The Ascaso Baby T Plus is the top model of the Spanish company Ascaso's espresso machine fleet. The thermoblock features an extra boiler for steam production and delivers water pre-heated via a heat exchanger. With the Ascaso Baby T Plus, Ascaso attempts to solve all espresso preparation challenges and position a modern and energy-efficient espresso machine in the field of Italian stainless steel premium machines. And what can we say? While the first version of the machine had many teething problems last year, the newest machine is firmly on the path to success.
The Baby T costs around 4500 Swiss francs in Switzerland and around 4300 euros in the eurozone. Caution: there are still many old models on the market that cost less and differ from the new model. This is evident, among other things, in the drip tray and the water tank.
The 40 kg heavy espresso machine with rotary pump and the option to be connected to mains water is 35 cm wide, 43 cm deep, and 45 cm high. It has a correspondingly large cup rest surface and is supplied optionally in white, green, black, red, blue, yellow, or polished.
This article was completely revised after we were able to test the new version of the Ascaso Baby T Plus in autumn 2022. The original article was titled: Crash on the Innovation Track.
Two Technology Worlds in One Espresso Machine
With the Steel Duo PID, Ascaso demonstrated what temperature stability is possible in espresso machines with thermoblocks. Over time and from shot to shot, this espresso machine delivers outstanding precision. This is complemented by the additional advantages of low power consumption, only a third compared to dual boiler espresso machines. The heating-up time of under 5 minutes is another argument in favor of thermoblock technology. However, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID has a weakness. The thermoblock responsible for steam does not deliver the same frothing power as espresso machines with boilers in the same price class.
With the Baby T Plus, Ascaso wants to address exactly this opportunity for improvement and equips the Baby T Plus with a 2.5-liter stainless steel steam boiler. And this approach works: the Ascaso Baby T Plus has reached the level of industry leaders like GS3 or Victoria Arduino Prima in terms of frothing performance.
It should be noted here, however: even in the thermoblock world, solutions would have been available, which not only a Decent espresso machine but also the much more affordable Sage models like the Bambino Plus with a Thermojet thick-film heater demonstrate. And Ascaso itself has a solution at hand with the Duo PID. However, we agree: with the boiler, the machine is suitable for small gastronomy use, which we tested at the Swiss Coffee Festival.
The Boiler-Thermoblock Operating Principle
The brew water travels from the tank via the heat exchanger in the steam boiler, flows from there into the thermoblock to reach the set brew temperature. What initially seems sensible and is also successfully implemented in other boiler-based espresso machines limited the performance in the first version of the machine. At the time, we actually centered much of our criticism on exactly this point. With the new version and adjusted controls, things look different.
Our summary of the problems with the first Baby T Plus models:
- On one hand, it was communicated that the Ascaso Baby T Plus also works with thermoblock only, which we could not confirm.
- On the other hand, we missed the wonderfully fast heat-up performance of the thermoblock that we know from other Ascaso models.
Both difficulties are closely related.
The main problem was that the thermoblock alone, in combination with the speed of the Baby T Plus's rotary pump, could not generate sufficient temperature to bring the brew water to the target temperature.
As a result, we had to wait for the boiler to heat up before the Baby T Plus was ready for use. And there was no question of dispensing with the boiler, for example to reduce electricity consumption, since the desired brew temperature was not reached at all. The possibility to do exactly that when no milk was to be frothed was communicated at the time.
What Does the Ascaso Baby T Plus Update Bring?
It makes everything better. The thermoblock is now nearly at temperature after just five minutes, as we know from the best thermoblocks. Our measurement curves indicate that with the third shot, the desired temperature range is reached. Those who prefer it faster can also rinse a bit of water through the portafilter to heat it up. Those who don't want to do that wait 8-10 minutes and the Ascaso Baby T Plus performs in the ideal and set temperature range.
During the shot itself, the machine tends to slightly overshoot at the beginning and aim up to half a degree above the target temperature. That's something we'd like to see Ascaso address in the next control system upgrade.
Ascaso has also adjusted the communication. Yes, the boiler can still be turned off, but this is not recommended. Although the machine now also reaches the desired temperature range with a small trick, it loses 3-4 degrees over the brew when using only the thermoblock (see chart shot "Without Boiler" in light blue). This is fine for some beans and certainly a viable option if the boiler fails, for example. However, it is not an optimal use case for an espresso machine that actually has the strength of achieving a precise brew temperature. We reached the curve by adjusting the brew temperature from 93 to 96 degrees.
Good Espresso with the Ascaso Baby T Plus
We've had many great espressos with the Ascaso Baby T Plus, thanks to its good brew temperature and overall performance. Even under load at the Swiss Coffee Festival, the machine was a lot of fun for us. However, Michel also replaced the baskets with a 24.5 IMS basket on the new model.
Build Quality of the Ascaso Baby T Plus
The Ascaso Baby T is a very beautiful espresso machine. Not only does the wood trim on the portafilter handle and the milk frothing lever look stylish. The entire machine looks very high-quality and the body is flawlessly finished.
In the new version, the drip tray was also improved. It can now be shifted far forward and then lifted straight out. With the old model, the drip tray had to be tilted in the machine, which is why the drip tray could only be filled to about a third. That was a mess! Now it's proper, although drip trays for espresso machines of this size could certainly have more volume. However, the machine can be connected to either a drain or mains water.
What is now included: a tamper that lives up to its name and matches the beautiful wood look of the Ascaso Baby T Plus nicely.
A dummy button next to the functioning buttons is probably a cost compromise. This apparently was taken from another machine with a heated portafilter holder. With the Ascaso Baby T Plus, the outline can be found, but the button is not there. Sorry, but on a machine costing around 4000 € this seems inappropriate to us. However, the buttons for a barista light on the front and an activation of the cup warmer are present.
Conclusion and Potential
In the new version, the Ascaso Baby T Plus now delivers what we had hoped for. It not only makes very good espresso, but also leverages the strengths of both boiler and thermoblock.
The 2.5-liter boiler gives the machine very good steam performance, with which it doesn't have to hide behind any other espresso machine. The pressure doesn't drop even with continuous frothing, which makes the machine an interesting choice for gastronomy or espresso catering.
The thermoblock heats up quickly and now also receives enough energy to deliver the enormous advantage over boiler machines. Just five minutes after startup, the machine can reach its brew temperature. The Ascaso Baby T Plus is thus significantly faster to brew temperature than all other high-end espresso machines, such as the Linea Mini or GS3 from La Marzocco, the Victoria Arduino Eagle One Prima, and all other dual boiler espresso machines.
Overall: a great espresso machine that we particularly see for use under load and in small gastronomy, or also for the demanding home barista. If you're still undecided, you'll find further comparison models in our espresso machine overview. And don't forget: the grinder is ultimately at least as important for espresso as the machine itself, our comprehensive grinder comparison helps with the choice. So the Ascaso Baby T Plus is really fun!
