Rocket Appartamento TCA Review: Totally Completely Amazing!

If you’ve had a chance to check out my Rocket Appartamento review, you’ll know how impressed I was. So, I’m pretty darn excited to be embarking upon this Rocket Appartamento TCA review.

As it happens, this is a brand new, updated version of the original Appartamento. And while it looks pretty similar, the Rocket Appartamento TCA brings a ton of eagerly anticipated updates to the table.

So, without further ado, let’s jump in and see what the new Rocket Appartamento TCA is all about!

A complete redux

Rocket Appartamento TCA

A magnificent espresso machine

Beautiful design

Rugged and durable

PID and adjustable temperature settings

Straightforward operation

Commercial components

Rather expensive

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Rocket Appartamento TCA
Manufacturer	Rocket Espresso
Model number	Appartamento TCA
Product category	Manual espresso machine
Housing material	Stainless steel
Color options	Black/Black, Black/Copper, Stainless/Black, Stainless/Copper, Stainless/White
Milk frother	Steam wand
User interface	Buttons and dials
App
User profiles	1
Portafilter size	58 mm
Tamping	Manual
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	84.5 fl oz / 2.5 l
Number of boilers	1
Pump pressure	15 bar
Maximum cup height	3.5 in / 8.9 cm
Grinder	N/A
Grind adjustment levels	N/A
Bean hopper capacity	N/A
Specialty drinks	1
Pre-infusion
Adjustable coffee temperature
Adjustable milk foam temperature
2-cup function	Yes (non-milk drinks only)
Hot water function
Hot milk function
Milk foam only option
Water filter
Power consumption	1350 W
Weight	45.0 lb / 20.4 kg
Dimensions	14.0 x 10.7 x 17.6 in 35.6 x 27.2 x 44.7 cm
Warranty	2 years
Notes	Included Accessories: User manual, 2 x filter baskets, blind basket, tamper, group brush, microfiber towel
Current price on Amazon	$2,150.00
All specifications

Overview: Rocket Appartamento TCA Review

Coffeeness Medium Roast Espresso

Well-balanced with chocolate & hazelnut notes

Freshly roasted in Brooklyn

Very low acidity

To the Coffeeness Shop

The original Rocket Appartamento was released in 2016 as the manufacturer’s entry-level model. To say the Appartamento has been a success would be a huge understatement. Seriously, this baby has become one of the most popular prosumer espresso machines around.

Still, venture onto a home barista forum and you’ll find plenty of folks complaining about the Appartamento’s temperature stability issues. So, I’m not surprised to see that the new Rocket Appartamento TCA is equipped with a PID and variable temperature control. That’s definitely the most important upgrade, and proves that Rocket Espresso has been paying attention to its critics.

Of course, there are tons more smaller and less obvious upgrades on board the Appartamento TCA. However, when you add them all up, it’s obvious that the manufacturer has really gone to town.

With that said, I should hope so, given that the Rocket Appartamento TCA will set you back an eye-watering $2,300.00 on Seattle Coffee Gear. I mean, that’s a lot of money to spend on a home espresso machine, no matter how loaded you may be.

Plus, there’s no getting around the fact that you’ll need a really good espresso grinder to go with this machine. After all, if you’re investing over two grand on an espresso maker with commercial-grade components, it would just be plain wrong to use a substandard burr coffee grinder or (dare I say) pre ground coffee.

Rocket Appartamento TCA Features

Let’s continue this initial Rocket Appartamento TCA review by checking out the machine’s many exciting features!

Size and Design

I had no problem whatsoever with the design and build quality of the original Appartamento. In fact, I seem to remember gushing over its stylish beauty during my review. Unsurprisingly, then, the manufacturer hasn’t done anything radical in terms of the machine’s overall design. Still, I will say the Rocket Appartamento TCA ushers in some very attractive stylistic changes.

For starters, everything plastic – from the portafilter handle to the brew lever – is now soft-touch matte plastic. That’s not only going to feel nicer, but it looks more premium. Elsewhere, there’s a super cool vertical stripe on the back of the machine with a Rocket logo for good measure.

Finally, Rocket has abandoned the controversial cup rail altogether. Believe me, that’s a good thing, seeing as the rails are prone to cracking and snapping.

