John Luif

At the risk of sounding like getting my nose in the air I have been searching for a good espresso maker.  This was what the wife and I decided to get for Christmas.  So I started with research and turned to coffeegeek.  Many reviews and good consumer feedback.  So after reading the reviews I went out and bought the FrancisFrancis! X3.  This machine was a pain in my ass.  The water tank is one of the dumbest designs I have ever seen.  I started out with using pods and coffee was all right but still it tasted like coffee not espresso.  Then I turned to grounds and this machine would just make a soupy mess after packing down the espresso to a solid block in the portafilter.  There is also an adapter to use for ground coffee so I tried using that and I just got really weak espresso.  So back to the store the X3 went.

The search for an espresso maker continues…  If anyone wants a million dollar idea open a espresso and coffee machine shop in Denver because there are none that I found.  Every place I called you had to make an appointment to look at a machine.  If I were spending big bucks for a machine I may do that (like buying a commercial machine) but I was looking at spending $1000 max (less would be better).  After driving all over the state to different stores and finding the same FrancisFrancis! espresso makers I finally gave in. 

Yes, that is right I just went and bought the Starbucks Barista and the Startbucks burr grinder.  I was not expecting much but from the first espresso to the one I just made a half hour ago this made great espresso with lots of creme.  The Barista is actually made by Seaco which I got many recommendations for and there is an authorized service center in Colorado Springs.  I think the grinder is made by Capresso which works much better than previous grinders I have owned.

Bottom line, the Barista may not be the best but at under $500 for an espresso maker and decent burr grinder it is hard to beat.  I would highly suggest staying away from anything FrancisFrancis, though they do look nice.