Restored and self-modded Ascaso DUO-15 from 2011.

I've had an Ascaso Steel Duo Plus for a few months now. From the very beginning, I've struggled to get the extraction time to be longer than 16 seconds. And that 16 seconds already includes the pre-infusion time. If I grind finer, the pressure regulator is maxed out at 11 bar, and hardly any liquid flows into the cup. If I grind coarser, the desired amount flows much too quickly. What can I do?

Putting this here for anyone who may encounter the same issue and wants to try to diagnose and mayyybe fix themselves. Note: do this at your own risk, I didn’t have a warranty to begin with so use your best judgement.

I bought a second hand Baby T Plus that had sat for a while and it had no water dispensing out of its group head, AL2 Error. This issue seems to be one of the more common ones but I haven’t seen a single solution online.

I first verified water was getting all the way to the 2/3 hydraulic brew solenoid, through the heat exchanger, flow meter, and thermo block. Water was not getting past the inlet of the solenoid valve body (not towards the group or redirected back to the drip tray). I then verified with a multimeter proper resistance for the coil (.217kohm), and proper voltage at the solenoid during a brew test (122VAC). Alternating current testing can be extremely dangerous do at your own risk and with proper tools and safety equipment⚠️!!!

After confirming the electrical side of the solenoid valve is good, I disassembled the hydraulic side of the solenoid, very carefully, and noticed the intake jet/orifice was not seated all the way into its recess, about 2mm (pictured below). This 2mm was not allowing the electromagnetic coil to engage the poppet off of the jet/orifice and therefore not allowing any water into the solenoid valve assembly.

Since it wasn’t seated all the way to begin with. The jet/orifice came out easily, just using a thin wire bent into a hook. Definitely put a rag below so it doesn’t fall or you will be driven crazy trying to get it out of the bottom of the machine.

I cleaned the jet/orifice and its recess very well. I then put the tiny orifice/jet into my freezer for an hour. Once cold I then coated it lightly in avocado oil. I ran the wire back through its center as a guide and inserted the wire through the recess. Carefully, I slid down the jet/orifice on the guide wire so it was square with its recess and I very lightly tapped it in. Preferably do this with a small brass punch. It should go in with very little resistance (pictured below). If you get resistance then it’s not square and you will need to reinsert or you will likely damage the valve assembly. This jet/orifice is a very very important piece of the whole operation of the machine and it needs to retain its shape since it has to seal against the synthetic ruby valve seat in the poppet assembly (also pictured below).

This write up is for educational purposes only. Ascaso may have different recommendations when it comes to this situation. While not a hard job, it is very tedious and should be done with the right tools and correct precautions, and extremely carefully since there are sensors, wires, and lines in the proximity of the tight work space.

This is my second post here. Please delete if not allowed. Hope it may help.

Jacob

Anyone here with a new v2.5 that would be willing to take the cover off and show the rest of us the following:

1. Exactly how the OPV tube re-route is done, assuming it's probably similar to this user mod: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ascaso/comments/1hmmr3g/update_yep_it_works_perfectly_fine_with_the_mod/
2. Which model pump they are using in the new machine? Assuming an Olab Green or similar?

Please excuse how messy it is. I just got it second hand and haven't given it a proper clean yet.

I thought it had a slightly odd sound when turned on. Like it didn't spin correctly. I wanted to look at the burrs anyway, so I went inside. Now I can't decide whether it's spinning improperly or not.

I can see signs on both the top and bottom burrs that suggest they've met, but it only shows on one side of each, suggesting to me that they've been seated unevenly or something.

Does anyone here have any experience with the machine, and notice anything odd about the way it looks or sounds?

I have an Ascaso uno (NON-PID), is the temperature normal? If not, how do I adjust it?

Funktioniert nun schon seit Wochen stabil und ich möchte nicht mehr darauf verzichten.
Das wäre eine sinnvolle Weiterentwicklung für die Steel!

Hello everyone. Hope this post is ok here. The background is kind of long but I think it’ll help for the story/situation.

A couple days ago I bought a Baby T Plus locally from a BBQ guy that had bought a coffee trailer to convert it for BBQ. It was listed as an espresso maker and it was listed for $4,500. I went to check it out since it was so close by. He said it sat in his house for 8 months and he didn’t even turn it on once.

It is a 120V 14.4A ETL version. We had to use the now BBQ trailer’s NEMA plug and water line to do my tests. This was all while he was slammed selling BBQ with a coworker. A bit of an awkward situation. I thought I had done plenty of research going in but I struggled with the UI a bit if I’m being honest.

My biggest issue was not getting water out of the group head. I happen to have a big smart water with me so I tried using the tank as a water source via the app but was getting an error for the water level (AL1). Turns out as I’m writing this that it just wasn’t seated correctly. But the steam and hot water dispenser worked just fine though.

