I've had my X1 for about 6 years now and when it eventually goes wrong I wouldn't replace it with anything else. This is a fantastic machine and if you're an espresso drinker, then just about perfect.
It comes with 3 different sized filters for Espresso, Ristretto and cafe creme. You can use either the coffee pod system where you buy a can of pre-prepared servings in a pod. Or more fiddly, but less expensive, your traditional kit using ground coffee, tamping it down. Both systems come with the machine. At the back of the machine is a water reservoir that hold about a litre of water.
It's excellent at keeping the water temperature at around the perfect 97 degrees, although I've found if I forget to turn it off, after about an hour the temperature will rise by quite a bit. It only takes about 90 seconds to heat up to the right temperature too, and there are lights that come on and off aswell as a temperature gauge to let you know when it's good to go.
My only gripe with this machine would be the milk frother, it works perfectly well but it's slightly fiddly to clean as it doesn't detach from the body of the machine. Fortunately I'm not a big cappucino drinker but I imagine it might get on my nerves if I were.
What more can I say? It works perfectly every time, it's really quick to use especially if you use the coffee pod system. It's quieter than a lot of other machines i've seen and used. It's sleek and retro and just beautiful! It also comes in loads of different colours, about 20 I think at the last count. From standard black or chrome to yellow, orange, red, green, pink etc.... there's bound to be one that will fit any kitchen out there. It's easy to clean, most parts detach easily (except for that milk frother) and underneath where the cup sits there's a drip tray that I forgot to mention.
I love my francis francis and in 6 years of everyday use, it's never given me a problem. It's been worth every penny and as I mentioned at the start I would buy one again in a heartbeat!
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