FOR FORKS SAKE

WELCOME

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Welcome to ForForksSake, in association with CraystoneShop.co.uk.

You will find all the information you need about FrancisFrancis Espresso Coffee Machines, along with the necessary links to securely place an order and make your coffee dreams come true...

FAQ'S

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We've put together a few thoughts in response to questions that we receive fairly regularly from customers. We've also compiled some FrancisFrancis video tutorials, which you'll discover in the hints and tips section.

Which cups should I use?

Using the correct style of cup will definately give you a better coffee experience.

Coffee Capacity Height Diameter Saucer Diameter

Espresso cup Standard Italian 9cl (90ml) 50mm 66mm 120mm

Cappuccino cup Standard Italian 25cl (250ml) 55mm 96mm 160mm

Go for espresso cups with a curved inner. As the coffee pours into the cup and comes into contact with the base, the curvature helps the coffee to release it's natural aroma and flavours. Also porcelain cups are better to drink from rather than earthenware, which tend to be thicker.

The X1 machine is not designed to take a 'mug sized' cup, the clearance from drip tray to coffee handle is aprox 80mm. The perfect CUP - it will improve your cuppa!

Why do some X1 machines take pods and ground coffee?

The latest X1 model takes ground coffee only. This model was available from Nov 2007. Prior to Nov 2007, the X1 utilised ESE pods and ground coffee. This model was known as the Classic.

After extensive UK research, FrancisFrancis concluded that the UK was a 'ground coffee' market. The resulting re-vamp of the X1 offers wonderful results, there's no compromise in providing a dual compatable solution for both pod and ground (which require different pump pressures for optimum results). One solution, one coffee style, one great taste!

Machine Timeline History

Current X1 - Ground coffee (Nov 2007 - to present)

X6 - pod only (2006 - to present)

Classic X1 brass - pod and ground - discontinued. (Apr 2004 - Apr 2008)

Classic X1 aluminium - pod and ground - discontinued. (2000-2004)

X3 Classic - pod and ground - discontinued. (2002-2008)

X3 TRIO - pod only - discontinued. (2007-2008)

X2, X4 and X5 - discontinued.

Who are FrancisFrancis? Are they an American Company?

FrancisFrancis are an Italian Company and are owned by illy - probably the most famous coffee company in the world. illy decided they wanted their own machine and commissioned architect Luca Trazi to design it, and the X1 was born. It's original looks have been tweaked a little over it's lifetime, and it's mechanics modernised, but the iconic design is still just as beautifully striking as when it was first introduced.

Can I get a replacement coffee handle for my machine?

A ground coffee kit is available for the X1 Classic machine. However, there were two incarnations of the X1 Classic. The first X1 had an aluminium boiler. In early 2004 this was improved to utilise brass workings. The brass internals retained heat more efficiently than the aluminium. When this transition took place the handles for both pod and ground were altered.

How do I know whether I've got aluminium or brass boiler in my X1?

Click here www.craystoneshop.co.uk/acatalog/francisfrancisx1-brassgroundcoffeekit.html

Why have prices gone up?

The global financial climate has affected the basic cost of constructing the X1. Steel prices have shot up (FFs are made from steel not plastic) and the pound has been hit really big against the euro - 16% weaker Oct 08 to Mar 09 (FF are an Italian company who sell based on the Euro). We endeavour to keep your price down by committing to large quantities of stock. We did this pre price rise in Feb 2009, however please be aware, as this stock is sold, new stock is coming in to us at a much, much higher premium, and as such prices on the website have to increase. Retail prices have increased from £431.00 to £517.20 since February 1st 2009. A rise of £86.20, our 'new stock' sales price has increased by £50, and we have taken the hit on the remainder.

What warranty do you get with FrancisFrancis?

FrancisFrancis comes with a two year warranty. Please click on warranty information for more details.

What's the difference between X1 and X7?

The X1 is the original machine, featured in many TV programmes, films, magazines and articles. It's the iconic stylish, coffee machine that people associate with FrancisFrancis. It is made from steel. The X1 is ground coffee only.

The X6 is a more 'budget' machine. It is made predominantly from ABS plastic and possesses a design inspired by the X1. The X6 uses iperespresso capsule pods only.

Why use illy coffee?

For nearly 70 years, illy has studied the art and science of espresso, to create a product of consistent quality. illy own the FrancisFrancis brand. A coffee company that manufactures a coffee machine - that's got to be a good sign. They specialise in coffee - they know what they are talking about.

