Ascaso Steel DUO Review: 500 Shots Later – Pros, Cons & Performance
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The Ascaso Steel DUO espresso machine, handcrafted in Barcelona, is a visual stunner. After pulling over 500 shots this year, I’ve uncovered all its strengths—and quirks. In this review, I’ll walk you through every detail, including real-world performance, the pros and the cons.
And we’ll answer the question: Is it worth the $1,900 price tag?
Design & Aesthetics
What drew me to the Ascaso Steel DUO PID initially was that it stood out as one of the most visually striking espresso machines on the market. Its minimalist design, complemented by high-quality materials and a sturdy build, adds a touch of class to any kitchen. I opted for the powder-coated black finish for both durability and a timeless vibe. Size was also a factor, of course, as I don’t want something I didn’t have space for. As you can see below the footprint is quite accommodating.
Ascaso Steel DUO V2 Espresso Machine on my bar at home.
The Ascaso Steel DUO Footprint
Width: 10.7 inches (27.1 cm)
Depth: 12.6 inches (32 cm)
Height: 15.2 inches (38.5 cm)
Weight: Around 31 lbs (14 kg)
Dual thermoblock system
Pros: Thermoblocks heat water on demand and allow for simultaneous brewing and steaming. The Steel DUO is ready to brew in under 3 minutes. I usually leave it for a few more minutes so that the portafilter warms up, too. It has been an absolute game-changer in my espresso routine.
Cons: Compared to my La Marzocco GS3 (full review here), the Steel DUO’s steam power is less intense, which is the only downside of a thermoblock that I’m aware of. However, with some practice, you can still achieve silky microfoam.
Excellent espresso with the Ascaso Steel DUO.
PID temperature control
Pros: I like to try different coffees. And different coffees work better at different temps. With the PID on the Steel DUO you can adjust the grouphead (brew water) temperature between 190°-212°F (88°-100°C). The interface is straightforward, and the instructions make it easy to set.
Cons: The interface isn’t super straightforward but if you keep the instructions nearby you’ll get it down pretty quickly.
The PID temperature is always displayed on the LED by default.
58mm group head & portafilter
Pros: The Steel DUO comes with a high-quality double-spouted 58mm portafilter with a walnut handle. Looks damn fine on this machine. Holds heat well, reducing the risk of channeling. Much higher quality than I’ve seen on other machines. The espresso is produces is rich and complex. I upgraded to 58mm high precision brew baskets from VST, which is my preferred basket.
Cons: It doesn’t come with a bottomless portafilter. Not a dealbreaker. I ended up using another one I had and will likely buy this sick Normcore all-black bottomless portafilter to finalize the vibe of this machine.
The 58mm portafilter that comes with the Steel DUO is very nice and high quality.
Pre-infusion
Pros: Love the pre-infusion option here. You get 0-5 seconds of pre-infusion and 0-5 of pause after pre-infusion to let the puck bloom.
Cons: Some people say that the timing options are limited, but I don’t have any issue with what’s available.
Brew actuation – manual & volumetric options
Pros: A single, programmable two-way switch controls the brewing, which is so simple and nice. I don’t want to harp on design anymore but this looks better than plastic buttons. You can brew manually by holding the switch up or down and releasing when you’ve reached your target time or brew weight. That same action will automatically save your settings, too. So, you brew the first time to your liking and that setting will be saved. Then the next time you go to pull a shot you simply give the switch a quick press and it will repeat that last shot you made. And you can save two different settings — one up, and one down.
Cons: The volumetric presets work well but aren’t always 100% precise. If you’re a precision nerd, you might find small variances annoying. I don’t. Perfection isn’t the point. “Pretty darn close most of time” is good enough.
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Watch this video review of the Ascaso Steel DUO espresso machine.
Over pressure valve (OPV)
Pros: The OPV allows you to fine-tune pressure, ensuring optimal extraction. Too much pressure can lead to over-extraction and makes dialing-in a pain, so it’s a great feature. Adjustment is simple with the turn of a screw behind the grouphead. You don’t have to take anything apart of lift anything up. Very nice.
Cons: None.
The pressure gauge on the Steel DUO lets you understand if you’re reaching the ideal pressure.
Vibratory pump
Pros: The Steel DUO uses a vibratory pump for both the steam wand and group head. It’s noisier than a rotary pump, but I didn’t find it excessive. (Watch the video below for reference.)