User Interface

If you’re in the market for a prosumer espresso machine, chances are you don’t want the touchscreen user interface that’s so popular with other machines. Rather, this type of espresso machine is usually more traditional.

The Rocket Appartamento TCA is no exception, offering users a hands-on approach to making espresso. You’ll find Rocket’s signature chunky knobs for controlling steam pressure and hot water delivery, as well as a manual lever for controlling water flow from the brew group. No digital display here!

Elsewhere, there’s a prominent gauge for monitoring boiler pressure. Personally, I would have liked to have seen a pressure gauge to measure pressure at the group head, seeing as that can be a valuable tool for assessing your shots. Still, you can’t win ’em all!

Overall, this analog approach might seem a little intimidating to newbies, seeing as you’re responsible for everything. However, believe me when I tell you that having this level of control means you’ll be able to pull exceptional shots of espresso once you feel comfortable. 

Temperature Control

Now we’re getting to the meat and potatoes of this Rocket Appartamento TCA review. Plus, I can finally tell you what “TCA” stands for. Ready? It stands for Temperature Control Adjustment, and refers to the fact that you’re able to adjust the machine’s brewing temperature. What’s more, there’s a kind of hybrid PID controller on board, which changes the boiler pressure in order to adjust brewing temperature.

So why might you want to adjust the temperature settings, anyway? Well, say you’re experimenting with a light roast single origin coffee. In order to really get the best from these coffee beans, increasing the temperature might be the way to go.

Ultimately, having this temperature management option is cool, but many users won’t care. However, the important thing is that the Rocket Appartamento TCA offers temperature stability across the board.

Portafilter

I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that the Rocket Appartamento TCA comes with a commercial-grade 58mm portafilter. Plus, you’ll get single-wall filter baskets for both single and double shots of espresso.

As I mentioned earlier, the manufacturer has improved the portafilter by using soft-touch plastic for the handle. In my opinion, this not only looks better but will feel more comfortable. So, win-win on that front!

Boiler

The Rocket Appartamento TCA is equipped with a similar 61-ounce (1.8-liter) copper heat exchanger boiler to its predecessor. However, the TCA’s boiler is fully insulated, which means increased thermal stability.

In case you were wondering, a heat exchanger boiler works by siphoning off brew water from a smaller enclosed section within and circulating it through the group head. Meanwhile, the rest of the boiler’s water is kept at the ideal temperature for steaming milk.

In other words, heat exchanger machines allow you to pull a shot and steam milk at the same time if you want a cappuccino.

Group Head

I’m a sucker for the Rocket’s iconic E61 group head. You’ll find this group head on most heat exchanger espresso machines, seeing as it’s been designed with temperature stability in mind.

As it happens, the Appartamento TCA espresso machine has an upgraded version of the group head that’s heavier and denser. And in combination with the machine’s PID and insulated boiler you can expect higher levels of temperature stability than ever during the brewing process.

Tamping

Regular Coffeeness readers will know how bent out of shape I get about the flimsy plastic tampers some manufacturers include with their machines. And that goes double for more expensive prosumer machines.

Fortunately, Rocket Espresso knows what’s up and supplies a premium espresso tamper with its machines. Made from sturdy aluminum, the tamper you’ll get with the Appartamento TCA has a fancy Rocket decal, so you’ll never forget who made your machine!

Milk Foam

Believe me when I tell you that being able to make espresso and steam milk simultaneously is a game changer if you’ve never experienced it. Seriously, you’ll feel like a pro barista!

Thanks to the Rocket espresso machine’s beefy insulated boiler, you’ll have a ton of steam power for creating silky microfoam. With that in mind, I’d be careful with the steam dial until you get used to it; the wand might feel overly powerful at first.

At this point I should mention that the Rocket Appartamento TCA also has a dedicated hot water wand, which is a dream come true for americano lovers. As with the steam wand, this water wand is ball joint-mounted, so maneuvering it into position is a piece of cake.

Double Walled Thermo Coffee Glasses

Enjoy your coffee drink hot for longer

Keeps your coffee warm longer

Made of robust borosilicate glass

To the Coffeeness Shop

How to Use the Rocket Appartamento TCA

For the purposes of this Rocket Appartamento TCA review, I can offer a quick idea of what using the thing will involve. With that said, I’m going to recommend studying the user manual for learning how to prime the boiler.

