Remember the small steam espresso machines from Krups some 25 years ago? They really paved the way for home espresso machines. It's come a long way from the only option being stovetop (moka)pots made popular in the 1930s. This unit is perfect for those that want some of the perks of a machine costing much more, and don't care if the machine lacks some of the customization obtained by the pricey machines. I'm really happy about the universal filter holder, no more switching inserts for pods. If you are super fussy (and this is a good tip for any coffee device with plastic/rubber/silicone parts), wash the filter using only UN-scented dish soap.It has a 'Thermo-block' system, which is an insulated block chamber (as opposed to a boiler)so your temps will be more constant and it's a more 'heat on demand' process. Probably more energy efficient but that's just my guess. It has a 15 bar pump, a 'bar' is a measure of pressure...and 15 bars of pressure will force quite nicely. I think those early steam ones had only 3 or 4 bars of pressure!
This is a VERY easy machine once you have a few draws under your belt.
If you have any questions about this unit, please feel free to leave a comment. I love drinking and learning/talking about coffee, so ask anything or educate me!
UPDATE: Every espresso machine has it's own personality, and after pulling quite a few shots and frothing gallons of milk, the XP6010, and my PARTICULAR XP6010 is no different. I've found that if down to the minimum level of water in the tank, 99% of the time it will need more water and a quick priming. If left on for a long time, it needs a quick prime before my next shot. To prime, one simply releases a bit of water from the steam nozzle, so it's not a big deal, but it is indeed one of the quirks.
One other thing about this machine that has me in absolute awe...what the heck is the nozzle make of? I've has a home espresso machine of one brand or another for nearly 30 years, and never has a nozzle been so easy to clean. Looks like stainless, feels like stainless, cleans like teflon.
Oh, and a very nice gent asked about the handle, please click the 'comments' and read on. It seems hard to lock in place, but the reality is that this machine is light so one needs a bit of leverage.
First, the things I love about the machine: easy to use, easy to clean, relatively easy to understand, and gives me good-tasting espresso for americano or latte/cappuccino.
Things I had to learn: don't overfill the basket/portafilter, and if you're making a latte do the espresso before the milkthe machine takes forever to heat up for espresso after doing steam.
Things I was nervous about but have turned out to be fine: I was really looking for more control of the steamI'm used to bigger machines with a knob for steam, but the one-setting steam on this machine comes out just fine. The foam is a little more bubbly than I would like, but I'm not a foam snob so it doesn't bother me. I was also nervous about the precise-tamp feature, but that's a-ok, too! The shot comes out nicely and you can see three distinct layers of color as it pulls and then settles to two colors (dark espresso and light crema). I wasn't sure exactly how much space I would have to put a mug under the portafilter, but most of my mugs fit. I also bought a little shot glass to hold the espresso if I'm using a larger mug and that is working great.
Other thoughts: If you've never had an espresso machine before, they're all noisy. I read some reviews about this one saying it was too loud, but compared to my last one (which was in the >$50 range) it purrs like a kitten. It is not as loud as some. I haven't done a deep clean on this machine yet, but I'm confident I will be able to take it apart and put it back together easily because I can see where the screws are on the basket and group head. I have only had it about a month and plan to deep clean monthly to bi-monthly. I make sure to flush the group head and steam wand after each usethis is very important to keep the machine running well. I don't use the mug warmer featureI usually warm up my mug with hot water and then place it on top of the machine.
In closing, if you read the instruction manual fully before use, follow the instructions, clean the water tank + group head + portafilter/basket + steam wand regularly, this machine should produce good results for you. I am very happy with it! I am having so much fun using this KRUPS XP601050!!! Our household has been using several different versions of Keurig the past few years and I have been wanting to try one of these machines for some time now.
It arrived well packaged and easy to extricate from the box with instructions written in a way it was easy to first-time clean and set up.
Getting comfortable using it was another story, however! I really should have done a "What Not To Do" first-time users video because if it was possible to do, I did it and with some rather messy results! Then I got the hang of it as they say and the more I did, the more I was enjoying it.
I am probably one of the few people who has never entered a ****bucks shop or any other name for that matter. I just have never felt the need, but have always been curious. Well, now I understand! I still won't go into those shops and now I don't have to!
I have found the KRUPS to be easy to use, easy to clean and it does look attractive on either a movable kitchen cart or sitting on the counter. I actually have mine on the counter next to the large Platinum Keurig which is next to a Cuisinart 14 cup drip coffee maker. I find each has it's own time depending upon the mood of the maker :)This is the second Krups espresso machine I've owned. My first one lasted 15 years, so I'm hoping this one will go the distance, too.
This one pulls a tasty espresso shot, and it's easy to use.
I agree with others when they say you *have* to read the manual first. It's not the most well-written manual, and is a tad confusing. Sometimes the manual says to wait until a light is "on" when they mean "off." Basically, what you need to know is that when the temperature light is on, the unit is still warming up. When it's off, it's ready to go. (BTW, it only takes a minute to warmup.)
