Rancilio Rocky Doserless Coffee Grinder

Rated 4 out of 5

Posted By:
James Eichler

Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

Great grinder, I have had mine for years. My only complaint is that it does not come with a container to catch the grinds. Directly into the Portafilter is a bit messy and requires clean up after each use. I use a container from an earlier grinder i had which fits perfectly underneath and easily can then be poured into your Portafilter with no mess to clean up. I strongly recommend providing this inexpensive option to the manufacturer. I would also recommend an on off switch instead of the push and hold. Then it would be perfecto.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

More than 1 year

What's Best About this Product?

consistency dependable well made

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

see review

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

kona

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Catch container that sits under shoot which can easily pour into aPortafilter- I strongly recommend providing this inexpensive option to the manufacturer. I would also recommend an on off switch instead of the push and hold.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

MD and others

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Dean Dahlstedt

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Great grinder

This is my first "real" grinder. I am amazed at what at difference it makes to the taste of the coffee.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Great improvement in the taste of the coffee.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

About 20 different roasts

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Non

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Bodum burr grinder, several blade grinders

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Nathaniel Osgood

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Love it!

Powerful! This grinder does not have a cheap motor that will burn out quickly like so many other grinders in the <$100 range. My previous grinder was the Bodum Bistro, and that grinder clogged all the time with the oily beans that I use, and it would only grind in 20 second intervals. This is due to the cheap, low power motor in it. It would often take 2 grinding cycles to make a pot of coffee. According to the instructions, you were supposed to wait 5 minutes between grinding cycles. That's nuts! This grinder takes less than 30 seconds to grind enough coffee for a whole pot, and it grinds it very evenly. It is also much quieter than any other grinder I have ever used. The espresso portafilter rack is sturdy, has no trouble holding up the heavy portafilter from the Gaggia New Baby.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Powerful, quiet, fast. The grind setting locks in, so the vibrations caused by using the grinder don't change the grind setting like some other grinders. Very consistent grind. Hasn't clogged, even with oily beans.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

If you need to measure out the beans and you filled the hopper, you have to grind into a container and measure out the grounds, but that's not a big deal. The metal rack for holding the espresso portafilter is removable, so it's pretty easy. Be sure to read the instructions about dialing in the minimum setting for the finest grind available with this grinder, if you grind it at zero, the grinding heads will probably mesh together. You have to manually adjust it and find which setting is the finest without the grinder pieces touching each other, as the instructions state.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Illy Dark Roast, Death Wish, Escobar Gold, Peet's Espresso Forte

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

They test this grinder with actual coffee at the factory, but they don't even take the 15 seconds to spray it down with some compressed air afterwards, so it ships with coffee grounds all over it. This could definitely be improved. They probably could have also calibrated the minimum grind size at the factory so that you don't have to figure that out yourself and can't set the grinder on a setting so fine that you damage it.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Bodum Bistro.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Pamela Bennett

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner

Highly Recommended

While trying to choose a grinder, this machine was highly recommended to me by my equally espresso-snob cousin. Later, another friend stated he had been using the Rancilio Rocky or the past 10-years without a problem or glitch, and was able to very precisely grind coffee for various types of makers from Turkish to French Press. In the meanwhile, I had the chance to experiment with two much more expensive grinders owned by a friend, which we used to prepare beans to brew in very high end espresso makers. My findings: The espresso brewed by my little Saeco Aroma, using the Rocky grinder equaled the taste and nuances achieved by multi-thousand dollar grinders and espresso makers. I very highly recommend this machine, no matter what type of coffee/espresso maker you have as key to great coffee is a freshly, perfectly-ground-for-YOUR-machine bean. I am so pleased, and now even more spoiled, more the espresso-snob. (And as a plus, it is very easy to use, attractive and well made.)

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Fifty different settings that produce exact grinds. You can produce coffee house quality on a fairly inexpensive espresso maker.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I took off the metal rack below the shoot, for my particular portafilter.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Local roaster; Millcreek Coffee's Espresso Blend (Salt Lake City).

