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Articles: Products First Look Feedback
Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

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Discussions > Articles > First Looks... > Ascaso Steel Duo...

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CrackAddict
Senior Member

Joined: 7 Apr 2005
Posts: 8
Location: London, UK
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Expobar
Grinder: Minoka
Roaster: iRoast

Posted Mon Feb 19, 2007, 4:42pm Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

I owned one of these machines a while ago (230V model "Steel") and while a nice design I was not happy with its overall performance. I gave it to a friend and got a Bezzera 99 (Pasquini Livia 90 clone) instead. While not a bad machine, I prefer caps and the steaming was weak. I also found it didn't have adequate pump pressure to produce a shot I liked - I had to back off on the grind or it just sat there and nothing came out the spout. BTW - the included pressure gauge vibrated so wildly in use it was illegible on the one I had. This company seems to make a large number of variations on the same platform. Mine was single boiler plus thermoblock. Their website (when I looked) was very difficult to navigate and compare. One minor problem with the machine was that the button for steam would stick leaving the machine in limbo - no pump and no steam. Pressing it repeatedly would eventually free it. I was at the friend's house recently and the Steel was not working. He hadn't used it much, but he had never cleaned it and the buildup on the screen was enough that even commercial (Illy) grind coffee couldn't be used - no output. A good clean and it worked again - but not well. Maybe the pump is weak or defective.

atao
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Jun 2007
Posts: 18
Location: san francisco
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: silvia, livietta

Posted Mon Jul 2, 2007, 10:14pm Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

Would be great to hear any new tidbits of info that are available for this machine. Brew temps? Temp stability? I hear that the thermocouple is actually inside the boiler, which i'd hope would lead to a narrower deadband.

WelshDog
Senior Member

Joined: 4 Jul 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Austin
Expertise: Just starting

Espresso: Aeropress
Grinder: OE Lido

Posted Wed Jul 4, 2007, 2:33pm Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

Any word on when the detailed review will be ready? I borrowed an ancient and pathetic Oster Espresso machine from my Dad a month ago and now I'm ready to move up. The new improved Silvia seems like a good choice, but this machine appeals to me as well. I like the idea of a separate steaming thermoblock and pump. Thanks!

kevski
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Oct 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Ireland
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Ascaso Steel duo pm prof
Grinder: Quick Mill Apollo

Posted Tue Oct 2, 2007, 7:02am Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

I have just acquired an Ascaso Steel Duo (duo pm prof) - it differs slightly from the one reviewed here in that it has a much heavier chromed brass grouphead - which helps to keep the coffee warm. It's a beautiful machine - I use a Quick Mill for the grinds and after a couple of test runs - managed to make the best espressos I have tasted in some time - excellent cups with nice cremas and do this consistently each time!

Brewse
Senior Member

Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 22
Location: Maine
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: none yet
Grinder: KA Proline
Vac Pot: {really want a Royal!}
Drip: KA Proline
Roaster: none yet

Posted Fri Nov 16, 2007, 10:16am
Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

kevski Said:

I have just acquired an Ascaso Steel Duo (duo pm prof) - it differs slightly from the one reviewed here in that it has a much heavier chromed brass grouphead - which helps to keep the coffee warm. It's a beautiful machine - I use a Quick Mill for the grinds and after a couple of test runs - managed to make the best espressos I have tasted in some time - excellent cups with nice cremas and do this consistently each time!

Posted October 2, 2007 link

What size tamper do you use? I just ordered the Steel Duo pm prof, and would like to get a Reg Barber tamper - but want to be sure to get the right size. The review says 57mm, even though Ascaso says 58 - but the Duo Prof has a bigger portafilter, yes?

iZappa
Senior Member

Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 129
Location: Norway
Expertise: I live coffee

Espresso: Isomac Millenium
Grinder: Anfim Haus, Ascaso i-2,...
Drip: French press will do
Roaster: Gene Cafe

Posted Fri Nov 16, 2007, 10:27am Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

The Duo Prof has a 58mm portafilter!

Let's make the water turn black

kevski
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Oct 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Ireland
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Ascaso Steel duo pm prof
Grinder: Quick Mill Apollo

Posted Sun Nov 18, 2007, 2:22pm Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

Sorry about the delay in replying - I use a 57mm tamper and it works just fine. The plastic tamper supplied by Ascaso with the machine is also 57mm. The portafilter is indeed 58mm - but a 58mm tamper will be a tight squeeze!!

iZappa
Senior Member

Posted Sun Nov 18, 2007, 2:44pm Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

kevski Said: but a 58mm tamper will be a tight squeeze!! Posted November 18, 2007 link Hmm... that is not my experience with it. I have used three different 58mm tampers with this machine and they have all fitted perfectly. I dose to the rim of the basket though. A traditional italian dosing of 7 or 12-14 grams might be a tight squeeze since the basket narrows in towards the bottom.

Let's make the water turn black

kevski
Senior Member

Joined: 2 Oct 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Ireland
Expertise: I love coffee

Espresso: Ascaso Steel duo pm prof
Grinder: Quick Mill Apollo

Posted Sun Nov 18, 2007, 3:23pm Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

Thanks for that insight! I was supplied with a 57mm tamper when I purchased the machine and assumed it was the correct size. As I said, it does the job - after I tap the side of the filter following the first press, the second press usually compacts any stray grinds.

Brewse
Senior Member

Posted Mon Nov 19, 2007, 5:05am Subject: Re: Ascaso Steel Duo Espresso Machine

thanks kevski and iZappa.

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