Thanks for this. I only found out about this machine recently, but it is looking like a strong contender for me, and your thoughts were very helpful. I like the sound of the positives you mentioned, and most of the negatives aren't really a big deal for me.

Great review! Iam currently getting to know this machine. Beautiful and comes with great features. Thanks for taking the time.

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

I hope it was helpful.

Great review! Bought it a week ago. Found exactly the same things you mentioned. As you said, a really nice machine with a little compromise.

Very good and comprehensive review. Thank you!

very helpful review, thank you for making it so well structured and thourough. on the opv activating: it dumps wanter back in the tank afaik. this is why the volumetrics wont account for it.

Thank you for taking the time to make this review! It was very useful for me prior to buying this machine myself. I found out a feature you have missed in your review that may actually improve your workflow with the machine! The drain tube that makes it so hard to dump the drip tray can actually pivot around its axis and get out of the way. You have to be careful to move it back over the tray when you are done cleaning it otherwise you will create a little mess when you brew :). And it can get very hot so maybe use a towel when handling it. Thanks for the review! Cheers!

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

I actually do mention in passing that you can move the tube around 5:40 in the video. But yes, the drain can be rotated! As you said though, you do have to be careful because it can be hot if you're recently pulled a shot.

Thanks for the in-depth video, although I speak german and understand the other videos on yt, I still like the additional info and personal experience with the machine you provide. Thinking about upgrading to the dream pid from my quickmill stretta since a few month already :-)

Thank you for the in depth review.! I've had this machine for a little over a year and I agree with all you've said. I don't know if there is any other machine that packs this many features in a compact size. My biggest complaint is the steam power, I use other machine to froth milk because I can't get anything decent with mine. Thanks again for taking the time.

Great review, thanks 👍

I agree. I have had this machine for a year. Well broken in. I achieve the dope bottomless shots for instagram, but it took getting the grind right, using pre infusion, and using a filter screen. Great review.

Good day...been pondering on so many options out there and finally settled on the Dream PID... Your review was very thorough in mentioning the Pros and Cons of it...Was also looking at the Steel Duo PID and Rancilio Sylivia Pro X but the price difference was very big....All of our requirements (PID, Pre-infusion, fast heat up time, adjustable OPV) were met, and most importantly it produces great shots of espresso... Big thanks to this review, it definitely aided us a lot in our decision... Great job!

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

I'm glad this was helpful!

Your demo of the mug not fitting broke the deal. I was with it until then. Shame, I like the machine, however, I can do without the frustration. ESPECIALLY if I am making that first brew of the day. Good video mate.

@ne1ll

Жыл бұрын

It’s an espresso machine you clown 🤷🏾‍♂️

@MariusWM

6 ай бұрын

If you drink coffee with that ugly mugs, then you have no business owning this design pearl.

Nice Video. You are right about the volumetric control in this machine. The flow sensor sits in the low pressure part of the system. You'd have to get the much more expensive BabyT to overcome that issue. There they use a more expensive sensor that is located in the high pressure part of the water circuit after the opv. About power usage. The Ascaso Steel PID the chunkier brother of the Dream has an active cup warmer. A 10w heating pad beneath the cup tray. Seems like the Dream has one too. Would explain the 11W you messured. To dump heat after steaming milk I switch from steam to hot water and dump it out of the steam wand into an extra cup or emptied milk pitcher instead of letting water run through the group head into the tiny drip tray. I had a Breville Bambino before. Even smaller drip tray on that one. In such cases you either get inventive quickly or very frustrated. The Ascaso thermoblock is a little slower than the thin bed heating units Breville is using in most of their machines but far superior in temperature consistency which directly correlates with the quality of the coffee that ends up in your cup. Enjoy your machine.

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

Great insights. Spot on with the "inventive". I actually went to using a puck screen so I don't have to flush the group head after pulling a shot... keeps me from having to dump the drip tray as much. Lol.

@markuseberle6610

Жыл бұрын

@@TechDregs Using a puck screen is a great idea. I had one for my Bambino for the exact same reason and immediatly got one for the Ascaso too. They look very gadgety at first but turn out to be realy useful. Keeps your shower screen clean from coffee grounds as well as the whole backflushing path and it has positive effects on extraction. The screen protects the surface of the puck and it helps distributing the water. For what they cost I feel it's a must have. Sure it adds one more step to getting to your cup of coffee but looking at all the hoops a home espresso machine owner is willing to jump through to get espresso at home it's negligible. Only a couple of days ago I watched a video on a yt channel named 'Caffe Martella Singapore' about grinders or something. He is using puck screens too and he did something in that video that I've never seen or heard of but made using a puck screen a lot less hassle for me: After brewing slap the top of your portafilter with your flat palm making sure you get a seal. Done right and with a reasonably dry puck the screen gets dislodged from the puck and you can simply tip it out of the filter then knock out the puck instead of fumbling the screen out or just knocking it out with the puck and then having to retrieve it. For everyone using such a screen and hasn't heard of this: try it.

