Ascaso Dream PID Review: My Home Espresso Dream Machine?

Ascaso espresso machines are truly underrated in the US market, so I wanted to bring another of the manufacturer’s masterpieces to your attention. Today I’ll be reviewing the Ascaso Dream PID.

The Ascaso Dream PID is, really, a dream for the home barista with retro tastes and a desire for an easy-to-use, programmable espresso machine. Plus at $1,445.00, this Ascaso espresso machine offers great value for the number of fancy features it includes.

Read on to find out why I love this machine so much.

Packed with features

Ascaso Dream PID

A compact and powerful machine

Beautiful design

High-quality build

Easy to use

Tons of adjustable settings

Compact footprint

Makes superb espresso

Not the best steam wand

CHECK PRICE

Overview: Ascaso Dream PID Review

I’ve been on an Ascaso kick since my most recent review of the Ascaso Steel Duo. The Ascaso Dream PID is another stunner from the Spanish manufacturer, known for its stylish and quality-forward home espresso machines. Like I said, Ascaso doesn’t get much attention in the US market, and this machine in particular deserves a lot more celebration than it gets.

As far as high-end prosumer machines go, the Dream PID is relatively affordable. Even better, Ascaso has packed in loads of features that aren’t commonly seen at this price point. The machine has PID temperature control, an adjustable OPV valve and volumetric shot programming. Plus, the Ascaso Dream PID has a seamless user interface that allows you to access all of these features with ease.

As for the heating system, I’ll come right out and say it: this machine has a single aluminum and stainless steel thermoblock. This feature may make some espresso enthusiasts take the Ascaso Dream PID right off their list, but try to keep an open mind!

I know thermoblock heaters, compared to boilers, get a bad rep for their thermal instability and relative lack of power. Incidentally, this machine only has one thermoblock heater, which means you can’t pull shots and steam milk simultaneously.

But please, don’t let this discourage you! The thermoblock heater performs well when paired with Ascaso’s PID temperature control. I can assure you: the Ascaso Dream PID does not compromise in quality. I’ll get more into this later.

For a home espresso machine, the Ascaso Dream PID has all the features you could need. And of course, we can’t forget looks – this thing’s a beauty! More than that, it is versatile enough for both beginner and seasoned home baristas.

I really do love this espresso machine, and I hope you’re starting to understand why. Read on below for my Ascaso Dream PID review!

Ascaso Dream PID Features

Like the best prosumer espresso machines, the Ascaso Dream PID has loads of high-tech and user-friendly features. Let’s take a look at the ones that make this machine shine.

Size and Design

The Ascaso Dream PID has a compact, retro design that is small and stylish enough to be a mainstay on your kitchen counter. The walnut handles on the portafilter and steam wand knob add a natural, rustic touch and are comfortable to hold.

The removable 48-ounce (1.4-liter) water tank means the Ascaso Dream PID doesn’t need to be hooked up to any plumbing lines. That makes refilling the tank a breeze. To top it off, this machine has a high-quality aluminum body finished with premium varnish. What’s not to love?

Colors

There are loads of colors to choose from, meaning this machine can fit with pretty much anyone’s tastes. You know I’m partial to shiny metal finishes, so naturally my favorite is the Aluminum model.

You can also get the Ascaso Dream PID in a variety of matte finishes, including: 

The bright colors would lend a particularly retro flair to your home espresso bar, but you can’t go wrong with simple black or white, either.

User Interface

A hallmark of the best home espresso machines is ease of use, and the Ascaso Dream PID fits right in. This machine is a breeze to use, with an easily navigable settings feature and clearly marked switches. Press and hold the left and right buttons for three seconds to open the programming settings. Easy as that!

The user manual is as confusing as that of any other advanced machine, but don’t worry! Ascaso has made a series of videos to explain start-up, programming, milk steaming and – most important – espresso brewing.

Portafilter

The Ascaso Dream PID is unique among home espresso machines because it can easily transition from a beginner machine to a veteran machine. All it takes is a quick switch of the 58mm portafilter.

The included accessory kit comes with one E.S.E. (Easy Serve Espresso) basket for single-use espresso pods. Now, you know how I feel about those, but if single-use pods are your thing, the Ascaso Dream PID has you covered.

The Ascaso Dream PID also comes with two pressurized baskets. These make it easier to brew decent espresso without a fancy grinder or much training on how to properly dial-in espresso. Then, for the true aficionados, the machine comes with two standard non-pressurized baskets.

Both the pressurized and non-pressurized baskets come in two sizes, for single or double shots. There’s also a blind basket for backflushing, which is a necessary part of cleaning your machine. More on that later.

