Krups F88042 VIVO

...machine when I saw the Krups Espresso Vivo on offer in Tesco last week, reduced from £79 to £69. You can pay anything up to £400 for 'the full monty' of coffee makers, so I thought it looked pretty good value.

It is a neat, compact, easy-to-use espresso and cappuccino maker, predominantly in matte black plastic. It has a large, removeable water tank which is easy to fill either at the tap or on the machine itself using, say, a Brita ...
...turns the machine on to heat the water, and one which starts the espresso pump. There are two lights, a red one to indicate it is switched on, and a yellow one which goes out when the water gets up to temperature.

It has a 15 bar pump pressure, which helps give a richer taste and a creamy 'head' on the espresso (looks a bit like Guinness). The filter holder looks a bit like a small cup on a handle, which you just put up to the body ... more

I'd been thinking about getting an espresso machine when I saw the Krups Espresso Vivo on offer in Tesco last week, reduced from £79 to £69. You can pay anything up to £400 for 'the full monty' of coffee makers, so I thought it looked pretty good value.

It is a neat, compact, easy-to-use espresso and cappuccino maker, predominantly in matte black plastic. It has a large, removeable water tank which is easy to fill either at the tap or on the machine itself using, say, a Brita jug. There are two switches on the top, one which turns the machine on to heat the water, and one which starts the espresso pump. There are two lights, a red one to indicate it is switched on, and a yellow one which goes out when the water gets up to temperature.

It has a 15 bar pump pressure, which helps give a richer taste and a creamy 'head' on the espresso (looks a bit like Guinness). The filter holder looks a bit like a small cup on a handle, which you just put up to the body of the machine and twist to the right to hold in place. The ground coffee goes into the filter - there are two different sizes of filter for 1 or 2 espressos. The machine comes with a measuring spoon with a flat end for pressing the coffee down in the filter - this is important because it makes the coffee flavour better. There is also a steam nozzle with a control tap on the side for frothing milk to make a cappuccino.

The manual is excellent, with clear instructions and pictures showing you exactly how to use it. There is also a simple Quick Start Guide in case you are really desperate/lazy!

Instructions:
- Fill the tank with water and switch the machine on, with the pump in the off position.
- Let the boiler fill up by switching the pump on with a cup underneath, when the water starts to dribble out you switch the pump off again. Throw the water from the cup away
- When the yellow light goes out you can heat up your espresso cups with hot water if you want to by using the filter holder with no coffee in.
- Put your ground coffee in the appropriate filter (1 or 2 measures).
- Press the coffee down hard and insert the filter holder into the machine, twisting it to the right to lock it in place.
- Switch the pump on with a cup underneath until you have the right amount of coffee, then switch the pump off
- Drink! (preferably with a tall dark Italian...)

To froth milk:
- Fill the tank with water and switch the machine on, with the pump in the off position.
- When the yellow light goes out turn on the steam nozzle with an empty cup underneath until the steam appears, then turn it off
- Put fresh, cold milk in a high sided container (eg a mug half filled)
- Put the container under the steam nozzle so the end of the nozzle is completely immersed, but make sure the nozzle isn't touching the bottom or the steam can't come out
- Turn the steam on and let it run until you have frothy milk (around 30 seconds)
- Turn the steam tap off, remove the container and turn the steam on briefly to clear the nozzle
- Add milk to espresso and drink!

Once you've finished you have to remember to clean out the filter and wipe off the steam nozzle, but it is well designed and easy to clean. The instructions may look complicated, but after a couple of goes it becomes very simple and routine.

I initially had trouble getting the creamy head on the espresso, but discovered this was because I was using ordinary ground coffee. The best coffee to use is specially finely ground for espresso makers - you can buy it from good supermarkets, or ask a coffee shop such as Whittards to grind it for you.

I like my coffee but I'm not a connoisseur, so I don't know what the more expensive versions could offer. For me this is perfect, it delivers great coffee with no hassle. And it doesn't take up too much room in my little kitchen!

I've only had it a week so can't really comment on the durability, but it seems pretty solid.

I've seen it for sale in John Lewis as well at the usual price of £79. 

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