Every day, 5 million cups of illy coffee are enjoyed around the world. It's impressive, if you consider that illycaffè produces a single, exclusive blend of the finest 100% Arabica beans, meticulously selected and expertly roasted. Whether it's pod, ground or bean and wherever you are in the world you can experience the same aroma, distinctive consistent taste and exceptional freshness of illy coffee in your cup.

For the current X1 model use illy coffee, in standard (red), decaf (green) or dark roast (black) for the ultimate coffee experience.

If you own a X1 Classic machine a X6 TRIO or a X3 TRIO then ESE pods are for you. ESE pods are 7gram servings of ground coffee, compacted and sealed between two layers of filter paper. illy ESE pods are now individually sealed to keep fresh for longer.

Did you know? The better the coffee, the LESS caffeine there is. Arabica contains 1.1%-1.7% caffeine, instant coffee uses Robusta which contains 2%-4.5% caffeine.

Whether it's pods or ground, normal, dark roast or decaffeinated, reach for a can of Illy. One cup and you’ll understand why illy is the choice of 4-star chefs, culinary experts and coffee connoisseurs.

Your site says an item is out of stock, but i can still order. Why?

The majority of the time, we have stock of all colours and models. Every so often a variant is delayed at the FrancisFrancis factory, causing a UK shortage of product. We make it possible for you to order to enable to log an order with us. If you do place an order and it's out of stock you will pay the advertised price.

If you do place an order when the website states out of stock, new stock due soon, you have to complete the process and log your payment. If we receive updates from the factory detailing a longer delay than expected we will contact you. A full refund can be given or we can retain your order, whatever suits you best. Rest assured, this doesn't happen very often, and we always have your best interests at heart.

I need some help creating a better coffee.

Please view our guide on this.

Available soon.

I have a problem with my machine.

Please visit the warranty pages

Do you have any user tips and tricks?

Please visit Hints and Tips

WARRANTY INFORMATION

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All of our products are guaranteed under the individual manufacturer's conditions of sale. Francis Francis coffee machines are supplied with a two year UK based warranty.

A warranty card is supplied with each machine.

The UK Service Centre is: Euro Food Brands, Unit 6 & 7 Bellman Gate, Sywell Aerodrome, Holcot Lane, Sywell, NN6 0BN. Tel: 01604 821234

Most UK electrical products have a one year guarantee. A two year period shows the confidence that FrancisFrancis have with their products. It stands to reason FF don't want to loose out by having to fix lots of machines between 1 and 2 years old free of charge. We believe that this is an indication of the quality of the machines. Did you know that FrancisFrancis are part of the largest coffee company in the world - illy?

How to claim on your Francis Francis warranty.

Log a call with the Service Centre 01604 821234, ensure you have your invoice/warranty card to hand. If you've lost your invoice, give us a call (01204) 557666 or EMAIL, we will confirm your details and your information will be passed on to the service centre.

User error, user damage or neglect are not covered under warranty. If you live in a hard water area and do not de-scale you machine on a regular basis, this is considered by FrancisFrancis to be user neglect and your warranty becomes invalid.

Return your machine in it's full original packaging for best protection. If you no longer have the box you must enquire with your courier provider what amount of bubble wrap/protection is required to be covered by their insurance. For instance, DHL have stated at least 4 inches of bubble wrap wrapped around, and then wedged in a sturdy box is required. All parcels must be insured. You must have a process to claim on any damages that have occurred in transit. Craystone are not responsible for any parcel damage caused whilst being sent to us or the service centre. Parcels that are damaged must be collected by your courier within three days.

Out of Warranty Repairs

If your machine is outside of warranty, the service centre could undertake an out of warranty repair - you are responsible for carriage both ways plus the repair cost. Repairs are guaranteed for 3 months. Perhaps it would be more cost effective to consider a replacement new model with upgraded features and a two year warranty.

DELIVERY INFORMATION

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Orders over £50 are delivered free of charge (conditions apply*). We use DHL couriers and offer an insured next day service. Next Day orders placed Friday are delivered Monday and Next Day orders placed Saturday and Sunday are delivered Tuesday. All deliveries require a signature, a customer (or representative) must become responsible for the delivery. Orders under £50 are mainly delivered by Royal Mail recorded and are charged at £4.95. Typically these take 2-3 working days to arrive.

