Because I like the principle of the removable sieve, I wanted to stick with it and because the old Krups machine has long held, I now hope to give a corresponding service life (to be seen). Thus, I ordered the Krups XP3440.
I use these machines rather irregularly, especially frequently when I'm studying for my exams and the nights through work and am not at university. Therefore me the relatively short brewing time and the high Durck with 15 bar has addressed.
After unpacking the machine entry and the preparation of the first coffees fell very slightly, partly due to the well-structured guide that explains each step. So no fear for someone who has not yet dealt with this system.
How it works:
The screen is filled with ground coffee and inserted into the filter holder. There are two sizes (one cup and two cups). Connecting the holder is snapped into the machine. Fill water into the water tank. The machine can be switched on by pressing a button (the pump logs to short term) and after a few moments she is ready to start. Then just turn the switch to the right and the coffee very quickly läuftig out (approximate lead time: 15-25 sec). The processing time can be controlled by the switch is simply turned back to the sleep mode switch.
The milk frother can be a practical and unfold. The nozzle performs its service very good, should be cleaned after each use. She is preheated briefly and then she blows with neatly-pressure steam into the cold myself, which is located in a sepperate container. The result you can see on the accompanying photos. For my needs, the result is satisfactory. The coffee has a neat taste and is neither too acidic nor too bitter.
Positive aspects:
- Compact machine fits on small work surfaces, retractable milk frother
- Noise
- Attractive, modern design
- Short lead time
- To reach all the buttons on the front and slightly
- 15 bar pressure
- Uncluttered screens and teaspoon, just the cover stowed (Photo)
- Space-saving water tank, but with large capacity
- Good taste of coffee
- Easy cleaning, also by removing the screen.
- Milk frother works better than expected
- Switches off after 5 minutes (Environmentally Friendly)
- Larger cups fit under the machine
- Even the knocking out of the screen used in the trash can works, you have the screen just hold orderly and hochkplappen the plastic holder. Do not know why other buyers here had problems.
- Drip tray is easy to remove and distribute (present even in fully automatic, do not see this as a negative, that the machine has a water outlet)
- Also usable pads
Negative aspects:
- A little coffee powder remains hanging under the machine when you turn out the strainer. Therefore, one should immediately clean it with a cloth. But that is the only serious negative point of the machine.
- It may happen that in the filter holder after preparation too much liquid "mud coffee" remains that, if you are not disposed of quickly running out. Even when turning the filter age falls somewhat out (photo). For faster disposal but not such a big problem.
Some experience:
The screen for "a cup" I find useless. I always use the screen for "two cups" as the filling depth is greater and so little, stick to no coffee on the machine remains (see criticisms).
The hard pressing the coffee powder is not really comfortable without sepperate Tamper. Similarly, you use the palm of your hand or the accompanying coffee spoon.
After a few attempts you have total but the hang of it and the preparation and running smoothly without a hitch.
Conclusion:
For those who want to have a right to good, homemade Siebkaffee this machine is certainly highly recommended. For those who want to have an influence on the espresso taste in finely graduated nuances, there are certainly better equipment (but more expensive). I am using the machine for the price very satisfied so far. If one considers a few things, the preparation is quick and easy.
