CHF1952.–
Ascaso Steel Duo PID
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
15 reviews
Good, reproducible espresso
+ Easy temperature adjustment (through PID)
+ Brewing pressure adjustable by external screw (expansion valve)
+ Preinfusion adjustable
+ Steam thermoblock can be switched off if required
+ good, reproducible results (mushy puck with 1 sieve)
+ E61 compatible (portafilter / sieves, shower sieve)
+ short warm-up time (water approx. 2 min., brew head, portafilter approx. 10 min.)
+ energy saving function (can be used or switched off)
+ water reservoir and drip tray with plenty of volume
+ solid portafilter with walnut handle and wide 2 spout
0 cup warmer (active, but takes a long time)
0 Steam (delay 3 sec. [formerly 10], "power" average and varies partly )
0 Strainer (58.0mm inner diameter, larger tampers do not fit)
0 Tamper (solid aluminium, but with 57.Xmm and 56.Xmm diameter too small)
0 DE power plug with CH fix adapter
- 1 Switch not fixed correctly
- Cups usually "wander" when drawing coffee
- Solenoid valve defective after approx. 2 months
- Ascaso support (2 inquiries, terse answers only after repeated inquiries)
- no 5-year warranty as in DE (although Digitec had communicated this at first)
- Digitec warranty development
By the way, since a few months there is a dedicated Ascaso general importer in CH: Messina Coffee Store.
After the poor warranty processing at Digitec (tip: call instead of writing emails) and refund, I ordered the same device there again despite a significant surcharge.great part
My first experience with the machine is quite positive. It already started with the absolutely top service from Digitec, many thanks for that!
About the appearance:
The machine is very beautiful (in my opinion), very well made, the portafilter feels great in the hand, a really solid piece. The settings are very good, I have adjusted the temperature (based on the water temperature that I measured without the portafilter in a preheated cup and an estimated heat loss of 3-4 degrees), the throughput time of 1:3 (+/- 0.2) from coffee quantity to water, standby mod and am satisfied for now.
Handling:
The heating phase is already very fast. After switching on in the "morning" (for me it's more like midday ;)) and the routine work, a good 10 minutes pass anyway, so the Ascaso is always in the temperature window. If the machine is in standby, 2-3 minutes are enough and you can pull espresso. When inserting the portafilter, the machine does not go crazy, a very stable story.
Which is not so great:
Due to the compact design, the rubber bearings of the pump are a bit too small, so there are vibrations, which can not only cause the cup to "wander" under the portafilter, but also affect the cups on the heated "shelf", which move on the sloping shelf and rattle a bit. The cup tray is preheated, although this is not "heating" but "overheating", which has a negative impact on the water tank, which is also heated, which promotes the formation of biofilm (greasy coating), which in turn leads to increased cleaning of the water tank and is therefore not a problem.
I bought this espresso machine based on feedback from "coffee makers".
(Link to the test: https://www.kaffeemacher.ch/blog...)
I have not regretted the purchase and am very satisfied with it.
Fantastic espresso
When everything is set correctly, the machine makes very good espresso. I set the pressure valve to 12 bar. The fast heat-up time is fun. The high steam pressure makes frothing milk a breeze.
Pro
- Fast heating time
- Easy handling
- Easy to clean
- Very good and consistent coffee result
Contra
- Not a good result with the small sieve
I can recommend
Generally very satisfied. The machine has met all expectations. Heats up in 1-2 min. For steam you wait 10 sec. The pressure valve is also easy to adjust. Useful functions: Brew temperature adjustable, preinfusion function, brew time adjustable. The milk foam also succeeds every time. Minus point the screws: 2-3 screws were loose, had to be retightened. One has fallen off in the meantime.
Pro
- Heating time
- Functions: Preinfusion, temperature, brew time, pressure.
- Milk foamer
Contra
- Screws loose
This review was created for a different variant: Steel Duo PID
Good machine, weak accessories
The machine is great, the accessories are poor. You have to budget for an extra 100 francs: tamper, Marzocco single basket, 18g IMS basket, tamping station, jug.
