it makes steam. The boiler doesn't leak. The portafilter is easy to use. It makes a dark liquid that smells like coffee.
Negative Product Points
you cannot stop the shots from pouring and they start pouring once the water is hot. WOrse is that in order to steam milk, shots must pour. It took me 10-12 shots of espresso just to steam enough milk for a 12 oz latte.
Detailed Commentary
I got it from my dad who got it as a gift from someone who gave up on it. It worked fine, but the coffee it made tasted nothing like espresso and it was very annoying that they put a steam wand, a valve for a steam wand, but no valve for the grouphead. I mean really. If I had to chose to piut a valve on either the grouphead or the steam wand Id rather have it on the group head so I didnt have to brew endless shots when i steam milk. Even better, i could even use it to power a toy steam engine. This design is hopeless and it tarneshes the krups name. Save your pennies and wait for sales. I just bought a saeco/(starbucks barista) espresso machine for 100 bucks (down from 500). If 100 is too much or you're impatient, a decent moka will make coffee of the same quality ast this machine for less money.
Buying Experience
My dad is a great guy and I loved getting my very own espresso maker, even if later it turned out to be a lemon.
