Customer Reviews

Krups XP1020 750-Watt Steam Espresso Machine with 4-Cup Glass Carafe

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(46)

 

 

Do not understand why this item has so many bad reviews. It is not a bad machine!

My last expresso machine was also a Krups steam powered. Lasted for 13 years until it fell apart last week (the prssure valve inside broke). For my replacement machine, I was looking at fully automatic ones (Magnifica, $900), pump based (like cuisineart em-200, $200), and steam powered (like this item, $50). After reading all the review and knowing how pump based machine works, I decided not to go for them. The main reasons are they require a lot of maintenance and they can break down easily. I just do not want high pressure stuff in my house. If it breaks down, it may take a month or two to fix it. After warranty is over, it is more expensive to fix than buying a new one. I basically want a reliable espresso machine which can last 10 years with very little mainenance.

I typically makes a few shots in the morning as soon as I get up. I just do not see how pump based or full automatic machine can save me time. They require preheat which can take 1-5 minutes. For steam based ones, I just load up the coffee and water and wait. Both would give me pretty good espresso after 5-7 minutes.

As far as flavor goes, I do not really feel any difference between my cheap machine and starbucks/peet's coffee, given using the same coffee. I think good espresso got more to do with type of coffee then the machine. Started drinking espresso drinks heavily in college in 80s, I think I am pretty picky on coffee.

I saw a local store carries this item at $49. I decided to give it a try since they have pretty liberal return policy. It turns out to be a pretty good machine, better than my old Krups and with high pressure.

The good:

(1) Pretty good looking among entry machines, although the price is $10 more than ugly ones.
(2) Makes good espresso drinks quickly

The not so good:

(1) The knob takes time to get used to. The knob has three seetings: off, steam and espresso. It is pretty easy for people to turn on steam when they want espresso, a potentially dangerous situation. Krups should have separate power button instead.
(2) The power cord is kind of short, 6 inch shorter than my old one.
(3) It is pretty hard to heat up the milk straight from the frig. You more likely to have a bunch of cold foams. The better way is to heat up the mil in microwave and then use the steam to make foam.

Overall, I recommend it as an entry machine.

I just got one of these for Christmas to replace a similar unit I used for years. The first time I tried it, it spewed water and coffee grounds all over. It practically blew up! I reduced the amount of coffee (a good Italian espresso, pre-ground fine), and the same thing happened. According to the trouble-shooting guide, the grind was too fine. I tried a coarse grind with no blowups, but the coffee was wimpy. Apparently, this espresso machine wasn't meant to make espresso coffee. This never happened with my previous unit. Pass this one up. It is simply a piece of junk.

I've made great cappuccino for many years using a similar machine. Better than store-bought. I thought the bad-mouthing reviewers simply didn't know what they were doing. Well, I filled my 1020 with the correct amount of water and used a reliably good espresso grind, turned on the machine and waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually, a pathetic dribble of coffee came down. At the appropriate time, I turned the knob to froth the milk. I burned my finger on the jet of steam issuing from the knob-hole on the side of the unit. A weak fizzle came out of the frothing nozzle which never increased in volume. I gave up here and went back to making the coffee - there was no more water to make steam. It had disappeared somewhere inside the machine and onto my countertop. This was such a complete failure that it was almost funny. Fortunately, I bought it locally, and can return it. I left little notes here and there in the packaging saying that this machine is a dud, and could burn you.
I feel that Krups should recall these machines forthwith. They are a complete waste of money for the consumer, and a black eye for the maker.

