Francis Francis X1 Ground Coffee Machine, Orange

This is the coolest looking coffee machine I have seen. But, there are problems with the manufacturing / distribution. The first machine I ordered from Amazon came with a broken STEAMER knob: rendering the machine non-functional. Alas, the manufacturing problems extended to other components too: the part you place the coffee into comes with 2 containers: for making 1 cup or 2 cups, and they are meant to be interchangeable ... but the fit was so tight, one couldn't remove it. Stuck fast. Then, the plastic drippers (for 1 cup or 2 cups) didn't fit onto the metal interconnects ... just bad manufacturing.Amazon kindly sent a replacement machine. The replacement also came with a STEAM knob that is broken: stuck hard ... it didn't rotate or swivel at all, rendering the machine useless. Oh ... and worse ... the machine which was supposed to be NEW ... was totally wet inside the plastic bag it ships in (inside the box)... even though the outside box was dry. How can it be wet on the INSIDE of the plastic bags, but not outside them? Because ... it appears I was not sent a NEW machine ... someone before me had filled it with water, found the machine was not working, returned it to Amazon, and then the water condensed out of the machine in the plastic bag, covering the bag in water .... and worse ... RUSTING the top metal rail. What kind of stainless steel rusts from condensation from a plastic bag? I love the look of this machine, but after two attempts at getting one that works, I'm giving up.

Love it! Had this for about 6 weeks now...makes beautiful coffee and looks amazing!...7 Months after purchase, the steam wand started leaking, meaning water flowed even when making espresso (which was then not ae good tasting; no crema on top due to pressure being less to express coffee properly). Also the milk was heated to a higher temperature which didn't taste so good.HOWEVER, as the guarantee is 2 years and I kept all packaging as advised to...the repair service was brilliant. It was collected by courier service, steam valve replaced and machine returned to me in just over a week. So, after-sales service and repair has been excellent!

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I was gifted this coffee machine back in 2005. As very much a basic being of the “life begins after coffee” mantra, the first thing I do each morning after hitting the alarm is turn this orange life giver on. After two minutes of warming up whilst I grind beans and taper the portafilter, it dutifully produces perfect espresso with fantastic crema. As we approach 13 years of daily service it has not once missed a beat, needed a replacement part or service. I have descaled it twice. A dependable and well engineered example of functional beauty.

I saw these in Italy about 5 or 6 years ago, and bought one on my return to England. I've never had any issues with cup sizes (I use regular espresso or cappucino cups), and mine came with a metal spout, which has always fitted without any problem.It still makes fantastic coffee after 5 years.If/when it does finally throw in the towel, I'll be replacing it with one exactly the same.Edit: It's now around 10 years since I bought this machine and finally the boiler has died. Ten years of almost daily use is, I suspect, pretty remarkable in this day and age, however, I won't be replacing it with the same - I'll get this one fixed. It's worth it...