Krups XP4030 Pump Espresso Machine, Black

This is a sharp looking machine that looks good sitting on the countertop. This is my first espresso machine, so it definitely took some time getting it right. Be aware that the nozzle on the frothing milk component often comes off and leads to a rather large mess of milk going everywhere. Other than that, the machine makes pretty good lattes/espressos. Also, you have to shut off the espresso maker manually when the proper amount of espresso has been made. This took me some time to figure out the proper amount in order to not dilute the beverage. Despite these issues, the product runs well and seems to be of decent quality.

I've had 3 of these: in less than 30 days!!! It makes great espressos and caps, but mine kept breaking, and the retailer confided that ours weren't the only ones. The first one wouldn't steam. The second one did, but then the 'wand' literally shot off the machine into the milk, and could have steamed my hand. The third one had a funky switch right out of the box: it was angled like it hadn't been attached correctly at the factory. We kept it for 10 days, and then it died completely.
To their credit, customer service was excellent, empathetic, and did the right thing. But I'm done with Krups. Too bad, because the expresso and the steamer worked perfectly (when they worked).

After making cappuccino on steam type espresso makers daily for the past 12 years, I thought it was time to upgrade to a pump model. I researched pump types and decided on this model. Wow! What a difference! The espresso first comes out as a creamy light brown froth which then clarifies into a rich darker brown color within a minute. What a difference in taste! We use pure Kona and the taste is softer and smoother than we're used to. In the week I've used it, I haven't yet mastered the froth on this unit, but it's getting better and is probably a learning curve on my behalf.

Some pointers and caveats need to be mentioned up front for optimum performance and eyes wide open purchase:

1) This model is heavier & noisier than steam models
2) No decanter is included. I use a Pyrex measuring cup if making two servings. About 1/3 cup per espresso serving.
3) You must manually turn off the espresso control after the desired quantity is made, hence the measurement of 1/3 cup per serving
4) The water tank is removable--a nice touch. If it is not reseated properly, you will hear a very loud continuous noise as the unit tries to suck out water it cannot obtain. This is just a learner's tip.
5) While the water reservoir is massive, you can only make one or two servings at a time, unless the espresso is diluted. Making more is only a matter of placing the unit in standby, removing the grounds, refilling with fresh grounds and continuing the process again.
6) Always wait for the thump thump noises of the pump to stop before proceeding to the next step. This is usually a matter of several seconds, just don't be impatient!
7) Whenever crafting the froth, you must wait for the orange light to go out before proceeding. This is like waiting for the oven to reach appropriate temperature.
8) Alternatively, you cannot go straight from froth to espresso without first placing the unit in standby for a cooldown cycle. The pump will cycle for about 10 seconds. When it stops, you can proceed. This is only a cool down period.
9) For making espresso only, this unit is FAST!!
10) I am well over the age of 13!

With the above in mind, I hope you take the plunge. The price is right and the difference in taste is remarkable. If you're thinking of upgrading your steam espresso maker, go for it! The Holidaze are just around the corner!

First, an introduction to my point-of-view on coffee. I am not a coffee snob by any means, but I do know what tastes good and what does not. I am also no stranger to the kitchen...what I mean is, kitchen gadgets are pretty self-explanatory to me.

I wanted an espresso machine because paying almost $5 for a latte a day was becoming out of control I brew coffee at home all the time, but really needed something that would save me $20+ a week. I purchased a Mr Coffee unit which was awful and I returned. I did not want to spend $300 - $500 on something to brew espresso, but I did not want something that was cheap. I selected this model based upon it's pump feature and my previous experience with Krups.

Right out of the box, I cleaned the system following the simple instructions. Then, I was off to make my first latte. I read the instructions, while cleaning the system, and found them very easy to understand. Also, cleaning the system really helps to learn the system quite quickly. So, off I go....

This KRUPS unit brews a beautiful cup of espresso and quite simply so. Once my espresso was brewed, I steamed and foamed my milk for a latte. I could not believe how simple it was. My very first experience with this unit and I was able to create a wonderful latte that not only tasted good, but came out right. The milk was hot and there was the right amount of foam to drizzle my chocolate on top.

This unit allows you not only to brew ground espresso, but also pods if you choose. I am not a fan of the pods, but I might be with this unit. There are three filters in the box. A one scoop (cup), two scoop and pod filter. Also, it comes with a nice scoop that has a flat bottom at the end of the handle so that you can tamp your grounds in the filter. Very clever. The only thing that you might like which does not come with this unit is an actual small pot. I use a measuring cup so I can see exactly how much espresso I have brewed, but you can always purchase one of those pots as well.

