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Product Description
Product Description
Francis Francis designed by Lucca Trazzi and manufactured by Illy café; this is arguably the most stylish espresso cappuccino maker in the range. Its electronic control system ensures optimal brewing temperature and pressure, it has luminous and acoustic controls which make use of this machine very easy; the X1 is made of the finest quality stainless steel and Italian component parts from Europe. It has a 2 year back to base UK warranty. You can make 2 espressos at any one time.
Product Description
FrancisFrancis X1 New 2010 Model New Brewing group for ground coffee OR for Single Serving PODS. Beautiful,stylish and retro-futuristic looking Espresso Coffee Machine from Italian designer Luca Trazzi. ,Luca's first espresso coffee machine is widely admired not only ,for its looks but as a fantastic pump action espresso coffee maker FrancisFrancis X1 Specifications Dimensions Width 26cm x Depth 25cm x Height 33cm ,Water Reservoir 1.55 litres (about 15 cups) ,Weight 7Kg ,Pump pressure 18 bar ,Max electrical power 1100 Watts NEW Features -18 Bar Pump ,-Automatic Boiler Priming ,-Audible Beep when at brewing temperature ,-Audible Beep when steam is ready ,-1 Handle with single and double insert ,-New temperature guage ,-Green light when machine is ready to use. ,-Shut off and audible beep if pump is left running for 70 seconds ,-Audible beep when water tank is empty ,-All steel bodies - powder coated painted finish -Accessories included with the machine: (ground coffee version) ,- ground coffee kit(1 cup+2 cup filter,spoon,tamper) ,- pack of descaler ,- knock out box br ,- 2 year warranty ,- Group Head Cleaning KIT
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By anon
I did not purchase my Francis Francis from Amazon as it is possible to get this product cheaper from other online retailers. Keep an eye on the prices of coffee machines because apparently due to the credit crunch, we are drinking more coffee at home and the prices have gone through the roof. If you search the net, it is still possible to source a bargain.
Initially, I was not impressed but this machine needs some getting used to. Firstly, when you make your coffee, you have to ensure that the filter housing is in place correctly. You may think that it is but if you have coffee gushing over the top making your drink taste gritty and bitter then you are doing something wrong. You have to push the filter holder to the right, keep pushing (to the point where you think you might break the machine - don't worry you won't). That way, a seal is created and the coffee will not gush over the sides from the pressure of the pump.
One of the other reviewers mentioned the plastic spouts. I do not use mine at all as I make coffee for one. It is possible to use the machine without using them.
Make sure you have a jug which is 0.50 litres in size as this is the perfect size for the nozzle along with a temperature gauge for frothing the milk.
The nozzle could be a bit longer but it does the job.
Overall, I would say that the machine is a bit expensive but if you drink coffee or cappucinos every day it is worth it. It makes great coffee and once you get the hang of it, it will just get better.
Something to bear in mind is that with this machine you get a 2 year warranty. If your machine breaks down or it needs to be serviced, they will collect it, do the necessary and deliver it back - all free of charge.... Read more ›
Initially, I was not impressed but this machine needs some getting used to. Firstly, when you make your coffee, you have to ensure that the filter housing is in place correctly. You may think that it is but if you have coffee gushing over the top making your drink taste gritty and bitter then you are doing something wrong. You have to push the filter holder to the right, keep pushing (to the point where you think you might break the machine - don't worry you won't). That way, a seal is created and the coffee will not gush over the sides from the pressure of the pump.
One of the other reviewers mentioned the plastic spouts. I do not use mine at all as I make coffee for one. It is possible to use the machine without using them.
Make sure you have a jug which is 0.50 litres in size as this is the perfect size for the nozzle along with a temperature gauge for frothing the milk.
The nozzle could be a bit longer but it does the job.
Overall, I would say that the machine is a bit expensive but if you drink coffee or cappucinos every day it is worth it. It makes great coffee and once you get the hang of it, it will just get better.
Something to bear in mind is that with this machine you get a 2 year warranty. If your machine breaks down or it needs to be serviced, they will collect it, do the necessary and deliver it back - all free of charge.... Read more ›
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By Caramac girl
I wanted one of these machines for a while before finally buying this one. I wanted to go for the Kitchenaid one (over 500 pounds!)but my husband persuaded me this one was fine. I have now discovered a couple of annoying glitches the first one being that the one and two cup spouts supplied with the machine are plastic (not metal like those with other machines) and they don't fit under the filter properly and fall off. This means that we can't use them and have to make single cups every time - which is a faff if you have 3 or 4 coffees to make - either that or fiddle around pouring coffee from one cup into another or use a small jug etc.....Which brings me onto the other frustrating thing which is that there isn't much 'headroom' for a cup under the filter (even less with the spout attached) - only short espresso cups fit and so if you wanted cappucino you have to pour the espresso into a bigger cup to give room for the steamed milk. I now know that the Kitchenaid is higher and so would take taller cups and mugs.
I guess the X1 is made this way so that it's not too tall to fit on the kitchen worktop where there is a wall cupboard above but it does compromise it's function.