At this point, it’s worth mentioning the Ascaso Dream PID does come with a pretty decent aluminum tamper. That means you don’t have to immediately shell out and buy your own espresso tamper.

Thermoblock

This is the most controversial feature of the Ascaso Dream PID, but hear me out. Thermoblock heating systems are often considered less consistent than a boiler. However, this is not the case for the Ascaso Dream PID.

The Ascaso Dream PID has a high-quality aluminum and stainless steel thermoblock, paired with PID temperature control and other advanced technologies. This means that this machine is very good at heating water quickly and reliably to your chosen temperature. It’s also more energy efficient than a boiler, since you are only heating a small amount of water at once, rather than the whole reservoir.

The Ascaso Dream PID can heat up in a quick 90 seconds, but I’d still recommend preheating it for 30 minutes if possible. This allows your portafilter to heat up, which encourages even extraction.

The biggest drawback from the single thermoblock is that you can’t pull shots and steam milk at the same time. However, for most home baristas, this shouldn’t be a problem – you’re most often making coffee for one or two people at a time, anyway. Plus, as we know, patience is a key ingredient in home coffee preparation!

Besides, the idea that a shot starts to die immediately after it is pulled is a myth. If you have to wait a minute or so to steam your milk before pouring your latte art, your shot will wait for you. There’s no rush!

PID Temperature Control

PID is in the name of this espresso machine, and for good reason! It stands for Proportional Integral Differential device. In layman’s terms, this device means you can adjust the water temperature for espresso brewing and milk steaming in one-degree increments.

PID controls are uncommon in prosumer espresso machines at this price point, so it’s extra special that Ascaso includes it in this model! The PID control helps correct any inconsistencies of the thermoblock technology.

Using the PID control, you can play around with brewing temperature to see what you like best. This is extra helpful for those who like to drink light-roast single origin espressos, which often need slightly higher brewing temperatures to achieve good extraction.

Programming

Aside from temperature control, the Ascaso Dream PID has features that allow you to adjust other variables in espresso brewing. For example, you can customize your pre-infusion time, which is necessary to achieve optimal extraction.

The Ascaso Dream PID also features volumetric controls to program and save two different shot volumes. While this option is intended for single and double shot profiles, it’s also perfect for dialing in two different coffees.

Personally, I like to rotate between a dynamic, chocolatey espresso blend and a fruity single origin espresso, so being able to save two profiles is perfect for me. Re-programming those switches is easy, so you can quickly dial in a new coffee whenever necessary.

Finally, the Ascaso Dream PID allows you to program an auto-turnoff function, so you won’t have to worry about wasting energy if you forget to turn off the machine after enjoying your cuppa.

Adjustable OPV

I won’t go too in-depth on the techy details here, but the Ascaso Dream PID’s adjustable OPV (over-pressure valve) is a good thing. It allows you to adjust the bar pressure between 8 and 15 bars.

Most people stick with around 9 bars for solid espresso, but you can play around with it to find your preference. Plus, the pressure gauge on the front of this Ascaso espresso machine makes it easy to monitor your shot for channeling or other extraction issues.

Steam Wand

Truthfully, the steam wand leaves a lot to be desired. This is the only part of the Ascaso Dream PID that I wish was different. While energy efficient, thermoblock heating technology is notorious for weak steam power, and this is true for the Ascaso Dream PID. Still, it does the job, frothing your milk into delicious, creamy microfoam.

Perhaps you’re a stickler for perfect milk texture, or you can’t fathom standing over the steam wand for 30 seconds or more to steam a large latte. In either case, you may have some trouble with this machine. But for the majority of folks, this steam wand will do just fine.

One nice feature is the knob for the steam wand, unlike the switch on the Dream PID’s big sister, the Ascaso Steel Duo. It’s a small thing, but steaming milk feels so much nicer with the twist of a walnut knob!

Active Cup Warmer

I know this is a pretty common feature, but it’s also one of my favorites. I just love taking a warm shot glass from the top of the machine, or curling my hands around a cozy cappuccino cup. The cup warming feature is, simply, the top of the machine, which naturally warms up when the machine is on. Bars line the sides to keep your cups from falling off the top.

One design flaw is the rounded top, which looks nice but isn’t quite as sturdy as a flat surface. Still, it does the job: warm cups waiting for tasty espresso and a spot of steamed milk.

How to Use the Ascaso Dream PID

Okay, now that we’ve gone over all the features of the Ascaso Dream PID, we have to learn how to use the thing.

First things first: get yourself a quality burr grinder and the best coffee beans around. While you’re at it, make sure you snag a coffee scale to dose out your grinds and weigh your shots. This last bit is important, because a scale allows you to take full advantage of the Ascaso Dream PID’s volumetric controls.

