Krups XP1020 Espresso Maker

I have used my espresso machine daily (more than once a day) for over a year and have had NO problems with breakage of parts. The espresso is rich and tasty. The frother works perfectly and I couldn't ask for a better machine for the price. I use filtered water and do tamp the coffee. No leakage and no blockage. I clean the milk off the plastic and metal wand immediately after use and then let the remainder of the steam spew through. It's not a heavy duty product, but treated with care I expect it to last a long time. This good little machine makes my mornings.

at first i loved this machine i used it all the time. then...the top that seals in the water broke. so for about 4 months i couldnt steam milk or make expresso. i finaly went to the krups website and got a replacement top. well i ran the water through it just like im suposed to (since i didnt use it for a while) and then made my expresso...so far so good. but then i started steaming the milk and it was good just for a moment then pop something busted with the top AGAIN!!!!!!! so know im back to where i was before no expresso. i am not happy i will never ever ever buy this brand again.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

More than 1 year

My Experience With Using This Product:

Professional

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

any expresso

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

i worked at starbucks so i used theres. i know what im doing.

I am not sure why people have so many problems with this machine. It has worked perfect for me since the first use. I have had no coffee or milk spraying all over the place, and it produces a nice, strong, hot cup of espresso (although to the snobs, it is only true espresso if you have a pump style machine). It is relatively quick and low maintenance.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

It's easy, quick, and gives me a good boost the first thing in the morning.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I removed the plastic part from the steaming wand and it makes a thicker froth with fewer large bubbles in the steamed milk.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

espresso roast

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Maybe move the frothing wand so that it comes out more from the machine, and make the switch more sturday, although I have had no problems with either.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Krups IlPrimo, Krups xp 4030

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

Braun

After 1 1/2 yr my old reliable Krups died, but I blamed it on the hard water (FLA).My previous Mr Coffee worked for 3 yrs, but hard water again clogged it. I purchased this Krups model at Crate & Barrel & followed directions exactly (Plus, I already had experience w/the very similar Krups model). First use: coffee, steam, yukky mess all over counter, cabinets, floor. I returned to Crate & Barrel for exchange. Then tried the 2nd Krups. Same results unless I turned it off after only 1/2 filled the small included carafe. Never mind the steamer - I was afraid of scalding myself (!) so I just quit while I was unscathed. Crate & Barrel refunded cheerfully. This is why brick & mortar stores are still better than purchasing by internet, imho. Lastly, I will never buy any product of krups again.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

NOTHING

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

STAY AWAY!

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

expresso grind Bustelo; Pilon

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Cut your losses and re-invent this. There IS a market for under $100 home expresso makers. And not those stupid pods!!! Suggest CRATE & BARREL DISCONTINUE or they will lose $$$$.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Krups; Mr. Coffee steam-driven expresso

The Type of Grinder I've Been Using:

n/a

The Make and Model of My Grinder:

n/a

We recently purchased a Krups XP1020 Espresso Machine after our old one (15 years?) finally gave up. We realize this model is at the bottom of Espresso barrel as far as price goes, but this thing is ridiculous! The frothing wand is ineffective and is so close to the body of the machine that it's nearly impossible to properly place your frothing container. But the really entertaining thing about this machine is when pressure begins to build and you start to see steam, water and coffee spit out all over your kitchen. The on/off/steam control knob is flimsy. All handles and the carafe lid are so light weight they may as well be made of paper mache. The first time we called the Krups customer service reps and explained the problems with the machine we were told there's nothing wrong and we just aren't supposed to tamp the coffee. When we replied that you can't make espresso with out tamping the coffee and Krups own instruction manual tells you to tamp the coffee, she said the manual had been changed and now instructs not to tamp. SHE MUST THINK WE ARE IDIOTS!! Come to think of it maybe we are idiots for buying this model, but the old model worked so well for so long. When calling and talking to a second Krups rep, she wanted the name of the original rep that told us the first line of garbage (not to tamp). Then we were told to send it in for repair and are now in the middle of that process. Today we found out they are sending us a new espresso maker of this same crap model Apparently it's so cheap that it's more cost effective to send us another one instead of repairing the original. So we assume that these machines aren't built well enough to repair. Needless to say, we're assuming that this won't last us very long.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Absolutely Nothing

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Don't purchase, look for a higher quality unit

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Everything

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Krups 963

I followed the directions to test the steam pressure of my new machine with clear water. Then attempted to make espresson. Keep in mind that I have successfully operationed my old similar Krupps steam expresso maker for many many years. The XP1030 exploded coffee all over my kitchen and my clothes. Had I not moved slightly away from my machine, I would have been seriously injured. I suspect that a gasget or something was flawed. Although I loved my old Krups steam machine, I will never trust a Krups steam machine again. VERY DANGEROUS!

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

I used a similar Krups (vintage 1990s) for many year. Was happy with it until the steam wand tip broke. This was a replacement

It makes a good cup of espresso,but when it comes to frothing the milk for a cappuccino ,it stinks. The frothing wand is too-too close to the machine, which makes it difficult and awkward when trying to froth the milk. I am going to upgrade to a better machine.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

It's small and compact.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

espresso can ground

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Move the frothing wand out to the side more and make the wand longer,so it can get to the bottom of the frothing pitcher.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

none

The Krups Allegro is my first expresso maker. It makes a very good cup of coffee and is very easy to use; however, two plastic parts that are essential to the machine broke within the first month of use. The plastic steamer attachement (sleeve) split and I found that a replacement part costs $17.00 plus shipping - might as well by a new expresso maker! I've taped it back together and it still works, but is not very pretty. Also, a plastic tab on the plastic decanter lid broke, and now the lid falls off when you pour coffee out of the decanter - not very elegant. The steamer plugged up once. I did not know why it was not working, but a toothpick cleaned out the nozzle and now it works fine.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Very simple design.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

After steaming the milk, I clean the metal nozzle immediately and when the coffee is almost done brewing, I switch back to the steamer for a second to blow steam through the nozzle and assure it is not plugged for the next time.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

The plastic parts need to be reengineered so that they do not break so easy.

This Krups machine proved to be a reliable, simple espresso maker, the first one lasted four years. However, the next one lasted only a few months, maybe six; the steamer went out: the third and last one I purchased lasted only two uses, the problem again was the steamer.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

More than 1 year

What's Best About this Product?

I like that it is user friendly, small, inexpensive, and made a good cup of coffee.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

The metal parts that once were should be reinstated.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Professional

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

The engineering changed over the years since the mid ninties and I think that those changes infact altered the machines ability to produce steam properly. Hence, the steaming feature must be re-designed.