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Krups XP7225 Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine | 
| Brand: Krups Category: Kitchen
List Price: $1,200.00 Buy New: $549.00 as of 3/10/2010 08:22 EST details You Save: $651.00 (54%)
New (6) from $549.00
Rating: 12 reviews Sales Rank: 102816
Shipping Weight (lbs): 18.5 Dimensions (in): 12.5 x 9.5 x 14.3
MPN: XP7225 Model: XP7225 UPC: 010942206989 EAN: 0010942206989 ASIN: B001DDGIBS
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Fully automatic espresso machine in a compact size | | • | Grinds, brews, and tamps all at the press of a button | | • | Oversized digital display and intuitive controls for ease of use | | • | Built-in conical burr grinder; pre-ground bypass doser; steamer | | • | Measures 12-1/2 by 9-1/2 by 14-1/4 inches; 1-year warranty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description At 15 to 50% smaller than other automatic espresso machines, this unit from Krups brews cafe-caliber coffee in a fraction of the space. From grinding fresh beans to steaming milk for froth, this machine makes it easier every step of the way. Two-year warranty. Model XP7225.
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| Customer Reviews: Excellent Machine! Especially for the price. February 10, 2010 David V Bed Bath and Beyond had this machines on sale for 399. I was able to apply a 20% bbb coupon making the final price 320. When you add in bbb's lifetime, no questions asked return policy, this was an easy purchase. In the past 4 months we've produced over 800 shots with no issues what so ever. I typically make 4 shot lattes. The machine makes what I consider pretty good coffee using costco's house blend coffee roasted by starbucks. I wish the turnaround time on making shots where faster. The machine does have a feature to make two shots back to back though, which helps. I wish they extended that feature to automatically chain 4 shots together. I tried the steam a couple of times but I don't bother with it anymore. The time it takes for the steam to come on line, and having to clean the steam wand isn't worth it. Simply microwaving the milk does the trick for me.
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br /Pros:
br /Very small footprint
br /Price
br /Quick startup
br /Very easy to setup and use
br /Makes excellent espresso with good crema
br /Very reliable ( so far..)
br /No mess
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br /Cons:
br /Steam - Not that powerful. Can't steam while making coffee
br /Slow - The espresso cycles have a somewhat slow turn round time.
First impressions December 24, 2009 S. Kaplan (Orlando, FL) 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
After doing plenty of research I decided to give this machine a try, figuring the few bad reviews here were most likely either a defective unit or user error. This was the best (and only) automatic machine in this price range, and BBB with 20% off made it a great deal. Set up is easy, basically just removing a few pieces of tape. Once its plugged in and turned on, it guides you through the settings, and then starts going through some initial cycles. This part seemed a little quirky. It went through a few (some were repeated a couple times) auto-tests, filling filter, filling machine, rinsing etc. I just kept doing whatever it said, and eventually it was ready to go. From this point its quite simple, just turn the knob to select what you want, and turn again to select the size and a minute or so later, its done. While I admit I am no expert on coffee, I think this machine does exactly what it says, and it does a great job. Perfect if you're looking for an automatic espresso machine, with a stylish and small footprint, at an unbeatable price.
Great for Pressure-brewed Coffee December 19, 2009 Carlos Malagueña (Chesterfield, MO United States) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've been using my XP7225 for a couple of months now, and I think I can provide some insight into this machine.
br /Executive Summary: Great machine if you like pressure-brewed coffee or straight espresso shots. Not so great for cappuccinos as the steamer doesn't get the milk hot enough fast enough. Bargains available online and in stores. I bought mine for $320 at BBB (with the 20 percent coupon).
br /Some observations:
br /-The Claris filter is optional. I don't use it as it appears to cause problems for users and the troubleshooting guide mentions to remove it if you have problems. I have never had any problems going filterless. Instead, I use a Brita faucet filter to fill the machine. Also, the Claris filter costs $18 and must be changed every 2 months!
br /-Some users have complained about leaking. Note that the drip tray fills up from within the machine as the machine heats up. You need to empty the drip tray after each one or two uses. I am sure this is where the leaks come from. If you empty the tray often, no leaks.
br /-Although the milk steamer is effective to froth, the end-product is not hot enough after a one minute cycle. If you have the patience to run it for a second time, that solves the problem. However, cleaning the attachment is a pain (requires running steam through it but should also be removed and washed). I prefer to heat the milk in my cup for one minute in the microwave. This also heats up the cup nicely. I realize this is not steamed milk but rather heated milk. I really don't have a big attachment to milk froth, but, if you do, this is not the machine for you.
br /-The pressure-brewed coffee is so delicious and non-bitter that I can drink it black without sugar. This is from someone who usually takes three teaspoons and lots of milk per 8 oz cup. The difference between this and a drip coffee machine is like night and day.
br /-I always run a rinse cycle (about 2 oz of water) after I am done with the machine and when I start it up.
br /-The standard size coffee is adjustable up to 4 oz. The long coffee (8 oz) is a double cycle. I mix 4 oz of steamed milk (from the microwave) with 4 oz of coffee. The result is very good and requires little or no sugar.
br /-The machine hates oily beans. Use a medium roast, dry bean for best results. I prefer the finest setting on the grinder. It produces lots of crema on the coffee.