The milk steamer/foamer is very simple to use. There is about a 3 inch clearing, so you may want to purchase a shorter stainless steel cup for steaming your milk. I use a 2 cup with the slant design. It is a pump; the sounds it makes are very normal.

Some tips I would like to offer:
1. Before pouring your milk into your container for steaming, place it in the freezer for about 5 minutes so that the milk is really cold. This will help to achieve the best foam.

2. Freshly ground espresso beans will give a full-flavor espresso. I tried pre-ground and it is not near as good.

3. Don't get frustrated if it does not work the first time. Especially the milk. This really is simple on this unit, but does take practice if you have never done it before.

A side note: My favorite is a Marble Mocha Macchiato - so I wanted to attempt this at home. Use about 1 cup of milk, purchase white chocolate sauce and dark chocolate syrup and you can make these at home for cheap. They are just as good. You can also create white chocolate mochas omitting the dark chocolate syrup.


I bought this without reading the reviews and was worried to say the least. I have used this for three weeks now with no probems. The instructions once learned are easy . I have been getting very tasty caps twice a day. I prefer using my own coffee as the pods that I bought tend to make things leak. The only issue I find is you must be careful while frothing if you bottom out the tip it can and will fall off. Scary to say the least. Make sure to clean well as this can also cause leaks. I always run a shot without filter in place to clean out grounds. Hope that it keeps working well.

I should have "listened" to the bad reviews from several about this product. It immediately failed; then when I got a little coffee to squeeze out, it was no where near even the quality of a boiled cup. Calls to Krups acknowledged the problems, offered to send new designed filter...which two weeks later has not arrived. I bought this believing that Krups was a technology leader in this field. Boy was I wrong.

There is a problem with the switch. The pump is not cycling on and off as it should, and if I switch to froth then back to "off," the brewing cycle runs. I have to switch to brew, then back to off, to shut off the machine.
I also have trouble with some pods, where I cannot get water to push through them. And making espresso with loose grounds usually leaves wet soupy grounds in the holder, regardless of tamping pressure and cleaning the head, according to the instructions.
Overall it makes a good enough espresso, but it doesn't work as it should.

The XP4030 is excellent. As a lover of good espresso, the steam based machines left a lot to be desired. A little education leads one to a pump based machine, which is more exacting, much more convenient, easier to use and much faster. This product is the perfect choice for someone making the leap casually, without getting into machines that can run 3, 4 even 20 times the cost. The results are amazing and exceed expectations. It comes with all the necessary accessories... just add coffee and fill the tank with water. The instructions, at first, seem complex, but after a tryout, it is truly simple and very satisfying for the budding Barista.

I really appreciate the other very thoughtful reviews I have read here. This is my first "pump" machine. I will never go back to steam. I thought I was drinking espresso for several years but it does not compare with the shot I get from this unit. The crema (foam) on top of the espresso shot is great, and the coffee from a properly prepared espresso is not bitter but rather bittersweet as it should be. My concern however is that I cannot consistently get a full seal to the gasket with the portafilter. If I see any leakage down around the side of the portafilter that means I will have a less quality shot. After having this now for 4 weeks I am convinced it is nothing that is my fault. The gasket is clean, the rim of the basket and portafilter is clean, but still I get leaks. It seems the first shot of the day never leaks which makes me think the gasket gets hot and is overly soft and therefore not sealing? I have removed the gasket 3 times to clean and inspect for damage. None found. I looked at some professional machines and they do not have this soft gasket. Theirs is a much harder surface the metal seats against. I am ready to return the machine because I have come to the conclusion that either this is a faulty design for a gasket or there is something structurally wrong with the portafilter and it cannot seal (but why does it work perfectly sometimes?) I have put serious thought and effort into trying to figure this out and was very willing for it to be my fault but after pulling 10 shots a day for 4 weeks and working hard to figure it out I am sure there is some defect I can't put my finger on! Any suggestions? I don't feel I should be buying new parts like gaskets and portafilter baskets for an almost new unit! It was a gift and I don't have the receipt or it would be back to store already. Overall I love it. Great appearance and beautiful espressos - most of the time - quickly becoming some of the time!

This machine makes a good cup of espresso with either loose pack coffee or ESE pods. I have used it for several weeks without problem.

I wrongly thought the KRUPS name stood for quality products and good customer service.

