Rocket Appartamento: In-Depth Analysis and User Experience

Choosing an espresso machine is like picking the perfect watch - style, precision, and reliability all combined in one. The Rocket Espresso Appartamento combines such qualities, offering a professional-grade espresso experience in a sleek, compact design.

If you’re ready to upgrade from an entry-level coffee maker or enter the prosumer espresso world, the Rocket Appartamento is a standout. With its robust build, it consistently delivers high-quality shots with ease. Users often find, even after months of brewing, how easy it is to see why this machine remains a favorite among coffee lovers.

In this Rocket Espresso Appartamento review, we’ll explore its design, features, and performance. We’ll also touch on how the Appartamento compares to the upgraded Rocket Appartamento TCA and other prosumer-grade machines, helping you decide if it’s the right choice for your home or commercial setup.

Rocket Espresso Appartamento Review Detailing Insights

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The Rocket Espresso Appartamento is a compact premium espresso machine made with an easy-to-use design. 

Let’s take an in-depth look at its key features, performance, and what makes it stand out.

What’s included in the Rocket Appartamento accessory box?

In the accessory box, you'll find the following items:

• Dual spout portafilter

• Naked portafilter (typically sold separately)

• Stainless-steel tamper (useable without needing to replace)

• Plastic cup rail

• Drip tray

• Single shot, double shot, and triple shot baskets

• Blind basket for backwashing

• Microcloth for fingerprints

• Cleaning tablets

• Cleaning brush

• Two stickers

• Written manual (standard information)

• USB Manual

Key Features and Specifications

• Copper heat exchange boiler (1.8L): The Appartamento comes with a 1.8L copper heat exchange boiler, allowing you to brew multiple cups of coffee. The heat exchanger ensures consistent temperature stability, enabling a smooth and efficient espresso experience.

• E61 group head: The E61 group head ensures excellent temperature stability and consistent extraction for high-quality espresso. It has an automatic pre-infusion feature that saturates the coffee evenly, ensuring a balanced shot with rich flavors and perfect crema.

• Multiple color options: Personalize your espresso machine with Appartamento’s range of swappable color options, including classic and modern hues to suit your kitchen style.

• Magnetic drip tray: The magnetic drip tray provides secure placement and is easy to remove for cleaning, improving both functionality and convenience.

• Separate water and steam valves: These valves allow you to brew and froth simultaneously without waiting, ensuring a smooth operation when making espresso and milk-based drinks.

• Cool-touch steam wand: The steam wand stays cool to the touch, preventing burns. With its 2-hole steam tip, it ensures even steam distribution, ideal for creating silky microfoam for cappuccinos and lattes.

Build Quality and Design

• Sleek and compact design: The Appartamento features a slim profile, making it ideal for kitchens with limited space. It measures 14.17 inches in height, 10.78 inches in width, and 16.73 inches in depth, fitting easily into most counters while delivering powerful performance.

• Durability: Built with high-quality 304 stainless steel for the exterior and brass and copper for the internal components, the Appartamento ensures exceptional durability and heat retention, providing a longer lifespan compared to other machines with less durable materials.

• Premium aesthetics: The Appartamento blends traditional Italian styling with modern design. Its build quality ensures it will last for years while maintaining its stylish appearance in any setting.

What Could be Improved:

• No PID control: Without PID temperature control, you have less consistency in maintaining temperature stability.

• Plastic cup rail: The cup rail feels flimsy compared to the machine's overall premium build.

• Small drip tray: The drip tray is compact and needs frequent emptying.

Maintenance

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To maintain the Rocket Appartamento’s performance and longevity, follow the straightforward cleaning schedule table to ensure your machine stays in top shape.

Tips for using the Rocket Espresso Appartamento

To get the most out of your Rocket Espresso Appartamento and achieve café-quality espresso every time, follow these practical tips for setup, brewing, and steaming:

1. Proper setup:

• Water quality: Use filtered water to prevent scale buildup and ensure the best-tasting espresso.

• Grind size: Invest in a high-quality burr grinder to achieve the perfect grind size for your espresso.

• Preheat: Allow the machine to fully heat up (about 20 minutes) before brewing to ensure stable temperatures.

2. Brewing espresso:

• Dosing: Use a consistent dose of coffee (typically 18-20 grams for a double shot) to confirm that it gets evenly distributed in the portafilter.

• Tamping: Apply even pressure when tamping the coffee to avoid channeling and ensure an even extraction.

• Extraction time: Aim for an extraction time of 25-30 seconds for a double shot, adjusting the grind size if necessary.

3. Steaming milk:

• Purge the steam wand: Before steaming, purge the steam wand to remove any condensation.

• Steaming technique: Position the steam wand just below the surface of the milk to create microfoam, then lower it to heat the milk.

• Temperature: Aim for a final milk temperature of around 150°F (65°C).

The Rocket Espresso Appartamento is an exceptional choice for those looking to enjoy home espresso machines giving you café-quality espresso.

Rocket Appartamento vs Rocket Appartamento TCA: A Comparison

The Rocket Appartamento TCA (Temperature Control Adjustment) is an upgraded version of the classic Appartamento. TCA stands for "Temperature Control Adjustment," offering more precise temperature regulation. Below is a detailed comparison of both models, highlighting the key differences in design, technical performance, and user experience.

