Ascaso Steel Uno vs. Steel Duo | Crew Comparison

Join Jake for a comparison between the Ascaso Steel Uno and Steel Duo semi-automatic espresso machines.

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[hifimacianer]

Regarding the heat-up time for the steam, I think you have to consider that you are using 110 Volt in the US. In european reviews of the ascaso Steel Uno PID, it takes "just" approx. 1 Minute to get it up to temp for steaming (220V). Yes, that's longer as for a dual boiler or E61, but it's OK for home use IMHO. On the other hand, the Ascasos have a great temperature stability from shot to shot. Very exact and very stable during the shot too. The only downside with the Steel Uno is, that it takes long to cool down after steaming milk. So if you are changing a lot between Espresso and milk drinks, the Duo will probably be the better choice. But if you are just making 2 Cappucino in the morning, and then some espressi after a a few hours (you can even turn it off until you need it again), the Uno is a great choice.

[dekdelacruz]

Seattle coffee gear still provides one of the best comparo vids

[irishlore]

Hi, does anyone else have an issue with vibration and the cup etc moving across the drip tray when pulling an espresso. Thanks

[seehearplay]

I’ve got the duo and although I can make some great coffee on it, I’ve got a fair bit of experience. The biggest issue is the no option for a manual brew. The timed shot, as shown in the video, isn’t well implemented. The shots are very inconsistent in length and quantity and the volumetric doesn’t work as it should. For me, I have to manually hold the brew switch for 30+ seconds. The build quality is nowhere near the likes of Rocket and Bezzera for the same money and I’m not sure it will run for 7 years without a hitch like my Bezzera BZ10.

[jakp]

On the double can you brew and steam at the same time?

[madrubicon]

Thank you for showing the steaming performance. It confirms how underpowered/slow it is (including the duo). The most telling sign is when you were trying to purge the steam wand on the duo and nothing happened during the wipe. I really wanted a duo to replace my BES870XL but these Ascasos are a hard pass for me.

[DavidPetryk]

Any one know how the steam pressure on these compares to breville barista pro and dual boiler respectively?

[gmartin]

What was that dripping noise I heard right before the shot was coming out and throughout the shot?

[woosha]

The uno is really a one drink machine . That would drive me nuts waiting all that time

[beach]

that milk steaming was very very very painful to hear

[johndunn]

Just wondering what “a pretty good amount of time” means for the Uno’s steam function to warm up.

[TonyDL]

Great video comparo, thanks! Is the OPV adjustable on these machines to dial in brew pressure?

[nocnymarek]

Could anybody advice and compare quality of espresso from that machine with Profitec 300 and 600?
Modern thermoblock with alu pipes seems perfect solution but has it negative or positive influence to espresso?

[johndunn]

I have a really cheap Breville bambino plus with a thermoblock or thermojet whatever they call it, and you can steam immediately after you pull a shot.

[freeskier]

could you flip the switch to turn on the steam block while still pulling a shot on the duo? Or do you have to wait to turn it on?

[runna-owql]

ehhh idk some of this is some ...interesting technique.. wonder if some of it is user error, those shot pulls were lacking

[zackmckinney]

Because these machines run volumetrically, with a sensor BEFORE the over pressure valve, you cannot rely on the volumetrics when engaging the OPV. The shot needs to be better dialed to not engage the OPV, so you get consistent volumes. It was not the machines fault that the duo pulled short.

[coreyelfman]

Is the duo consistently pulling short? Gracious to call it a ristretto once.

[aaronc]

Oh man... to gauge what they're like, the steam on them both were horrible, you hit the switch on the steel and it didn't even purge.. this sucks as i was under the impression that it was half decent.

[ThorMaxx]

7:36…meanwhile the espresso shot is dead and much too cold …..