FrancisFrancis! X1

We have owned a red Francis Francis X1 since 2003. I use it for making ground coffee. Except for an internal leak repaired for a modest fee by a local shop we have had few problems and the coffee is excellent with good crema. I should say that the red enamel has flaked off around the edges of the drip tray where coffee acids accumulate, and the thermometer has ceased to function, although the thermostat still works.

In the event that the machine finally gives up the ghost I would seriously consider buying the current Francis Francis X1 model, though I understand that the electronics are more complex, hence more potential service problems.

I would recommend this machine to a friend.

I've recently bought a used Francis Francis X1 esspresso maker and have so far been very disappointed.

Have had an AEG cheap esspresso make that makes fantastic coffee with rich froth and taste. We have used it since 2007 and it still works perfectly without any service. Coffee powder and water in, esspresso out and that's about it.

I like design of Francis and thought to combine beautifull design and coffee mashine but so far have only got design. Coffee is tasteless with no froth at all.

Can anyone give me some suggestions on how to get a good coffee out of my design esspresso maker?

I have had a number of coffee machines over the years inclduing 3 kenwood retro which all were good machines made good latte's espresso... but largely died after 18 or so months. So i thought i'll spend 3x as much for a better quality machine that will hopefully last x3 as long. I'm not sure I could argue this machine is even close to as good as the Kenwood. The bad points are numerous and to give you a few:

>The machine is ~ 8 months old i make 4-5 coffees per day and it now leaks like no ones business

>Rarely generates crema unlike the Kenwood

>Ever so slightly over fill the coffee grinds (its recessed so you can't help but get this wrong every now and then) and the machine sqirts grinds and water and you have to start again

>The height restricts the size of cup so much that it makes anything other than using an espresso cup virtually impractical (the kenwood would fit a mug)

>The water jug is very helpfully directly behind the machine so you have to pull the damn thing away from the wall to refill all of the time (minor niggle but again poor design for a machine that is most likely to be up against a wall)

>I am having to descale this machine every month or so again most of the machines I've had in the past have lasted more like 6 months before there was noticable reduction in pressure. After a month it barely works.

>The drip tray is dire, the lip on the metal grate is tiny so every time you touch it it slides out of place taking your cup with it :( again very poor design

As you can see I could list more but I sound like a sad sap who can't help complaining, I rarely feel it worth it but I felt i had to make an exception for this truly rubbish machine. Don't buy one save yourself.

This is a great machine. I have owned three espresso makers before, and this is the absolute best one. It is being said that it is expensive, due to its looks. I would say that if you compare to machines at the same price level, this one does as well compete on quality.

I have owned this machine for almost 2 years and it is the best coffee maker I have ever had. Yes, it's expensive, but it consistently produces excellent coffee. I have tried numerous cheaper machines and none heat the water to a sufficient temperature to extract the full flavour of the coffee. The machine is heavy but for the job it is doing, it needs to be. so far I have had absolutely no problems with it and I love the retro look of it. My only critisism is that it is quite difficult to remove the filter in order to clean the machine.

I bought the Francis Francis! X1 around 7 months ago, and as yet I haven't managed to force a decent cup of coffee out of it. I have tried the Illy beans which are recommended for it, plus many others bought from individual roasters. I have tested these identical beans for flavour in a caffetiere, with perfect results. I am well used to coffee machines, so I'm fairly confident that the problem is with the machine and not with me!

The machine is difficult to use - it is heavy and you have to move it forwards to replenish the water tank. I live in a hard water area, so descaling is a nightmare, but worse than both of these is that it needs a full clean with cleaning tablets after every cup - the second time you use it, even it you give it a very good clean with a cloth and run clear water through it beforehand, the coffee is always intolerably bitter. Also, it frequently leaks from the join between the coffee holder and the machine itself. So much messing about for a cup of coffee which tastes bad....I deeply regret paying £365 for this machine, and am about to put it on ebay.

I have owned this FrancisFrancis! X1 for 2 years and had no problems. Good with a grind, better for the E.S.E pods. Impressive retro style look.

I had the FrancisFrancis X1 for nine months when it developed a fault in the steam arm and a large piece of enamel flaked off the drawer front. EuroFoodBrands of Sywell, Northampstonshire are the UK importers and the machine had to be sent back to them under the terms of the 2 year warranty. They offered to collect but only on the understanding that the machine would not be insured during transit and if lost or damaged in transit this would be my responsibility. I was not happy about this and John Lewis whom I bought the machine from offered to transport it at their risk. Five weeks later I got the machine back. In the meantime, EFB had delivered it to the wrong workshop where it sat until John Lewis phoned to see what was happening and it was then transferred to the correct workshop (John Lewis had to arrange this transfer!). EFB refused to replace the drawer front stating that the guarantee only covered working parts. However the guarantee clearly states replacement of any part found to have a manufacturing default within the guarantee period. In the end John Lewis paid for the drawer front. John Lewis told me that they found EFB a very difficult company to deal with (I also had difficulties when contacting them direct) and that they were sending a report to their company's Head Buyer as they were so concerned about the after sales service. As well as paying for the replacement drawer front, I received £20 in compensation and a huge bouquet of flowers from John Lewis in recognition of the problems experienced with EFB. But no apology at all from EFB. Yes, this is a nice looking machine, makes a good cup of coffee but YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED IF YOU NEED TO GET IT REPAIRED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE GUARANTEE

I have had many coffee machines in my life, and got the FrancisFrancis! X1 as a birthday present. In my opinion it under performs those a third of its price. It just doesn't work properly and mine has also just broken after only 6 months. The seal no longer works, so water spills over the bit that holds the coffee instead of forcing it through at high pressure. Coffe now full of grains and weak. Very dissapointed.Do not buy this machine.

We used to have a Kenwood retro espresso machine and it started rusting under the coating as well as the pump breaking within one year. The francis francis x1 is powder coated which seems more durable. It is very quick with reheating between cups of coffee and cools down quickly from steam function to coffee. It does leak a little from the steam spout when brewing coffee but I keep a glass under it.