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Sorry, can't remember the brands.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Karen & Kevin Walker/Lehman

We've had our Rocky doserless grinder for about five years. I also have a much less expensive burr grinder. The Rocky is so much better. It's consistency is remarkable. As others have said, oilier beans can cause it to get clogged, but it's easy to disassemble and brush clean. We've cleaned it twice--although it probably should have been about once a year.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
King White

Got mine from WLL in 2006 and used it almost daily ever since. It's a rock solid grinder that is very consistent. I've gotten to know it so well I can tell when sublte adjustments are needed due to changes in the weather. It is THAT precise. It is very easy to use. I seldom need to do anything but push the button every morning for my fresh ground directly into the portafilter. I don't underatand why some people have had problems. Mine is still working as well as the day I got it after all these years. I think this grinder is an excellent value for the price and I'm glad I bought this one every day I use it.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Roginc

I've been using the Rancilio Doserless Rocky for about a year now (for the Expobar Lever) and it has performed great. However I was slacking in the cleaning department and a few days ago it started making scary noises and shaking a lot when I used it. I called the WholeLatteLove tech support and they promptly emailed me instructions on how to open up the main chamber and clean it out. I was really surprised how easy it was to do it, also the industrial quality of the parts inside the machine. Now it's back to running in its normal beautiful fashion!

Rated 3 out of 5

Posted By:
Terry Clark

I ordered this machine to go with my Expobar Office Lever, however, I received it damaged. One of the housing brackets was broken which prevented the hopper lever lock pin from engaging the hopper, which would cause the hopper to freely turn rendering it unusable. In looking at its operation during the brief time I had it, I do want to point out an aspect to the Rocky that I find very inconvenient. The grind switch requires you to keep your finger on it while grinding and the other hand, of course, is holding the portafilter. If you need to change the grind position to finer grind, you need two more hands to do so. That seems like poor engineering to me. Anyway, I opted for a Baratza Vario to replace it and am delighted with. I thank Whole Latte Love for helping me through this unfortunate grinder problem.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
tim anderson

Great grinder, except the blue plastic chute broke within a couple of months. In the process of trying to get it fixed....

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
PhillyJ

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

Why did I wait so long?!

The Rocky grinder is a HUGE step up from the Baratza Virtuoso that it replaced. I should begin by telling you that the virtuoso served me well, for a little while. The best part was when it finally broke, Baratza took it back and refunded my purchase price.. so, not all bad. The Rancilio Rocky is a beast of a machine! Its heavy, its quiet, the instruction manual and website are pretty lacking but the one thing it has going for it is that it can grind some serious bean! It compares to a high end BMW in that it is beautiful to look at, is strong and at the end of the day, who cares what the manual says! it just works well!

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

I cant find anything that I don't like about it!. The portafilter holder holds on to my Gaggia's portafilter with no problems. The grind adjustment couldn't be easier and its HEAVY. The removable drip tray is a pretty great idea too

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Go to youtube and watch some videos about how to clean this grinder. The booklet is kind of useless, but this machine has been around for a long time, lots of followers (sorry.. read that as fellow purchasers) have lots of tips to share. It comes as no surprise that this grinder has somewhat of a cult following. The best designs usually do!

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

La Colombe Nizza Roast.

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

The ONLY thing that I would change is the power cord. It would be marginally better if the power cord was removable. Short of that, this is THE GRINDER to buy! I wouldn't change a thing.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

My espresso journey started off with a can of illy.. then I bought a cuisinart el cheepo grinder.. next up was a Baratza Virtuoso (its gone now too)

Rated 2 out of 5

Posted By:
Barista99

Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

Design Flaw

I purchased the Rancilio Doserless Grinder as a Christmas gift in December 2008. I primarily purchased the coffee grinder for a French Press grind (e.g. 42-43 on the dial). However, when I first started using the grinder I identified a serious design flaw that diminished the machine's ability to work properly. There is a rubber gasket that is used as the channel to dispense the ground coffee as it leaves the machine. However, this rubber gasket is causing the ground coffee to back up inside the machine. Even for a French Press grind you have to forcefully tap on the back of the grinder to keep the ground coffee from jamming up inside the machine.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

6 - 12 months

What's Best About this Product?

