Product Description
Krups Precise Tamp patented system ensures optimum tamping each time for perfect crema and results. The precise tamp system extracts a perfect cup every time for a delicious espresso, latte or cappuccino. The 1400w thermo block system pre-heats twice as f
Product Details
- #12837 in Kitchen and Housewares
- Brand: Krups
- Model: XP5220
- Dimensions: 11.50" h x 9.00" w x 10.30" l, 9.00 pounds
Features
- Pump espresso machine with 15 bar pump, 1400-watt thermoblock heating system, removable filter tank
- Universal filter holder accommodates ground coffee, E.S.E. pods, and soft pods
- Precise foolproof tamp system can be set for 1 or 2 cups at a time
- Selector knob for brewing or frothing, mess-free cake-ejection system
- Measures 12-3/5 by 10 by 14-2/5 inches, 2-year worldwide limited warranty
Editorial Reviews
Beautifully housed in brushed stainless steel with black accents, this user-friendly espresso machine not only looks great on the kitchen counter, but it also makes it possible to brew cafe-quality coffee drinks from the comfort of home. The machine features a 15-bar pump and fast-heating 1400-watt thermoblock heating system, which ensure optimal temperature control and high-pressure brewing for perfect extraction with excellent crema. Even more, the brewing system pre-heats twice as fast and resists lime-scale buildup (less descaling needed). Choose from ground coffee, E.S.E. pods, or soft pods thanks to the included universal coffee filter holder, which clicks into place for one or two cups. The espresso machine also comes equipped with foolproof Precise Tamp technology, which automatically tamps coffee grounds evenly to the optimum level, directly against the brewing head to minimize puddling and tunneling. After brewing espresso, turn the manual selector knob from brew mode to frothing-milk mode to effortlessly create creamy cappuccinos, lattes, and more. The machine's mess-free cake-ejection system, redesigned multi-directional frothing nozzle, and locking steam nozzle provide exceptional convenience and easy cleanup. Other highlights include a removable water tank for filling at the sink, a removable drip tray, and on-board coffee-scoop storage. A thoughtful housewarming gift idea, the espresso machine measures 9 by 10-2/7 by 11-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful.
High Quality machine
By E Grellmann
A few weeks ago we shopped for a new expresso machine at the Bed, Bath and Beyond store. Take in your 20% discount coupon and you will get a great deal.
Overall, we give the Krups XP5220 machine 5 stars. It is a quality made machine and makes good creme (foam). The nicest feature is the automatic tapping and the push-button to pop out the used coffee puck, no longer need to bang the filter holder on the garbage can to get the grinds to fall out.
One word of warning: we found a number of unhappy amazon.com users who had broken the tabs off the steam wand. A customer may not realize that in order to remove the nozzle for cleaning you have to pull the slip ring down and pull straight off which requires a bit of force. If you pry one of the 3 tabs which are in a vulnerable position they will break and then the steam wand may not stay on under pressure. Once you understand the proper removal and installation, it's not a problem. The manufacturer should review this design and make it a bit more robust. Otherwise it is a high quality machine and does a great job.
We benefitted from previous reviewers on the subject and were careful with our steam wand. Once you understand how to properly remove the nozzle it's not a problem. Don't overlook this machine, it is very nicely made and works well.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful.
Great machine...
By M. Wheeler
We've had this espresso machine for just over a month and it works wonderfully.
It's a huge step up from our previous model (XP4030). For one thing, the previous machine was extremely loud and vibrated so badly that it couldn't be left unattended. We expected a bit more noise, and did get used to it, but not being able to turn our back while the coffee was brewing wasn't an option. This machine is much quieter, and there is no vibration. I can leave the room and come back to find the carafe or cup in the same spot I left it.
The coffee does pull slower, but that's not an issue for us.
Secondly, this machine has an auto tamping system. At first I was dubious about that, but now I love it. No more worrying about how far to tamp the grind down, just put it in the holder, put the holder in place, turn it a click or two, and you're ready to go.
If you click too far, not only will the holder be too tight, but the coffee won't flow. If nothing happens after a second or two, simply shut the machine off, release the holder, then click it one turn back. At that point it should work without having to remove any of the grounds (though in the beginning I did have to take a bit out). It takes a little practice, but you do learn how much ground to put in the holder.
The third thing that this machine has over our previous one...NO THIN RUBBER GASKET!! That was a big draw. We had spent quite a bit of money replacing gaskets (from the six month point on), and every other machine that we looked at (and we looked at them all) had the same rubber gasket.
Fourth, Krups finally got wise and encased the metal that was behind the drip tray. No more exposed metal, no more rusting. And instead of a pull out drip tray, the entire piece lifts off for easy emptying.
All of these things made the machine more expensive than our previous one, but it's less expensive than a lot of the brands/models we looked at. And though we're serious about our espresso/Americano's, we're not ready to take the plunge into the machines that cost hundreds of dollars. This is a good alternative (for us anyway).
We've had no problems with the frothing wand. It seems as sturdy as any of the others we've seen.
I will say that with our old machine it was extremely difficult to develop a good froth. With this one, I expected about the same, but then we hadn't purchased the machine for fancy drinks.
That said, this machine makes a fantastic froth and it's very simple to use. I had given up even trying with our previous machine, and whenever I wanted a cappuccino my husband had to do it (with mixed results and never quite as good as our old steam espresso maker).
It's nice to be able to make my own cappuccino's now. :-)
Who knows. I may be back in a few months with some negative comments, but for right now we're enjoying this machine.
*And here I am. Ten months in and we experienced the same problem with this machine as with the less expensive machine. The inner rubber gasket (which isn't visible on this model) failed.
Our first order of business was to find out if replacement parts were available. With none found, and since the machine is still under warranty, we contacted Krups. They would not send a replacement part, but did pay for the machine to be sent to (and returned from) a service center for repair. A few weeks later the machine is back home and in good working condition. With any luck we'll get ten more months of usage before the problem arises again (hopefully longer, but I won't hold my breath). With even more luck, Krups will decide to make replacement parts available to the consumer by the time we need a new gasket. We certainly couldn't afford to mail this machine off every time it needs a new part.
HOWEVER, the steam wand is the most fragile, bad design I have ever seen. The steam wand is actually PLASTIC, NOT METAL. There is merely a thin, aluminum cover that surrounds the body of the steam wand, but underneath, and more importantly, at the top of the wand, it is ALL made of plastic. And soft, cheap plastic at that. It's like Krups was trying to save a few bucks in manufacturing by making this part out of cheap plastic instead of steel, which is what it should be made out of.
The wand broke on its own, maybe 6 or 7 times after it was used. Not through some sort of force, or because we handled it too roughly; the wand literally split away from the rest of the machine due to the steam heat coming out of it while we were steaming milk. All of a sudden steam started coming out of the top of the wand, instead of the tip of it, and the milk would not steam. Then the wand fell off. The place where it broke clearly looked like it had partially melted, and just split away from the rest of it where the piece was supposed to be solid.
We took the unit back to the store where we bought it, thinking that this surely must have been due to a manufacturing defect in our unit, since the espresso maker was so well made otherwise. THAT WAS VERY NAIVE OF US. After receiving the replacement unit, we used it again, this time taking EXTRA care in being very gentle with the steam wand. This time, the steam wand worked fine for about 2 months, then all of a sudden the exact same thing happened again. It was CLEARLY the heat causing the plastic to split and separate at the top of the steam wand.
It's a shame Krups got so cheap and decided to make it this way, because otherwise, we LOVED this machine, and we wish it didn't have this problem. But BEWARE, DON'T BUY THIS CHEAPLY MADE MACHINE!
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