HISTORY:  I was recently given a commercial cappuccino/espresso
machine.  It is an older model (I think), in mint condition.  I cannot
figure out from looking at it who the manufacturer is (see description
below) and am not sure of how to use all the functions.  

WHAT I WANT:  I want to find out a) who made this machine, b) if a
user manual and/or parts are available and where I can get them, and
c) where I can get
espresso pods to fit it.  If a manual is not available, I will accept
a lesson in its use, but only from someone who owns the EXACT same
machine themselves and can prove it with a picture.

DESCRIPTION OF MACHINE:  Stainless steel and black.  Says on front: 
"XPresto" "The Ultimate Coffee Machine".  The 'X' is in red letters,
the 'Presto' in green.  No other manufacturer identification exists
except a serial number on the side.  Measures approximately 8" across,
12" high, 14" deep.  This machine accepts pods only.  There is a crank
arm on the left (think like a slot machine arm) that you pull down,
pop in the pod, and crank back.  There is no removable or adjustable
place for coffee.  On the right is a arm that moves from the right
side to the left and it has an auto frother.  A tube goes into the
glass of milk, steam comes from the machine.  However, there is no
discernable place to adjust the airflow, so I can't figure out how to
make a latte, as all the milk is automatically frothed.  There is a
removable drip plate and steel grill underneath where the cup goes. 
Water is placed in a plastic jug that has the words "per alimenti" on
the bottom, so I presume this is an Italian machine.  This jug fits
inside the machine and you stick three tubes into the mouth of the
bottle, which then draws the water.  I have tried using teabags and
they work fine but when I try the 7gram pods, although they fit and
the arm cranks and seals the spout up, they seem to be a little thick
so that the water backs up and leaks, even though it does make the
espresso.  Therefore, I think that this machine takes (or took)
another kind of pod.

WHAT I HAVE FOUND SO FAR:  I have searched the internet and come up
with nothing on this specific machine.  I have learned to make
espresso (but it leaks) and cappuccino but not lattes.  I learned how
to use the auto frother from a video for a machine called Gaggia, but
that was only of limited help as the Gaggia has an airflow adjustment
knob and this machine does not.

I will raise the price on this question to $4.50 more if someone can
actually provide the manual, or a copy of it to me.

---

Clarification of Question by heavensabvus-ga on 04 Feb 2005 11:47 PST

Thanks for the information....I checked National Presto Industries and
spoke to them on the phone.  Unfortunately, they have never made an
expresso/cappucinno machine.  They had a list of other manufacturers
and could find nothing with the Presto name.  However, I am not sure
whether Presto is the model name or company name.  The second resource
is an authorized dealer for Saeco brand and has never heard of
XPresto.

As a side note, I have called several different places on the internet
who have knowledgeable staff regarding pods and machines and have not
found anyone who recognized this brand.  Thanks for trying!

I believe your machine is made by National Presto Industries. Try the
Web site at http://www.gopresto.com/index.php to get in touch with a
representative who may be able to locate a manual for an older
product. If that does not work, you could call the people at
http://www.prestola.com/commercial.htm who will at least know
something about coffee machines, perhaps with the Presto name.