It's sturdy construction.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

It's a pretty machine. As long as you don't use it, you'll be okay.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

High quality roasted coffee

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

As I stated in my review, the rubber gasket that is used as the channel to dispense the ground coffee as it leaves the machine should be removed and the square exit hole should be extended beyond the machine's housing or there should be a short stainless steel shoot.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

N/A

Rated 3 out of 5

Posted By:
artistsmuse

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

artists muse

It took me several weeks of working with customer service to get the proper grind. I finally had to remove the screw inside the grinder to get the grind fine enough for espresso. Recalibrating it did not work although I did it several times. I went thru about 5# of coffee trying to get it right. It was maddening and I was ready to return it. WLL were very good about that also. BUT...finally I got the grind fine enough to produce a double espresso in about 20 sec. Since that problem was solved I am enjoying my coffee several times a day. Oh yes, I have been making espress for over 6 years so I knew what the finished product should be.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Sturdy built.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

The factory setting does not always work. If you cannot pull a good shot of espresso in the appropriate time make sure you TALK with a person in the service department and not customer service as they know very little about the machine and will only e-mail you calibration directions.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

special order from roaster

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

The doserless could have the portafilter out a little more as I keep having to move the ground coffee to the back of the portafilter to get enough for an espress. Also, it is tricky to adjust the grind while turning it on. You almost have to be double jointed or have an extra finger.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Solis barista

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Pat Clifford

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Beginner

Finally a grinder works

I'm not a heavy espresso drinker but I do drink a lot of drip coffee usually 2 pots daily. Until recently I would have the beans ground at the store but decided I wanted not only fresher ground beans wanted to use a French Press once in a while, so started using an old bur grinder I had stuck in the back of the cupboard. All that did was create a mess with ground coffee flying all over the place because of the static issue. One day, when I had nothing better to do, I started looking for a decent "static free" grinder and happened upon the Rancilio. The price made me gulp a couple times but after reading the reviews, and it comes with a 2 year warranty, I decided to buy it. This machine does everything I could have wanted, consistent grinds, static free and actually quiet. Yes, I can talk on the phone while grinding for my next pot of coffee.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Quiet operation, static free which means very little cleaning of the surrounding area, consistent grinds and the ability to grind for different types of brewing.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Millstone Tulley Starbucks Costco store brand

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

A timer for people like me make drip coffee all the time.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Gordon Woodahl

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

We've had this unit for about a month and are very pleased with it. We're grinding espresso for our Expobar Office Control as well as drip grind for a regular pot. It's a good size, not too big and fits under cabinets. The grind is very consistent and the machine is easy to adjust and use.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

No static electricity! Coffee doesn't fly everywhere! And it's quiet.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Consider the doserless Rocky rather than the doser model if you're grinding for anything other than individual shots of espresso or if you need to use more than one setting. With the doserless, you can still grind directly into the brew head assembly or you can remove the holder and grind into a container or filter basket.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Lavazza and Peet's

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Make them free.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Krups

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Keith Byler

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner

Great grinder!

We have used the Rancilio Doserless Rocky for a couple of years now and use it daily... It performs flawlessly and so far has required no maintenance... In fact, the only reason that I got online and am writing this is because I figured I should pull up the manual and see if there is anything I should be doing.... If you don't mind spending the bucks for something that works great and is built like a tank, I don't think you can go wrong here.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Consistency of grind, great quality build...

