ASCASO Steel Duo PID V1 Review

Everyone has heard of a dual boiler espresso machine. Ascaso presents with the Steel Duo PID a very capable dual thermoblock machine, with good build quality, great looks, nice haptics, and great thermal stability. In this video, we take a look at the Ascaso Steel Duo PID and it's features. We demonstrate making an espresso and steaming milk for a cappuccino. Finally, we measure the temperature stability with a temperature probe.

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► Ascaso Steel Duo PID:

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0:00 Intro
0:37 Build Quality and Features
4:40 P.A.F. Partner Acceptance Factor
5:48 Pulling a shot
7:05 Milk steaming for Latte Art
9:24 Temperature Stability Check
11:13 Is the Steel Duo PID worth the price?

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#TomsCoffeeCorner #AscasoSteelDuoPID #ascaso

ASCASO Steel Duo PID Review: The Dual Thermoblock Home Espresso Machine.
9/26/23 ASCASO Steel Duo PID Review: Espresso's Best Kept Secret?

[TomsCoffeeCorner]

Thanks for watching! 🙋🏼‍♂Comments are welcome!

[Tass...]

To help avoid confusion... This machine uses thermocoils. It does not use thrmojets like Breville machines use. Thermojets are cheap to manufacture, have a limited lifespan and can cause inconsistent temperatures especially when pulling more than one shot at a time. Thermocoils are VASTLY superiour. They have very long life expectancy, are extremely temperature accurate (within 0.5 degree) but are more expensive to manufacture. That's why they are only currently found on machines of this price and above. It's the same tech that Decent use in their machines. So yes, this is technically a "thermoblock" machine but do not confuse this with other thermoblock machines like the Breville's folks. They are entirely different beasts. Thermocoils are way better than traditional boiler machines too. Almost no heat up time, more accurate temperature, endless hot water/steam only limited by the water tanks capacity rather than a boilers capacity and much more energy efficient. Boilers are an antiquated technology. Thermocoils are the future for home espresso machines. (boiler machines do still have a place in the commercial enviroment for practicicality purposes tho)

[dekdelacruz]

The review was very helpful, straight forward, and relaxed. I felt that the Tom was credible and he has ample knowledge of the product. In turn, I can easily related to him as I'm also looking for my next coffee machine.

[steph]

Thanks for the review Tom. I've had my eye on this machine for a while now and in particular the late 2022 upgraded model with the added steam knob which apparently improves the steaming process with no initial steam delay and no initial dribbles from the steam wand. It was mentioned to me that the new model has dual PID? Also important to me is the very quick warm up time and I have been told that all you need to do is after a 5 minute warm up just give the group a good flush to bring it up to temp before you pull a shot. No need to wait 30 mins for the group to catch up. Lastly, is the high quality of materials used including the water tubing inside the thermoblocks which is all stainless steel. At the moment I'm still searching for any real negatives that I may have missed with the updated model before I make a purchase. Cheers from Australia.

[miracoffeeroasters]

Hi Tom, you are more than welcome! Always pumped to watch your video´s :) Especially on this one <3. See you soon, Stefan

[marc]

Very good description. Thanks a lot. It really makes me want this machine more than the Lelit Elisabeth I was considering before. It's quite expensive indeed. But you get what you pay for : ease of use, quickly hot, temperature at the brew group, volumetric distribution etc... And icing on the cake you can use all kind of coffee (even ESE pods).

[buildandbrewworks]

Thank you for this video!! I just became an owner of an Ascaso Steel DUO PID machine!

[PaulLemars]

Nice review Tom. The issue with the Duo here in the USA (and by extension all other countries that use 110V for domestic electricity) is the 2100W power requirement of the Duo. Crappy USA wall circuits are effectively limited to 1500W. This machine was on my short list a year ago. It's well built, fast, looks stylish and undoubtably produces great espresso. However, power requirement was one of the reasons why I went with the La Spaziale Lucca A53. Although it too requires 2200W the machine alternates between boilers in 'eco mode' so the actual load is around 1200W. The Ascaso Steel Uno will run here but you have to switch modes to produce cappuccinos ect and I wanted a dual boiler machine.

BTW you might consider a pleasant bell 'ting' sample for your pros/cons section.

[kanotrt]

great vid. Looks like a good machine. it's on my list. thank you.

[ronnyskaar]

Hi, Tom. Ever heard of Graef Baronessa? It's half price here now. It is a dual thermoblock like this. Wonder if it's worth it. Was 1600 € and is now 800 €.

[SergiContreras]

Hola Tom!! buen español!! jaja, thanks for your videos! You're great!!

[ValorantProVods]

What would happen if I pull a shot with this machine before the group head fully warms up?

[AWanderingEye]

I have never heard of this brand so I am inclined to see what all they have on offer. The price is definitely more than I have spent annually for espressos at any time so I am gun shy, but I love all the features and performance. Definitely a contender if they have other items in the lower price range!

[chloewilson]

How did you set the machine up on the timer?

[esimon]

only part i didn’t like about the review was the shot duration because at that price point it should be able to be stable with a short shot duration like 23 seconds, i wish you would have gone for a longer test as they are thermoblocks

[Cash-Will]

When my current Breville finally gives up I’m almost certain that this will be my next purchase

[perldog]

So, if I had the steel duo and you had a Stilosa with a dimmer switch I would pray for drunk judges in the final round. 😂
It does look like a good value based on build quality.
Without flow control a flair or Europiccola has the potential to best it, with practice.
For me, the UNO would make more sense if it has a steam valve. De facto flow control 🙂
For many home baristas, this duo would be a prize. Partner acceptance is the coin of my realm as well.
I see you are also a man of culture. 😂

[montecristo]

Thanks for the review, Tom. I keep an eye on this machine to buy it or the Lelit Elizabeth, which is a very affordable dual boiler, with PID and a lot of customisable options as well. But of course, how it looks, is important as well. One of the factors which bother me at Ascaso is the steam pump with that knock-knock noise, whereas the other can just steam with no additional noise. And the Lelit is much cheaper. But IMO, the Ascasso looks better. So I'm on the edge. Thanks.

[tispokes]

It's the old version, not the 2022 upgraded one. Also you only need 6 to 8 minutes, not 30 to get ready.

[victorfernandezabarca]

Hello, I recently received mine and I wanted to ask you some questions.
1 Did you set the OPV to nine bars or do you reach it with coffee, grinding and tamper?
2) and one of the times when I brewed a coffee, upon reaching the pressure at which the coffee maker comes (11 bars), it began to make a very high-pitched screeching noise. Has it happened to you? The store where I bought the machine told me that it could be excessive pressure and I haven't really experienced it again but I'm new to coffee and I wanted an expert option.