or consistent enough for "coffee art", which doesn't really matter to me. Update: when the feeder tube from the Venturi frother became uncleanable I switched to the traditional wand and figured out how to use it. I like the finer foam it produces much better.

Here are some tips on use of the machine:

Raising the pump handle up opens the pump assembly to the water tank. Steam pressure then drives water into the pump. Depressing the lever pushes the water through the puck and into the cup.

If the pump and the filter are not hot before you compress the grounds into the filter assembly, the metal of the filter cup may expand when you operate the pump, allowing some water to go around the puck. Ways to mitigate this problem are: let the machine warm with filter assembly attached for 15-20 minutes; run 2-3 shots through an empty filter; or put hot water in a cup and soak the pump head until it warms up (doing the same for the filter assembly). In any event, this problem goes away after the first shot.

Experiment with your grind until you find one that allows expression of the shot with moderate pressure on the pump handle for between five and ten seconds. I use a Capresso conical burr grinder set on the coarsest of the "extra fine" settings. If you're foolish enough to blow a grand on an expresso maker, spend a little extra to buy a heavy stainless tamper of the appropriate size as well. It will make forming the puck much easier.

Per the instructions, when you raise the pump handle to let water into the pump, pause a few seconds or until coffee first drips from the filter assembly, then pull the shot. The pause moistens the puck and results in vast amounts of rich, deep caramel-colored crema. You can't replicate this step with an electric pump machine, and I believe it makes an important difference in the result. Update: Actually, Breville's new unit is supposed to do this for you.

Wait a short while after pulling a shot before removing the filter assembly, to allow pressure to dissipate. If you're impatient, you can blow grounds all over the counter. The harder the pull, the longer the required wait.

Be sure to rinse the frother right after using it to keep milk solids from clogging it. If it clogs, run a cup of 50%-diluted white vinegar through it, followed by a cup of water.

These steps are easy to master and the result is truly worthwhile.

This machine is exactly what I expected, pulls beautiful shots, but not without some patient troubleshooting. You MUST use an adjustable burr grinder and learn the art of grinding, tamping and pulling the shot. There are some good videos on youtube on this machine.

However, the plastic tray that catches any spilled espresso was either broken out of the box, or broke during its first cleaning. It is made of gossamer plastic, and cracked right away.

Also of concern, the base of the unit (Stradivarius) appears to be plastic covered with a chrome looking finish. It sure looks like metal in the pictures, and for a machine that costs as much as this one does, I would expect the base to be metal. Unfortunately, when you pull a shot, the plastic base flexes, and after only a few weeks, I have noticed some cracks on the base unit just to the right of the boiler. I think older machines have metal bases, and I would definitely try to get an older metal base machine if I could do it over.

And some oddities, the filter basket tightens to the left. The on light is red, while the heating light is green (seems they should be the other way around). My machine hovers around .75 bar, which seems low, but it still pulls beautiful crema.

Other than the plastic parts, this machine is great.

Buy La Pavoni Stradavari Espresso Machines Now

This machine was a great disappointment. I got this to replace a 70's Pavoni Europiccola that simply wore out. From the beginning the first cup of espresso is cold, unless you go though a ritual to get it hotter. The manufacturer said this was just the way it is now designed.

Then I noticed that after using it, there was a puddle of water underneath. La Pavoni sent me to Thomas Cara in San Francisco, and said he was their representative. HE curtly said he was NOT their representative. But he described a defect in the Stradivari design the heating element is made of stainless steel and the bottom fixture is brass so they cool at different rates and frequently leak like mine was doing. So there is no good fix for this $800 espresso maker.

Thankfully, Amazon has been very responsive in taking the unit back, and I expect a full refund. That part was easy.

La Pavoni ESW-8 Stradavari 8-Cup Espresso Machine, Chrome with Wood Handles

Read Best Reviews of La Pavoni Stradavari Espresso Machines Here

This machine is outstanding! That is, if you know how to manually pull shots. Apparently, some people want a fully automated espresso machine so do not get this if that is what your looking for. Once you get the hang of how it works, you will never want coffee from any store like charbucks or tully's...I lived in Italy for almost 2 years and this machine will produce better espresso than what I had over there, which was better than anything from a coffee shop in the US. If you get this machine get a conical burr grinder, and if you are serious about coffee, roast your own beans too. I have a Zassenhaus knee grinder, a Nesco professional coffee roaster, and I buy my green coffee beans from . Buying this machine with regular roasted beans from the store is not going to produce the best espresso and you should look at a cheaper machine if you are planning on doing so. Overall the machine looks beautiful on your counter and you will impress your friends with your at-home barista skills!

Want La Pavoni Stradavari Espresso Machines Discount?

It is the best in quality and function , highly recommend it,it makes the very best espresso that anyone could want.

Save 18% Off

Imusa Espresso Coffeemaker, 3 cup

Sorry I got this. The bottom bulges, so it doesn't sit flat, the insert for the coffee grounds has to be pried out with a screwdriver every time I use it. It's a junk Chinese-made stove-top espresso maker. Imusa has never been known for high quality, but it wasn't ever selling crap. This is crap. I'm ordering a Bialetti and tossing this out.

I bought many of these, in 3 sizes, about a year ago.

I think I paid about 1/2 of the $7 they're asking.

For the price I paid I'm happy enough with no

major complaint.

For example, you could complain, if you're a worrisome

person the fact that the coffee can drip away from

the lip of the pot when you pour it means you, really,

can't serve it up directly to someone.

You'll have to pour it into a cup over the sink.

Yep, seriously, that's a small problem.