Cons: They do vibrate. Your cup make vibrate from underneath the grouphead. And there’s a little rattle. Hopefully, Ascaso works on an improvement for that. I’m going to fix the rattles myself … somehow.
Steam wand
Pros: The steam wand is pretty standard. It’s a no-burn wand designed for safety and ease of cleaning. It excels making smaller milk drinks, like 8 ounce or less.
Cons: Some no-burn wands don’t steam as well as traditional wands. And As I mentioned earlier, the steam power is a little underwhelming. But you can adapt to it easily. The main con for me is that it’s not super long, which can make it tricky for getting steaming milk in a bigger pitcher. It only has one hole, rather than the 3 or 4 I’m used to.
Good, not great, steam coming from the Steel DUO.
Integrated shot timer
Pros: Built-in shot timer starts automatically when the brewing cycle begins making it easy to hit your target times.
Cons: The final shot time disappears quickly after brewing ends. Would love to see an update for this.
Drip tray
Pros: Holds a good amount of water. I usually empty it when I refill the reservoir, and it’s never been an issue.
Cons: No indicator for when it’s full, so you need to monitor it. The aluminum drip grate will scratch over time.
The drip tray is susceptible to scratches.
Tamper
Pros: That it comes with one.
Cons: Does it work ok? Sure. Is it completely odd looking? Yes. Buy a Normcore V4 self-leveling tamper and thank me later.
Brew Baskets
Pros: Includes multiple basket sizes: 7g, 14g, 18g, and 21g, plus a blank for back flushing. I only use the 18 in general but you may find the smaller, pressurized baskets useful if you’re using pre-ground coffee honestly if you’re using pre-ground coffee on an espresso machine like this, just spring for a DF54 or a DF64 espresso grinder.
Cons: None.
Cosmo crema using the Sugar Bear espresso blend from Forestry Coffee in Benton, IL. Cup by noNeutral.
2-Liter water reservoir
Pros: Holds plenty of water—enough for multiple drinks a day without constant refilling.
Cons: Some may find it tricky to slide in and out for refills. I didn’t.
Cup warmer
Pros: The cup warmer is an underrated feature of espresso machines. Warm cups mean better espresso heat retention.
Cons: The hot zone is dead center, so cups on the perimeter don’t heat up much. Would love to see this improved.
The cup warmer really only warms the middle section adequatly. The rest get just luke warm.
Construction & build quality
Pros: Solid carbon-steel construction. Powder-coated, not painted, which means it’s not going to chip easily when you smack your portafilter against it. Minimal plastic used—a nice touch considering our bodies are filled with the stuff now. Sturdy but not burdensome when moving.
Cons: The aluminum drip tray can be scratched. (See below.) I won’t say “easily” because I don’t think that’s true, but definitely take care sliding stuff around.
Milk Pitcher
Pros: None. Pitcher not included.
Cons: For this machine’s steam wand size get a 350ml pitcher if you want to make cortados up to small lattes. Read my article on milk pitchers.
Hot water dispenser
Pros: Americano and tea lovers will rejoice for the this water spout that is independent of the steam wand and grouphead. I also use it to fill my cups for prewarming. A very nice feature to have.
Cons: Because it’s run by the thermoblock the water doesn’t come out fast. In fact, it’s kind of slow.
Power configuration options
Pros: The Steel DUO comes in two power configurations: a 230V and a 120V, which is awesome. If you’re in the USA, you’ll opt for the 120V version.
Cons: For the 120V version, you’ll need a 20-amp circuit to get “full power” out of this espresso machine. At my house I have a 15-amp circuit. I wish I had a 20amp for little more steam power. But I can still make bangin’ lattes with this.
And you can make bangin’ lattes with the DUO as well.
Warranty and support
Pros: 5-year warranty on thermoblocks and 1-year warranty on other components. I had to do a claim ona steam pump replacement. espressoparts.com, the US distributor of Ascaso, handled it hassle-free. Got my machine back in 6 weeks. A+ service.
Cons: None.
The final word
Overall, I give the Ascaso Steel DUO V2 a very solid 90/100. Are there improvements to be made? Yeah. Mostly the vibration and the underwhelming steam power due to my 15 amp outlet.
Overall, I highly recommend the Steel DUO for anyone who wants the best looking espresso machine with the best feature set on the market for under $2,000. You can crank out absolutely banging espresso and with a little practice you can make silky milk drinks with the best of ‘em.
Leave question in the comments section of my Steel DUO review Youtube video.
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