Pro
- CH plug
- Heats up quickly, including steam
- Super lots of steam
Contra
- No milk churn
- Tamper in the wrong size
- 6 sieves are of little use if they are not good
- Screen carrier unwieldy without tamping station
This review was created for a different variant: Steel Duo PID
best investment
Pro
- a great coffee every day
- high quality design
Thermoblock at the level of Dual Boiler
Anyone who still buys a dual boiler with a 30-minute warm-up time has only themselves to blame - or really has a lot of time on their hands ;-)
Pro
- really beautiful design
- is warm in 2 minutes
- with E61 comparable brew group pretty good for "upgrading"
- PID, Volumetric... everything you need for the "easy" production of a good espresso
- you don't have to do a doctor like with a dual boiler
- Steam is not WOW but it is immediately available and completely sufficient to froth milk well
- does not vibrate as much as criticised in some tests
- Programming and operation child's play
- I "celebrate" making coffee with style
Contra
- You can really throw away the tamper and the 14 g sieve too
- the water tank with the hoses is a bit fiddly
- 18gr sieve and decent tamper must be purchased separately
Great PID Machine... super fast warm up. Not really reliable.
Pro
- Beautiful
- Fast warm up
- Full PID
Contra
- Reliability. 1 Service case after 4 months
This review was created for a different variant: Steel Duo PID
Fast heating, solid espresso
So, I've had the machine for a good 2 years. Conclusion: top appliance & makes great espresso. As with any portafilter machine, setting up the machine is challenging - but for the experienced home barista, it's easy and straightforward.
What I do find noticeably annoying are the sharp edges, some of which are present but mostly hidden. At a price of over CHF 1,500, I would expect all edges, including the inside of the drip tray, for example, to be deburred or broken.
In my opinion, the successful design has a fundamental functional flaw. The slope of the cup holder inevitably causes the cups to clink against each other when coffee is drawn, which is why I don't use this function.
The integrated volume trick (which allows you to adjust the quantity dosing) would actually be cool - unfortunately, however, the amount of water is measured before the pressure relief valve (design error?!), which means that the outflow varies even with slightly different doses of ground coffee (approx. 0.5g).
I would recommend this machine to anyone who appreciates a fast heat-up time and still wants to make a sensational espresso "by hand".Pro
- Heating up time
- Design
- Espresso
Contra
- Partly sharp edges
This review was created for a different variant: Steel Duo PID
Robust and quickly ready for use
Pro
- up to temperature in 5 minutes
- Design
- Functionality
- High-quality workmanship
- ... you can make great espresso with it
Super espresso machine with high flexibility
Pro
- Adjustable temperature and pressure
- Steam generation can be switched off
- Pre-brew function
- Optimal price / performance
Contra
- Only second cup piston included
This review was created for a different variant: Steel Duo PID
Top product - excellent espresso coffee
Top top top - nothing negative
Pro
- Design
- Coffee taste
This review was created for a different variant: Steel Duo PID
Recommendable,do not regret the purchase. However, I wished for a better storage of the pump.
Makes good espressi (solo/doppio), properly adjusted (and a good grinder), the taste is absolutely top. For it to be hot enough, you still have to leave the machine set for some time (20' and longer). Steamer for milk foam goes very well, even if I almost never need the part.
What bothers is the lousy vibration pump, which rattles the cups back and forth. With a 15Kg machine I expect a little more quiet in the housing.
The design I like very well, something different. The processing could be better, although it is ok for the price range.This review was created for a different variant: Steel Duo PID
Beware of used version!
I bought the used version and it said "Perfect function" and "Medium signs of use. The item has already been used and has fine scratches and slight signs of use on the surface".
Then when it arrived:
- Some dents, in my opinion more than "fine scratches" or "slight signs of use".
- the label shows that it is not the DUO, but the UNO, which costs less new than what I paid for it here
- when you start the steam function, the steam wheel suddenly flies off. This was probably not tested.
Very disappointing. I immediately requested a return.Contra
- Wrong product
- Steam function faulty
- Some dents
Well suited for the designated function
As an espresso machine, it has met my expectation. But you have to be aware that you can not brew hot coffee with it. Therefore sold again.
Pro
- produces good espresso
- compact
- Flow heater made of chrome steel!
- good solid portafilter with 5 good sieves
- also suitable for ESE pads (sieve included)
- various adjustable (pressure, temperature etc.)
- quickly heated (water) with portafilter approx. 10min
Contra
- Can not hold the temperature when coffee (1.4dl)
- Possible repair/service COULD take a long time
- no 1-er portafilter included
- Cup sometimes "wanders" in spite of a level installation (stone plate)
This review was created for a different variant: Steel Duo PID