To be able to offer a next day service we need to contact you, prior to despatch, to arrange a convenient day for you to receive your delivery. We will contact you via the telephone number you have detailed in your order, leaving a message and sending an email if you are not available. Orders will not be despatched until we have confirmed a delivery date with you. However, if a delivery address is clearly a work company/work address, we will despatch without contacting you first.

We take delivery seriously, and want to get your order to you without delay.

Deliveries to work addresses are welcomed at no further charge.

DHL delivery times operate between 8.30am and 6.00pm.

AM deliveries can be arranged at a cost of £10. Saturday deliveries cost £30.

* Most UK mainland destinations are included within the free delivery offer.

These 'Zone C' postcodes, take 48-72 hours, and are charged £20 extra:

AB31 to AB38, AB40 to AB56, IV1 to 54, IV63, KW1 to 14, PA21 to PA38, PH4 to PH41, PH49, PH50, BT.

These 'Zone D' postcodes, take 72 hours, and are charged £30 extra:

HS, IV41 to 49, IV51, 55 and 56, KA27 and 28, KW 15 to 17, PA20, PA41 to 49, PA60 to 78, PH42 to 44, ZE, Isle of Man (IM), Isle of Wight, Channel Islands.

Currently the checkout is unable to calculate these extra carriage costs automatically. If you live within the above areas please contact us before you place your order.

info@craystoneshop.co.uk or 01204 557666

FrancisFrancis X1 Coffee Machine - ALMOND - £385

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NEW X1 Ground Model

COLOUR - ALMOND
COFFEE - GROUND ONLY
MODEL - X1 GROUND ALMOND

This improved X1 model is for Ground coffee only - it no longer accepts ESE pods. It makes wonderful espresso and has a steam nozzle to froth milk for all you cappuccino drinkers out there. Other styles of coffee, based on the espresso shot, can also be easily made:- americano, ristretto, latte, mocha etc.

Beautiful, stylish and retro-futuristic looking Espresso Coffee Machine from Italian designer Luca Trazzi. Luca's first espresso coffee machine is widely admired not only for its looks but as a fantastic pump action espresso coffee maker.

The X1 is a beautiful style icon that looks wonderful in your kitchen - simply put a design classic. And what's more - it makes wonderful coffee too.

All coffee styles are derived form the espresso shot. Once your machine is up to temperature, put your ground coffee in the holder, tamp it down, clamp the holder in the machine and run the water through it - 20 seconds is enough. Simple! There you have your shot of espresso.

It's up to you what you do with it now. Drink it or create a different style. Cappuccino (1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, 1/3 frothed milk), Latte (espresso shot - plenty of steamed milk), Mocha (espresso with hot chocolate), Americano (espresso with added hot water - also known as a 'long' coffee), Macchiato (espresso with a dash of frothed milk). I'm sure you can find one that suits you best.

Whichever you choose - Enjoy your coffee!

NEW Features

18 Bar Pump
Automatic Boiler Priming
Audible Beep when at brewing temperature
Audible Beep when steam is ready
1 Handle with single and double insert
New temperature guage
Green light when machine is ready to use.
Shut off and audible beep if pump is left running for 70 seconds
Audible beep when water tank is empty
All steel bodies - powder coated painted finish
Hand built machines with all Italian component parts
2 year UK warranty

Helpful Hints

20 seconds is enough for an espresso shot
Warm your cups before you use them - place on top of the X1
Use correctly sized cups, with a curved inner (see our cups for info)
Use a stainless steel millk jug to steam and froth milk. The SS lets you 'feel' the temperature of the milk
Briefly 'Steam' a jug of water after you've steamed milk to clean out the inner of the steam pipe.
Use Italian sized cups. Espresso 9cl (50mm high) and Cappuccino 25cl (55mm high).
You get better results using room temperature filtered water
Included within the price

Knock out box - worth £10
Cleaning tablets for handle
Descale powder sachet
1 tin of illy 250g ground coffee - worth £6.50
Tamper

Price includes mainland UK delivery Worth £15.00

Craystone, Bolton Ent. Centre, Washington St, Bolton, BL3 5EY 01204 557666

www.craystoneshop.co.uk

FrancisFrancis X1 Coffee Machine - BLACK - £385

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NEW X1 Ground Model

COLOUR - BLACK

COFFEE - GROUND ONLY
MODEL - X1 GROUND BLACK

TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR THIS MACHINE - PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK TO http://www.craystoneshop.co.uk/

Further Information...

