Rocket Appartamento Review: Fly Me to the Moon!

You might notice me tossing around the phrase “prosumer” in this Rocket Appartamento review. Let me just say that I didn’t come up with that word and I don’t particularly like it.

However, prosumer is commonly used to describe espresso makers like the Rocket Appartamento, so I’ll reluctantly get on board. After all, prosumer espresso machines represent a step up from “appliance-grade” coffee makers.

With that in mind, this Rocket Appartamento review is aimed at those of you who are serious about raising the stakes in your espresso game. Even so, if you’re a beginner, there’s nothing to be afraid of! In fact, making espresso with this beautiful machine is remarkably straightforward.

As it happens, I bought the Rocket Appartamento from Seattle Coffee Gear (my go-to resource for prosumer espresso machines) to test out for you. A little later I’ll discuss my experiences using the thing. In the meantime, let’s take a first look at what the Rocket Appartamento is all about!

Rocket Appartamento Review Overview

Don’t get me wrong, appliance-grade machines like the Breville Oracle Touch and the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Evo can be truly impressive. Still, the Rocket Appartamento really makes me swoon.

As a former professional barista, this type of espresso machine is as close as I can get to a commercial experience without having to completely redesign my kitchen.

First impressions aren’t everything, but the Rocket Appartamento does make quite the visual statement. I’m a total sucker for this kind of design – all the mirrored stainless steel and chunky knobs and dials really float my boat. Plus, the laser cut circles on the side of the machine add a touch of sophisticated flair.

The retro-industrial vibe is accentuated by the sheer heft of the Appartamento, too. Although this is the manufacturer’s entry-level machine, it’s still a bulky hunk of a thing. Let’s just say the Rocket Appartamento will bully its way into being the centerpiece of your kitchen.

So what makes the Rocket Appartamento a prosumer machine? Well, aside from the obvious impressive build quality and attention to detail, this machine uses internal components commonly found in commercial espresso machines. That means you’ll get unparalleled consistency and a real sense of control over your espresso.

Of course, it also means the Rocket Appartamento ain’t cheap. Currently available for $1,800 at Seattle Coffee Gear, this machine is a fairly serious investment. Still, I think the Appartamento represents really good value, especially considering what you get for the money.

Rocket Appartamento Accessories and Features

I’ve got a lot more to say in this Rocket Appartamento review, so let’s dive into the features that make this espresso machine so special.

Colors

I happen to love the laser-cut circles on the Rocket Appartamento’s side panels. This design feature adds a fun, modern twist to the Appartamento’s overall aesthetic and really sets the machine apart. Currently, the Rocket Appartamento is available in four colors:

As far as I can tell, customizing the side panel yourself won’t be too difficult. You can access the panel insert by removing a few screws, then wrap it in any color vinyl you want. Go ahead, express yourself!

Size

While the Appartamento was designed to be the manufacturer’s most compact offering, it’s still a fairly bulky proposition. Plus, clocking in at 44 pounds (20 kilograms), this isn’t exactly a lightweight machine.

Still, as long as you’re fully committed, you shouldn’t have a hard time fitting the Appartamento into your kitchen. I mean, the toaster and the blender might have to go into storage, but sometimes you’ve got to prioritize!

Anyway, what’s really cool is that the manufacturer didn’t compromise on quality just to make the Appartamento smaller. In fact, you’ll get the same boiler and pump that’s in the much larger and more expensive Cronometro Type V models. 

The only downside worth mentioning is the Appartamento’s limited water reservoir. Seeing as the water tank only holds 84.5 ounces (2.5 liters), you’ll need to refill it more often than you might like.

User Interface

If you’re accustomed to an espresso machine with buttons, screens and menus, get ready for a completely different user experience. As with most prosumer machines, the Rocket Appartamento eschews modern trappings in favor of a more traditional and tactile approach.