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

It may take a couple of tries to get the grinder set the way you want it, but once set, it will be very consistent.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Multiple

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Can't think of much

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Piazza 150 Stove top Espresso Maker, Nesspresso Machine, Gene Cafe Home Coffee Roaster

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Lizabeth Cantos

Has owned for:
6 - 12 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

This has got to be one of the top home grinders there is. I can not believe how great it works. Our coffee is prefect tasting every time now. Plus this coffee Lavazza which is used in by the Charthouse in Coconut Grove, is the best coffee and express that I have tasted anywhere. I HIGHLY recommend this coffee grind to anyone who is looking for a home grinder Yes the beans do get caught in the screw holes, but they are very easy to remove with the point of a knive. LOVE IT!!! Great price for a great machine.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

6 - 12 months

What's Best About this Product?

So easy to use and grinds expresso and coffee to the prefect taste. I use around the lowest setting for the expresso and close to the highest for the coffee and they are prefect tasting every time.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

They don't tell you what setting to use, so try out a small amount of coffee or expresso at a time and taste, if not to your liking, change the setting. As I said I use the lowest for my expresso and my family and friends from Spain and Cuba love the taste.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Lavazza Dek Expresso & Lavazza Gran Filto

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Add a setting where you do not have to hold the button while grinding and also a rubber mat so that you can use a container if grinding a whole bag at once. Containers slide on metal. Only problem I see.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
fowler

Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Beginner

2 1/2 Years Later . . .

This grinder is great. I bought it with the Gaggia Classic 2 1/2 years ago and It's consistently ground coffee every day since then. Occassionally it jams when I've got oiler beans in it, but that's easily corrected by shaking it loose a little bit. Before I bought my combo I'd never made espresso before in my life. With the Rocky and Classic I was pulling perfect cups within three pulls (it just took me a second to get it dialed in). I usually find that this machine grinds for a 25-30 second pull when it's on about a 10. If the beans are oily then that could go up to 13, but I don't think I've ever gone past that mark. Oh yeah, when I bought it the tray on the bottom was bent a little bit. I called WLL and they said I could ship it back and get another one. At that point I was drinking coffee and the thought of waiting two weeks for a new grinder (and to drink coffee) was unbearable so I've lived with it. No problems with WLL though. We've continued to buy coffee from them and recommend them to anyone else who asks us how to get into the coffee world.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

More than 1 year

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Clark Hampton

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

Best in class

The grinder is the MOST important part of maing great espresso. period. The difference (better) and consistency (very) makes for a far better experience. I had read that the grinder was he key and now I am a believer. The Rocky is heavy and well made and quiet. It looks professional and is easy to use. by this grinder is you are looking in this price range.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

great looking, quiet and consistent

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

read the manual or do this. set to 15 when machine is off and you first take it out turn on without coffee for a few seconds to clean out fill with beans then run for about 30 seconds to clear out any brass debris that is in there form the factory. enjoy.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

LaVazza

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

a timer would be nice. The ability to set it to grind for 20 seconds then shut off. I think that would remove one variable...otherwise you have to measure out to stay the same. With a timer, you just grind for a preset time right into the portafilter.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Braun

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Dean Hesterberg

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Professional quality home grinder

I got three good years of service from my Solis Maestro, but had problems grinding larger beans without "tamping". This grinder easily grinds all size of beans (medium grind) and produces a coffee of even more robust flavor than in the past.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Grinds large beans, heavy-duty construction, quiet, full-flavored coffee produced.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

As suggested by someone else here, the problem of beans caught in the screw holes in the safety guard can be eliminated with hole plugs. Just get three 5/16", black, plastic hole plugs from a local hardware store. These are a bit loose fitting, so I wrapped the stems with several layers of teflon ribbon (also from hardware store), and the plugs fit snugly and look professional.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

various

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Factory hole plugs (see below). A timer switch would be nice, but not essential. Question: Is it a problem if I forget to turn off the main power switch - for up to a day?