Stains on the painted, top, area are there almost

immediately. The paint quality is OK but not

stain proof. Cleaning the painted area is only

done with, lye or, corrosive cleaners.

If the top is aluminum (it's hard to tell on this

item) then it won't stain.

I was confident, enough, to give on (1 cup size) as

a gift to a friend who likes espresso. That's why

I bought several of them.

Note: This review is about a 1 cup size. I have a

3 cup, or larger, size that I might review at another

time when I use it. It might not drip at the tip

when pouring.

The actual brewing is simple. Overheating the water

will cause sputtering and could cause drips of

espresso to get past the shut lid. I don't call this

a design failure, for the price, because once you're

aware of the chance of overheating you should set

your heat at the right spot.

I found that, for electric stove, heating the coil

to red hot and put the 1 cup size on the element

and I can after 10 seconds turn the element to

the lowest (warm) position and be confident my

water will be completely boiled (and coffee made)

but without overheating the bottom compartment and

the top causing a sputter of coffee.

I'm sure you can find this sweet, heating, spot too.

For the price, considering free shipping, it's as if

the item costs $4 or so. This puts it in the Dollar

Store category in my opinion.

It works. Nothing to break. And that's it.

Final note. I'm a materials scientist. I put a dab

of silicone glue on the screw when it was new.

I first removed the screw, put silicone on the

threads and tightened the screw to the top handle.

Then I put silicone over the screw head.

I did this for 2 reasons.

1. The head, if not stainless steel, will rust

from the acid in the coffee. The screw is almost

certainly stainless steel but I didn't want to

take a chance and I had silicone handy.

2. The threads into the plastic (Bakelite) handle

might have come loose. Metal into plastic doesn't

get loose and tightened very many times before the

plastic breaks. So 1 time to screw into plastic

is ensured by gluing the screw when you get it.

In 1 year I've had no problem with the screw or rust.

You could use epoxy for the above. Perhaps also a

vinyl cement could be used too but won't last as

long and might add a smell to your pot. The coffee

won't smell, probably, but I hate the smell of vinyl.

Enjoy the deal.

Buy Imusa Espresso Coffeemaker, 3 cup Now

Don't waste your money. Pay a few dollars more for the more "recognized" brand. This pot leaks hot coffee when poured. Won't even keep it around as a back-up.

Read Best Reviews of Imusa Espresso Coffeemaker, 3 cup Here

When you need to make real expresso coffee, this is the way to go. Easy to use and lasts a long time.

Want Imusa Espresso Coffeemaker, 3 cup Discount?

Intelligentsia Coffee Black Cat- Regular, Ground Espresso Machine Blend

Ever since my first stop at Intelligentsia in Chicago, I've really liked Intelligentsia black cat espresso.

It's ideal for my taste: sweet, rich, chocolatey, well-balanced acidity, great mouthfeel, wonderful thick dark crema. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm....

I don't have a good grinder at home, though, so I thought I'd try the pre-ground version.

It made fine shots, but not anywhere near as good as ground-right-before-brewing black cat. In fact, I think that the shots from the pre-ground black cat are not too different from some of the Lavazza pre-ground coffees (which are a fair bit cheaper).

So, if you have a good grinder, black cat is brilliant (but get the whole bean one, not pre-ground). If you don't have a good grinder, and you are buying pre-ground espresso, you might as well save a few bucks and get cheaper pre-ground coffee (and put the savings into your piggy bank for that future grinder purchase!).

Not great, not bad. Found some better local coffees that I'd rather have. Not bad if you don't have other choices.

Buy Intelligentsia Coffee Black Cat- Regular, Ground Espresso Machine Blend Now

I was very disappointed in this bean, but admit i might not be the target audience. I am used to dark black, rich beans like Peet and (sorry folks) Starbucks espresso. I found these beans light brown and unimpressive, a medium roast at best. Even using the aeropress, my results were sad, bordering on awful. Again, I won't contest the reviews of espresso experts but if like me you are used to a dark bean for espresso, proceed with caution.

Read Best Reviews of Intelligentsia Coffee Black Cat- Regular, Ground Espresso Machine Blend Here

Amazing quality product, the best I and my guests have ever tasted. coffee/espresso sales have actually quadrupiled.

Want Intelligentsia Coffee Black Cat- Regular, Ground Espresso Machine Blend Discount?

fast delivery, this espresso has a good flavor and is sweetend with a syrup and is pretty strong stuff will keep you up for awhile the only downfall is it is really fine ground so if you have a espresso maker it will get stuck in the filter real easy.

Coffee Pot Cleaner - Commercial Grade - 16.9 oz Bottle

It works great if used as directed

I used the product as directed. I found that it had no effect on the coffee pot or internal parts that I wanted to clean.

Buy Coffee Pot Cleaner - Commercial Grade - 16.9 oz Bottle Now

I have two very old coffee perculators and I want to keep them, but as they are very old, dating back to the 1960s and also the 1990s, they get full of coffee stains and mildew over the years. This cleaner got rid of it all, and it's wonderful again to make the morning coffee without aftertaste. Great find.

Read Best Reviews of Coffee Pot Cleaner - Commercial Grade - 16.9 oz Bottle Here

This product work great on glass coffee pots and easy to use, It is worth every penny and prove to hold is value .

Want Coffee Pot Cleaner - Commercial Grade - 16.9 oz Bottle Discount?

This coffee pot cleaner makes my coffee carafe shine like it was brand new. Put the cleaner into the pot, fill with very hot water, & let it soak for a while. Then, just lightly rub with a cleaning brush and rinse.