However, if the prospect of using knobs and levers seems a little intimidating, don’t be alarmed. As I mentioned earlier in this Rocket Appartamento review, using the machine is actually very straightforward. Oh, and don’t worry, I’ll go into more detail later on.

Suffice to say that this manual approach to pulling shots and steaming milk quickly feels like you’re in complete control over the outcome, and you’ll never look back!

Although there’s a gauge for monitoring boiler pressure, there’s no way to keep an eye on pump pressure. That isn’t a huge deal, but it’d be nice to have the option when you’re pulling lots of shots in a row. That way, you’d be able to see how quickly the machine can recover in between.

Rocket Appartamento Portafilter Size & Features

In keeping with the Rocket Appartamento’s high-end vibe, the included 58 millimeter spouted portafilters are very high-end. You’ll get a single and double shot portafilter, each with a single wall filter basket.

During my testing I was mighty impressed by the Rocket portafilter. Seriously, its weight, build quality and design made me feel like I was working with a commercial espresso machine.

Although I prefer bottomless portafilters as a rule, I’m certainly not complaining!

Boiler

The Rocket Appartamento is equipped with a 61 ounce (1.8 liter) copper heat exchanger boiler. I can sense a few blank stares and slack jaws, so allow me to elaborate.

This type of boiler features a small isolated section within, that constantly circulates water out and around the group head. This cools the water to a temperature appropriate for brewing.

Meanwhile, the rest of the boiler’s water is kept at the right temperature for steaming milk. The end result? You’re able to simultaneously prepare espresso and froth milk to your heart’s content!

These days, lots of machines rely on a digital PID controller to maintain precise temperature for brewing. However, the Rocket Appartamento uses a more old-school device called a pressurestat. While this doesn’t offer the precise control of a PID, it isn’t a disadvantage. In fact, many baristas prefer using a heat exchanger with a pressurestat.

Group Head

The Rocket Appartamento’s beautiful exposed group head is one of the machine’s most instantly recognizable features. One look and you know this thing means business.

As it happens, this is called an E61 group head, and it’s a common sight on many prosumer machines. As I already mentioned, water circulates through the group head, meaning (in theory) that it’s always at a consistent temperature. And you don’t need me to tell you that consistency is key to good espresso extraction!

In practice, the Rocket Appartamento isn’t quite as temperature stable as it should be. In fact, many folks like to complain about the machine getting way too hot. In my experience, that wasn’t a huge issue. However, I quickly realized that performing cooling flushes is essential when using the Appartamento.

Simply insert a portafilter into the group head and push the lever up to engage water flow. If the water comes out crackling and hissing, it’s flash boiling. All you need to do is wait a few seconds until the water runs smoothly and noiselessly.

Incidentally, the group head is going to be very hot to the touch, evidenced by the manufacturer’s warning label stuck on top. If you want to remove the label, do yourself a favor and do so before the machine heats up for the first time. You’ll have to trust me on that.

Tamping

I can’t count the number of times I’ve chided a reputable manufacturer for including a flimsy plastic espresso tamper with its expensive machine. Seriously, that drives me crazy! Which is why I’m positively over the moon to see a solid and weighty tamper included with the Rocket Appartamento. Not that I’d expect anything less mind you.

Anyway, aside from offering a welcome relief from plastic junk, the aluminum tamper feels really good in the hand and has a nice weight distribution. Plus, it features a classy Rocket Espresso decal, so you can fully represent!

Steam Wand

I already mentioned that you can make espresso and milk foam at the same time with the Appartamento. Believe me, if you’ve only ever used a single boiler machine, this feature will blow your mind!

What’s more, the robust boiler means you’ll have a ton of steam pressure at your disposal. To be honest, I was kinda taken by surprise, and the steam wand felt a little too powerful at first. However, the chunky dial for regulating steam pressure is very responsive, and I quickly got the hang of things. Ultimately, it’ll take no time before you’re pulling off incredibly silky microfoamfor that signature espresso macchiato of yours.

