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| FrancisFrancis! X7 iperEspresso Machines | 
| Colors: | 
Black | 
Red |
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| Brand: illy
Buy New: $375.00 - $399.00
as of 9/8/2010 09:19 EDT details
Amazon.com
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Rating:  13 reviews
MPN: 315102
ASIN: B001ACYY4A
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| Features:
| • | 15-bar pump; brass boiler with automatic refill | | • | Automatic dosing function for predetermined coffee volume | | • | Cup warmer on top of machine | | • | Decalcifying indicator and automatic decalcifying program | | • | Dual thermostatic |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Sporting the slick curves of an exotic roadster, this espresso machine puts you in the fast lane to true Italian taste. Designed by Luca Trazzi, this sleek machine uses illy Caffe capsules for velvety, one-touch espresso with a rich, long lasting crema. One-year warranty. Model 207001.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
Brilliant machine April 8, 2010
Simao (London)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This thing is nothing short of brilliant, it gives you the ability to produce a coffee which is of a cafe quality (well, almost) in approximately 3 minutes max. The espresso is very nice with rich aroma, and milk frothing abilities are quite good for a little machine like this.
In terms of the quality of the frothing, with a thermometer and some care, you can produce a nice froth, I will not fool you and say the best, but something more than acceptable.
Some report problems with the prolonged time in transit from frothing to brewing, a solution in given in the manual, and that is simply by just opening the frothing hose while the brewing button is active. I froth first on purpose so that I can use the steam to heat the cups while transiting from frothing to brewing.
The machine is quite quick, but I still view it as something more suited to an individual or just a couple especially if you factor in the price of capsules. Capsules are quite hard to reuse if used them up, so always put in mind that you will always buy new capsules for the life of this machine.
The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because of the price. I am living in London, UK, and these are sold here for 200£ (app. 300$) which is a little bit expensive compared to other coffee machines here. to add another 100 dollars is just outrageous (33% extra) especially if I mention that I got mine at a special promotion (in an exhibition) direct from the UK supplier for approximately 200$ including shipping.
If you put your mind on purchasing one, choose the white model if it was available as it is the most stylish one.
 Received Used Francis Francis as New from Amazon.com January 8, 2010
Ang in Hawaii (honolulu, hi United States)
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
This Francis Francis X7 was ordered for a Christmas present. Unfortunately, when my parents opened it Christmas morning, they discovered it already leaking with water with scratches on the surface of the machine. There were water in the water tray & water in the tubes. It was disheartening to discover a "new" machine to be previously used. I wish Amazon had checked the item before shipping it. The experience was a turn-off & it left me researching again for another Christmas present. I'm giving it 3 stars because I feel the fault is with Amazon & not the item. However, since we didn't test it the rating is not accurate: The quality from what we gathered of the wet machine was good though.
Overall, a great machine with some opps for improvement December 14, 2009
Dining_Caper (Albert Lea, MN)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Good:
- Capsules are easy to use and create no mess to clean up
- The unit is attractively designed
- The unit warms up quickly
- The capsules are high quality products
The Bad:
- The reservoir seating mechanism is such that I am unable to remove the reservoir without spilling the water. It takes moderate effort to remove and, all of a sudden, it breaks free causing a small spill every time, even when I try to remove it in a very controlled manner.
- My unit malfunctioned by failing to brew properly and having a backflow problem within a month. I haven't seen either issue in other reviews, so it's probably a fluke. Sent it in for warranty repair. The jury is still out on how they handle the issue since it's hard to replicate.
UPDATE:
It took Illy several weeks to replace my machine and only after several calls to both Illy and their warranty service center. The service center said all they would do was return the machine to me in the same condition since they could not replicate the backflow or low pressure problems it occasionally manifested. This was not acceptable since it less than a month old when the problem occurred and was reported.
After a few calls, I'lly said it would ship me a new unit. I doubt the unit it sent me was new since the unit I received didn't contain the standard materials that came with my original machine (e.g. instruction manual, warranty, sample of descaler), but instead had an xth generation photocopy of getting started instructions and a receipt from what appeared to be its original purchase.) I wasn't very satisfied with that but didn't feel there was anything else I could do.
Regardless, my new (used?) machine has worked fine since then and I am happy with the machine depsite my dissatisfation with Illy regarding its handling ot the defective unit I originally received.
 Way over-rated, lasted slightly over a year December 11, 2009
rjm1604 (Atlanta, GA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Having tired of the drudgery (and mess) of grinding my own beans, I bought this machine for the convenience of the iperEspresso pods. Right out of the box there were problems. The unit just wouldn't make consistent espresso. The first pod was usually very good, but subsequent pods were uniformly bitter and overextracted--not ideal if you've got six people over for a dinner party! After slightly more than a year it lost ~40% of its pressure capability (admittedly, an off-the-cuff estimate). The espresso would just dribble out of the head and never made the correct-sized pull; sometimes the machine wouldn't even pierce the espresso pod. The espresso was pretty much undrinkable. So, I've purchased a new example of my very first espresso machine (which I bought in 1985), the Gaggia Classic (Gaggia 14101 Classic Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel). This machine can use ESE pods, which are more widely available from more coffee roasters and--for me--produce a much better product than the Illy pods. Best of all, it will make excellent espresso cup after cup all night long.
It helps me get through the day December 5, 2009
Mr. Daddy Moneybags
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I love this machine. It is super easy to use, the espresso is perfect and it makes me happy. Here is my morning ritual. I get up and push the button for espresso. I then feed my cats. When I come back I pop in an iperEspresso capsule and push the button again to make a perfect cup of espresso. When I am finished drinking it I feed my dog and then replace the iperEspresso capsule and make another perfect shot. I am now ready to face the day.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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