good budget model * Update *

The Krups EA 8000 is already longer on the market and now have well below the MSRP, which it falls into the entry-level segment of the coffee machines. I was able to compare the machine with a DeLonghi ESAM 04 120, which is located in a similar price range. Which performs better, and if you'd rather should, now more to not invest more.

Processing & Services:
When unpacking it is first of all struck by the compact dimensions of the machine. Krups has managed to build a complete coffee machine in the smallest space. This of course falls to integrate into the kitchen much easier, it simply takes away less space. At the brand Krups has actually in terms of processing certain claims. The EA 8000 is this claim in terms of feel and processing also quite accessible, especially if you also take into account the price. You can still easily outperform in this area in my eyes also well-made DeLonghi. The case seems durable and high quality, and the gaps are gleichmäßg. The cup shelves (under the coffee spout and on the machine) are made of metal, unlike the DeLonghi where the upper surface appears to consist only of a film. The coffee bean container, which is transparent protrudes from the top and fitted with a plastic cover with Krups imprint, makes the machine even from a distance an eye-catcher and provides a great look. At the front there's the price range in accordance with only the most necessary controls and displays, however, hidden under the top Cup holding a small numeric display, which beautifully designed the initial configuration simple. The most striking feature of the front is the silver knob, which is used to adjust the amount of coffee, all other elements are integrated almost inconspicuous in the front. The pulp container is located on the left side, as well as a cleaning slot and (! That's really awesome solved by Krups!) A slide with an illustrated quick start guide for cleaning. This eliminates the need to search for the guide, should times the cleaning or Entkalkunkgslampe flash. Small but quite practical feature. The water tank is located on the rear panel and can thankfully be filled from above without removal thanks to a flap. The EA 8000 can accommodate the F088 water filter and the guide also recommends the use of such. Unfortunately, the device is NONE. In addition, the filter of Krups itself are relatively expensive, but there are cheaper alternatives from third parties.

Handling and operation:
Big Plupunkt the device. Since the device is limited to the most basic functions of a fully automatic machine, the operation is very simple, precisely to intuitively. Only to start it is worth looking at the manual, because the hidden display for configuring water hardness and temperature of coffee I would have otherwise never found. Otherwise, can not do much wrong. There is an on / off switch, the blue lights in the operation, a button for steam generation, a rinsing the aforementioned knob for the amount of coffee and one key for normal and strong coffee. Disorders or overhauling conditions are 4 red LEDs display that can light or flash in different combinations. The significance of this can be found in the manual. Good in operation is that the pulp container was quite large in size, but the machine does not detect intermediate evacuations so relatively quickly emptying of the machine is then required. Also there is no display to change the filter cartridge. Here you have to stick a piece of paper to the machine. Since the filter needs to be changed but also to 50 liters of water, here the replacement time can be more bad than good guess. This could have been solved better at Krups with a usage-based filter. Due to the compactness of the machine no oversized cups fit under the coffee spout, which can be especially in the preparation of milk drinks be disturbing, especially since the drip tray can not be removed because the machine gives off a little water in it. When frothing milk can do so, however without any problems, with enough space under the foaming nozzle is present, even if it would have been better, the nozzle might have been swinging a little further. A word for mounting the water filter. Is much easier to install, if you use a proper key for this, as in the water tank is very little space for handling. Unfortunately the Schlüsel the machine was not and is not supplied with the filter. Fortunately, I had one of my other Krups machine. But I do not understand why this is not Krups attaches the device.

Coffee experience:
The key to a fully automated and here the Krups EA 8000 (taste not afraid, the coffee can be very good and in terms of taste of the expensive machines in no way inferior to) a small flaw, but the coffee is generally too weak. If you choose regular coffee in the preparation of, so this tastes more like weak coffee, as such consisting of a fully automatic machine. If one chooses the strong coffee, the result is a lot better. But here the taste in my eyes too strongly depends on the selected coffee quantity. When I select more than 140 ml, my coffee is personally re too weak (went as guests). Actually, the taste should be largely independent of the selected amount of water. So I have a partially filled cup to make do, to get my favorite coffee. When DeLonghi this is not so much occurred noticeable anscheinen the DeLonghi the gemahlte amount of coffee is better suited to the amount of water. If one has its optimum setting (combination of normal / strong Coffee, water quantity and degree of grinding) but once found, but then the coffee tastes absolutely good and as it is said by the by expensive machines in nothing. Nevertheless, this is a small devaluation.

Cleaning:
Cleaning and descaling the machine is relatively simple and, thanks to the Quick Start Guide in the housing at any time feasible. Rinsing the machine works differently than when DeLonghi not fully automatic, but must be started manually. I will not say which one I like better methods, both options have advantages and disadvantages. To clean a tablet is plugged into a separate compartment of the machine and the cleaning program is activated. Two tablets were supplied with the device, so that the first cleanings still cause no additional costs. For descaling powder is added to the water in the tank, but the filter must be removed. The brewing unit can not be found in the device.

Milk froth:
The milk foam for cappuccino or latte macchiato is not automatically produced with the device, but must be produced with a classic steam nozzle. The device provides a separate button, which activates the steam function. This works much better than with the Delonghi. Pressing the button, and the machine heats up briefly. Another pressure and the vapor occurs so long, until you once again the key is pressed, then coffee can immediately be generated again.
The milk foam succeeds very well with a little practice, but you must then disassemble and clean the nozzle. For this, the nozzle must be easily removed and separated into its components. So if you want often drink milk drinks with foamed milk, the means to use the EA 8000 little effort. However, those who prefer comfortable, needs much deeper into their pockets grab (Krups EA 9000).

Shelf life:
Since I do not yet own the machine so long, I can say this little, but it seems to give problems repeatedly with leaks. However, can be found in some forums fairly good guidance on this model, as any errors can be repaired. Apparently the repair of the appliance is good.

Conclusion:
The Krups EA 8000 is a discontinued model. On the side the Krups EA 8258 is listed as the smallest model, which seems to be almost identical, however, and as an added value has only the display, which in the reduced to the essential functions of functions, however, is likely to offer little added value. Therefore, the EA 8000, listed more favorable to time, be a better choice. All in all, the machine impresses by the very compact size and sleek design, here beats compared to similarly expensive DeLonghi ESAM 04,120. The operation is very simple and you really get at the device all you need. The milk nozzle will also work more comfortable than in the DeLonghi. However, the Krups loses the comparison with regard to the coffee taste. You have to experiment once with water quantity and refining degree until you get the desired result in the Krups. Then, however, is set in the amount of water, as these can substantially affect the taste. Here the DeLonghi has performed much better. The non-enclosed water filter or at least one corresponding keys also provide cause for criticism. However, Krups is a bargain if you can live with the mentioned drawbacks. Interested you will not come to a fully automated system which provides a comparably good optics, compactness and usability.

Update:
Meanwhile, I have the machine well 4 months in use, about 10 coffees or a day. The machine does not have mosquitoes and the coffee still tastes very good. Cleaning is simple and the Quick Start Guide in the unit makes maintenance a breeze. However, one should pay attention in the operation on which one fails to remove the water tank when the machine still want to make coffee (too little water during cooking to display it). The preparation breaks namely from in between and it runs water in the then nonexistent container back, what a mess yields. Otherwise, the machine is a rugged workhorse. I will continue to report.

Update 2:
The machine is now almost 1 year in very frequent use (likely far have been good in 2000 coffee remuneration). It continues to produce the same coffee as the first day. Even my model is still tight and has besides the regular cleaning processes and water filter changes further requires nothing. So I can not see any other disadvantages to the machine in the long-term test. Durability seems to be good, I hope it stays that way.