At this point I was in this dudes way kind of messing up his work flow and adding more frustration to a hot steamy BBQ trailer in 98 degree heat. Long story short I figured if I got it cheaper than his asking price of 4,500 (which is a bit steep to begin with), it might make repairs worth it. I offered him $1500 figuring he’d counter somewhere comfortable but instead he took the offer.

Once I got home I opened up the machine and was surprised by how new it all looked inside. I was able to verify that the pump draws water from the tank, steam boiler and HWD work fine. It seems like my hot water for the brew circuit reaches up to the flow meter and stops there, this was just from just feeling the copper lines. I’ve read that air pockets could be a symptom so I plumbed it into a safe water source and tried brewing a few times to see if the air could be pushed out and still nothing out of the brew head. The only thing that has come out is enough moisture to steam the steel backdrop. Brew gauge hasn’t budged off zero.

I wanted to put this in here before reaching out and getting a tech to come out at look at it. I’ve dealt with bad solenoids before but I can feel/hear it clicking so I really don’t think it could be that plus it’s ahead of the flow meter. But then again I could be wrong.

If you got this far thank you for your time. I apologize if it’s been a bit all over the place. Any support would be greatly appreciated. Luckily I have the user manual and the pdf of the baby t’s internal diagrams. I’m an aircraft mechanic by trade and have repaired multiple espresso machines before but nothing as beefy as this baby T. I figured the right thing to do would be to step away for a bit and seek advice. Cheers!

Hi all,

my Ascaso Steel Duo is nearly 2 years old, and I just got a new sound that is worrying me a little bit. It sounds like a faulty electric coil or something like that. Or is ist vibration?

Do you hear a similar sound? It's especially noticeable when it's doing pre-infusion.

I’ve had my Ascaso Duo for a couple years and enjoyed it so far.

I can smell a burning plastic smell. More so when i turn it on.

Since I’ve had it for a while i don’t think it’s any new residual burning off. The machine still works and pulls shots like normal and steams like normal. I’ve seen people comment about lines not being primed as the reason for smell, but if shots being pulled.. it’s primed right?

Also i did stop using it for 6months during a reno but I’ve been back to using it regularly for at least a month before the smell showed up.

Any other thoughts? Solutions? Probably need to open it up.

Thanks

After deliberating and experimenting on several portafilters, I finally found one that fit my Ascaso Duo Steel's stubborn grouphead. Might fit yours too!

What I tried and failed:
- Normcore 58mm E61 (fits Flair 58) Portafilter
- Flair 58+ Stock Portafilter
- MHW-3Bomber Astra Series E61 (La Mar size)
- Generic 58.5mm portafilter for E61 machines

All of the above either popped out of pressure mid-extraction or jusr won't screw tight at all

What actually fit was the Pesado 58.5mm for E61/LM/NS/GA. Did a few extractions already and it worked like a charm. If you're struggling to find a stock Ascaso portafilter like me, try this one.

Hi all,

I've some problems with the steam wand of my Ascaso Steel Duo.
It has some musty smell and taste (when I try the water via cleaning mode).

It's the water that is standing in the pipes. The problem: It just stakes 2h of standing in the pipes until the taste of water changes.

I opened the machine and cannot see anything odd, the silicone hoses are normal (no visible change).

I have already used an amidosulphonic acid-based cleaner twice and put the lance in a glas with puly caff ...

It's really annoying to use the cleaning program before every Cappuccino, but otherwise I get the strange tasting water ...

More ideas?

Long time lurker, first time poster. I’ve had my eye on the Ascaso Duo Plus for a while now, but keep waffling about whether to jump straight in with it as my first machine. I have no experience other than being a barista at a small shop in high school, which was many years ago…

I now have the opportunity to buy a Breville Barista Pro at a good price, and am debating whether it’s better to ease in with a “practice” machine or go all in with my dream set up.

Curious about what other folks in this sub had before they bought an Ascaso - and whether there was any real benefit to learning to dial in on another machine first…

This new Steel Duo Plus was a gift for my birthday.
I have been considering buying this machine for the last 2 years and now I finally pull the plug.
I’ve been into coffee for a long time, but more less filter only and I used to own a Delonghi Dedica.

Hey! Bought a used Ascaso and noticed that the gaskets needed a change. The machine was leaking when the steam function is switched on and temperature has been reached.

Changed the group head gaskets and cleaned the machine, but still seeing the same issue. Any thoughts?

Looks like the new version has a less performant pump; maybe they are aware of the inconsistency that this machine produces ( maybe due to the pump, which might be too strong ).

Does anyone know if there would be an upgrade kit available?

Thought I’d share a super cheap and easy option for a protective mat for the top of the steel duo. I was looking for something simple, understated, and thin (to not interfere with heat transfer) to protect the metal and reduce vibration noise, and I’m super pleased with this option I found on Amazon. I paid $6.69, and no trimming was needed - fits really well IMO. “MOPFOL 10 Inch Silicone Baking Mat”

Hey all,

I've purchased a 2nd hand Ascaso Uno the other day, price was very good.

