Krups XP1020 750-Watt Steam Espresso Machine with 4-Cup Glass Carafe
I’m not normally one to complain about the quality of a product online, but this time I feel like it’s necessary to warn people about this machine.

My roommate and I purchased this machine about a year ago, and at first we were okay with it but not thrilled. We are both skilled at making espresso beverages because we are baristas working in coffee shops. I think it is safe to say that we have a pretty good understanding of how this sort of thing works. Even with our combined knowledge of coffee making, it took months to get the espresso to taste right. We’re picky about good espresso and making it taste the way it should ended up being more of a science experiment than anything else. The machine doesn’t force the water through the grounds with enough pressure, so it basically spits out little splatters of weird tasting coffee, no matter what kind of coffee it is.

I was fine with messing around with it until this morning when it basically tried to make it my last morning on Earth. I was making a soy latte and when I went to steam the milk, I was missing an integral element: steam. There was no steam coming out of the wand, but instead, even though I had switched it over to the steaming mode, it was coming out into my espresso, killing the shots that I had just pulled. I tried cleaning the wand but it did not help. So I wanted to take the old grounds out of the machine and when I tried to open the chamber, it blew up all over me. Hot coffee grounds feel like what I imagine napalm feels like. Bravely, I tried to go through the whole process again, but the same thing happened. So I gave up. I ordered a different machine just a few moments ago…

I’m just saying that if a trained and seasoned barista has a hard time with this machine, most other people will too. Maybe mine was a dud, but I don’t really think so… If you do decide to get this one, make sure you wear protective glasses and a helmet.
Rating: 1 / 5

Krups XP1020 750-Watt Steam Espresso Machine with 4-Cup Glass Carafe
This is my third Krups Expresso machine. I liked their Bravo model so well I gave it as a gift to several people. Unfortunately my Bravo quit and I replaced it with the “new” XP1020 model. Don’t know what Krups did – but they have designed and created a terrible machine. It does not make a decent espresso or generate enough pressure to steam milk for a latte. It also leaks all over my countertop. I received it as a Christmas gift a year ago – and gave it a good shot. But it was so bad that my husband bought me a different brand. The Krups went in the garbage.
Rating: 1 / 5

Krups XP1020 750-Watt Steam Espresso Machine with 4-Cup Glass Carafe
This Machine is one of the worst KRUPS I ever owned. And then this people increase the actual $59.99 retail price to make you think you are getting a better discount, that is rediculous. WHile the machine lasted (about 4 months) it worked OK, but the handle became loose and i had to break the end part to fix it. Then it just stopped working at all. I had owened many of the Primo II and the smaller KRUPS makers and they all still going, even using them everyday a few times a day. But this one, while is a prettier machine, it sucks! Go to e-bay and buy a primo II or one of theeir older models, they function better and last a longgggg time.
Rating: 2 / 5

Krups XP1020 750-Watt Steam Espresso Machine with 4-Cup Glass Carafe
Look, you’re not going to get a great espresso from a $50 product. Try about 10 times that for a real Italian espresso maker and you have a chance. That said, my dear young daughter bought me one of these for my birthday and I have no real complaints. It works as designed even if it doesn’t produce real espresso. However, you can get a reasonable facsimile if you follow these steps:

1. Fill it up completely with a good espresso coffee.

2. Fill it with only one shot of water.

3. Drip it directly into a prewarmed espresso cup.
Rating: 3 / 5

Krups XP1020 750-Watt Steam Espresso Machine with 4-Cup Glass Carafe
Don’t know what all the negative reviews are talking about. It may be that the espresso isn’t good, but I only use it for cappuccino and it’s terrific. I had an earlier Krups model for 15 years til the engine finally burned out. I loved it. This new one, for almost the same price, is easier to use, because they got the steam pressure just right. The knobs are comfortably grooved, and contrary to other reviews, there is no leaking of grounds or steam. I first tried the Mr. Coffee machine (that got rave reviews) and found it always boiled the milk instead of frothing it, and I returned it. This is so much better! Guess you have to try machines yourself!
Rating: 4 / 5