Granted, I worked at a starbucks for a little while after high school so I kind of knew the work that it could take to steam a pitcher of milk and pull a shot of espresso.
For the price, I think this is a great starter if you're strapped for cash or want to dabble with espresso & latte preparation. I've had mine for 2 years now. It's the first one I ever bought. I've had to replace the coffee grind holder/handle once (for about $13), but other than that, i've had no problems. read the directions, they are great. they inform you that pressure builds within the machine and if you do not properly release the pressure upon completion, then yes, it will explode the grinds all over you. duh.
it's pretty easy to clean and maintain. I bought a brush to clean the steaming wand.
It does not come with a frothing pitcher or a beverage thermometer (which i recommend) but they are both pretty inxpensive. I ordered one of each when i ordered my machine.
regarding timing, i put the water in my machine and it begins steaming within 1 minute-1 1/2 minute TOPS. Then when i'm done steaming my milk, i switch it right to the coffee setting and it dispenses my coffee instantly. thats good enough for me!
Hope this review is helpful. i've recommended this to many friends and I think its fantastic for the money.

After OVER 15 years my former Krups espresso machine finally lost its seal and had to be replaced. YES! 15 years of excellent home made espresso (and saving money over buying from the coffee shop that is on every corner - and Mines better!). This replacement has metal detailing that I could live without, but my most important advice is to get rid of the black tube cover on the steam attachment. The first two times I made espresso with this machine with the black attachment on the steam - it foamed not frothed and milk was EVERYWHERE! Removed the plastic cover and no problems. It is very important that you clean milk from the steam attachment thoroughly each time you use it. You will have to remove the black attachment anyway or have trapped milk froth there. My other advice is you must have a metal frothing pitcher if you want foam. I just started using a thermometer for the milk. I'm hoping this one lasts like the last one. In any case, saving $5 over the commercial coffee store drink means it pays for itself in 11 drinks. Buying my own syrups (and whipped cream) means I can make just about any drink the big chain coffee stores make (and sometimes sugarless). We buy Torani syrups. So if you decide to become your own barrista, Enjoy!

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I have used this machine to make espresso every day for about two weeks, now. I have had none of the complaints I've read about from the low-star reviews. The espresso is easy to make and is ready to drink in under 3-minutes, once you've turned-on the machine. I have no issues with "blowing-up" or excess steam. I only pour in the amount of water I need to do the job. Follow the written instructions and you'll be very happy with this machine. I haven't yet used the milk foamer/steamer, but look forward to trying it out.

I bought one of these used at a garage sale. It was new in the box, still taped, even. I paid $5, which was apparently too much.

The machine seems to be incapable of making espresso. If you fill it up with fresh grind and water, and flip it to the "Cup" setting (for making espresso), it sits, and sits, and sits. About 5 minutes later, it will start to squirt some water out, but it will be another 5-10 minutes until it's finished. It mostly spits out steam through the basket, and a lot of it doesn't end up in the carafe.

I've used other cheapo espresso machine from Mr. Coffee and Melitta and both have worked great (they make a full 4 shots of espresso very quickly). This one just stinks, though. Save a few bucks and get another brand...both the Mr. Coffee and Melitta are actually cheaper than this hunk-o-junk.

I had one of these for 20 years and really liked it. I needed a new one, but concluded that it must not be a very good product any longer since there were so many negative reviews; so one after another I bought three OTHER competing brand units, each of which was very unsatisfactory. I risked buying this new Krups unit; and it is a joy.

So I got this as a present from my dad once I left college and got my own place. Now having working at a starbucks and roasting plant (coffee shop, we roast on premises and grind and brew per order) I've become a bit picky about the coffee I like to drink. However I thought this was a great little machine, yes entry level, but very good. I just followed the instruction manual and got my espresso. I have my own grinder and prefer using whole bean, the oils of the bean are fresh and come out as creme. Some one else wrote on here that the steam wand doesn't really do anything but foam and they were right. Best to just microwave your milk and then steam it up for the foam, also you should get your milk set before you add the espresso. I know a lot of purists will argue to add the milk with foam last, adding it to the espresso but for this machine its just not practical. Keep in mind that a lot of the negative feedback on here seems to be due to mechanical problems, of which I have been lucky not to have experienced any. I do recommend this machine as a starter, its fast, easy, tastes great, but the wand is useless unless used only for making foam. ENJOY!!!!

If you follow the directions, this is an easy to use and durable espresso maker. I have used it daily for a year now and it still looks like new and makes great espresso and latte's.