TL;DR
- The Ascaso Steel Duo PID has a top-notch build quality with stainless steel and wood accents.
- It has good cup clearance, a small footprint, and is easy to use.
- It requires a 20-amp circuit to run at its full potential and has a small water reservoir.
- The coffee output is consistently delicious with quick heat-up time, temperature stability, and adjustable settings.
- It’s capable of brewing ESE pods and ground coffee with a fuller flavor from the pre-infusion feature.
- The updated version boasts improved steaming performance with independent temperature settings and a single-hole steam tip for better milk texture and latte art.
- It’s compact, stylish, and full of features like dual heating systems, working lights, and a hot water outlet.
- The major drawbacks are the small water reservoir, potential wiring issues, and smaller filter baskets.
- Despite being slower than some competitors, it’s a great choice for coffee enthusiasts seeking a stylish and high-quality espresso machine with improved steaming capabilities.
Ready to elevate your coffee game? Discover the Ascaso Steel Duo PID, a compact espresso machine that’s all about style and performance. Don’t miss our in-depth review!
Design and Build Quality
When conducting our Ascaso Steel Duo PID review, the build quality is top-notch. Stainless steel is the star of the show, making it solid and sturdy. To add some warmth, wood accents on the portafilter and steam knob complete the look. Its modern design is sleek with sharp lines, and the working lights give it a touch of sophistication. Keeping up with the need for personalization, Ascaso offers this espresso machine in a choice of three colors.
This beauty provides more than just a stylish look—it’s also practical. It’s hard to overlook the good cup clearance and the side-filling water reservoir. These features make it easy to use, though it’s worth mentioning the reservoir is a bit small. Worry not about your tight kitchen space, as the compact size of this espresso machine won’t take up much room.
With a solid metal body and the essential espresso-making features packed into a small footprint, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID stands out among other machines. Those looking for style and performance will absolutely appreciate this powerful gadget. It’s quick to heat up and even has intuitive toggle switches that let you program shot volumes with ease.
However, it requires a 20-amp circuit to run at its full potential, which may be a drawback for some users. Please note that this is only true if you have 110v (like in the US), if you live in Europe with 220-240v this is not a problem as a regular 13 amp circuit will suffice.
When it comes to functionality, it has a consistent and easy espresso workflow, and the shots produced are truly delicious.
Despite the slow steaming feature compared to other competitors, it manages to deliver great milk texture and latte art. Sporting a wood-accented steam knob and a single-hole steam tip, it combines form and function wonderfully.
Overall, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID strikes a perfect balance in design and build quality. With a stylish modern look and a well-thought-out structure, coffee lovers will find it a lovely addition to their daily coffee routine. Its compact size, wood accents, and strong performance make it the ideal espresso machine for a home upgrade.
Espresso Brewing Performance
The Ascaso Steel Duo PID boasts a quick heat-up time, which means we can enjoy our coffee sooner. The intuitive toggle switches make the espresso machine easy to use, even for beginners. The temperature stability is impressive, thanks to the PID controlled thermoblock, adjustable in one-degree increments.
We love that this machine is compatible with both ESE pods and ground coffee, giving us the freedom to choose our preferred coffee type. Furthermore, the pre-infusion feature enhances the espresso brewing process and results in a fuller flavor.
One thing we appreciate about this machine is the consistent espresso workflow. We’re never left guessing about the steps or struggling with different settings. With the Ascaso Steel Duo PID, we can effortlessly pull delicious espresso shots, time and time again.
The quick mill feature ensures that every shot comes out perfect, with neither over-extraction nor under-extraction. This ensures that our shots have just the right strength, flavor, and consistency.
The Steel Duo’s boiler is efficient and generously sized to handle multiple espresso shots without compromising on temperature stability. This is essential for serving guests or enjoying multiple servings ourselves.
We can also use the side-filling water reservoir to easily add water without disrupting the machine’s operation. However, it’s worth noting that the reservoir is on the smaller side, so we may need to fill it up more frequently. Despite that, the overall espresso brewing performance of this machine is top-notch, leaving us with smooth, rich, and flavorful espresso shots.
Steaming and Milk Frothing Performance
The updated Ascaso Steel Duo boasts improved steaming performance compared to the original model. One notable feature is the ability to set independent steam temperature settings, offering better control when compared to the brewing temperature. The machine now comes with a single-hole steam tip, which helps improve milk texture and lets us create impressive latte art.
Though the steaming performance has improved, it remains slower in comparison to some competitors at a similar price point. The Ascaso Steel Duo might not be the best option for high-volume drink making, but it does handle steaming and milk frothing capably.
These improvements have allowed the Steel Duo to steam milk 30% faster and with greater power. Although not as fast as some rivals, it still produces good quality steam and froth, so you can enjoy creamy lattes and cappuccinos.
Despite the slower steaming, the Ascaso Steel Duo is still a compact, well-built home espresso machine. It stands out with its temperature stability and adjustable settings in one-degree increments. The easy espresso workflow remains consistent, ensuring delicious shots time after time.
In conclusion, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID delivers impressive steaming and milk frothing performance, despite being slower than some competitors. With the independent steam temperature settings, the single-hole steam tip for better milk texture, and the ability to create great latte art, this machine is a fantastic choice for coffee enthusiasts seeking a stylish and high-quality espresso machine with improved steaming capabilities.
Features, Pros, and Cons
Pros
- Compact and well-built
- Full of features like dual heating systems, working lights, and a hot water outlet
- The pre-infusion and PID give precise brewing
- This espresso machine is stylish with a solid metal build
Cons
- Needs a 20 amp circuit for full potential (only in the US with 110v)
- The water reservoir is small
- There might be wiring issues in some kitchens
- Filter baskets are small
- Not as good at steaming as some rivals
The Ascaso Steel Duo PID is a compact espresso machine made to impress. Its solid metal construction and wood accents make for a modern, sleek look that will fit in any kitchen. Brewing coffee is a breeze with a fast heat-up time and easy-to-use toggle switches. Plus, its temperature stability ensures delicious shots of espresso every time.
One major drawback for those in the US is the requirement for a 20 amp circuit to reach full potential. Thankfully, that’s the only major caveat. Other cons include a small water reservoir and potential compatibility issues with some kitchen wiring. Unfortunately, the filter baskets are also on the smaller side, which might be an issue for serious coffee enthusiasts.
The updated version of the Ascaso Steel Duo boasts improved steaming performance compared to the original. In fact, it steams about 30% faster! Despite this, it still falls behind competitors when it comes to speedy steaming. However, its single-hole steam tip does a fantastic job at milk texturing and latte art.
Overall, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID is a great addition to any kitchen. With its beautiful design, user-friendly features, and delicious coffee output, it’s a solid choice for those looking to upgrade from a single boiler or other entry-level units. Its minor drawbacks might not be a deal-breaker for most users but are worth considering when making your decision.
P.S.
In conclusion, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID has impressed with its beautiful design and fantastic brewing capabilities. The solid metal construction and wood accents give it a modern, sharp look that will fit perfectly in your home. Following our advice on this espresso machine would be the best choice to make. With quick heat-up time, adjustable temperature in one-degree increments, and pre-infusion features, you can create perfect espresso shots every single time. The improved steaming performance and ability to make great latte art is just icing on the cake. Go ahead and choose the Ascaso Steel Duo PID for a delicious espresso experience, you won’t regret it!