Yes, you have to prime it before the first time you use it. Not a big deal -it just means filling up the water tank and running hot water through the wand into an empty cup for 1/4 of the tank, then running hot water through the main head (without the portafilter in place) for the other 3/4 of the tank.
Also, don't forget to wash and rinse the portafilter and baskets first -otherwise your first cup will taste metallic and weird because the machine is, after all, fresh from the factory. I forgot to wash the smaller filter and made a shot and found out they're not kidding when they say to wash it, because the shot did indeed taste weird. Operator error.
Another caveat, when I first tried to use it, the machine made a horrible sound an wouldn't produce results. It took me a minute to realize the water tank was not pushed all the way in. There's no satisfying click or any way to tell the water tank is seated, you just have to push it in all the way. It's my fault for not noticing, though.
I drink what I've come to find is called a "lungo," which is where you pull an espresso shot at least twice as long as normal ( I usually go for 3 times as long). Basically, it comes out like a stronger version of drip coffee. I came up with this because I like a stronger coffee. That's what I used my other machine for, and this one doesn't disappoint. It definitely makes it with hot enough water to make this type of coffee work. In fact, I actually have to wait a minute or so for the coffee to cool down before I drink it.
Anyway, it's a great machine and makes a great coffee. I was going to deduct a star because (a) the manual is terribly written, and (b) the filter is a bit difficult to remove for cleaning, but then I decided these are minor quibbles. After all, we all have our quirks, and it's the end result that matters. And this solidly built machine satisfies in all the important ways: makes great coffee, easy to use, and looks pretty spiffy on the counter.
Great coffee makes life worth living, and this looks like another Krups workhorse that should power my sleepy self for another 15 years.
EDIT: After a week of use, the filter is much easier to remove now -I guess it just needed breaking in. I've made 20 cups of coffee from this machine and I appreciate it even more now. How does it heat up for use within only 1 minute of being turned on? It's ready to go by the the time I grind the beans. I'm loving this machine. With all the things that can go wrong in life, knowing I have a machine that makes my coffee well somehow brings me comfort. It may sound silly to rhapsodize over an espresso machine, but those who love their great cuppa joe will empathize.
I found another little quirk: if you leave the machine on too long, it goes into standby mode. Even though the power is on, it won't start. You have to just turn it off and then on again, then it wakes back up. We're a 2-3 cup a day coffee household. This doesn't include all of the weekly trips to the coffee shop while at work for more specialized drinks. Prior to getting this espresso maker we simply brewed flavored coffee at home with cheap and disposable coffee makers. We were of course overjoyed to welcome the KRUPS XP601050 Manual Pump Espresso Machine with Thermoblock system, Stainless Steam and Die Cast into our kitchen. Here are my thoughts;
Pros
+ Beautiful stainless steel finish and modern design.
+ Able to use flavored coffee, something many high end machines do not allow.
+ Reasonably priced.
+ Frothing wand is easy to detach and clean.
+ Steamer nozzle also dispenses hot water for tea/hot chocolate drinkers.
+ Extremely quick brew time. Less than 2 minutes.
+ Unit enters sleep/standby mode after 30 minutes if left on.
Cons
Stability of machine feels a bit wobbly when you try to move it around. The front tray comes off much too easily.
After warming up the top of the machine can be extremely hot to the touch in many places. I've burnt myself a few times attempting to move the machine to get larger sized coffee mugs into the brewing area and under the frothing wand.
Coffee handle takes quite a bit of strength to lock into place or remove.
Like most espresso machines, it's noisy when using the frothing wand which can be an issue in the morning.
In the beginning, frothed drinks have a horrible chemical plastic smell/taste even after the water basin is cleaned initially. This smell/taste does go away in time.
Frother is rather rigid and has limited flexibility. It's also difficult to use on a counter top, especially with larger mugs. You need to have it on the counter edge to even get a larger cup under or out. Unless you remove the reservoir tray you need to tip or life the machine which is dangerous when it's hot.
Some pieces of the machine are plastic (parts of the frother etc.). I would prefer them to be metal as the plastic feels like it could crack from the heat.
No auto-off feature if you leave it on as the power switch is manual.
Water dispenser tray platform is a bit too large making it extremely impractical for larger coffee mugs. This makes everything a bit cumbersome to use.
Made in China (not Germany or France like many of the higher end espresso machines).
No timer on the frother.
The KRUPS XP601050 Manual Pump Espresso Machine with Thermoblock system, Stainless Steam and Die Cast is an extremely functional entry level espresso machine. Many of the higher end coffee/espresso machines cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. This Krups model is perfect for those who wish to enjoy a nice cup of coffee or espresso without breaking the bank. This machine does everything it's supposed to and for the most part does it well. Overall, despite some minor concerns this is a very solid machine and our household get many years use out of it.
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