Di Pacci — Dual-Thermoblock PID Espresso Machine
Ascaso Steel Duo PID Coffee Machine
The Ascaso Steel Duo PID brews and steams at the same time from two thermoblocks, and is ready in minutes rather than a quarter of an hour.
The Ascaso Steel Duo PID uses two independent thermoblocks, one for brewing and one for steam, instead of boilers. Both temperatures are set on the PID in 1-degree steps, the display doubles as a shot timer, and programmable pre-infusion and volumetric shot stop let you repeat a recipe at the press of a switch.
Because there's no large boiler to heat, warm-up takes a few minutes and fresh water passes through the stainless circuit for every shot instead of sitting in a tank of hot water. The Spanish-built steel body is 270 mm wide and about 15 kg, and it runs on a standard 10 amp power point.
2 ThermoblocksBrew & steam at once
PID1° steps, brew & steam
~4 minWarm-up
10 AMPStandard power point
⚡ Dual Thermoblock 🌡️ PID Control 💧 Volumetric Shots 🎛️ Programmable Pre-Infusion ⏱️ Shot Timer 💡 Work Lights 🔌 10 Amp ✅ In Stock — Australia
Best for: ⏰ Busy weekday mornings · 🥛 Milk drinks · 📐 Compact benches · 🌿 Low standby energy · 🎨 Choice of finishes
Free standard shipping Australia-wide on orders over $200. Standard shipping is $14.95 for orders below $200. Same-day dispatch for orders placed before 2PM, with secured, tracked delivery.
Key Features of the Ascaso Steel Duo PID
⚡ Brew and steam together
Separate brew and steam thermoblocks let you texture milk while the shot runs.
⏰ Ready in minutes
Thermoblocks heat only the water they need, so the machine is ready in about four minutes.
🌡️ PID in 1-degree steps
Brew and steam temperatures are set independently on the PID, in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
💧 Volumetric shot stop
Program a shot volume once and the machine stops the pump for you every time.
🎛️ Pre-infusion, 0 to 5 seconds
Set a short low-flow soak in the PID menu to help the puck extract evenly.
🧼 Fresh water every shot
Water flows through a stainless steel circuit rather than sitting in a boiler between uses.
How Thermoblocks Differ from Boilers
A boiler machine heats and holds litres of water at temperature all day. A thermoblock heats water on demand as it passes through a heated metal block, which changes how the machine behaves.
- Warm-up drops to a few minutes because there's no large volume of water to bring up to temperature.
- With one thermoblock for brewing and one for steam, neither job waits for the other.
- Water doesn't sit hot in a boiler, which means less standby energy and less scale build-up in the circuit.
The trade-off is that a big steam boiler still holds more reserve for several large milk jugs in a row; for one to three milk drinks at a time, the Steel Duo PID keeps up comfortably.
Complete Technical Specifications
| Product Information |
| Brand |
Ascaso |
| Model |
Steel Duo PID (V2) |
| Country of manufacture |
Spain |
| Finishes |
Black, White, Polished |
| Warranty |
12 months parts & labour (Australian warranty via Di Pacci) |
| Heating & Group Head |
| Heating system |
Two independent thermoblocks, brew and steam |
| Group head |
58 mm |
| Portafilter |
58 mm |
| Flow Control & Pressure |
| Pump |
Vibration pump |
| Brew pressure |
Adjustable, 9 bar recommended |
| Pressure gauge |
Pump pressure |
| Pre-infusion |
Programmable, 0 to 5 seconds |
| Temperature |
| Temperature control |
PID, 1-degree adjustment |
| Brew and steam |
Set independently |
| Warm-up |
About 4 minutes |
| Control & Water |
| Volumetric dosing |
Yes, programmable |
| Shot timer |
Yes, on the PID display |
| Water tank |
Removable, approx. 2 L |
| Low water |
Automatic shut-off |
| Pump & Steam |
| Steam wand |
Stainless, insulated no-burn, articulating |
| Hot water |
Yes |
| Cup warmer |
Stainless steel tray |
| Work lights |
Yes |
| Physical & Power |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) |
270 × 315 × 360 mm |
| Weight |
Approx. 15 kg |
| Power |
2000–2100 W, 230 V |
| Power point |
Standard 10 amp |
Published figures for tank volume and wattage differ slightly between Ascaso's markets; ask us if you need an exact figure.
