I like good loose leaf tea, the wife likes coffee, I wanted her to enjoy coffee the way I enjoy tea, thus; The Ascaso Dream PID (in black).

Now, as much as I want to review this bad boy, I can't. The one that showed up decided to keel-over and die while I was priming the pump. Because all the things I could tell you about my experience could be limited to a single machine that decided it didn’t like my house, I shall instead tell you about my experience after we have gone through the returns process. THUS! This review will be for the awesome machine AND awesome customer service! (Ascaso Team, Read: hint hint)

Gonna start with 3 stars because these things happen, let's see how those stars change. Check back later.

Update #1: Oof, these guys are good. Very happy with response time and communication. I'll let you guys know when I have the new machine. Now we at four stars.

Update #2: Yeah, this has been nothing but an amazing customer service experience, the replacement machine is on the way, the other is on the way back. Even if this next one is broken, gonna be hard for me to take away star. We at five now. I'll update once more once the machine is up and running. Might be a minute.

The machine has been consistent, easy to use, easy to clean. Obviously, it's pretty to look at. I've had the machine a year and haven't had any issues. One consideration: the machine is pretty loud when it's running. This is in part due to the plastic water reservoir vibrating as the machine is working, which I mitigated by using a felt sticker to keep the reservoir in place and absorb a little sound. Usually, I'll press my hand against it. I guess one other consideration is that the top of the machine, where the cup warmer is, is sloped. Despite the rails, I'm wary of storing cups on top of it especially because the machine vibrates and I don't want my cups to slip off. I can still use the warmer for the cup I'm using; I just wouldn't store a bunch of cups there.

The machine works great!

I love my Ascaso Dream red espresso machine so much. It’s my most favorite thing I own. Works almost perfectly, but from the beginning the pressure gage doesn’t seem to work properly (doesn’t go up to pressure when making espresso) but still pours great shots so I just ignore it. Customer service didn’t do too much to help me resolve it at the time when I first got it a few years ago. Also the mesh metal piece that fits above the coffee sometimes falls off, but I can usually just pop it back in and it’s not a problem when pouring shots. I usually make two breve cappuccinos a day, one for me and my honey, and this machine has held up pretty great over last 3 years. Still looks nice and shiny on my countertop. I highly recommend if you want a gorgeous and compact yet powerfully steaming espresso machine.

Splendiferous!!
Tremendable!!
Such goodly!!
Sooth, you shall know it by the waggling of its beard!