The X1 was improved in late 2007. This improved machine is for Loose Ground Espresso coffee only - use illy for the best results. It is not designed to take ESE pods.

The X1 is a beautiful style icon that looks wonderful in your kitchen - simply put a design classic. And what's more - it makes wonderful coffee too.

All coffee styles are derived form the espresso shot. Once your machine is up to temperature, put your ground coffee in the holder, tamp it down, clamp the holder in the machine and run the water through it - 20 seconds is enough. Simple! There you have your shot of espresso.

It's up to you what you do with it now. Drink it or create a different style. Cappuccino (1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, 1/3 frothed milk), Latte (espresso shot - plenty of steamed milk), Mocha (espresso with hot chocolate), Americano (espresso with added hot water - also known as a 'long' coffee), Macchiato (espresso with a dash of frothed milk). I'm sure you can find one that suits you best. Whichever you choose - Enjoy your coffee!

NEW Features

18 Bar Pump
Automatic Boiler Priming
Audible Beep when at brewing temperature
Audible Beep when steam is ready
1 Handle with single and double insert
New temperature guage
Green light when machine is ready to use.
Shut off and audible beep if pump is left running for 70 seconds
Audible beep when water tank is empty
All steel bodies - powder coated painted finish
Hand built machines with all Italian component parts
2 year UK warranty

Helpful Hints

20 seconds is enough for an espresso shot
Warm your cups before you use them - place on top of the X1
Use correctly sized cups, with a curved inner (see our cups for info)
Use a stainless steel millk jug to steam and froth milk. The SS lets you 'feel' the temperature of the milk
Briefly 'Steam' a jug of water after you've steamed milk to clean out the inner of the steam pipe.
Use Italian sized cups. Espresso 9cl (50mm high) and Cappuccino 25cl (55mm high).
You get better results using room temperature filtered water

Included within the price

Knock out box - worth £10
Cleaning tablets for handle
Descale powder sachet
1 tin of illy 250g ground coffee - worth £6.50
Tamper

Price includes mainland UK delivery Worth £15.00

Craystone, Bolton Ent. Centre, Washington St, Bolton, BL3 5EY 01204 557666

www.craystoneshop.co.uk

FrancisFrancis X1 Coffee Machine - RED - £385

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NEW X1 Ground Model

COLOUR - RED
COFFEE - GROUND ONLY
MODEL - X1 GROUND

The X1 is a beautiful style icon that looks wonderful in your kitchen - simply put a design classic. And what's more - it makes wonderful coffee too.

All coffee styles are derived form the espresso shot. Once your machine is up to temperature, put your ground coffee in the holder, tamp it down, clamp the holder in the machine and run the water through it - 20 seconds is enough. Simple! There you have your shot of espresso.

It's up to you what you do with it now. Drink it or create a different style. Cappuccino (1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, 1/3 frothed milk), Latte (espresso shot - plenty of steamed milk), Mocha (espresso with hot chocolate), Americano (espresso with added hot water - also known as a 'long' coffee), Macchiato (espresso with a dash of frothed milk). I'm sure you can find one that suits you best. Whichever you choose - Enjoy your coffee!

NEW Features

18 Bar Pump
Automatic Boiler Priming
Audible Beep when at brewing temperature
Audible Beep when steam is ready
1 Handle with single and double insert
New temperature guage
Green light when machine is ready to use.
Shut off and audible beep if pump is left running for 70 seconds
Audible beep when water tank is empty
All steel bodies - powder coated painted finish
Hand built machines with all Italian component parts
2 year UK warranty

Helpful Hints

20 seconds is enough for an espresso shot
Warm your cups before you use them - place on top of the X1
Use correctly sized cups, with a curved inner (see our cups for info)
Use a stainless steel millk jug to steam and froth milk. The SS lets you 'feel' the temperature of the milk
Briefly 'Steam' a jug of water after you've steamed milk to clean out the inner of the steam pipe.
Use Italian sized cups. Espresso 9cl (50mm high) and Cappuccino 25cl (55mm high).
You get better results using room temperature filtered water

Included within the price

Knock out box - worth £10
Cleaning tablets for handle
Descale powder sachet
1 tin of illy 250g ground coffee - worth £6.50
Tamper

Price includes mainland UK delivery Worth £15.00

Craystone, Bolton Ent. Centre, Washington St, Bolton, BL3 5EY 01204 557666

www.craystoneshop.co.uk