Ascaso BARISTA User Manual

Page 8

START-UP

Place the general switch in the “ON” position and

the machine will automatically start filling the boiler

to the established level.

When the filling process is complete, the water

will start to heat up and the correct operating

temperature and pressure will be established.

Pump pressure adjustment:
The pump comes with a factory-programmed

pressure of 9 bar. If it requires adjustment,

proceed as instructed below:

Remove the plastic cap, located on the side

panel of the machine, and use a screwdriver to

turn the screw of the pump.

By turning it clockwise the pressure will

increase.

By turning it anti-clockwise the pressure will

decrease.

Expansion valve adjustment: The expansion valve

is a component that limits the maximum pressure

in the boiler’s thermal tubes. This pressure

must never exceed 12 bar. The valve is factory-

programmed at 11 bar. If you wish to adjust the

valve, follow the indications below:

Place the filter holders with the blind filter in the

coffee group.

Set the group running and adjust the pump to

the pressure at which you wish to use the valve.

Then turn the valve adjuster until water starts

coming out of it.

When the process is complete, adjust the

pump to 9 bar again.

ATTENTION: The expansion valve can

discharge very hot water (93

C/200

F).

It is necessary to wait until boiler pressure reaches

the established value before starting to make

coffee.

Making coffee

$ny type of coffee may be used. For optimal

results, use blends designed especially for making

“espresso” coffee.

If the coffee comes out very quickly or

very slowly, change to a finer or coarser

coffee grind and experiment with

compactness to suit preference.

1. The machine must be connected. Place the

filter holder (with filter) in the group.

2. Press the XL button (continuous coffee

dispenser) and allow water to pass through

the group. Performing this procedure before

making coffee will eliminate residues and

establish the temperature for optimal service.

3. The filter must be filled to 3/4 its capacity, once

the coffee has been compacted.

4. Clean the coffee residues that have been

deposited on the edges of the filter to ensure a

perfect fit.

5. Fit the filter holder in the group and turn from

left to right, exerting sufficient pressure at the

end.

6. Place the cups or cup on the tray and press the

button for the chosen coffee type (S/espresso//

double espresso; L lungo//double lungo; XL/

continuous).

7. Perfect espresso extraction takes 20-25

seconds.

8. $ttention—to obtain optimal quality when

making coffee, always use the 1- or 2-coffee

filter.

ATTENTION: Do not remove or turn

the filter holder while the water is

passing through, as the machine is

under pressure at this time.

General tips
The filter holder must always be fitted in the

machine to keep it warm.

Place the cups on the cup warmer. The espresso

is best at optimal temperature (40°C/105°F).

Grind the amount of coffee necessary, as required,

because ground coffee quickly loses its aroma

and taste and the coffee’s fatty substances turn

rancid.

PROGRAMMING THE COFFEE DOSE

To program different coffee doses, follow the

instructions below:

1. Keep the XL button pressed down for at least

3 seconds, until the LED starts blinking (the

other LEDs remain off).

2. Before 5 seconds have passed, press the

button of the dose to be programmed. The LED

will remain steadily lit, as will the programming

button (XL). The pump and solenoid valve are

espresso

lungo

espressos

lungo

continuous

(press

again to

discontinue

the dose)

activated at this time.

3. When the cup contains the required amount of

coffee, in order to stop dispensing, press the

dose button that was used for programming

once again, or press the XL button.

4. When the XL button stops blinking, the dose

has been memorised.

To change or program different doses, follow the

above steps and apply them to the dose to be

changed.

Continuous dispensing:
Press the XL button to obtain coffee in semi-

automatic mode. Pressing the XL button activates

dispensing until the button is pressed again

to complete the process. The maximum time

established is 6 minutes, after which dispensing

will stop.

Remember: Programming of the left-

hand group is transferred to the other

groups, which may be modified as

required.

VERY IMPORTANT: Never remove the

filter holders while the coffee group

is running.

Programming the pre-infusion function
The pre-infusion function allows a quantity of water

to penetrate the filter holders for 2 or 3 seconds,

thus moistening the tablet of ground coffee,

causing it to swell and opening up irrigation

channels through it.

Water at a temperature of approximately 90ºC

and a pressure of around 9 bar runs through the

irrigation channels that have been forged in the

coffee.

$s the water passes through, it drags with it the

coffee’s soluble materials, aromas and fats.

The coffee machine is supplied with the pre-

infusion function deactivated.

If you wish to activate pre-infusion, follow the steps

below:

1) With the machine off (general OFF switch),

keep the single espresso coffee (S) button on

the left button pad pressed down, and start

the machine (general ON switch) until only the

button being pressed remains lit.

2) Switch the machine off and then switch it back

on again.

3) The pre-infusion function is now activated.

To deactivate the pre-infusion function, follow

the same steps but press the single lungo coffee

(L button).

IMPORTANT: The pre-infusion function

can only be enabled for a single

espresso (S) and a single

lungo (L).

CAPPUCCINO, WATER AND INFUSIONS

True “cappuccino” contains 25 millilitres of

espresso coffee and 125 millilitres of cold steam-

whipped milk, which goes from 3 or 4 degrees

centigrade to nearly 55 degrees centigrade.

8se fresh cow’s milk with a protein content of over

3.2 percent and a fat content of 3.5 percent. Whip

only the amount required for one cup in a steel

recipient (jug) to prevent it from mixing with other

odours or tastes.

The density of the cream must be uniform and

there must be no separation from the liquid, or

holes or bubbles.

Preparation
The pressure gauge will indicate a boiler pressure

of 1.2/1.5 bar. The boiler is ready to dispense

water and steam (approx. 20-22 min.).

Turn the steam control knob. It is normal for a little

water to come out of the nozzle after setting the

steam function running. We therefore recommend

that you place the nozzle in the drainage tray.

Put the nozzle in the milk to be heated. Fill the jug

up to 1/3 capacity.

TEXTURE
Obtaining cream
To obtain what is known as a

“velvety” consistency, place

the frother nozzle just beneath

the surface of the milk.

Turn the steam control knob

and move the nozzle at

different angles (constantly

under the surface of the milk) to attain an emulsion

with the air circulation. Once textured, the milk

may attain double the volume.

Remember to move the jug and the steam nozzle

very close to the surface of the milk.

8pon completion of this operation, the milk will be

textured but still cold.

ENGLISH