Back on the innovation track with improvements
Reading time: 4 minutes. This article is a short blog post. You can find the detailed blog article here on our Swiss site.
With its Baby T Plus, the Spanish manufacturer Ascaso is trying to present a top-of-the-line model capable of competing with the standard Italian chrome and stainless steel heavyweights. The focus was on designing a modern and energy-efficient version of a machine that meets all the requirements for perfect espresso preparation.
The manufacturer charges a premium for this. A barista needs to invest 4,500 Swiss francs or around 4,300 euros to acquire this accomplished machine. When purchasing, you should make sure to get the very latest version, as it no longer has many of the teething problems of the predecessor models. You can easily recognize it by the drip tray and the water tank. You can find the details in our test video.
The machine weighs a solid 40 kilos and measures 35 cm in width, 43 cm in depth, and 45 cm in height. It features a rotary pump and can be connected to a direct water supply. It can be ordered in white, green, black, red, blue, yellow, or polished finish.
Two worlds of technology in one espresso machine
Ascaso already demonstrated with the Steel Duo PID how temperature-consistent a thermoblock machine can be. Regardless of how many shots are pulled, the temperature remained stable, which is also reflected in the quality of the shots. At the same time, a thermoblock consumes much less energy and is ready for use in no time. Unfortunately, the first version of the Steel Duo PID had little steam power and was therefore not ideally suited for lovers of milk-based drinks.
With the Baby T Plus, Ascaso relies on a 2.5-liter stainless steel steam boiler. And it's a success! The machine's steam performance is brilliant. While similar solutions exist in cheaper machines, such as the Decent espresso machine or the Sage Bambino Plus, the solid boiler technology of the Baby T Plus also makes it interesting for small catering businesses. We were able to successfully test this ourselves at the Swiss Coffee Festival.
The boiler-thermoblock operating principle
The brewing water travels from the tank past the steam boiler and is heated using a heat-exchanger principle. So far, so good. Unfortunately, in the previous version, this led to a very long heating time. We had to wait a long time until the boiler was at the right temperature to pull a shot. There was no such thing as a “super-fast heat-up time of a thermoblock.” Another point of criticism was that with the boiler switched off, the target temperature for a shot could not even be reached. However, Ascaso highlighted this as a special feature of the machine in its advertising.
The new update of the machine, however, makes many things significantly better. The thermoblock is hot after just 5 minutes, and after three empty flushes to warm up the portafilter, the machine is ready for the first real shot. If you don't want to flush, you can simply wait 8–10 minutes and get started.
Our measurements show that the machine slightly overshoots at the beginning, but only by half a degree above the target temperature.
You can still switch off the boiler, but this function is no longer recommended by Ascaso. Rightly so, because during brewing without the boiler, the machine loses 3–4 degrees in temperature. Depending on which beans you choose, this can have a very negative effect on the taste in the cup.
Good espresso with the Ascaso Baby T Plus
We drank many delicious espressos with the Baby T Plus. Thanks to the temperature consistency described above, espresso preparation works perfectly. We were also able to successfully use the machine and test it in a catering setting at the Swiss Coffee Festival. For this purpose, Michel equipped the Baby T Plus with the 24.5 double basket from IMS.
Workmanship of the Ascaso Baby T Plus
The machine is simply beautiful. Be it the high-quality finish or the lovely wooden applications. All in all, the machine appears high-quality and well-made. It is fun to use, and will surely be for years to come. The drip tray has also been improved in the new version. When it is removed, it can be lifted straight up. This prevents spills, unlike in the previous model. The connection to a direct water supply and a fixed drain is of course even more practical.
A solid tamper, also decorated with wood, is included in the scope of delivery.
The dummy button for the heated portafilter hanger seems a bit strange. The Baby T Plus does not have this function, yet there is an icon and a dummy button on the machine. The manufacturer's idea to save costs here is understandable, but it seems out of place on such a high-priced 4,000-euro machine.
Conclusion and potential
With the Baby T Plus, Ascaso manages to combine much of the best of two worlds. The strengths of the boiler world as well as those of a thermoblock are united in this machine.
In addition to the fast heat-up time and good temperature consistency, the Baby T Plus has wonderful steam power that the machine really doesn't need to hide. Even with continuous use, the machine does not lose pressure and can therefore also be used in the catering industry or, for example, for espresso catering.
Especially if you prepare espressos or cappuccinos at a high frequency, you will be happy with this machine.
