The Ascaso Baby T Plus is the flagship model in the espresso machine fleet from the Spanish firm Ascaso. The thermoblock relies on a dedicated boiler for steam production and serves water preheated via a heat exchanger. With the Ascaso Baby T Plus, Ascaso aims to solve all the challenges of espresso preparation and position a modern and energy-efficient espresso machine right in the middle of the field of Italian stainless steel high-end machines. And what can we say? While the first version of the machine still had many teething problems last year, the latest version is firmly on the path to success.
The Baby T costs around 4500 Swiss Francs in Switzerland and around 4300 Euros in the Eurozone. Please note: there are still many old models on the market that cost less and differ from the new model. This can be seen, among other things, in the drip tray and the water tank.
The 40 kg espresso machine, featuring a rotary pump and the option to be connected to a mains water supply, is 35 cm wide, 43 cm deep, and 45 cm high. It has a correspondingly large cup warming area and is available in white, green, black, red, blue, yellow, or polished finishes.
This article has been completely revised after we were able to test the new version of the Ascaso Baby T Plus in the autumn of 2022. The original article was titled: Crash on the innovation track.
Buy Ascaso Baby T Plus
The following specialist retailers distribute the Ascaso Baby T Plus, and we can recommend purchasing a machine from these businesses. They all offer to adjust the machine's offset.
Germany: [Partner links] Stoll Espresso, Craft Coffee Gear, Bohnendealer, Lücke,
Austria:[Partner link] Bohnendealer
We are searching for specialist partners for you whom we know offer good work and good service. We are in close contact with the retailers. These are affiliate links. If you order via these links, it costs you nothing extra, but we receive a small commission which we invest into new test equipment. We continue to work on finding competent partners for you in the DACH region.
Two worlds of technology in one espresso machine
With the Steel Duo PID, Ascaso demonstrated what temperature stability is possible in espresso machines with a thermoblock. Over time and from shot to shot, this espresso machine delivers outstanding precision. Added to this are the further advantages of low power consumption—only one-third compared to dual boiler espresso machines. The heat-up time of under 5 minutes is another argument in favor of thermoblock technology. However, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID has one weakness. The thermoblock responsible for steam does not deliver the same steaming power as espresso machines with a boiler in the same price range.
With the Baby T Plus, Ascaso intends to address exactly this area for improvement and equips the Baby T Plus with a 2.5-liter stainless steel steam boiler. And this approach works: in terms of steaming performance, the Ascaso Baby T Plus has reached the level of industry leaders like the GS3 or Victoria Arduino Prima.
However, it should be noted here: solutions were also ready in the thermoblock world, as demonstrated not only by a Decent espresso machine but also by the much cheaper models from Sage like the Bambino Plus with a ThermoJet thin-film heater. And Ascaso itself certainly has an answer with the Duo PID. However, we agree: with the boiler, the machine is suitable for small-scale catering use, which we tried out at the Swiss Coffee Festival.
The Boiler-Thermoblock functional principle
The brewing water travels from the tank via the heat exchanger in the steam boiler, and from there flows into the thermoblock to reach the set brewing temperature. What seems sensible at first glance and is successfully implemented in other espresso machines with a boiler limited performance in the first version of the machine. In fact, that was exactly where we directed a main part of our criticism at the time. With the new version and an adapted control system, the world looks different.
Our problem with the first models of the Baby T Plus summarized:
- On one hand, it was communicated that the Ascaso Baby T Plus would also function with just a thermoblock, 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 brewing water to the target temperature.
Consequently, we had to wait for the boiler to heat up until the Baby T Plus was ready for use. And giving up the boiler, e.g., to reduce power consumption, was out of the question because the desired brewing temperature was not reached at all. The option to do exactly that when no milk needs to be frothed was promised at the time.
What does the Ascaso Baby T Plus update bring?
It makes everything better. The thermoblock is now almost up to temperature after just five minutes, as we are used to from the best thermoblocks. Our measurement curves indicate that the desired temperature range is reached with the third shot. Those who prefer it faster can also flush some water through the portafilter to heat it up. Those who do not want to do this 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 would be something we would like to see from Ascaso for the next control system upgrade.
Ascaso has also adapted its communication. Yes, the boiler can still be switched off, though this is not recommended. Although the machine now reaches the desired temperature range with a small trick, it loses 3 - 4 degrees over the course of the brew when using only the thermoblock (see chart "Without boiler" in light blue). This is fine for some beans and certainly a viable path if, for example, the boiler were to fail. However, it is not an optimal use case for an espresso machine that actually has a strength in reaching a precise brewing temperature. We reached the curve by setting the brewing temperature from 93 to 96 degrees.
Good espresso with the Ascaso Baby T Plus
We have drunk many good espressos with the Ascaso Baby T Plus, consistent with its good brewing temperature and overall performance. Even under heavy usage at the Swiss Coffee Festival, the machine was a lot of fun. 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. It is not just the wood trim on the portafilter handle and the steam lever that look chic. The entire machine appears very high quality, and the body is impeccably finished.
The drip tray has also been improved in the new version. It can now be moved far forward and then lifted straight up. With the old model, the drip tray had to be tilted inside the machine, which is why it could hardly be a third full. That was a mess! Now it is proper, even if drip trays of this size in espresso machines could often have more volume. However, the machine can be connected to both a drain and a mains water supply.
What is now newly included: a tamper that deserves the name and fits the beautiful wood look of the Ascaso Baby T Plus well.
A blank button next to the functional buttons is likely a cost-cutting compromise. This was apparently taken from another machine with heated portafilter suspension. On the Ascaso Baby T Plus, the icon can be found, but the button itself is not there. Sorry, but on a machine costing around €4000, that seems inappropriate to us. However, the buttons for barista lights on the front and for switching on the cup warmer are present.
Conclusion and potential
The new version of the Ascaso Baby T Plus now delivers what we hoped for. It not only makes very good espresso, but it also plays to the strengths of both boiler and thermoblock.
The 2.5-liter boiler gives the machine very good steam performance, with which the machine does not have to hide behind any other espresso machine. The pressure does not drop even during continuous frothing, which makes the machine an interesting choice for catering or espresso events.
The thermoblock heats up quickly and now also receives enough energy to provide the enormous advantage over boiler machines. The machine's brewing temperature can be reached just five minutes after starting. The Ascaso Baby T Plus is therefore significantly faster at reaching brewing temperature than all other high-end segment 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 see especially for use under frequency and in small catering settings or for the demanding home barista. This is how the Ascaso Baby T Plus is really fun!