The KRUPS XP4030 was a Christmas present. It worked on Christmas day. The very next day the Coffee Steam Selector Switch FAILED . The machine pumps hot water and steam ONLY out of the steam nozzle.

KRUPS Customer Service appologized for the inconvenience, and suggested the machine be sent to the closest service center POSTAGE and INSURANCE PREPAID. Customer Service refused to take full responsibility for the failure of this new machine.

This Krups machine makes decent espresso. My only problem with it is that if you steam the milk first then its flat and lukewarm by the time you make the espresso. If you make the espresso first then the coffee is lukewarm by the time you steam the milk. Instead I microwave the milk to the frothing point as I make espresso so they are both hot at the same time. Only problem is that I don't have a true froth to top it off.

We bought this machine after our Briel ES200APG-TB Multi-Pro One Group Thermo Block Espresso Machine with Auto Espresso Flow, Steel/Silver broke down.

This machine is quite simple to use and makes good espressos. I also like the fact that regular coffee mugs fit under the percolator and that I can make 2 at the same time.

It's a great machine for the price you pay.

I have been using this machine for about 2 weeks. Makes consistently good espresso once you get the timing correct with grinding and packing. Does a great job of frothing and steaming also. I highly recommend it.

I had a top-of-the-line beautiful professional Krups machine that lasted me for over 12 years. It was really a beautiful piece of machinery, but, alas, it failed (the pump went). Time to get another one. Thinking that since this one lasted me so long, I decided to get another Krups. I went to Linens & Things here in the Toronto area and bought the XP4030 due to its reasonable price ($199 CAD on sale) and features (not to mention the nice form factor). I have now tried to make 4 espressos, using the 1-cup filter and the cheap plastic measuring spoon/tamper included in the box. When turning the machine on, the blue and orange lights light up immediately, then the orange "ready" light goes out within 2-3 seconds, supposedly indicating that the water is hot enough to make the cup. WRONG! The water is cold, it does not filter through the grounds (freshly ground for espresso at Starbucks), and there is virtually no crema. The taste is awful, and cold. I called L&T back and they said they're thinking of discontinuing carrying Krups for the large number of similarly defective units they've sold. It's a shame. They used to have such great machines, but if you continue to read reviews here and elsewhere, you'll see how many have had the same experiences.

So this begs the question: what to buy in this price range? Saeco seems to be the machine of choice, off to the store I go.

I bought the krups after reading the reviews online. The negative seemed to be that it was loud. I couldn't afford the one at Starbucks for over $400, so loud was OK with me. At first with youth activities and a very social life I would use it sometime to make 20 lattes a day. It was loud, but stayed hot and foamed milk great. Then I went over to a friends house who had a nice Starbucks machine, and she showed me how to steam milk without burning it. If the machine is screaming while heating the milk then you are burning the milk. You should work up a foam and then heat it and it purrs so quietly. I love my machine.

"The Krups heritage of German engineered coffee machines..." apparently ended with my XP4030 as it was made in MEXICO! I knocked it down a point because the advertising is misleading.



Putting that aside, this is a pretty nice machine. I purchased it on the quest for espresso at home. It has replaced my Bialetti 3 cup stove top. The main reason is that this machine makes some amazing crema (bialetti makes NONE).



I was torn between buying this model and a comparable gaggia. In the end I went with the Krups because I was able to play with both at a store. The handle is HEAVY! The machine is also heavy (13-14 lbs.. the gaggia is more toy like in weight and materials). The Krups machine felt more substantial.



Noticeable issues: The head can leak if you dont put it on the machine properly. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!! Keep the head clean, keep the sides of the filter clean and attach everything tightly. Do this, and the leaking stops!



The espresso was bitter: again READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!! 1 (thats ONE) scoop of coffee (I prefer Illy dark roast) tamped (not compacted with your entire body weight) and the bitterness is gone! Tamping is an art, and you can learn how with time. The key is not to go crazy. Add some pressure and leave it alone.



Let me repeat something.. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!



Its a nice machine, get some tempered glass cups and start enjoying!



The crema that this machine produced was amazing! I like espresso in little glasses (5 oz and under). The "foam" was about equal in height to the approx 1.5 oz of espresso. I was really impressed!

