Overview:

This is the newest Ascaso espresso machine brought into the United States. One of 1st-line's business partners has thoroughly tested this machine under heavy home use, and it has been given a thumbs up!

This machine offers a 325mL brass coffee boiler for superior espresso extraction, and the there is a button on the lower front panel (hidden behind the steam wand in picture above). this button activates the thermoblock which provides instant steaming/frothing capabilities on demand and at the same time of espresso extraction.

Hence, this machine can be used in espresso only mode to save electricity. The steam boiler button can always remain on so when the power is turned on, the steam boiler will warm up with the coffee boiler. Good warm up time is approximately 15 minutes.

This espresso machine is unlike other machines with a boiler/boiler configuration or a boiler/thermoblock configuration which only have one pump. When there is only one pump, the user can only extract espresso or steam milk. These other machines can not do both at the same time because they only have the one pump which will not create enough pressure for espresso extraction AND steaming at the same time. Since the Ascaso Steel Duo has two pumps, one is always devoted to espresso extraction and one is always devoted to steam production.

Features:

• This is the full-automatic version where the user depresses one of three programmable coffee dosage buttons, and the machine pumps your pre-programmed amount of water through the coffee grind. This is the only difference between this machine and the semiautomatic version.
• The programming of the volume of the water through the coffee grind is performed by a flow meter as well as the well-branded GICAR motherboard - the rolls-royce of motherboards in the espresso machine industry
• Steam pipe protector so one does not burn his/her fingers when touching the steam wand.
• Three way solenoid valve allows the instant removal of the portafilter handle once the coffee button is depressed to the 'off' position
• Independent steam thermoblock with separate on/off power switch (lower panel) and the steam activation switch is on the top panel, top right
• Independent water activation switch (lower right of top front panel) which activates a separate valve for hot water through its own water pipe
• Removable drip tray slides forward for easy cleaning
• Drip tray cover is not removable
• Temperature gauge of coffee boiler allows you to hone in on best temperature range for your espresso coffee
• There is a sensor to monitor low water level in the water reservoir. This helps avoid damage to the heating element in the boiler
• S-2 Autoprime valve acts as an air release valve to remove air that may be suctioned up with the water from the reservoir
• Frothing aid on swivel steam pipe helps in creating good froth for cappuccinos
• Accessories Included: filter handle with dual spouts, 58mm single cup filter basket, 58mm double cup filter basket, plastic tamper (57mm), instruction manual and quick start guide.
  

Specifications:

• Approximate measurements: 10 5/8" W x 13 1/2" H (in front including bar) x 12 1/4" D (steaming can be performed from the front or the side of the machine as the steam arm swivels)
• removable water tank: 2 liters (0.53 gallons)
• Bodywork: brushed stainless steel
• Recommended tamper size: 58mm
• Weight: 26.5 lbs
• Power: 1400 Watts, 120 Volts, 60 Hertz
• Pump Pressure: up to 16 bar (only 9 bar is needed to make espresso).
• Coffee thermostat: 100º.
• Steam thermostat 140º.
• Brass portafilter holder: 60mm.
• Warranty: 30 day parts and labor limited to manufacturer's defect and provided by 1st-line Equipment, LLC.
• Made in Spain.

For use with PODS:

• Adjustable Portafilter - The green portafilter handle rotates so the pressure can be adjusted. This is the good news, but the bad news is that the handle can easily rotate when locking in the handle into the group head. We recommend marking the handle where it works best to ensure it lines up prior to the shot.
• Pod Baskets - This is the E.S.E. POD basket recommended by Ascaso, however, depending upon the pod, it may or may not work well. For instance, the pods we used started out a smooth flow for the first 1/2 ounce, then the pump started to struggle with a weaker flow with a dribble of espresso every 1-2 seconds. Results may vary.

Notes:

1. Printable manual can be found here.
2. The instructional manuals for Ascaso are printed for worldwide distribution and covers almost every model produced worldwide. With this in mind, there may be features, accessories, or colors available in Ascaso equipment in other countries, but not available in our models produced for the United States.
3. Temperature gauge - the temperature gauge on the front of this machine should be used as a relative guide on how to make the best out of your espresso machine. Since temperature measurement is a science, a comparison with measuring water at the grouphead will definitely yield different results.
4. Please note there is no rail across the top rear of the machine as shown in the picture. The reason is that it can impede the opening of the water reservoir cover.
5. In the first picture below, you can see the large round brass boiler that adds to temperature stability, and the oval brass thermoblock provides continuous steam and can powered on/off independently of the coffee boiler.
6. In the second picture below, there is a clear view of the quality Gicar controller.
7. Draining the boiler and steam thermoblock for shipping: Machine should be fully heated. Keep water tank filled, but the intake hose must be placed on top of reservoir so no more water gets pumped into the machine. Place a cup under the steam wand, and depress the steam button to activate the steam and allow to operate for 2 minutes. Depress the steam button to shut off the steam. Place cup under hot water spigot, and depress the hot water switch. At 30 seconds, depress the hot water switch to shut off the hot water spigot. Immediately, depress the coffee switch and turn off after 20 seconds. Remove water from the reservoir and place back in. When shipping, it is best to make sure no loose items bounce around inside the machine's box. This machine should always be double boxed.
8. The DUO uses a thermoblock to produce steam. While this is adequate for foaming milk, it generally does not have enough power to form great microfoam for Latte Art. If you are looking to do Latte Art, consider the UNO, which is a more powerful steamer.
9. LED light repair instructions.

Questions and Answers:

• Q1. Can you confirm that backflushing is possible/desirable for the Ascaso Steel Duo TRONIC Professional.  The unit is about two years old.  I see that there is a blind portafilter listed on your site as being suitable for this model, but my owner's manual does not have instructions re backflushing.  However, when I downloaded the manual currently on your website, I noticed that a small section on backflushing has been added, and it looks like they now include a disc intended for that purpose. If backflushing with this unit is appropriate, please recommend the optimal cleaning product from your store (e.g., Ascaso Detergent).
  A1. Backflushing can occur on the DUO TRONIC Professional because it has a 3 way solenoid valve on the grouphead. R037, which can be found on www.1st-line.NET can be purchased for backflushing. Ascaso Detergent should also be used for backflushing (but it is not a descaler).
  
• Q2. Also, please tell me if I should use a de-scaling product (e.g., CleanCaf) occasionally, in addition to the backflushing, and should I backflush with that product also?
  A2. CleanCaf, Durgol, or Ascaso Descaler (all three available on www.1st-line.NET), can be used in all Ascaso machines. In the DUO models, the solution needs to be pushed through the grouphead for 30 seconds, the water spout for 30 seconds, and then the steam wand for 5 minutes. Please be very careful not to get any solution on the finish since it will get destroyed (including any clear coat finishes). In addition, it is always a good idea to run the reservoir with clean water twice through the machine, but be careful to run the pump for one minute, and let rest for two minutes before running the pump again.