Compare Machines


	Rancilio	Ascaso
MSRP
MSRP	$900	$1725
Skill Level
Skill Level	Beginner	Intermediate
Type
Type	Semi-Automatic	Semi-Automatic
Heating Element
Heating Element	Single Boiler	Thermoblock
Portafilter Size
Portafilter Size	58 mm	58 mm
Activation
Activation	Rocker Switch	Toggle Switch
Pump Type
Pump Type	Vibration	Vibration
Heat-Up Time
Heat-Up Time	5-15 Minutes	< 5 Minutes
Brew Boiler Capacity Note: The Steel Duo PID pulls brew water directly from reservoir
Brew Boiler Capacity	Brew: 0.3L	Brew: Not Applicable Thermoblock machines pull brew water directly from reservoir
Steam Boiler Capacity
Steam Boiler Capacity	Steam: Not Applicable	Steam: Not Applicable
Water Supply
Water Supply	2.2 L - Reservoir	1.8 L - Reservoir
Boiler Material
Boiler Material	Brass	Stainless Steel-lined Aluminum
Brew Group Material
Brew Group Material	Chrome Plated Brass	No Information
Hot Water
Hot Water	Yes	Yes
Steam Wand
Steam Wand	Yes	Yes
No-Burn Wand
No-Burn Wand	No	Yes
PID Temperature Control
PID Temperature Control	No	Yes
Pre-Infusion
Pre-Infusion	No	Yes
Shot Timer
Shot Timer	No	Yes
Concurrent Brew Steam
Concurrent Brew Steam	No	Yes
Flow Control
Flow Control	No	No
3 Way Solenoid
3 Way Solenoid	Yes	Yes
Brew Pressure Guage
Brew Pressure Gauge	No	Yes
Steam Pressure Guage
Steam Pressure Guage	No	No
Over Pressure Valve
Over Pressure Valve	Yes	Yes
Integrated Grinder
Integrated Grinder	No	No
Weight
Weight	13.6 kg	15 kg
Material
Material	Stainless Steel	Carbon, Stainless Steel

EspressoBot Comparison

Machine Overview

The Ascaso Steel Duo PID is priced at $1,725 and is designed for intermediate users, while the Rancilio Silvia M is more budget-friendly at $900, catering to beginners. Both machines fall under the semi-automatic category, appealing to users seeking a level of hands-on control in their espresso-making experience. The price difference reflects the enhanced capabilities and features of the Ascaso model.

Brewing Comparison

In terms of brewing information, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID features a Thermoblock heating element and has a heat-up time of less than 5 minutes, while the Rancilio Silvia M utilizes a single boiler made of brass with a heat-up time of 5 to 15 minutes. The water reservoir capacity for the Ascaso is 1.8 liters, compared to the Silvia's larger 2.2 liters. Both machines utilize vibration pumps and have a group type design of Ring. The portafilter size for both machines is 58 mm, ensuring compatibility with similar accessories.

Features Comparison

When it comes to key features, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID includes several advanced elements like dual PID control, pre-infusion, and a shot timer, enhancing precision in brewing. In contrast, the Rancilio Silvia M lacks many of these advanced controls, such as PID control and pre-infusion, but does have a solid build with a steam wand and solenoid valve for effective brewing. Both machines have hot water functionality, but the Ascaso also includes a boiler pressure gauge, providing better monitoring during the brewing process. While both are capable of producing great espresso, the Ascaso offers more features suited for those looking to refine their skills.

Note: Espresso Setup Chris is expirementing with generated summaries for dynamic pages (we have 10,000+ so I can't write for all of them!) If you found this useful, or awful, please shoot me an email with feedback Chris@EspressoSetupBuilder.com. May your shots be perfectly extracted and milk frothy.

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