At first I went "Oh no!" when my Krups XP4030 leaked around the gasket both when running the first water through it and then when making my first coffee. Maybe the gasket just needed to seat or something, because I've used it dozens of times since and not a single leak. Makes better crema than my Gaggia that cost 3x as much, though so far the steam pressure and wand design leave something to be desired (I haven't gotten the hang of foaming with this one yet, and I've used a lot of steamers successfully, even straight pipes). Cleanup is a little more elaborate than the other machines I've used but the coffee -- no doubt about it -- is GREAT! This machine is a fantastic buy, considering it's a pump design.

"The Krups heritage of German engineered coffee machines..." apparently ended with my XP4030 as it was made in MEXICO! I knocked it down a point because the advertising is misleading.



Putting that aside, this is a pretty nice machine. I purchased it on the quest for espresso at home. It has replaced my Bialetti 3 cup stove top. The main reason is that this machine makes some amazing crema (bialetti makes NONE).



I was torn between buying this model and a comparable gaggia. In the end I went with the Krups because I was able to play with both at a store. The handle is HEAVY! The machine is also heavy (13-14 lbs.. the gaggia is more toy like in weight and materials). The Krups machine felt more substantial.



Noticeable issues: The head can leak if you dont put it on the machine properly. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!! Keep the head clean, keep the sides of the filter clean and attach everything tightly. Do this, and the leaking stops!



The espresso was bitter: again READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!! 1 (thats ONE) scoop of coffee (I prefer Illy dark roast) tamped (not compacted with your entire body weight) and the bitterness is gone! Tamping is an art, and you can learn how with time. The key is not to go crazy. Add some pressure and leave it alone.



Let me repeat something.. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!



Its a nice machine, get some tempered glass cups and start enjoying!



The crema that this machine produced was amazing! I like espresso in little glasses (5 oz and under). The "foam" was about equal in height to the approx 1.5 oz of espresso. I was really impressed!

I bought the krups after reading the reviews online. The negative seemed to be that it was loud. I couldn't afford the one at Starbucks for over $400, so loud was OK with me. At first with youth activities and a very social life I would use it sometime to make 20 lattes a day. It was loud, but stayed hot and foamed milk great. Then I went over to a friends house who had a nice Starbucks machine, and she showed me how to steam milk without burning it. If the machine is screaming while heating the milk then you are burning the milk. You should work up a foam and then heat it and it purrs so quietly. I love my machine.

We bought this machine after our Briel ES200APG-TB Multi-Pro One Group Thermo Block Espresso Machine with Auto Espresso Flow, Steel/Silver broke down.

This machine is quite simple to use and makes good espressos. I also like the fact that regular coffee mugs fit under the percolator and that I can make 2 at the same time.

It's a great machine for the price you pay.

I have been using this machine for about 2 weeks. Makes consistently good espresso once you get the timing correct with grinding and packing. Does a great job of frothing and steaming also. I highly recommend it.

I had a top-of-the-line beautiful professional Krups machine that lasted me for over 12 years. It was really a beautiful piece of machinery, but, alas, it failed (the pump went). Time to get another one. Thinking that since this one lasted me so long, I decided to get another Krups. I went to Linens & Things here in the Toronto area and bought the XP4030 due to its reasonable price ($199 CAD on sale) and features (not to mention the nice form factor). I have now tried to make 4 espressos, using the 1-cup filter and the cheap plastic measuring spoon/tamper included in the box. When turning the machine on, the blue and orange lights light up immediately, then the orange "ready" light goes out within 2-3 seconds, supposedly indicating that the water is hot enough to make the cup. WRONG! The water is cold, it does not filter through the grounds (freshly ground for espresso at Starbucks), and there is virtually no crema. The taste is awful, and cold. I called L&T back and they said they're thinking of discontinuing carrying Krups for the large number of similarly defective units they've sold. It's a shame. They used to have such great machines, but if you continue to read reviews here and elsewhere, you'll see how many have had the same experiences.

So this begs the question: what to buy in this price range? Saeco seems to be the machine of choice, off to the store I go.

The XP4030 is excellent. As a lover of good espresso, the steam based machines left a lot to be desired. A little education leads one to a pump based machine, which is more exacting, much more convenient, easier to use and much faster. This product is the perfect choice for someone making the leap casually, without getting into machines that can run 3, 4 even 20 times the cost. The results are amazing and exceed expectations. It comes with all the necessary accessories... just add coffee and fill the tank with water. The instructions, at first, seem complex, but after a tryout, it is truly simple and very satisfying for the budding Barista.