Design and Build Quality

Technical Performance

The Rocket Appartamento is perfect for urban dwellers and espresso enthusiasts who prefer a hands-on brewing experience. On the other hand, the Rocket Appartamento TCA is ideal for home baristas seeking precise control and customization in their espresso brewing process.

The decision between the Rocket Appartamento and the Rocket Appartamento TCA ultimately depends on your preferences and priorities in the brewing experience. Regardless of your choice, Rocket Espresso machines guarantee outstanding quality and performance, elevating your home espresso experience to professional levels.

Rocket Espresso Appartamento Vs. Similar Prosumer Machines

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The Rocket Espresso Appartamento competes with machines from reputable brands like Rancilio, Breville, and Nuova Simonelli. Here's a comparison to help you decide which one suits your brewing style.

1. Rocket Appartamento vs Rancilio Silvia Pro X

Both Rocket and Rancilio are known for their high-quality machines, but the Silvia Pro X has several features the Appartamento lacks:

Features of the Silvia Pro X:

• PID temperature control: For precise temperature stability.

• Dual boiler system: Allows simultaneous brewing and steaming.

• Auto On feature: For automatic start-up.

Cons of the Silvia Pro X:

• More expensive.

• Limited warranty compared to the Appartamento.

Overall, Appartamento is a more affordable option but lacks automation and control compared to Silvia Pro X. 

2. Rocket Appartamento vs Breville Barista Touch

Both machines are compact with stainless steel exteriors, but they differ in automation and system types.

Features of Breville Barista Touch 

• Semi-automatic, single boiler with PID control and a touchscreen control panel.

• It also features auto dosing, pre-infusion, and auto steam wand.

Cons of the Barista Touch:

• Single boiler limits brewing and steaming at the same time.

• Less hands-on control for enthusiasts.

The Appartamento is ideal for users who enjoy a more tactile, hands-on brewing experience, whereas the Barista Touch is more convenient for those who prefer automation.

3. Rocket Appartamento vs Nuova Simonelli Oscar II

Both are compact stainless steel heat exchanger machines, but the Oscar II is priced higher and features advanced technology.

Features of Oscar II: 

• Thermo siphon group head for heat stability 

• Control panel for brewing adjustments with commercial-grade components.

Cons of the Oscar II:

• Higher price.

• Complex controls might not appeal to those who prefer a tactile experience.

The Oscar II offers more advanced features, but the Appartamento provides great value for those who want a more traditional espresso-making experience.

The Rocket Espresso Appartamento excels in design and manual control, making it perfect for those who appreciate hands-on brewing. Other machines primarily give more automation in comparison. Each machine suits different needs, whether you’re looking for precision, convenience, or a more traditional espresso-making process.

User’s Rocket Espresso Appartamento Review(s)

A Reddit user comments, "Shot quality is excellent, and steaming is phenomenal – no regrets!" [1]

2. Another user shares, "Rocket machines are built like tanks, with great fit and finish. I had the Appartamento and enjoyed it a lot – it was a great training machine to improve my espresso skills. The lack of PID control eventually became frustrating, though, and I moved on."

3. Another user on Reddit reminisces, "I had the Appartamento for about two years before switching to a different machine when I moved out of the country. It was wonderful, but I’d prefer a machine with a built-in PID now. The temperature consistency was a bit of an issue over time. Keep in mind you’re paying a little extra for design with Rocket machines. In my experience, other machines at this price point may offer more features or better components, but the Appartamento makes great espresso once you get the hang of it."

4. Another user points out, "It’s more beautiful than most people I know! The Appartamento is more ubiquitous than the Profitec, so it’s easier to find a used one. If you’re looking around, also check out the Rocket Cellini V3, Giotto, or Mozzafiato. They have a PID cleverly hidden behind the drip tray and aren’t much more expensive than the Appartamento."

5. A user also says, "There’s a new Rocket Appartamento TCA model that has temperature control adjustment and comes with new color options. If you wanted more control over your brewing process, this might be the model to check out."

6. Another user shares, "I've been fairly happy with my Appartamento after 2+ years. It makes good coffee as long as you have a good grinder and do WDT. It works best with traditional dark roasts. It looks great and doesn’t take up too much space, but the drip tray is annoyingly small and has sharp edges. I also have to regularly flush the grouphead before pulling shots, which wastes a lot of water."

The Rocket Espresso Appartamento is praised for its build quality, shot consistency, and steam performance. While it lacks PID control, it still delivers excellent espresso. For those seeking better temperature management, the Appartamento TCA offers temperature control for more precise brewing.

Conclusion

As coffee remains a global staple, millions rely on machines like the Rocket Appartamento for their daily brew, boosting coffee-drinking statistics. The Rocket Espresso Appartamento is a top choice for espresso lovers who value design, durability, and hands-on control. 

Its compact size, premium build, and E61 group head provide a high-quality espresso experience that rivals more expensive machines. 

While it lacks features like PID control and ECO mode, its straightforward performance and robust construction make it a great investment for those seeking quality coffee without automation. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned barista, the Appartamento delivers consistently great espresso, ensuring its place as a favorite for years to come.