I’m not going to go too in-depth here, because I already have a guide for how to pull the perfect espresso shot. Besides, the Ascaso user manual and accompanying videos can give you machine-specific advice.

But basically: before your first use, wash all the removable pieces – like the portafilter, water reservoir and drip tray – and wipe down the grouphead and steam wand with a damp cloth. Then, turn the machine on and follow instructions in the user manual to prime the pump and program the bar pressure, brewing temperature and preinfusion time.

Next comes the fun part! Pull your first shot manually and program the volumetric controls to save that profile. If you don’t like it, adjust the grind or volume output to dial in your espresso to your liking.

Good espresso is all about trial and error, so figuring out how to use this machine may take some time, but oh boy, will it be worth it!

Ascaso Espresso Machine Cleaning

As a new owner of your very own Ascaso espresso machine, you’ll have to learn the ins-and-outs of espresso machine cleaning, but don’t worry! I have an in-depth cleaning and descaling guide. Anyway, it isn’t hard once you get into the rhythm of it.

To start, after pulling each shot, dump out the espresso puck, wipe out your basket with a microfiber cloth then reinsert the empty portafilter into the grouphead. Next, flush the grouphead and portafilter with hot water by toggling the “coffee” switch.

Oh, and wipe your steam wand with a damp cloth immediately after steaming milk, then turn the knob to purge some steam through it for a few seconds. These two steps are your most basic tools for maintaining a clean espresso machine.

Ascaso Dream PID Technical Specifications

Ascaso Dream PID vs Other Espresso Machines

You may be wondering why you should choose the Ascaso Dream PID over all the other machines on the market. True, it’s not the most popular machine. However, I believe this is more due to market access than anything else. Ascaso espresso machines, while Spanish powerhouses, are just not that common in North America. 

Here I’ll compare the Ascaso Dream PID with more popular products so we can get a sense of how it measures up against similar home espresso machines.

Ascaso Dream PID vs Breville Dual Boiler

At first glance, these two machines couldn’t be more different. For starters, the Ascaso utilizes a single thermoblock as its heating technology, while the Breville Dual Boiler has – you guessed it – two boilers. However, both machines feature PID temperature controls, programmable volumetric controls and a user-friendly digital interface. In fact, the Ascaso Dream PID is a little more user-friendly for new home baristas.

For all these features, you can get the Ascaso Dream PID for several hundred dollars less than the cost of the $1,599.95 Breville Dual Boiler.

I actually prefer the style and design of the more affordable Ascaso Dream PID, and it fits much nicer on a kitchen countertop. Seems to me that this is the way to go if you are looking for a prosumer espresso machine with customizable features and reliable heating technologies.

All you lose by choosing the Ascaso Dream PID is the Breville’s advanced dual boiler heating system. Still, as I explained before, this loss is softened by the Dream’s PID controls, which help regulate consistency in water temperature.

See Also: Breville Dual Boiler Review 2024

Ascaso Dream PID vs Rancilio Silvia

Now, the Ascaso Dream PID and the Rancilio Silvia really are quite different, but I’ll quickly lay it out for you. If price is an important factor, you’d like to know that the Rancilio Silvia is significantly less expensive than the Ascaso, at $900.00.

Still, you get what you pay for, and the Ascaso Dream PID does have a number of extra features that make it worth the extra cash.

Though the Rancilio Silvia does have the (allegedly) more powerful boiler system for heating water, with no PID controls the brewing temperature can be pretty unreliable. You can get used to the acrobatics of making espresso with temperature fluctuation, but it is pretty sweet that you don’t have to worry about that with the Ascaso Dream PID. Suffice to say, boilers aren’t necessarily superior to thermoblock coils. 

However, if you don’t mind putting in a little extra effort to navigate the single boiler, the Silvia does produce quality espresso and formidable milk foam at a fraction of the price. This machine is also time-tested, having been around since the late 90s, so you know it has countless fans behind it. 

See Also: Rancilio Silvia Review 2024

Ascaso Dream PID vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: Ascaso Dream PID

Packed with features

Ascaso Dream PID

A compact and powerful machine

Beautiful design

High-quality build

Easy to use

Tons of adjustable settings

Compact footprint

Makes superb espresso

Not the best steam wand

CHECK PRICE

So, there you have it! The Ascaso Dream PID is just one of many fabulous prosumer machines on the market, but I truly believe that this one is special. The Dream’s retro style is unique in an industry dominated by industrial-chic machines. Plus, its versatility makes it ideal for home baristas of any experience level.

If you’re looking for a stylish, easily programmable and compact home machine, the Ascaso Dream PID may just be the one for you. After just a wee bit of research, I’m already smitten with it!