I really appreciate the other very thoughtful reviews I have read here. This is my first "pump" machine. I will never go back to steam. I thought I was drinking espresso for several years but it does not compare with the shot I get from this unit. The crema (foam) on top of the espresso shot is great, and the coffee from a properly prepared espresso is not bitter but rather bittersweet as it should be. My concern however is that I cannot consistently get a full seal to the gasket with the portafilter. If I see any leakage down around the side of the portafilter that means I will have a less quality shot. After having this now for 4 weeks I am convinced it is nothing that is my fault. The gasket is clean, the rim of the basket and portafilter is clean, but still I get leaks. It seems the first shot of the day never leaks which makes me think the gasket gets hot and is overly soft and therefore not sealing? I have removed the gasket 3 times to clean and inspect for damage. None found. I looked at some professional machines and they do not have this soft gasket. Theirs is a much harder surface the metal seats against. I am ready to return the machine because I have come to the conclusion that either this is a faulty design for a gasket or there is something structurally wrong with the portafilter and it cannot seal (but why does it work perfectly sometimes?) I have put serious thought and effort into trying to figure this out and was very willing for it to be my fault but after pulling 10 shots a day for 4 weeks and working hard to figure it out I am sure there is some defect I can't put my finger on! Any suggestions? I don't feel I should be buying new parts like gaskets and portafilter baskets for an almost new unit! It was a gift and I don't have the receipt or it would be back to store already. Overall I love it. Great appearance and beautiful espressos - most of the time - quickly becoming some of the time!

I bought this without reading the reviews and was worried to say the least. I have used this for three weeks now with no probems. The instructions once learned are easy . I have been getting very tasty caps twice a day. I prefer using my own coffee as the pods that I bought tend to make things leak. The only issue I find is you must be careful while frothing if you bottom out the tip it can and will fall off. Scary to say the least. Make sure to clean well as this can also cause leaks. I always run a shot without filter in place to clean out grounds. Hope that it keeps working well.

I should have "listened" to the bad reviews from several about this product. It immediately failed; then when I got a little coffee to squeeze out, it was no where near even the quality of a boiled cup. Calls to Krups acknowledged the problems, offered to send new designed filter...which two weeks later has not arrived. I bought this believing that Krups was a technology leader in this field. Boy was I wrong.

There is a problem with the switch. The pump is not cycling on and off as it should, and if I switch to froth then back to "off," the brewing cycle runs. I have to switch to brew, then back to off, to shut off the machine.
I also have trouble with some pods, where I cannot get water to push through them. And making espresso with loose grounds usually leaves wet soupy grounds in the holder, regardless of tamping pressure and cleaning the head, according to the instructions.
Overall it makes a good enough espresso, but it doesn't work as it should.

This Krups machine makes decent espresso. My only problem with it is that if you steam the milk first then its flat and lukewarm by the time you make the espresso. If you make the espresso first then the coffee is lukewarm by the time you steam the milk. Instead I microwave the milk to the frothing point as I make espresso so they are both hot at the same time. Only problem is that I don't have a true froth to top it off.

This machine makes a good cup of espresso with either loose pack coffee or ESE pods. I have used it for several weeks without problem.

I wrongly thought the KRUPS name stood for quality products and good customer service.

The KRUPS XP4030 was a Christmas present. It worked on Christmas day. The very next day the Coffee Steam Selector Switch FAILED . The machine pumps hot water and steam ONLY out of the steam nozzle.

KRUPS Customer Service appologized for the inconvenience, and suggested the machine be sent to the closest service center POSTAGE and INSURANCE PREPAID. Customer Service refused to take full responsibility for the failure of this new machine.

This is a sharp looking machine that looks good sitting on the countertop. This is my first espresso machine, so it definitely took some time getting it right. Be aware that the nozzle on the frothing milk component often comes off and leads to a rather large mess of milk going everywhere. Other than that, the machine makes pretty good lattes/espressos. Also, you have to shut off the espresso maker manually when the proper amount of espresso has been made. This took me some time to figure out the proper amount in order to not dilute the beverage. Despite these issues, the product runs well and seems to be of decent quality.

I've had 3 of these: in less than 30 days!!! It makes great espressos and caps, but mine kept breaking, and the retailer confided that ours weren't the only ones. The first one wouldn't steam. The second one did, but then the 'wand' literally shot off the machine into the milk, and could have steamed my hand. The third one had a funky switch right out of the box: it was angled like it hadn't been attached correctly at the factory. We kept it for 10 days, and then it died completely.
To their credit, customer service was excellent, empathetic, and did the right thing. But I'm done with Krups. Too bad, because the expresso and the steamer worked perfectly (when they worked).