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Solis Maestro

Rated 4 out of 5

Posted By:
Eric Anderson

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

First impressions

I had a Solis Maestro. The Solis was a great trouble-free grinder, no complaints, but the difference between the 2 machines were instantly noticeable. The Rocky seems like a professional machine, sturdy, hefty, a real solid feel to it, whereas the Solis seemed more like a typical kitchen gadget. It really is the ying to the Silvia's yang. I was expecting that when the grind calibration numbers at the bottom of the bean hopper was completely turned 100% clockwise, it would be a a true zero. It went past zero making me question what the zero point was. The directions tell you to set zero just before the grinders touch each other. The only way I found to do this was to turn it on, and if I heard them slightly grinding stop immediately. You will know right away as the machine makes virtually no sound when it's on sans beans. I found what I assume to be the zero starting point (around 6 clicks from 100% clockwise) increased that buy about 6 or more clicks and, with a little trial and error found my perfect setting for these beans. I have only experienced 1 issue, small one, but it seems that my beans clump up somewhere between the hopper and the grinders stopping the beans from hitting the grinders. I don't think these are incredibly oily and I have had the air conditioning on so humidity wouldn't be to blame. So I just hit the side of the grinder the same way I hit my old Fender Bassman when the tubes acted up. Everything back to normal. I really like it so far and I think I'm going to love this as much as my Silvia.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Build, quality, look.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I removed the portafilter holder and grind into a mason jar. I do not find the grinder to create a mess al all like some other reviewers have pointed out. The screw cap thing you may read about seems kind of silly to me, who cares if a bean or 2 are in a screw hole? Does not impact usability whatsoever.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Pete's Coffee Espresso Roast "Granuda"

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

The initial calibration from the factory, the numbers could actually mean something. I think they're just there for reference. One machine's 8 grind could be another machine's 12 grind. But this is a very VERY minor concern.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Solis Maestro

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Ed Barkley

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

So Good We Need Two

This grinder is so exact and quiet. We have been carting it between our two homes and aksed ourselves why when we decided to stay at our vacation home longer than planned and ran out of pre-ground coffee from our Rocky. Now, we are purchasing another one so we can have fresh ground coffee for our Miss Silvia up at the lake just like we enjoy at home!!!

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Style and that it is made by Rancilio to go with our Miss Silvia.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I have learned that it is best to pre-grind the amount of coffee beans you need for a session, i.e., morning espresso, afternoon espresso, evening espressso, as you can get an exact amount of grinds per scoop for a consistent pull. I used to "try" to get level scoops of beans for each pull and found out that I was getting too much grinds per pull. No sense wasting the coffee, right?

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Trader Joe's Italian Roast Espresso, Starbucks Verona & Gold Coast

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

After a month, I can't think of another reason why except maybe, maybe make the acrylic dispenser clear rather than the tinted blue colour. Have to turn the counter light on sometimes to make sure all the grinds have been dispensed.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Barista

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Ken Whiteman

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Doserless Rocky exceeds expectation

I had a really hard time justifying a $300 grinder, but in hind sight, it was worth every penny. I bought a Solis Maestro when I bought my Solis SL70 machine. It was cheap and reasonable quality. However, now that I have tasted the difference in the grind quality I would never go back. The Solis constantly needed adjustment and I had a really hard time getting the target 25-30 second shots. The new Rocky is much more adjustable and consistent when it comes to grind size and shot timing. That was the main reason for my purchase. However, the biggest unexpected benefit was the flavor of the espresso. It is like night and day. I was never all that happy with the flavor of the cups coming from my machine. I figured I'd need to pony up for a higher end espresso machine to get the good flavor. It turns out it was the grinder and not the machine. I've started roasting my own beans and the combination of the Rocky and the fresh roast has changed everything. I will never be able to drink low grade Charbucks again. I read through all the reviews before buying my Rocky. I was really worried about the doserless design because several people complained about the mess it creates on the counter. Those people must be very particular, because with a little care, I don't spill any coffee. I took off the wire portofilter support and just hold it up under the chute. Problem solved.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Grind quality, flavor improvement.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Home roasted beans and Stumptown HairBender

