Compare Machines


	Profitec	Ascaso
MSRP
MSRP	$1599	$1725
Skill Level
Skill Level	Intermediate	Intermediate
Type
Type	Semi-Automatic	Semi-Automatic
Heating Element
Heating Element	Heat Exchanger	Thermoblock
Portafilter Size
Portafilter Size	58 mm	58 mm
Activation
Activation	Lever	Toggle Switch
Pump Type
Pump Type	Vibration	Vibration
Heat-Up Time
Heat-Up Time	5-15 Minutes	< 5 Minutes
Brew Boiler Capacity Note: The Pro 400 pulls brew water directly from reservoir Note: The Steel Duo PID pulls brew water directly from reservoir
Brew Boiler Capacity	Brew: Not Applicable Heat Exchanger machines pull brew water directly from reservoir	Brew: Not Applicable Thermoblock machines pull brew water directly from reservoir
Steam Boiler Capacity
Steam Boiler Capacity	Steam: 1.6L	Steam: Not Applicable
Water Supply
Water Supply	2.8 L - Reservoir	1.8 L - Reservoir
Boiler Material
Boiler Material	Stainless Steel	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	Yes	Yes
PID Temperature Control
PID Temperature Control	Yes	Yes
Pre-Infusion
Pre-Infusion	Yes	Yes
Shot Timer
Shot Timer	No	Yes
Concurrent Brew Steam
Concurrent Brew Steam	Yes	Yes
Flow Control
Flow Control	No	No
3 Way Solenoid
3 Way Solenoid	Yes	Yes
Brew Pressure Guage
Brew Pressure Gauge	Yes	Yes
Steam Pressure Guage
Steam Pressure Guage	Yes	No
Over Pressure Valve
Over Pressure Valve	Yes	Yes
Integrated Grinder
Integrated Grinder	No	No
Weight
Weight	21.5 kg	15 kg
Material
Material	Stainless Steel	Carbon, Stainless Steel

EspressoBot Comparison

Machine Overview

The Profitec Pro 400 and the Ascaso Steel Duo PID are both semi-automatic espresso machines designed for intermediate users. The Pro 400 is priced at $1599, while the Steel Duo PID costs $1725. Both machines cater to a similar skill level, appealing to those who have some experience in brewing espresso but are looking to enhance their craft.

Brewing Comparison

In terms of brewing information, the Profitec Pro 400 activates via a lever and features a heat exchanger for its primary heating element, with a heat-up time between 5-15 minutes. The Ascaso Steel Duo PID, on the other hand, activates with a toggle switch and employs a thermoblock heating system, allowing for a quicker heat-up time of less than 5 minutes. The Pro 400 has a steam boiler capacity of 1.6 liters and a water reservoir capacity of 2.8 liters, whereas the Steel Duo PID features a smaller water reservoir of 1.8 liters and does not have a dedicated steam boiler. Both machines utilize a vibration pump and support E61 and Ring group types, respectively.

Features Comparison

When it comes to features, both machines come with an auto shutoff function, boiler pressure gauge, steam wand, and no-burn wand. The Steel Duo PID has additional features such as dual PID control and a shot timer, which are not present in the Pro 400. Both models offer pre-infusion and solenoid valves, along with the capability for concurrent brewing and steaming. However, the Pro 400 has a PID control without degree control, contrasting with the Steel Duo PID's more advanced PID functions.

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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