What's in the Box
- Ascaso Steel Duo PID espresso machine
- Dual spout portafilter with wooden handle
- 1-cup (7 g) and 2-cup (14 g) filter baskets
- 1-cup and 2-cup pressurised filter baskets
- ESE pod filter basket
- Blind filter basket for backflushing
- Aluminium tamper
- Measuring spoon
A capable espresso grinder and a milk jug are the only other essentials.
Ascaso Steel Duo PID vs ACS Minima
Thermoblock or dual boiler? Both make espresso and steam milk at the same time, but they suit different routines.
| Feature |
Ascaso Steel Duo PID |
ACS Minima |
| Heating |
Two thermoblocks |
0.8 L brew + 2.3 L steam boilers |
| Warm-up |
About 4 minutes |
Longer; boilers must heat fully |
| Group |
58 mm ring group |
58 mm E61 solenoid group |
| Volumetric & pre-infusion |
Both programmable |
Neither |
| Weight |
Approx. 15 kg |
Approx. 18 kg |
Di Pacci recommendation: Choose the Steel Duo PID if you want coffee within minutes of switching on and like programmable, repeatable shots. Don't bother with it if you regularly steam large jugs for four or more drinks in a row; the ACS Minima's 2.3 litre steam boiler holds more in reserve.
Best Grinders for the Ascaso Steel Duo PID
A thermoblock machine is fast, so pair it with a grinder that's quick to dial in and keeps the workflow moving.
| Grinder |
Burr |
Why it pairs well |
| Eureka Mignon Specialita 55 |
55 mm flat |
On-demand dosing for quick mornings, and quiet enough for early starts |
| Niche Zero |
63 mm conical |
Single-dose, so you can switch beans for milk drinks and espresso |
| Turin DF64 Gen 2 |
64 mm flat |
Flat-burr clarity at a price that suits this machine |
Browse the complete home grinder range for more options.
Who This Machine Is For
✓ Ideal if you:
- Want coffee within a few minutes of switching on
- Make one to three milk drinks at a time
- Like programmable, repeatable shot volumes
- Have a compact bench, about 27 cm wide and 32 cm deep
- Want a choice of black, white or polished steel
✗ Consider alternatives if you:
- Steam big jugs for a crowd every morning; a large steam boiler like the ACS Minima suits better
- Want the classic E61 group and its accessories; see the Bellezza Francesca
- Want flow profiling; look at the Lelit Bianca V3
- Want a plumbed-in machine
Ascaso Steel Duo PID Coffee Machine — Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ascaso Steel Duo PID a dual boiler?
No. The Steel Duo PID uses two thermoblocks, one for brewing and one for steam. Like a dual boiler, it can brew and steam at the same time, but it heats water on demand instead of holding it in boilers.
How long does the Ascaso Steel Duo PID take to warm up?
About four minutes to be ready to brew. Allow around ten minutes if you want the group and portafilter fully heat-soaked for the most stable temperature.
Does the Steel Duo PID need a 15 amp power point?
No. In Australia it runs on a standard 10 amp power point.
Does the Ascaso Steel Duo PID have volumetric control?
Yes. You can program the shot volume so the pump stops automatically, and set pre-infusion from 0 to 5 seconds in the PID menu.
Which finish should I choose?
The Steel Duo PID comes in black, white and polished stainless steel; availability differs by finish, so check the options above or call (02) 9758 0760.
Is the Steel Duo PID good for beginners?
Yes. The fast warm-up, volumetric shots and 58 mm portafilter make it forgiving to learn on, and it still has the PID and pre-infusion control to grow into.
Why Buy the Ascaso Steel Duo PID from Di Pacci
Authorised Ascaso dealer with genuine Australian stock, an in-house service team with parts in stock, five showrooms (Sydney/Roselands, Melbourne, Perth, Port Macquarie, Queensland), in-store demonstrations, expert pairing advice, finance options, free shipping over $200, and a 12 months parts & labour warranty. Di Pacci Coffee Co. has been in coffee since 2003.