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Less $$$$. The protective cover over the grinding blades traps a few beans in the screw openings. They should fix that.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Solis Maestro Classic

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Ed Barkley

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Don't Go By Other User's Setting Suggestions

I used the setting 9 as another Rocky user suggested and it took 55 seconds to pull an espresso. I got my Barista out and compared grinds. I found that a setting of 15 was equivalent to pull a 25 second espresso tapping at 30 pounds with the Barber tamper. So, my recommendation is follow the instruction manual and adjust to your particular brand of coffee bean.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

It is quiet, you control how long it grinds and once the setting is achieved, is consistent. I make 8 espressos a day on the Silvia and I'm in love.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Trader Joe's Italian Espresso, Starbucks Verona & Gold Coast

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Too soon to say but I'm with other reviewers. I'm looking forward to years of enjoyment.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Barista

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
leslie carter

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

Awesome

I did not believe or I did not want to believe that I would need a really good grinder to go with my Silvia. But alas this is what it has come down to. But boy oh boy what a difference a really good grinder makes. It took 2-3 try's to the the Rocky dialed in and what a great shot was pulled thick crema smooth taste what a difference fresh ground espresso makes

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Everything

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Roast Boy

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Include a grounds catcher

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Krups Blade grinder

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Earl Norris

Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

Excellent, consistent grinder. The doserless feature works great for me because I can switch back and forth between regular and decaf. I just leave it empty and scoop in the appropriate amount of beans for a double espresso, when that's done I can then put in the decaf beans for a double decaf espresso. Occasionally the oil on the beans stop them from dropping into the burrs, but I just reach in and move the beans a little with a tooth-pick, and the problem is solved. The doserless feature will allow some ground coffee to accumulate around the machine. We put it in a shallow decorative box so the coffee doesn't get all over the counter... just in the box.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

More than 1 year

What's Best About this Product?

Consistent

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Remember every coffee grinds differently. For example, Peet's French Roast is best ground at 1.3 or 1.4 while Peet's Decaf French Roast is best ground at 1.0.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Peet's French Roast, Espresso Forte, and Peet's French Roast Decaf

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

I don't know.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Capresso blade grinder, and Capresso burr grinder.

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Francesco Pignataro

Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

There is not much to say, except that after three years of daily use it's consistently a phenomenal machine.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

More than 1 year

What's Best About this Product?

I like very much the precise control over different grinding levels. Which makes possible to find one's favorite balance point between body, crema and taste with every kind of beans. It also allows a lot of control over blends of different beans grinded at different levels, in order to obtain very unique results.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I noticed many reviews point out the lack of useful instruction materials. Although true I still gave it a 6, since there is absolute no need for any, hence I didn't want to negatively influence the average rating for this.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Vergnano - Kimbo - Miscela D'oro - Illy

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

I figure every machine could virtually be improved, although I don't feel the need of any specific improvements with this machine. I even like the almost loud noise, which is the typical sound you hear in every italian bar.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Many blade grinders

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Jim Gallt

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Beginner

Rocky is the way to go

It works. It grinds coffee perfectly for Rancilio Silvia. Seems to give a very consistent grind, based on resulting espresso. Haven't had it long enough to be sure, but it looks and sounds like it might last forever. Has a great range of adjustment and can theoretically be used for press, drip, and espresso. (I say theoretically because once we bought a Silvia, we have made exactly no press or drip coffee). Don't pay any attention to my rating of the instruction book - could be great, but it has never been opened. Online info from WLL is all I have ever read.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Quality look, sound, feel. Very consistent grind. Quiet (as grinders go).

