Christy Senior Member Joined: 29 Nov 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Ohio Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Francis Francis X5 Grinder: Breville
Posted Sun Sep 7, 2008, 7:52am Subject: Looking for an EASY to use semi automatic. Suggestions???
I am a fairly new espresso consumer. I currently have a FrancisFrancis X5 that I am ready to smash with a sledge hammer!! I have read & tried every suggestion I have come across (for the last 2 years) & I still cannot pull consistent shots. -I spoke with their service dept. thinking I might have an erratic thermostat. Prior to this I had a Starbucks barista for 10 years!! I only used pods then. So do I spend another $200.00 to repair the FFx5 or move on? I now like to grind my beans fresh to make my shots. I want a quality machine that is EASY to use. This weighing, tamping to x amount of pressure is alittle too time consuming for me daily. Is there a machine out there that makes quality shots without all the work?? Thx Christy
Without a decent burr grinder all your shots, no matter how good or bad the espresso machine, will be iffey.
Christy Said:
I have read & tried every suggestion I have come across (for the last 2 years) & I still cannot pull consistent shots. (snip) I want a quality machine that is EASY to use. This weighing, tamping to x amount of pressure is a little too time consuming for me daily. Is there a machine out there that makes quality shots without all the work??
Really sounds as if your taste has changed and your mouth now expects a good to great cup of espresso instead of what pods can offer.
Sorry to say but there is a minimal amount of effort required for a consistent good cup. Its really not all that much given the reward is a better cup than can be had at most coffee shops.
Instead of spending $200 in repairs on a machine that many on this site consider marginal why not invest in a good entry level machine like Gaggia? The Carezza can be had for $150-$200 all day and are very forgiving.
Christy Senior Member Joined: 29 Nov 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Ohio Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Francis Francis X5 Grinder: Breville
Posted Sun Sep 7, 2008, 8:24am Subject: Re: Looking for an EASY to use semi automatic. Suggestions???
Hello, Thank you for the reply. I am using a Breville grinder. I hope its not the grinder. I tried to keep my post short. But after talking to FFX5 service. I have noticed that sometimes when I prime the machine the water temp coming out is 180 degrees and also stema comes out of the brew head while priming. So I am hoping its mechanical errors & not user errors. As far as time goes I would not mind putting the time into it if I got desired results. It just seems to be hit or miss with this FFX5. One day their great shots & the next their bitter & burnt tasting. Thx. Christy
Posted Sun Sep 7, 2008, 11:36am Subject: Re: Looking for an EASY to use semi automatic. Suggestions???
Do you let the machine warm up for at least 15-30 minutes or so before using it? I'd suggest at least 25 minutes or so before using it to allow the portafilter to heat up - many instruction manuals don't mention that, but the water in the boiler could be up to temp, but if that hot water flows through the coffee and then the coffee hits a cold portafilter, the coffee temp will drop and you might have inconsistent results. Just a suggestion based on my experiences with a basic Gaggia - if you let it warm up at least 25 minutes or longer, the results were much better and consistent. Also, if you are using ground coffee (not pods), be sure to clean the shower screen and group area often so that your shots aren't tainted by nasty old coffee grounds or oils from previous uses. Clean equipment is always a good idea.
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