Both the steam wand and the hot water wand can fully rotate, making them easy to position. Plus, their double wall design means you won’t burn your fingers in the process. The only downside is that you’ll need to buy a milk steaming pitcher separately. Still, that’s not a huge investment.

Cup Height

If you’re planning on brewing into a travel coffee mug or latte macchiato glass, I’ve got some bad news. With only a 3.5-inch (9-centimeter) gap between the portafilter spout and the drip tray, the Rocket Appartamento is only really suitable for espresso cups.

Even then, if you’re the kind of coffee nerd that likes to brew onto a coffee scale, things could get tight under there. Seriously, I used the Fellow Tally Pro scale during my testing and had to remove the drip tray to weigh my shots.

Speaking of the Appartamento’s drip tray, it’s certainly not the biggest I’ve ever seen. That said, it does have magnets to help it stay firmly attached to the machine. And you just know little touches like that get my heart all aflutter!

Warranty

Rocket Espresso is known for producing super high-quality coffee equipment. Still in the unlikely event that your machine is faulty, the manufacturer has you covered. The Rocket Appartamento comes with a three year warranty that covers all parts and labor. That’s a pretty good deal if you ask me!

The Rocket Appartamento Espresso Machine in Use

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere in this Rocket Appartamento review, there shouldn’t be a steep learning curve involved in using this machine. After all, the Appartamento is intended as an entry level espresso machine, so newbies can rest easy.

Anyway, remember that the Appartamento is equipped with commercial grade components. That means you’re way more likely to get consistent results than from a seemingly more approachable appliance grade device.

With all that said, you’ll need tolearn the ropes and accept that there’ll be some trial and error involved. Not only that, you’ll need to invest in a good coffee grinder. And by good, I mean something along the lines of the Baratza Sette Wi. Otherwise, maintaining consistency will be an uphill battle.

While you’re at it, Rocket sells a few other accessories that’ll come in mighty handy. For starters, you’ll quickly realize that a knock box will make your life easier and less messy. Plus, a tamping mat really works to ensure stability while tamping.

Getting started with the Rocket Appartamento couldn’t be easier. Simply fill the water tank, plug in the machine and flip the on switch. You’ll need to wait around 20 minutes for the machine to warm up.

So, feel free to take a shower, check your emails or do anything else that takes just under half an hour! Oh, and don’t forget to put your espresso cups on top of the machine so they’ll be nice and warm.

Espresso Preparation

Once the Rocket Appartamento is at the right temperature, you’re ready to make some espresso. The user manual has a really comprehensive guide, including tips, tricks and illustrations. Still, because I care, I’ll give you a quick rundown on how to pull a shot.

Start by grinding coffee into your portafilter, before leveling the bed of ground coffee and tamping. Insert the portafilter into the group head and push the lever up to the midpoint. This allows water to flow slowly and without pressure for pre infusion. What’s great is that you’re fully in control of how long the pre infusion stage lasts.

Once you’re ready, push the lever all the way up to engage the pump. Now it’s game time, and the espresso extraction will begin in earnest. Again, you’re fully in control of what’s happening. In other words, it’s up to you to keep an eye on your shot and to stop the extraction when you’re satisfied with the results.

My Observations

I have to say that using the Rocket Appartamento was a joy. Seriously, I’d heard tons of stories about how temperamental this espresso machine can be, but I experienced none of that. In fact, I found the Appartamento to be very temperature stable, especially once I’d got the hang of the necessary cooling flushes.

During my testing I used both my own Coffeeness coffee beans and a single origin Ethiopia Sidama from one of my favorite small batch roasters. As expected, the Rocket Appartamento did a wonderful job of highlighting the chocolate and hazelnut notes in my Coffeeness espresso beans. As for the Ethiopian coffee, I was able to pull some complex and light-bodied shots.