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I bought the doserless model, and am more convinced than ever that this was the right decision. We leave the beans in air tight Yohki jars, leaving the bean hopper on Rocky empty. Then put 2 scoops of beans in the hopper, grind it all directly into the portafilter basket, and you are ready to go. Want decaf? Just scoop in different beans. Hard for me to imagine why you would want a doser for home use.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Lavazza Super Crema; Supreme Bean Decaf; medium local roasts

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Grind size adjustment is a 3-handed job (for no obviously clear reason). Plastic spout is probably 1/4 inch closer to portafilter holder than it should be. Result is usually a neat little pile of ground coffee on the base of grinder (keep a damp rag nearby).

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

DeLonghi

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
David Sibell

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

The right grind for a Gaggia Carezza

Set at 20, this grinder totally rocks. It accepts the portafilter from my Carezza easily, and fills it relatively cleanly. Without a plastic ground reservoir, I don't have any problem with static. Period. The grind is relatively quiet and is very consistent. A little tamping, and I am making a perfect shot with a beautiful crema EVERY TIME.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

High quality, consistent espresso, every time.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

A little coffee does spill out, so I put a rag under the portafilter to catch it.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Locally roasted espresso

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Same minor gripe as other reviewers, regarding the beans that get stuck in teh screw orifices right on top of the bean receptacle. Also, the manual is pretty lean. It may take a while to figure out which grind is right for a given machine (by the way, the lower the number, the finer the grind...that's not really mentioned in the manual!).

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Bodum Antigua, blade grinder (long time ago)

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
David Caplan

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

I Bought Two

All the previous burr grinders I've owned have had difficulty with dark, oily beans. I had to shake them constantly in order to get them to grind; it was ridiculous. A few months ago I decided to order the Rancilio Rocky Doserless. Frankly, I was confused about the doser vs. doserless distinction and called WLL for an explanation. I knew I didn't need a doser for my coffee machine, but I wasn't clear on how the doserless worked. I use the bypass feature on a superautomatic machine for most of my coffee, so I ordered the doserless. When the machine came, however, I was a little dismayed that there was no receptacle for the ground beans. It clashed with all my experience and expectations about coffee grinders. I even thought about returning the machine, but I decided to give it a try by grinding the beans into a simple Pyrex container I bought at the grocery store. The grinder works so well that I quickly shed my prejudices about the need for a dedicated receptacle. As others have noted, the grind is very uniform, the machine is much quieter than others, and, best of all, it never jams. Several months after buying the Rocky Doserless, my wife insisted on having one for her decaf beans. It's true that the Rocky is big and heavy, but its "footprint" on the kitchen counter really isn't any larger than a cheaper grinder. Obviously, the Rocky is expensive, but well worth it because it's a huge step up in quality from typical grinders.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

It doesn't jam.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Peet's

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Krups, Solis, Saeco

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Denise Alcaraz

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Great Investment for your Coffee

At first, I cringed at spending $285 for a grinder. I had just purchased my first espresso machine and just couldn't get a great shot of espresso with my old Krups blade grinder. I also buy my beans freshly roasted and shipped and grind fresh daily. I quickly realized a great shot of espresso wasn't gonna happen with my blade grinder. I purchased the Solis Maestro, but had to return it because it just couldn't handle making even a teaspoon of regular grind of oily beans. SO I bought the Rancilio Doserless. The Pros: I make espresso and regular coffee so the Doserless was perfect, as having a hopper is useless for me. I find the Rancilio Doserless to waste VERY little beans. It handles very oily beans with absolute eaze. This was a MUST for me. It only occasionally gets stuck, but a couple of easy knocks along its side fixes the problem. It is a little noisy with a low pitched whir as opposed to the high pitch of the old blade grinder. When switching between reg and espresso grinds, only about 1/8 tsp or less of the grinds are of the previous setting. Like I said...very little waste. Switching the settings is a no brainer; push button, turn, then click. The Cons: it isn't very attractive and it is pretty big but slender. My portafilter does not fit the holder, but it doesn't matter, as I put a paper filter under the chute (the portafilter holder holds my paper filter open and in place) and I scoop out my espresso grind out. If the beans or other foreign particle gets stuck in the burr grinder, it would be very difficult to get out as the grinder "hood" isn't easily removed (screwed down). I haven't had this problem yet. The directions are sparse. But this is a no nonsense grinder. What I mean by sparse is their is NO suggestions for grind ranges for the novice, like turkish, espresso, regular, and french press settings. Just a dial between 0 and 65. You figure it out. Also, there are 2 switches, one to turn the power ON that resides on the bottom right side of the machine and one to turn the grinder on that resides on the bottom left front. I leave the power button on all the time (no noise) and just turn the grinder switch on (must hold down) when I grind my beans. Pro or Con? you decide. Overall, I am VERY please with the Rancilio and am no longer cringing at the $$$ I spent on it. It is worth it. It is a solid piece of equipment that will last. I can whole-heartedly recommend the Rancilio Doserless!