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

@@markuseberle6610 Lol dude. I literally saw that *exact* thing this week. Makes it so much easier than fishing the screen out of the grounds bin.

@markuseberle6610

Жыл бұрын

@@TechDregs The world is weird place. I was checking your other videos and found and watched the one where you were making that custom holder for your grinder while I was printing a custom portafilterholder for my ikea skadis pegboard. And the guy from Singapore is also an avid 3d printer. That's how I originally found him. How's that for coincidences? Or maybe google just knows us a little too well.🤔

Unbelievable good review. Thank you so much. I'm a beginner and I have been looking at all my options. This thing is beautiful. What grinder are you using please?

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

Currently using a Eureka Mignon Crono.

Thanks for this great review!! I'm thinking about buying the Ascaso, but I still have a few doubts and I would like to ask you a few questions: - Is a lungo or a little more (60-80ml) possible, does the temperature remain stable? - I have my water filter in the fridge, so the water in the water tank is cold when I fill it up. To me it would be logical if that affects the output temperature, do you know if that is correct? - If I want to switch between dark and light roast for two shots and adjust the temperature with the PID, how long do I have to wait until it is stable at the new temperature? - What do you think of the workflow for a cappuccino (I rarely make it, only for visitors), is it rather frustrating or is it okay? I'm especially thinking about the wait after the shots (is the crema still good?) - There are various reports in several forums about suddenly occurring problems, for example the solenoid valve. Can you say something about the quality and durability of the machine? very big thank for your work, would be a pleasure to hear from you! Greetings

@TechDregs

8 ай бұрын

I haven't tested temp stability, so I can't comment on the first part. The output temp is controlled by PID, so it shouldn't matter too much about input temp of the water. The system will just wait until the water temp in the thermoblock is good before initiating the shot. I guess if you're pulling a long shot, having exceptionally cold water might affect things, but I haven't tested that. For the temp adjustment, heat up happens very very quickly, so if you adjust the temp up, it'll be almost instant. Cool down can take a while though, because the thermoblock is insulated. I have no trouble with the workflow for cappuccinos (which is my main drink). But that may be an individual taste thing. But the only machines that will offer faster workflows for milk prep would be dual boiler machines or a Breville Thermojet system. The Ascaso gets to steam temp fairly quickly. I basically have time to walk to the fridge and pour the milk, then it's maybe 20-30 seconds more and it's making steam. I have had no mechanical issues with the machine since this video was made. The one problem I had was a connector on the PCB coming loose (probably vibrated loose). I pushed it back in, and that was that. I use the machine daily, zero problems.

Amazing review! Thank you! Have been on the fence with the Dream PID and can’t decide between the Dream, Profitec Go, or Quick Mill Alexia Evo. From what you know now would you still purchase the Dream or go for something different in the price range? Thanks again..

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

Hard to say, because I haven't researched much else since. My complaints are still mostly the same. Low deck height, the water reservoir rattles, and the drip tray is small. But it has continued to be everything I need, so I have no bad updates or anything. I still love the quick heat up time, and I'll probably never get another machine without a thermoblock/coil.

@PhilRosegart

Жыл бұрын

I’ve been using mine for nearly a year now and have the same complaints. My biggest complaint is the steam knob - hard to turn with wet hands. Would’ve preferred a simple on/off switch or lever. Also, if you’re using a scale to measure the output, it’s a little tricky positioning the scale the get an accurate reading with the rattling. Complaints aside, it does make excellent espresso

You set the temerature on 98C. Isn´t tooh high? Do you have the possibility to measure real temp in portafilter?

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

I consider it just another variable to adjust... but I did lower it down to 95 a few weeks ago.

@milos.sladecka

Жыл бұрын

@@TechDregs Thanks for your answer, I went to 94-95C as well.

I have a question I really hope you can answer. I have this machine since about two days, but still wasn’t really able to make a good espresso. Tried with 14,15,16,17,18 grams and every grinding level I have, doesn’t matter if it’s fine or course the pressure doesn’t really get above 5-6 bars. The machine definitely works and can build pressure, just not with the coffee inside. Am I tamping wrong or my beans still too course/fine?

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

It depends a bit on what basket you're using, but in general, that would mean you need to grind finer. You could try upping your dose a bit to 18.5 or 19.0, but you start to run out of basket probably at that point. This is assuming your OPV isn't set to 6 bars or something (should be like 11 from the factory, IIRC).

I’ve been pondering this machine for a while so I truly appreciate this review. From the way you described it, it sounds like the only way to brew is to use their volumetric dosing, for hold the switch down for the entire brew period? Is that right?