I did have to spend a little time dialing in my shots – I found that using 17 grams of coffee provided the best results in the 58mm portafilter. Still, once I’d figured out my dose and grind size, the Appartamento proved to be a model of consistency. I was able to pull shot after shot, with each clocking in at around 28 seconds for a 2-ounce (59-milliliter) yield.

Incidentally, I can’t understate how awesome it is to prepare espresso with the Rocket’s lever. Trust me, if you’ve only ever pushed a button to start your extraction, this manual system will blow your mind. Personally, I felt like I had so much more control over my extraction, especially given the fact that I could choose to pre-infuse the portafilter for as long as I wanted.

Rocket Appartamento Cleaning

Many of you will know that I’m pretty obsessive when it comes to cleaning and descaling coffee equipment. Listen, I don’t expect you to be as dedicated as I am, but regular maintenance is key to keeping the Rocket Appartamento in good working order.

Anyway, there really isn’t that much to worry about, aside from always using filtered water. That way, you’ll minimize nasty buildup in the boiler and plumbing. What’s important to note is that the manufacturer doesn’t recommend descaling the Appartamento. That’s because the copper boiler is particularly susceptible to damage from descaling agents.

At the end of each day’s use, make sure to backflush the machine with water only. You can use the blind filter basket for this. Once a week or so, backflush using espresso machine cleaning powder. That’ll thoroughly clean the group head of coffee oil residue. You can use the same powder mixed with water to soak the filter baskets and shower screen.

As for the steam wand, you should keep a damp cloth handyto wipe the tip of any excess milk after each use. Once a week, submerge the steam wand in a solution of dairy cleaner and water and let it soak for a few minutes. That’ll take care of any stubborn buildup that might have escaped your attention.

Rocket Appartamento Technical Specifications

Rocket Appartamento vs Other Espresso Machines

By now you will have cottoned on to how impressed I am by how this machine performs. Still, I want this to be a fair and balanced Rocket Appartamento review, so let’s see how the machine measures up to the competition.

Rocket Appartamento vs Lelit Bianca

Costing just under $3,000, the Lelit Bianca is a good deal more expensive than the Rocket Appartamento. However, you most certainly get what you pay for with this impressive prosumer machine.

Featuring dual boilers with programmable brewing and steaming temperatures, the Lelit Bianca gives you an insane amount of control over your espresso. Plus, there’s a neat water control paddle that allows you to precisely control pressure in the group head.

On top of all that, the Lelit Bianca features dual pressure gauges and a screen for programming pre infusion time, temperature settings and more.

Ultimately, the Lelit Bianca is a formidable home espresso machine that’ll satisfy the most demanding of home baristas. Whether or not you can justify spending the cash is another matter.

See Also: Lelit Bianca Review

Rocket Appartamento vs Appartamento TCA

The recently released Rocket Appartamento TCA has made a lot of folks happy. In saying that, I’m talking about those who were frustrated by the original Appartamento’s inherent limitations.

Costing $2,150.00, the TCA really isn’t much more expensive than the Appartamento. However, it brings a hybrid PID controller into play. What’s more, you’re able to adjust brewing temperatures.

As I already mentioned, I didn’t have an issue with the Appartamento during my testing. However, I’d say the TCA is definitely worth considering if you’re worried about all the negative reports online.

See Also: Rocket Appartamento TCA Review

Rocket Appartamento vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: Rocket Appartamento Review

If you check out my home espresso machine guide, you’ll find plenty of rave reviews of so-called appliance-grade coffee makers. Just because I’ve been blown away by a prosumer machine in this Rocket Appartamento review doesn’t mean I’m going to revise my opinions.

However, I will say that this espresso machine represents a significant jump in quality and consistency from a Breville or DeLonghi. Seriously, if you want to develop your barista chops and you can swallow the price tag, the Appartamento is a great investment.

Best of all, I feel like the Rocket Appartamento will satisfy beginners as well as seasoned pros. And let’s not forget that it’s gonna really enhance your kitchen! After all, who really needs a toaster and a blender, anyway?

Rocket Appartamento FAQ