Once you’ve set the espresso machine up, do yourself a favor by washing all removable parts, including the drip tray. Once that’s done, it’s time to let the machine fully heat up before pulling a shot of espresso.

Needless to say, you’ll get the best-tasting espresso by using a good grinder. And if you don’t own one already, consider picking up a decent coffee scale. Believe me, that’ll really help you achieve consistency. Finally, I’d recommend placing your espresso glasses on the cup warming tray.

Moving on, weigh your coffee beans before grinding them and dosing the portafilter. Next, tamp using an even amount of pressure then insert the portafilter into the group head. To start your extraction, lift the brew lever and start a timer. If all goes well, you’ll have a 2-ounce (59-milliliter) shot in around 28 seconds.

As for milk frothing, it’s as easy as adding milk to a steaming pitcher, inserting the steam wand under the surface and opening the steam valve. Of course, newbies should be cautious about turning the dial too far at first. After all, the Rocket Appartamento TCA model can deliver a shocking amount of steam pressure.

Rocket Appartamento TCA Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning and descaling, regular maintenance is key to keeping the Rocket Appartamento TCA in good working order.

However, there really isn’t that much to deal with. That said, you should always use filtered water to prevent limescale accumulating in the boiler and plumbing. What’s important to note is that the manufacturer doesn’t recommend descaling the Appartamento TCA. 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 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 or cleaning tablets mixed with water to soak the filter baskets and shower screen. Oh, and don’t forget to empty and rinse the magnetic drip tray.

As for the steam wand, you should keep a damp cloth handy to 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 TCA vs Appartamento

I guess it’s been hard to write this Rocket Appartamento TCA review without comparing it to the original Rocket Appartamento. So, you already have a fairly good idea of the key differences between the two.

Of course, at $1,850.00 you’ll save quite a bit of cash by opting for the entry-level Rocket Espresso Appartamento. However, many will find that investing a few hundred dollars more will be well worth it.

Sure, both machines are similar in many ways, but having a PID and adjustable temperature controls is a huge upgrade. Seriously, if money were no object, I’d definitely go with the TCA to never have to worry about cooling flushes again!

See Also: Rocket Espresso Appartamento Review

Rocket Appartamento TCA vs Appartamento Comparison Chart

Verdict: Rocket Appartamento TCA Review

A complete redux

Rocket Appartamento TCA

A magnificent espresso machine

Beautiful design

Rugged and durable

PID and adjustable temperature settings

Straightforward operation

Commercial components

Rather expensive

CHECK PRICE

All specifications

Rocket Appartamento TCA
Manufacturer	Rocket Espresso
Model number	Appartamento TCA
Product category	Manual espresso machine
Housing material	Stainless steel
Color options	Black/Black, Black/Copper, Stainless/Black, Stainless/Copper, Stainless/White
Milk frother	Steam wand
User interface	Buttons and dials
App
User profiles	1
Portafilter size	58 mm
Tamping	Manual
Removable water reservoir
Water reservoir capacity	84.5 fl oz / 2.5 l
Number of boilers	1
Pump pressure	15 bar
Maximum cup height	3.5 in / 8.9 cm
Grinder	N/A
Grind adjustment levels	N/A
Bean hopper capacity	N/A
Specialty drinks	1
Pre-infusion
Adjustable coffee temperature
Adjustable milk foam temperature
2-cup function	Yes (non-milk drinks only)
Hot water function
Hot milk function
Milk foam only option
Water filter
Power consumption	1350 W
Weight	45.0 lb / 20.4 kg
Dimensions	14.0 x 10.7 x 17.6 in 35.6 x 27.2 x 44.7 cm
Warranty	2 years
Notes	Included Accessories: User manual, 2 x filter baskets, blind basket, tamper, group brush, microfiber towel
Current price on Amazon	$2,150.00
All specifications

Having reached the end of this Rocket Appartamento TCA review, I can say that the manufacturer has done the right thing in releasing it!

From where I’m sitting, this awesome machine is a real winner. It’s great to see that the manufacturer is dedicated to improving Rocket Machines, and the upgrades here are pretty exciting.

Personally, I loved the original Appartamento and didn’t experience the problems other reviewers have complained about. In fact, I was able to consistently brew high-quality espresso. Still, the TCA is a glorious beast that represents excellent value for money, considering the attention to detail that’s gone into its design.

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