Refillable Illy Iperespresso Capsules

If you have a Francis Francis espresso machine that makes espresso with an Illy iperespresso capsule, you are restricted because only Illy makes them. What I found was that the capsules make really excellent espresso, but I still had half a can of espresso coffee (Illy, by the way) that I wanted to use up in my new machine.

I was also intrigued by the capsule and wondered if I could open it and reuse it.

The capsule is in three parts, as you can see from the image. The bottom end goes in first to the machine, the body holds the coffee and the top holds everything in. The color tells you what kind of coffee--black for bold, blue for long (for "long pulls") and green for decaf.

The bottom is just a snap on cap while the top is bonded to the body--there's the rub in opening it.

Step 1 Top removal

Here's a capsule with the top removed. I found two ways to do it. The first (as shown here) was with a bandsaw. That was messy, but I still had a fairly good result as you can see by the picture.

The second method was with a razor knife. That actually gave a better result, but is also a bit more hazardous. Careful and slow cutting of the top, just shaving the lip where it bonds to the body is the key. 

Once the top edge is removed it is easy to pull the top out of the recess that it sits in within the body.

Comments

[fschrameijer]

I found another way which took me 40 minutes the first time and 25 minutes when I knew exactly how.

Want to know? Transfer € 1,50 or $ 1.91 to account nr 4996601, IBAN NL10INGB0004996601, BIC INGBNL2A to K. Eckhardt, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Leave  your mail-address and you will receive easy step-by-step instructions with pictures in PDF-format within 36 hours. Less than two Euro’s/Dollars is certainly worth the investment, haha.

[MarioGhittoni]

Check this on ebay...
"ILLY COFFE RICICLABLE MULT-USE “METODO IPERESPRESSO” CAPSULE"

http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270953086220&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Althought I received extra pieces not shown in the picture, it works for real! Well done! I have been using these caps for few months now and never had any problem... I can only suggest to descale the coffe machine and do some empty coffes (with no capsule) every sometime to keep the pipes of the coffe machine clean.

[manokian]

Hello.
I managed to open the capsule, BUT water can't pass from the bottom, through the "filter screen".
I mean, water fills the capsule, but it comes out. The water CAN'T REACH THE OPENING at the bottom, it stays in the capsule and eventually leaks out.

Is there a trick about it? I can't figure out what to do...

[Exocetid]

I am not quite understanding where you are with it. Basically, you have to remove the top of the capsule such that it still retains a seal by fitting down into the body. Then, the seal is maintained by the clamping mechanism on the iperespresso machine. In fact, you may need to help by applying pressure. If you cut too much then you will not have a seal or the piercing bit in the machine that pokes into the top of the capsule will not make a tight seal.

After you disassemble a capsule, you need to clean the filter at the bottom if it was a used one. Also, the top of the capsule often has a poorly formed hole (manufacturing defect). I have had brand new capsules nearly burst because the hole was not properly formed.

After making a capsule, a few days later I found a capsule that had not been sealed correctly and the top just popped off. That is the best scenario if you can find one. The top seals perfectly.

[Ssm712]

Hi there. I tried to remove the top with a razor knife, with no luck. I could not get the top off. The top is highly bonded. How dis you do this ?

[Exocetid]

The top is plastic welded. You have to have a very sharp, new razor knife. I used a carpet knife. You have to be very patient and go very slowly. The result is somewhat ragged, but workable.

Recently I found an Iperespresso capsule that was defective and the top just popped off. I threw the one I had made away since now I have a perfect one that has never been welded.

[Ssm712]

Thanks. I'll buy a new carpet knife and try it. So you can reuse numerous times ?

[Exocetid]

I used the "homemade one" a few times until I used up what was left of some Illy espresso coffee that I had. I pitched it when I found the open capsule. I have only used the open capsule once to make what I call cat sh*t espresso; i.e., espresso made with Kopi Luwak beans ;-)

The key to using a reusable capsule is to hold the clamping mechanism down while it brews. The Francis Francis Y1, which I use, has a chrome bar at the front that you use to lock it down. I press down on this bar when I brew with the reusable capsule to help hold the top in place since the machine develops a fair amount of pressure. YMMV, but this works for me.

[Exocetid]

Illy's quality control is not spectacular. A week or so ago I had a capsule pop open where the top just came out of the body (see diagram above). The top is plastic welded shut and this capsule did not get welded at all. Now I have a perfect refillable capsule, but I cannot pack it too tightly or the unit (a Francis-Francis Y1) will not be able to hold it closed.

I discovered by accident that cat-poop-coffee, we actually use a less publishable term for it in our family, makes great espresso!

[notw8ing]

With Amazon subscription a can of capsules is $13.53 with free shipping

[Exocetid]

Whoa!!! Thanks for the lead--I just cancelled my account with Illy. That puts a pull at less than 65 cents, cannot beat it since I have yet to get a better shot from a barista anywhere.

[notw8ing]

I dissected a red, and a blue iperespresso capsule. The red had 6.8g while the blue had 6.3g, (0.5g less coffee) which allows the water to flow faster for the "lungo" effect.

Did you find the blue espresso tastes "too smooth" at 2 oz?

Seems like 20 secs / 1 oz is better for the blue, but I think I like red single espressos and black for cappuccino, made with 1 oz espresso from each of 2 black capsules, plus (3 oz cold 2% milk steamed becomes equals ) 4oz milk.

I don't understand how your refilled capsule doesn't leak with the supposed high pressure. Did your 7g fill extract in 29s for 1oz top of crema / 35s for 1oz top of liquid? (extraction: 2s "hyper-infusion + 2s dwell + X seconds emulsification)

[Exocetid]

I didn't weight the coffee, I just went with what Illy published (7gm). I found that when I put 7 gm in the empty capsule the coffee "tamped well" as the lid had to be forcibly pushed in (with capsule upside down against the counter). I wondered what the difference between Lungo and Regular was! I like Lungo for cappuccino and that is all I use it for. I use the black for plain old espresso, but usually do a double anyway. It does leak a little, but nothing major. Since the top slips down into the body, the clamping mechanism holds it in pretty tightly. With further experimentation, a better seal could be developed, but I didn't have that much loose grind left ;-) Frankly, it is sort of a hassle to reuse the capsules and basically defeats the purpose of the system. I just wanted to use up the loose ground Illy that I had--and, of course, I was curious to see how the capsule was constructed. It would be nice if Illy came out with a reusable capsule, a screw lid would solve the leakage issue. Regardless, I love this machine and the espresso it produces.

[Ssm712]

Love what you did. I will try it. Any damage to the machine ?
Where is the best place to buy pods online

[Exocetid]

No damage that I can tell. Frankly, I don't see how it could damage the machine, but you would want to be wary of leakage and possible spraying of hot water.

The dilemma with iperespresso capsules is that, to my knowledge, Illy has not licensed them to anyone, so the only place you can get them is from Illy.

Two arguments here:

1. Illy has a convenient and profitable monopoly, and/or

2. Illy has total control over quality and consistency.

Frankly, I have the monthly plan and get 32 capsules for $37 delivered. Slightly over a buck for each cup, works for me.

[Exocetid]

...an afterthought. Illy uses 7 grams of espresso coffee in their capsules, so an easy way to get the perfect fill and tamp is to use a kitchen scale to measure your coffee for the capsule.