Excellent Espresso, Coffee, and Cappuccino December 2, 2009 T. Grady 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
When you open the box, be aware that it may contain coffee grounds. My wife opened the package, saw the coffee grounds everywhere, and assumed that the machine was used. After deciding that it wasn't a big deal and it still looked new, we decided to keep it. Only later, when reading the manual, did I notice that the machines are tested by Krups before leaving the factory and may have coffee grounds leftover.
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br /The machine includes a water filter, water hardness test, and has adjustable settings for water hardness. Once setup, it heats and brews espresso quickly. The volume of the shot is adjustable and additional shots may be added fairly quickly. We found the middle/default grind setting to work best with most of the coffee we tried. When steaming milk, the cycle is long enough for a small amount of milk, but a larger amount (say for two cappuccinos) may take two cycles. It is VERY EASY to use and to clean.
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br /The espresso coming out of it tastes great. It's much better than 99% of what I can buy around me in the Chicago area (including Starbucks which is actually better than the average coffee shop in my area). The money and time saved brewing it myself makes this machine worth every penny. The XP7225 is averaging 2-4 coffee drinks per day and our regular coffee machine (a Krups KM7000) is sitting unused. Keep in mind, the coffee is great, but it's not quite as good as a skilled barista who really knows what they're doing. I have had better coffee in Seattle (Cafe Verite/Cupcake Royale), San Francisco (Blue Bottle), and a small number of other places with great baristas. The character of those stores also makes them worth a visit.
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br /Want a treat? Try 50% espresso and 50% Bailey's Irish Cream. It makes a fantastic drink hot or over ice.
Excellent Coffee/espresso machine November 7, 2009 S.W. (PA USA) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I reviewed semi-automatic machines like this one along with many others. My brother-in-law had introduced me to the concept of single-brew coffee and I had the opportunity to use similar machines while over in Austria.
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br /It took me over a year before I made the purchase and I decided on this Krups machine.
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br /I had experienced and read reviews that the temperature on other machines was not where it needed to be. In some cases, manufacturers suggested that you warm up the coffee mug to help with that issue. I didn't want that to be a problem so this was top on my list of important features.
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br /All in all, I would say:
br /Pros
br /1) Hot coffee - 3 settings and I have dialed it down to setting 2. Very happy
br /2) Reliability - I am seeing a few individuals suggest that they are having issues. I specifically chose this manufacturer since I have an older manual espresso that will probably last another 20 years. Their customer service is outstanding and the warranty was respectable. Reading the reviews where there were issues sounds like someone may have had some electrical issues in their house??? Also, I could see where someone could think the machine leaks since there will be water on the counter if you don't empty the drip tray. I have had my machine for 8 months with zero problems.
br /3) Selectable options including temperature, grind setting (3), Amount of coffee/espresso per serving
br /4) Space - this is a smaller unit than some of the other brands
br /5) Frother - Works well as long as you use skim or a lower fat milk. The milk should also be cold when starting
br /6) Cost - other machines like this are $1,000+ (new)
br /7) Convenience - Excellent... wife would buy another one if this one should ever need replacing
br /8) Ease of use - I think Krups did an excellent job with the user interface and controls. This is very simple to use.
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br /Cons
br /1) Selectable options do not include brew strength. This can be controlled through a combination of grind setting and serving size since the amount of coffee can not change. This should be an option
br /2) Plastic controls - The titanium look is a plastic look. Dials could be heavier metal but nothing has broken. This is a function of cost so you get what you pay for.
br /3) Serving size - The machine will only dispense 4 oz of coffee as a single serving. If you want a full cup, you select the Long Coffee setting which will then run through 2-cycles of the 4 ounce option. It doesn't take long to complete but it would be nice if 1-cycle could make 8 ounces. I am not sure why I say that other than the fact that it is different than what you would expect.... Don't put a lot of weight on this comment
br /4) Noise - I believe most machines are loud since they are grinding beans and using pressure to make the coffee/espresso but it will be nice when the machine is as quiet as a Miele Dishwasher.
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br /In summary, I believe most of my purchases and satisfaction are a direct correlation between the price. I think this is an excellent choice at the price point. There are machines that are made out of heavier materials and provide some options that I talk about above. They are more expensive and I had concern over reliability.
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br /*** update on 3/4/10 (8 months from purchase) - machine started leaking and I had to return for a new one. I have to say that the idea of not having this was not an option. I thought about buying one of the other more expensive versions but then came to grips with everything that I liked about this one to begin with. I guess reliability may not be one of the strengths though... I can say that we use this way too much! ****
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