Krups FND111 Allegro Espresso Maker, Black & Silver | 
| Brand: Krups
List Price: $75.00
Buy New: $49.00
You Save: $26.00 (35%)
New (9) Used (1) from $49.00
Rating:  139 reviews
Sales Rank: 3311
Color: Black and Silver
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 6
Dimensions (in): 11.9 x 11.9 x 9.8
Legal Disclaimer: Sale Ends: 05-11-2008. You may return or exchange merchandise purchased from Macy's @ Amazon by mail only. Certain items are covered by warranty as indicated. To obtain a copy of the warranty prior to purchase, please write to: macys.com Customer Service Dept.; P.O. Box 8215; Mason, OH 45040; Small Ticket Department-Warranty;
MPN: XP1020
Model: FND111
UPC: 010942202493
EAN: 0010942202493
ASIN: B0001I9R82
Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days
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| Features:
| • | Easy-to-use, 4-bar steam espresso machine for espresso, cappuccino, and lattes | | • | Convenient large-capacity carafe with lid and handle equals easy pouring | | • | Steam nozzle quickly froths milk, easily controlled by oversized dial | | • | Space-saving design; removable drip tray for easy clean up | | • | Built-in safety valve provides safe operation |
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Product Description
Most of the higher priced espresso makers use pump driven mechanisms to deliver espressos. If you're seeking a simple one-cup espresso or cappuccino, the steam-driven espresso machine is more affordable and requires less maintenance. With no pump, it's more compact. Yet there's virtually no compromise in flavor and aroma. Sized for use at work or home, the Krups XP1020 may just be that simple little espresso machine you've been looking for as an easy alternative to typical American coffee.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 134 more reviews...
 Works great - now used almost daily! December 7, 2005
SS (California)
73 out of 74 found this review helpful
So I didn't buy this on amazon but at Crate and Barrel instead where you can return the product should anything go wrong.
That being said, my husband has enjoyed latte's 5-7 times a week now for over a month and the machine works great each time. The one thing you just have to make sure you do is release the pressure in the machine after you've let the machine cool down for some time. If you don't I think the seal would have issues.
Also, the milk steamer should be cleaned periodically with hot water or else you get junk built up on it.
Anyway, it's a great little machine and I love it.
 Not a good machine! January 5, 2005
carolyn (Canal Winchester, OH)
62 out of 116 found this review helpful
That said, I must repeat it - DON'T EVER BUY THIS MACHINE! Krups' quality has certainly decreased over the years and this one is no exception. We have had two of their coffee pots which both exploded all over the kitchen, grounds, hot water, etc. and this one didn't fair any better. Go for a better brand than Krups - ours stopped working the third time we used it and it wound up in the trash can. We just gave up. JC Penney makes a good one! Don't waste your time or money on this one - go to a quality store and take your time and purchase a good one that will last longer than three tries This machine just died, no warning, nothing, then spewed hot milk all over the kitchen. Unfortunately, it happened during a formal party. How embarassing! I sincerely do not recommend this product!
Not bad for the price February 12, 2006
DKM (North Carolina)
46 out of 47 found this review helpful
I'm a pretty big coffee snob, but for the price, this is a great machine. One of these days I'll be off a grad-school budget and I'll invest in a nicer one, but this one has served me almost daily for over a year, and I love it. It took me a lot of trial and error (having started off as basic coffee brewer), but I've mastered it and saved reduced my Starbucks costs. Though steam-driven machines like this one don't give you quite the flavor richness of pump-driven machines, adjusting your brewing practices can compensate for the difference:
1. If you will be brewing espresso for entertaining, you may be better off investing in a pump driven/more expensive machine that can continuously brew. However, if you only brew 1-2 drinks at a time, this machine does the trick.
2. When steaming milk, particularly milk with higher fat content or soy milk, the frother nozzle is so narrow it can EASILY get blocked by super small milk droplets that congeal when they cool (1-2 uses is all it takes). When it happens the first time, you'll be convinced, as I was, the machine broke, as the steam's just not coming out even though you hear the water boiling inside. I'm almost positive this was the glitch that some reviewers had. I've taken to briefly switching this machine to the espresso setting long enough to remove the milk from under the nozzle without spattering, then setting it back to the steam setting for 2-3 seconds to blow out any milk that would otherwise congeal. Wiping the nozzle down after use won't get the stuff out from inside (though you can unscrew the bottom part of the nozzle, soak in a cup of warm water and rinse).
