Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful.
Would Love to Love This Machine.....but...
By J. Cross
UPDATE - After previously giving this machine 4 stars, I am forced to reduce my rating to 1 star. It appears I've received a "lemon" as I've now had the machine break 3 times. I'm very frustrated because for all of the resasons I list below, I want to love the machine. However, during time I've had the machine, It's only briefly worked before needing to be retured for service. The machine comes with a one-year VIP service which is great since the online company I purchased it from only had a 30-day return policy. Unfortunately, in the four months I've had the machine it's been broken or out for repair for a majority of that time. Please respond to this review if you've had success getting your machine to work without sending back for repair.Attention Buyers! - I would not buy this machine - the frustration of having it break three times is not worth your time or money. Learn from my mistake and look for a different brand and make sure to purchase from a store that has a return period of longer than 30 days.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This was no small purchase for me. I've researched and waited for about 1 year before committing to this machine. The price dropped by about 40% from one of the Amazon online retailers and there was free shipping so I jumped at the chance. I've had the XP 7260 for about 1 week now and I mostly love this machine. When I first got the machine I spent an hour or so reviewing the instruction manual before I turned on the machine which helped me to realize a couple important tips (for most all auto-espresso machines). 1 - you have to use very cold l% or 2% milk for best froth/foam and 2 - you should use non-oily beans. Also, I expected to get coffee shop quality from the first cup of expresso but have quickly realized that I haven't learned the proportions of espresso to water (for Americano) or milk (for latte & cappucino). I wish more than two recipes were included for first time users.Pros:Stunning appearanceAuto frothing attachment works excellent(if you use cold 1% or 2% milk)Great tasting coffee/espressoDoesn't take up too much room on the counterCons:The biggest CON is that there is NO pre-ground coffee funnel - I big disappointment - no decaf drinks at night.The Amazon description mentions that this machine is compatible with ground coffee but it's NOT!Noisy! Similar to turning on a blener full of ice. The noise is short-lived so it's bearable.Not enough recipes for basic coffee drinks - I have yet to perfect the Americano. Web blogs are all over the place regarding recipes.Frequently filling the water container - not a big deal but if you have cabinets above your counter you have the pull the machine out far enough to access the water container.Espresso cups, manual frothing pitcher, and coffee not included (auto pitcher is included). Plan to spend another $50 on these items before making your first cup of espresso.Maintenance costs could be about $100 per year for water filter replacements and cleaning tablets.Water filter and cleaning tablets are not easily available so I will have to purchase online.I know, this sounds like a long list. I have a feeling many other espresso machines have similar cons so I wouldn't consider any of these a deal-breaker.Overall an excellent machine but I really wish there was a pre-ground coffee funnel so that we could enjoy decaf expresso drinks at night.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful.
Bad. Just bad.
By W. Kirkpatrick
Update 2. I thought I loved this machine. But, alas, just walk away. Better... Run.I figured out the problem. The strainer at the base of the "portafilter" slowly gets clogged with unfortunately sized coffee bits getting jammed into the small holes - and cannot be easily cleaned. Rinsing cycle doesn't clean it. Cleaning cycle, with Krups own tablets doesn't clean it. You simply cannot remove the plate from the device for any sort of proper cleaning.As the holes slowly start to plug up with coffee grounds, the pressure in the brew head builds up. Then pressure from the water shotting through the grounds starts pushing the plunger up. The more the plate clogs, the higher up the plunger gets pushed - until the first of the two gaskets finally rises above the seal mid-brew. Coffee sprays all over the inside, out the bottom, and sometimes a "Technical error" that will only clear after the inside of the machine dries.If you ignore this warning, or already own this POS, here's the best I've found...1. You can remove the stainless cover and "pill shoot" to get access to the brew head from the top. A stiff paint brush can clear some of the holes - alas this is how I now get my morning coffee most days.2. You have to watch the brew cycle. If you see the top seal rising to the top of the brew chamber push "OK" to abort the cycle BEFORE the seal breaks loose. After the system clears, clean out some holes in the plate (using the brush) and try again.3. Don't "abort" and walk away. The plunger is under pressure and will "seat" again after the water stops, this will cause coffee stuck in the brew head to flow back into the clean water system, a bacterial issue. You have to run 2 rinse cycles to clear the pipes.I feel defrauded. This is a serious design issue.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
TOTAL LEMON PIECE OF GARBAGE
By michael t
After about 50 or 60 cups the machine would hang up "ERROR CODE 06" and move into Auto Test. Sometimes the machine would work after a "hard reboot" (unplugging and replugging). After doing this for the next 12 or so cups (sometimes work, sometimes error code 6 and reboot), it just stopped working altogether. KRUPS sent us a new in box replacement (TODAY) and that was an Error CODE 6 right out of the NEW box! So i rebooted that one too - and the first cup of coffee from this machine dumped out of the bottom of the machine and all over the countertop.KRUPS HAS MAJOR QUALITY CONTROLL ISSUES - NEW IN BOX MACHINES ARE BUSTED ON THE SPOTKRUPS IS NOW SENDING US A NEW, NEW MACHINE. So, we're getting a 3rd replacement machine....I've yet to get over 70 cups or so of coffee.
See all 26 customer reviews...
the best ever
Not what I thought a Gaggia would be.
