FrancisFrancis! X7 iperEspresso Machines

by Francis Francis

Product Features

• Pump-driven espresso machine that exclusively uses Illy coffee capsules
• 2-stage brewing process ensures full-bodied aromatic coffee with crema
• User-friendly control panel offers oversized backlit buttons and helpful icons
• 1-touch brewing with auto-stop; steam wand; 40-ounce removable water tank
• Measures 11 by 11 by 12-1/2 inches; 1-year warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 12.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 22 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00190J6X2
• Item model number: 207003
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,113 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Color: Black

Amazon.com Product Description

Combining state-of-the-art technology with strikingly good looks, this easy-to-use espresso machine produces cafe-quality espresso, cappuccino, and other favorite coffee drinks from the comfort of home. Simply insert an Illy coffee capsule, which contains a 7-gram serving of pre-ground and tamped espresso, and the machine takes care of the rest--no need to learn how to measure, grind, or tamp. The unit provides a unique two-stage brewing process that ensures smooth, full-bodied and intensely aromatic coffee with long-lasting crema. First, the machine pierces the capsule, and then it injects hot water under ultra-high pressure into the grounds for optimal, uniform brewing conditions. The second stage forces coffee through a valve at the bottom of the capsule, mixing the espresso with air to produce a long-lasting layer of golden crema. Choose from dark roast, medium roast, and decaf capsules.

The machine also features a user-friendly control panel with oversized backlit buttons, helpful icons, and audible signals; a one-touch brewing cycle with an auto-stop function; and a steam wand for making cappuccino or for heating water to make tea, an Americano, or hot cocoa. Other highlights include a 40-ounce removable water reservoir, a brass boiler for thermal stability, a 15-bar pump, bronze fittings, pressure-resistant plastic pipes, and a cup warmer with a metal ring to keep cups in place. Decalcification solution and a detailed instruction manual are included. With a visually stunning design by Italian architect Luca Trazzi, the espresso machine measures 11 by 11 by 12-1/2 inches and carries a one-year warranty.

Product Description

The X7 machines uses the new revolutionary iperEspresso Method to prepare espresso. Hyper Espresso is a unique and innovative two-stage process. The first is hyper infusion. The is followed by emulsion, resulting in a thick, velvety crema and full-bodied espresso.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who needs expensive and complicated machines - this one is PERFECT!, October 7, 2008

By 

Eric J. Robertson "media veteran" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: FrancisFrancis! X7 iperEspresso Machines (Kitchen)

I'll try not to gush too much - first the basics:
The machine is a little bigger than a traditional drip machine. Not too big for small kitchens. It's very good looking even though the body is plastic. The metal accents, trim, and face look truly high end. Operation is a breeze. Fill the side reservoir, insert a capsule in the handle, and push the button. Less than 30 seconds later you have a perfect shot. PERFECT EVERY TIME. For steam, you push the steam button, wait a few seconds, then voila! If you want to switch back to coffee then you need to know a secret not published in the manual. Rather than switching back with the button and waiting for a few minutes, you push the button and then release the remaining steam by turning the knob. With this method it only takes about 45 seconds to go back to regular coffee making.
Cleanup is simple because there is no exposed coffee grounds. The capsule remains intact and you just throw it away. Too bad it's not recyclable without emptying out the coffee (which is a pain). We just throw ours away.
The buttons and knobs have a nice rubber coating and feel great to the touch. When turned on the machine makes a gentle "beep" to let you know it's up to temperature.
Prior to this machine, I've had a bigger Faema manual machine as well as a Gaggia. I always assumed that service such as replacing seals was a given. This machine does not require any regular servicing. Amazing!
So, when we first started shopping - I was ready to spend at least $1200 to get a super automatic machine. I even considered the Automatic / separate grinder combo. But after tasting the coffee in a Sur La Table store, we were sold on the simplicity of the Illy machine. A $1500 machine did not taste any better - and was HUGE on the counter.
So, if truly great coffee, simple use, minimal cleanup, low cost, no maintenance, and an attractive modern looking machine are in the cards for you - this machine is perfect!!!

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good for espresso, bad for steaming milk (and customer service), November 14, 2008

By 

T. Wilhelm (Royal Oak, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FrancisFrancis! X7 iperEspresso Machines (Kitchen)

I've been a faithful FrancisFrancis user for years. I loved my X1, but it needed repairs. Since Francis Francis has been taken over by Illy, their customer service has become nonexistent, so I haven't been able to get the parts I need to fix it.

I was excited by the new iperespresso capsules, so I decided to go with the X7. The espresso is as good as advertised. But my wife and I each make a latte every morning. This machine, however, is very reluctant to switch modes between brewing and steaming. It's not uncommon to wait five minutes between pulling the shot and the machine deciding it's ready to steam the milk. This doesn't sound terrible, but the espresso is sitting out all this time, and I'm getting late for work.

The machine produces good results, especially the espresso. It's just frustrating to deal with the waiting. I've tried to contact the company to see if there was any sort of work around for this problem, but as stated above, FrancisFrancis's once wonderful customer service has dropped off the face of the Earth now that Illy runs things.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best home espresso yet, September 25, 2008

By 

Martin L. Freifeld "Martin F." (Dallas, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FrancisFrancis! X7 iperEspresso Machines (Kitchen)

After living in Paris for 7 years, I have been searching for over 20 years for a machine that can duplicate the espresso served in bars in Italy & France. Needless to say, I have purchased many machines over the years, and they have all fallen short.
This machine arrived yesterday, and it produces espresso that in my opinion is identical to that served in a bar in Italy. I just returned from 2 months in Italy, so the "true" taste, aroma, crema and overall sensation of espresso served in Italy is fresh in my mind. Word of caution - I have never gotten such an extreme 'buzz' from a cup of espresso.
This is the greatest! Highly recommended.

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