Troubleshooting low espresso temperature
Troubleshooting guide to diagnose and address low brew temperature at the grouphead on Ascaso Home espresso machines.
The Ascaso PID system is very accurate for reflecting the coffee thermoblock temperature.
Taking the temperature of water as it exits the group and is exposed to cold air and/or once it's fallen into a cold cup will not provide an accurate indication of brew temp, the only way to measure this is with a special tool called a scace. There are two highly important factors involved in ensuring espresso shots come out at optimal temp.
Factor 1): The first is ensuring that the portafilter is sufficiently pre warmed. Please allow the portafilter to stay in the group head while the machine is heating up. The thermoblock will be ready to go within a few minutes; however, it takes more time (closer to 15 minutes) for the portafilter to be warm enough. This should be warm to the touch before starting to pull the shot.
Factor 2): The second is ensuring that the cup the espresso shot is being pulled into is also sufficiently pre warmed. Cups can stay on the machines top panel which has a built-in heating pad to help warm cups (this will take longer than the thermoblock heat up time to warm cups).
Alternatively, cups can be heated by letting hot water from the hot water tap sit in the cup for a while, or microwaving water in that cup.
Controlling the temperature of these two variables- the cup and the portafilter- is essential for maintaining the temperature of the water dispersed by the group head.