Cumberpach wrote
I had a Krups 2020 for about 18 months and it produced quite good coffee, but it's a machine that's very critical on grind, tamping and water temperature.
LisaB wrote
My machine is most fussy about fineness of the grind - too fine, and no water runs through. I regularly buy coffee from the Monmouth coffee house, but being without a grinder have to get them to grind it for me. This tends to be a bit hit and miss as sometimes the grinds are too fine. To compensate I have to mix the good stuff with some coarser supermarket bought coffee, just to get water to run through
Well, I dug my machine out of the loft as promised and Lo! it's a Krups 2100+, but similar to your's, but without the milk suction thingie.
Agreed, these Krups are sensitive to grind, but your hands are tied, insofar as you are using pre-ground.
I got the best results, by using the single basket. You will find there is less likelyhood of 'choking' with the single basket. You could also try half filling the double basket. There is no need for an expensive tamper, I would suggest using a Safeway/Morrisons, plastic drum of Sage herb at 39p.
Mark (Cakeboy) mentioned that high temp may cause bitterness. He is correct ...... and it's not even a Leap-Year. I would suggest leaving machine switched on for 20 minutes, to get the basket and holder nice and hot. Remove holder, add coffee, flush about 30ml of water thru' shower screen, quickly dry shower screen, replace holder and pour. Do not leave basket too long, before pouring, otherwise you will 'cook' the coffee. Good luck.
Quentin