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

Yes. You have two volumetric presets which are accessed by pushing (and releasing) the brew switch either up or down. To program those presets, you push up/down and hold while the shot runs to your desired dose. When you let go, the machine saves whatever you just did to the associated switch direction preset. So, when brewing, you can use either of the two presets you have saved, or just press and hold to do a custom shot.

@Jeremy-kg1zr

Ай бұрын

That's the exact only question I had, and honestly is the one thing that makes me hesitate about this machine. I want to simply be able to flip the switch and have it pull the shot until I flip it off. Who wants to have to hold the switch the whole time... I wonder if it would be easy to just install another switch, or if something in the electronics would make that not work out.

Hai mate, can u mention how max power draw while machine its off to ready for brewing?

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

I don't have an exact figure, but the thermoblock is 1000w, and I measured between 1000-1200w max in my tests.

@aditdudunk

Жыл бұрын

@@TechDregs thanks mate

Hi to everyone. I have two questions. 1. Coffee dosing is not working on my Ascaso Dream Pid. I can't turn on the coffee dose control function. The manual says, "To program the dose at either of the two selections, just turn the switch to the desired position until the required amount is obtained. On releasing it, the dose will have been programmed." That doesn't seem to work for me. 2. OPV adjustment. When I adjust the OPV valve, the indicator shows, let's say, 11 bars. When I brew the coffee, the indicator usually stays at 8 bars. Is this difference normal?

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

You have to hold the switch down (or up, for the other setting) to program. As far as the pressure, the OPV will limit the maximum pressure, but if your coffee doesn't provide as much resistance, that maximum will never be reached.

@mariusbagd

Жыл бұрын

@@TechDregs Thank you for the reply. Yes, I am holding the switch down in order to program the timing, but next time, as soon as I press and release the switch, the machine stops brewing.

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

I'd reach out to Ascaso about that then.

Hi Australia, best wishes from Canada ! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review! I`ve watched hundreds of them on different subjects, but this is the best of the best! So impressed! Could you please give me your detailed opinion on the steam valve and knob design(or problems) on your new Ascasso machine and Breville also. Did you ever pull the steam knob out? I'm so curious to know how the knob looks inside. The issues that I had with my Francis!Francis! X 5 (made by "Illy")machine were unbearable. Still works great, but the steam valve is garbage. Machine was cleaned regurarly ( filtered water used). The design of the steam valve (brass) was I guess "Illy" europian standard where the end of it (where you attach the knob) had a shape of a star. Than on it you attach steam knob made of plastic. I had to change it very often because either the valve would leak ( cone design inside of it )or the heat from the brass would wear out the "star" inside the plastic steam knob . So if you would close it tight to avoid the pressure leak, the "star" inside of the steam knob would wear out in no time. Better solution would be if "Illy" would insert inside of plastic knob square piece of metal like on any stove ( if the end of the steam valve would be square also). I am looking to buy new machine, so my main main concern is the design of the steam valve /knob/ and your input on possible leaks. Thanks in advance, Best regards, you deserve 1 million views!

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

I haven't had any issues with leaks, and the steam valve seems to be good quality. The steam handle is a wooden disc. On the back of that disk, it's held to the valve shaft with grub screws. There are also four screws that hold the wood piece onto the metal coupler. See here: www.1st-line.com/buy/ascaso-pm-258/ www.1st-line.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/PM.258-01.jpg Here's what the valve looks like: ascaso-usa.com/products/pm460-tap-dream-pid-2019

@d.r.2164

Жыл бұрын

@@TechDregs Thank you very much for your quick response. I think I`ll go for Ascaso Dream PID also.

Is this a 58 mm PF?

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

Yup.

Of course, you include the sound of your coffee grinder but you switch to music only when the awful sound of the vibration pump comes on.

I don't think you should use mugs with machine like this :-)

@TechDregs

5 ай бұрын

I have proper Italian espresso cups now. I'm bougie. :-D

The thing I dislike most about this product and probably many like it are the wasteful amount of "accessories". Imagine how much cheaper this could be sold for without charging every person that buys these machines for every single basket that will never be used. Not to mention the complete waste of materials manufacturing a spouted portafilter that I cannot imagine anyone half serious about espresso uses anymore. Which I think the price point of this machine would prove is for someone at least half serious about espresso. I honestly have not found a machine in this price range I would buy because they all have something stupid about them. Like the drip tray. Such a stupid oversight.

2:10: “a decent espresso machine, capable of making good espresso”. Hardly a glowing review for a $1300 machine; I’m getting that result out of a ViaVenezia I got for $15 at a thrift shop.

@TechDregs

Жыл бұрын

It's a fine review if you understand how little impact the espresso machine has on the espresso that comes out. Starbucks uses machines that cost over $15k... and most of their coffee sucks compared to what you can make at home with this Ascaso. Why? Because the machine isn't a major factor in the quality of the espresso getting made.

@Gk2003m

Жыл бұрын

@@TechDregs Your final sentence says it all…. and is why I am so content with my ViaVenezia.