First, an introduction to my point-of-view on coffee. I am not a coffee snob by any means, but I do know what tastes good and what does not. I am also no stranger to the kitchen...what I mean is, kitchen gadgets are pretty self-explanatory to me.

I wanted an espresso machine because paying almost $5 for a latte a day was becoming out of control I brew coffee at home all the time, but really needed something that would save me $20+ a week. I purchased a Mr Coffee unit which was awful and I returned. I did not want to spend $300 - $500 on something to brew espresso, but I did not want something that was cheap. I selected this model based upon it's pump feature and my previous experience with Krups.

Right out of the box, I cleaned the system following the simple instructions. Then, I was off to make my first latte. I read the instructions, while cleaning the system, and found them very easy to understand. Also, cleaning the system really helps to learn the system quite quickly. So, off I go....

This KRUPS unit brews a beautiful cup of espresso and quite simply so. Once my espresso was brewed, I steamed and foamed my milk for a latte. I could not believe how simple it was. My very first experience with this unit and I was able to create a wonderful latte that not only tasted good, but came out right. The milk was hot and there was the right amount of foam to drizzle my chocolate on top.

This unit allows you not only to brew ground espresso, but also pods if you choose. I am not a fan of the pods, but I might be with this unit. There are three filters in the box. A one scoop (cup), two scoop and pod filter. Also, it comes with a nice scoop that has a flat bottom at the end of the handle so that you can tamp your grounds in the filter. Very clever. The only thing that you might like which does not come with this unit is an actual small pot. I use a measuring cup so I can see exactly how much espresso I have brewed, but you can always purchase one of those pots as well.

The milk steamer/foamer is very simple to use. There is about a 3 inch clearing, so you may want to purchase a shorter stainless steel cup for steaming your milk. I use a 2 cup with the slant design. It is a pump; the sounds it makes are very normal.

Some tips I would like to offer:
1. Before pouring your milk into your container for steaming, place it in the freezer for about 5 minutes so that the milk is really cold. This will help to achieve the best foam.

2. Freshly ground espresso beans will give a full-flavor espresso. I tried pre-ground and it is not near as good.

3. Don't get frustrated if it does not work the first time. Especially the milk. This really is simple on this unit, but does take practice if you have never done it before.

A side note: My favorite is a Marble Mocha Macchiato - so I wanted to attempt this at home. Use about 1 cup of milk, purchase white chocolate sauce and dark chocolate syrup and you can make these at home for cheap. They are just as good. You can also create white chocolate mochas omitting the dark chocolate syrup.


After making cappuccino on steam type espresso makers daily for the past 12 years, I thought it was time to upgrade to a pump model. I researched pump types and decided on this model. Wow! What a difference! The espresso first comes out as a creamy light brown froth which then clarifies into a rich darker brown color within a minute. What a difference in taste! We use pure Kona and the taste is softer and smoother than we're used to. In the week I've used it, I haven't yet mastered the froth on this unit, but it's getting better and is probably a learning curve on my behalf.

Some pointers and caveats need to be mentioned up front for optimum performance and eyes wide open purchase:

1) This model is heavier & noisier than steam models
2) No decanter is included. I use a Pyrex measuring cup if making two servings. About 1/3 cup per espresso serving.
3) You must manually turn off the espresso control after the desired quantity is made, hence the measurement of 1/3 cup per serving
4) The water tank is removable--a nice touch. If it is not reseated properly, you will hear a very loud continuous noise as the unit tries to suck out water it cannot obtain. This is just a learner's tip.
5) While the water reservoir is massive, you can only make one or two servings at a time, unless the espresso is diluted. Making more is only a matter of placing the unit in standby, removing the grounds, refilling with fresh grounds and continuing the process again.
6) Always wait for the thump thump noises of the pump to stop before proceeding to the next step. This is usually a matter of several seconds, just don't be impatient!
7) Whenever crafting the froth, you must wait for the orange light to go out before proceeding. This is like waiting for the oven to reach appropriate temperature.
8) Alternatively, you cannot go straight from froth to espresso without first placing the unit in standby for a cooldown cycle. The pump will cycle for about 10 seconds. When it stops, you can proceed. This is only a cool down period.
9) For making espresso only, this unit is FAST!!
10) I am well over the age of 13!

With the above in mind, I hope you take the plunge. The price is right and the difference in taste is remarkable. If you're thinking of upgrading your steam espresso maker, go for it! The Holidaze are just around the corner!