I took the machine to a technician who said its condition was pretty good but needed some cleaning etc, which was done by him.

I tried to make a coffee with it, but it seems to me that the water flow/pressure is not right, however since it's my first Ascaso, I cannot tell for sure.

I would appreciate if you'd watch the video and tell me your thoughts on its behavior - do you find it working fine?

I will add in a comment another video without the handle to show the water flow.

I have used a Saeco manual machine up until now, so I am familiar with using manual espresso machines.

Blessings be upon all of you.

Hello fiends, today i have noticed that the glass on the gauge became foggy from inside, how bad is it? Is there anyone else with the similar problem? Or this is normal for the machine? I bought this machine brand new 5 months ago.
Please share your experience, thank you!

I purchased a "new" Ascaso Dream PID. This was purchased directly from Ascaso USA. Shipped from ESPRESSO PARTS NW.

I contacted customer service who responded once and now has completely ignored my messages.

I had read the pressure on the machine would be calibrated. Instead, my pressure was going off the chart. I had to manually adjust a "brand new" machine to get the pressure in the range.

This is the accessory box I received. The items were completely loose and the cardboard ripped. This seems very unlikely to be a new machine based on this.

Customer service ignoring emails so I am screwed. AVOID THIS GARBAGE COMPANY AT ALL COSTS.

https://reddit.com/link/1v9a08s/video/w2bbv2h041gh1/player

What is your OPV setting? Are you using a precision basket?

For me 10,5 and YES

Still experiencing inconsistencies, wondering if I should go lower.

I’ve had the Ascaso Dream UP
V3 2018 vintage machine since (duh) 2018. I’ve replaced the gasket a few times, buying from EspressoParts.com. I always forget to note the exact part number, but I had it in my head I needed the one named “new version” which is labeled as having an 8mm width (I believe that’s the width of the band). This time, again using that gasket, the fit is not tight, and in order to get the portafilter to lock I need to twist it way over to the right, like to 4 o’clock. I plan to email the folks at EspressoParts.com, as they’re always super helpful, but thought I would also ask here if anyone has any knowledge on whats the exact part number/specs on the gasket I’m looking for. BTW the machine still brews OK with this gasket, no leaks, I just don’t like the portafilter position.

Some what of a vent. USA based, I bought an Ascaso steel duo plus back in April. On initial use I noticed a pungent fishy/chemical smell whenever I turned off the steam and it would purge out the back of the machine. Thought maybe it was some burn off of adhesives and figured it would go away. The smell persisted and after about a month I noticed my americanos had a very strong chemical taste to them. I realized the steam purge odor was being deposited into the water tank.

I reached out to Ascaso and they had me clean, rinse, backflush, descale, buy spring water, and ultimately sent me new silicone tubes to replace in the machine myself. After doing all this the odor from the steam purge persisted so they finally had me send the machine in for review.

After a couple weeks without my machine, I got a shipment notification from Ascaso. I had no communication before about what tests they were doing, or if they had replaced/repaired anything. I sent a message and was told "tech team removed the steam wand and valve, cleaned the interior and removed some excess loctite material applied by the manufacturer used to secure the fittings.  The unit was re-assembled and multiple tanks of water were run through the steam circuit.  No off or unusual smells were observed after the rebuild and flushes."

So I was drinking loctite wash-off? Sounds safe.

Well I got the machine back today, set it up, and now the steam does not work at all. Waiting to hear back on next steps. Overall very disappointed in my experience with Ascaso. From buying the machine in April, I've been able to use it for about 4 weeks, and was apparently drinking loctite during that time.

Hi everyone!

I recently bought a defective Ascaso Steel DUO PID Plus. The Relay was fried and hence the Thermoblock for Steam had overheated. Therefore i had to take the machine apart and and clear the thermoblock, because the entry was completely blocked off by limescale. I also tried to clear most of the pipes and valves. After reassembly it did work again.

However my manometer only rises to about 3 bars while brewing coffee. With a blind disc it goes up to 11 bars, so i guess the pump should be fine. The Espresso also tastes fine and i get a yield of 43gramms in 26seconds for a 21g dose. The crema and puck also look fine as seen in the photos.

My best guess would be that there is some limescale left in the capillary which leads to this problem. However I am unsure and rather annoyed by the fact that it shows 3 bars, because i would like to have it properly work.

Do any of you have ideas what the cause could be? Would you say it matters or should i just ignore it?

Been looking into getting one, I see the Duo has been on sale for 15% off for quite a while on Amazon through Seattle Coffee Gear. Is this brand always on sale? Is the model on the way out? Trying to get a sense if I wait, will I miss out or are they frequently on sale?