The Krups FND111 Steam Espresso Machine is a compact, easy-to-use unit that brews up to four shots of espresso at a time.

The FND111 is styled in black with silver accents. The 6-3/4x10-2/5-inch base contains an internal boiler, a separate 4-cup glass carafe, a filter holder and a stainless-steel sieve, as well as a combination measuring spoon/tamper tool. The unit stands approximately 11-3/5 inches tall. The filter sieve can be filled with either two or four scoops of ground espresso coffee, and markings on the inside of the sieve provide a helpful guide for filling.

The brew time for a full pot (four shots) is approximately 2 to 3 minutes. The FND111's internal boiler heats the water, creating steam pressure to force the water through the grounds in the filter. This quick-brew cycle manages to extract maximum flavor without bitter overtones. Unfortunately, the steam boiler produced a minimal amount of crema, but the espresso itself had a rich, delicious flavor.

The FND111 has a single dial control with settings for brewing and steaming. After water is added to the boiler, the dial setting determines whether heated water is delivered through the filter or the frothing wand. To make espresso, use the brew setting with the desired amount of water. To make cappuccino, first use the frothing wand to steam and/or froth the milk, then switch to the brew setting to finish the espresso brew cycle. Frothing is quick and efficient with the steam nozzle.

For its size, the FND111 is incredibly efficient, producing ample steam for frothing multiple cups of milk. It is important to release all of the steam in the boiler to relieve the internal pressure. For this reason, you should add only the quantity of water needed for brewing, based on the desired number of cups.

The Krups FND111 Steam Espresso Machine is an affordable and easy-to-use device that produces good-quality espresso coffee.


Pros: Compact and lightweight base, dial-control steam nozzle
Cons: Very little crema

Warranty
1 year, limited