I have to say despite these frustrations it looks lovely, I use it every day, it works very well, has a good sized water reservoir, heats up in good time, it makes great coffee, (but I'm drinking too much!)
Overall 325 pounds feels too much to pay for something that isn't quite what it should be.
I guess the X1 is made this way so that it's not too tall to fit on the kitchen worktop where there is a wall cupboard above but it does compromise it's function.
I have to say despite these frustrations it looks lovely, I use it every day, it works very well, has a good sized water reservoir, heats up in good time, it makes great coffee, (but I'm drinking too much!)
Overall 325 pounds feels too much to pay for something that isn't quite what it should be.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By butchersboy
This is our first "proper" coffee machine having relied on the good old stove top espresso maker for years. We now drink more coffee than ever before!
Having read reviews for this and other machines we settled on this one as most reviewers praised the quality of the coffee it produces. They were right, the quality is superb. We have used Illy coffee and other types including one our relatives in Italy bring over from a coffee merchant in their town and all have passed the test. It is easy to use and looks really good in the kitchen.
One or two reviewers were of the opinion that there is not much room between the spout and the base but we can quite happily get espresso cups and large cappuccino cups underneath. If you want to drink espresso from a tall mug then it ain't going to fit! The steam nozzle could do with a little more room but we soon learnt the knack of using it and it does not present a problem.
We purchased the 0.71 litre stainless steel jug at the same time and this holds enough milk for two large cappuccinos and the froth without overflowing. A milk frothing thermometer was added to the order on the "don't spoil the ship for...." basis and it has proved invaluable. It takes all the guesswork away and eliminates the swearing from the traditional temperature testing methods!
If you like the look of the machine and enjoy great coffee then this may be the one for you.
Having read reviews for this and other machines we settled on this one as most reviewers praised the quality of the coffee it produces. They were right, the quality is superb. We have used Illy coffee and other types including one our relatives in Italy bring over from a coffee merchant in their town and all have passed the test. It is easy to use and looks really good in the kitchen.
One or two reviewers were of the opinion that there is not much room between the spout and the base but we can quite happily get espresso cups and large cappuccino cups underneath. If you want to drink espresso from a tall mug then it ain't going to fit! The steam nozzle could do with a little more room but we soon learnt the knack of using it and it does not present a problem.
We purchased the 0.71 litre stainless steel jug at the same time and this holds enough milk for two large cappuccinos and the froth without overflowing. A milk frothing thermometer was added to the order on the "don't spoil the ship for...." basis and it has proved invaluable. It takes all the guesswork away and eliminates the swearing from the traditional temperature testing methods!
If you like the look of the machine and enjoy great coffee then this may be the one for you.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I was already using an espresso machine which, although a cheap model, produced some quite reasonable coffee. However, I was still on a quest to find a machine which produced a coffee as good, if not better than the coffee I have enjoyed in cafés and restaurants. Some of the top-rated Italian machines were a little beyond my reach costwise until I found Amazon selling the Francis Francis X1 at half price! Reviews seemed to indicate that this was a machine well worth considering, and so I made the decision. Although the machine only arrived this morning, results so far seem very good. I like very much the obvious robustness of the machine (all steel and no plastic) and the sheer weight which is no problem provided you do not need to move it around too often. The answer here is to place it with plenty of room behind as the water tank needs to be removed for filling. Most worktops allow for this anyway. A pleasant surprise was that upon opening the carton it was found to contain a 250g tin of Illy expresso coffee. The coffee this machine produces is excellent, although I am still using up an alternative make of coffee, and quite expect it to be even better with the Illy coffee. The pump runs considerably quieter and with less vibration than on my old machine on which the cup had to be physically held in place while it was filling. Another surprise is that although it is advisable to pre-warm the cup, it is not actually essential, since without this it still produces quite a hot cuppa. All in all, first results are really favourable. Watch this space.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice machine, but beware quality problems
I've had my X1 for a few years now. I love its looks, and it makes perfect espresso and cappuccino.
But its weakness is the constant rusting of the drawer front. Read more
But its weakness is the constant rusting of the drawer front. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Malcolm Page
1.0 out of 5 stars
Do not buy
My experience is very similar to others who have reviewed this coffee machine. Seduced by wonderful looks but then so disappointed when it just stopped working after less than 1... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Aberyscur
4.0 out of 5 stars
I like it!!
Owning one of these machines, I found a recent review totally unfair and found myself having to clarify some of the points raised.
1. Read more
1. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2010 by Galaxy
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good coffee but big flaws with the machine
This machine makes great coffee ... for a while but the following problems make it a real pain.
1. Water reservoir to small and hard to get to.
2. Read more
1. Water reservoir to small and hard to get to.
2. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2010 by Fingle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy this! Makes coffee as good as it looks
We have had a FrancisFrancis in almond for 8 months and think it is superb. I makes great coffee, is very easy to use, and is great value for money - it may seem expensive but for... Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2009 by JJ
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