3. Invest in the good beans. The stuff in the store rarely cuts it because the beans are dry and there's no telling how long they've been on the shelf. By no means use pre-ground beans designed for coffee makers since they're not ground fine enough (the finer the grounds, the richer the flavor). The only pre-packaged beans I'll buy are ones sold in coffee shops because they're better at switching out older stock. Fresh beans are even better. Stick to bold roasts if you really like the flavor of Starbucks' lattes and caps.
4. If you don't have a grinder at home, have the coffee shop grind your beans for you. You may want to buy a grinder though because freshly ground beans yield a much better flavor (grind for 20-30 seconds to ensure a very fine consistancy).
5. NEVER store your beans in the freezer. Keep them in an air-tight container at room temp. Large spaghetti sauce and/or mason jars are great for this.
6. Milk type makes a big difference. Whole milk gives absolutely the richest flavor, while skim milk gives the flattest. For the health-conscious, a happy middle is the 1-2% line (I'll be first in line at Starbucks when they give me an option other than skim or whole).
7. I typically only brew enough espresso for 1 drink at a time and have found that grinding 2 - 2.5 scoops (the scooper that comes with the machine) of fresh beans, 1.5 - 2 oz of espresso, and 8-9 oz of steamed milk yeilds a pretty Starbucks-worthy latte, especially when you experiment with flavored syrups and spices (I sometimes tap a little cinnamon or nutmeg into the grinder before grinding).
8. Be sure you descale the machine as often as the manual suggests.
 I would be more allegro had one piece not broken on the third day October 23, 2005
Margery Pignatelli (Litchfield, CT USA)
27 out of 37 found this review helpful
My old Krups died after valiant service, so, deprived of my elixir, I decided to try another Krups. I read a lot of froth here on the reviews for this model, and proceeded with purchase.
Naturally, something as high tech as a cappuccino maker needs to constantly evolve to keep up with the times, so the new machine seemed quite different than our old model. After painful adjustment, and a steep learning curve, we finally succeeded in making our first cup of FND111 cappuccino - it was delicious. It was on the third day of its new life that I got steamed at the soul of my new machine. As I was enjoying the brew with my wife, she fished out from here cup a piece of debris. It was the frother.
the FND111 still makes good cappuccino, but its once proud appendage that shot out the special steam is now merely the thin, ordinary appurtenance it was before.
But hey, what can one expect, it is only a coffee maker.
 Makes excellent espresso with crema if you DON'T follow the instructions February 8, 2007
Jonathan S. Maltz (Oakland, CA USA)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
If you follow the manual that comes with the unit,
this machine will make large quantities of burnt espresso.
This is because there is no temperature control on the water. When
making espresso, the water must be kept below boiling point inside the espresso holder. If it boils, nasty bitter taste is imparted and all is lost.
To make this machine work properly, you need to control the brewing process carefully.
Begin by buying some good espresso. Illy or Lavazza or comparable. Grind the beans to a really fine powder. A good blade grinder is perfectly adequate.
Fill the espresso holder completely, but do this in increments - pack the coffee with moderate force with your fingertips when you get half way and when it is full. I do this through a piece of paper towel. The manufacturer says not to pack the espresso. I suppose it is possible that this may destroy the machine or pose a danger of explosion, but I have done this hundreds of times with no problems. Do this at your own risk.
Add 1 cup of water to the boiler and switch on.
Ideally, the first liquid to emerge is a sticky, thick black resin. This is followed by some more watery dark coffee and crema. As soon as the exit nozzle begins to sputter (the water starts boiling inside the espresso holder), remove the receiving container and substitute it for another to collect the dregs.
You will be left with a 2-4 ounces of excellent strong espresso.
Pressure may remain in the espresso holder even after depressurizing the rest of the machine. Be very careful when detaching the holder, as hot coffee grounds may fly out at high speed even after several minutes of quiescence.
Its definitely worth the effort.
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