The first impression was positive, at first glance looks the machine quality and well finished off. Sharp edges, there are not all processed elements seen from stable, the machine is nice and narrow does not take up too much space.
If one looks but then somewhat more closely, you can see that quite a lot of plastic was processed and that this also initially smells something unpleasant. After the first running water, the plastic odor, a second, additional lead sets (not in the guidance suggested) was the odor completely to be necessary for us going.
The enclosed operating instructions are visually no looker, but declared conclusively all important, even if the operation of the machine is self-explanatory.
After the first (and second) passing through the water, it could finally start then. A delicious espresso grind (eg by Quixote coffee), the use of one or two cups insert, espresso and pour off we can go. When filling drops to equal that kind of stamp for pressing the powder supplied missing. You can press the bottom of the powder Einfülllöffels Although, ideally, it is so not. When inserting the portafilter into the machine should be some caution and not to yank, or press, because there is no clicking sound or snap properly into place, indicating a that you have the filter holder now rotated far enough.
The actual operation of the machine is then very simple, the warm-up is quick and is visually displayed, the throughput of the espresso goes without problems, the result is really delicious. When taking out the filter holder of the container containing the powder remains unfortunately sometimes in the machine back, you have to remove it with your fingers then, this is obviously not ideal.
Milk froth can be produced well, even if the nozzle for love should be something more flexible. One has to think carefully about which vessel you want to use for the production of the milk foam, it should be neither too high nor be too wide.
The cleaning of the machine is quite simple and requires nothing but a rag and water. Citric acid, vinegar and water are then needed for descaling, so nothing special, it does not rely on expensive cleaning products, this is very pleasant. Especially when compared to a fully automatic espresso-machine from Krups can score, because the cleaning is easier, faster and costs less.
When removing knock the powder from the filter holder must watch out that one does not fall out the sieve with the powder, the holding mechanism to prevent this, unfortunately, does not work perfectly.
Overall, the espresso machine from Krups has delivered good cappuccino and espresso, in detail showed in the operation and the materials used as well as weaknesses. Who really wants to conjure up every day and Espresso Co., perhaps should even look at machines with less plastic, from the result, we can use the Krups XP3440 but thoroughly recommend, therefore there are 3.5 star, which we round up to four.