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

It can handle very oily beans and wastes very little.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

SpecialtyJava.com "Smooth Jazz"

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

It could be more attractive since it resides on my counter 24/7.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Starbucks Barista

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Kevin Causey

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner

Will revolutionize your espresso experience

Had it out of the box for five minutes, put beans in the hopper, set it to 9, pulled one portafilter full, tamped, locked onto my Gaggia Classic, and in 23 seconds had the best espresso my machine has ever produced. Consistency of grind is superb. Noise? what noise! I can grind at 5:30am without waking the neighbors. Only one pull is all it took. Why did I wait a year to invest in the quality of the Rocky?

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Simple, easy, dispenses directly into the portafilter with ease.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Cafe Por Favor Honduran Blend

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Portafilter fits nicely, but I needed to hold it to keep it level. No biggy, since I'm holding the switch to get the grind anyway.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Braun blade hacker grinder

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
David Fore

Has owned for:
More than 1 year
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Rancilio Doserless Rocky

Just what the java doctor ordered! Sturdy, consistent, no bells, no whistles--a great grind every time. And the doserless feature means I grind fresh each time.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

More than 1 year

What's Best About this Product?

Dependibility, consistency, easy to adjust grind

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I inserted three small corks (I figure cork would be less damaging than rubber if it shook loose--which it hasn't)into the screw recesses inside hopper to keep beans from filling recesses--works like a charm! I hold a wide mouth plastic bowl under the shute to catch spillover.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Starbucks House Blend

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Would much prefer smoke grey-tint plastic to the blue chosen, but hey, I'm not Italian! Metal housing would be much nicer if it were stainless and/or made seamless (both of which would no doubt raise price)

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

KitchenAid Proline

Rated 4 out of 5

Posted By:
Gary Cohen

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Beginner

Rancilio Rocky Coffee Grinder

This is solid, quiet machine with a nice design. The doserless version is best unless you need to make many drinks at one time. The chief complaints are (1) the poor built quality of the case and (2) this grinder is too large - the whole unit should be scaled down 10& to 15%. It looks ridulous on the average home countertop.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

My Experience With Using This Product:

Beginner

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Starbucks

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

The build quality of the case poor. It looks homemade rather than professional quality. Seams do not fit properly. It should be all stainless steel with a high polish. Also, it is too big.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Krups

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Grant Watt

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

Going 3 Rounds with Rocky

This machine has been a pleasant surprise. I got it really on recommendations. I have never even seen one running. First thing out of the box was that it was so much heavier than the MDF. This was a surprise as the MDF is built like a tank with 50mm burrs attached to this huge Brass screw down cyclinder arrangement. If the MDF looked like it would last for decades, what about this thing!! The reason for trading was that I had just bought the Silvia (after I sold the Gaggia Classic)and the tray for it. I wanted a doserless design as the doser used to annoy me as I only want to dispense what I need for a shot, no more but had to store it in a container with the MDF. I also wanted some more adjustment points even though the MDF did a good job on the Silvia. Some people say that the Silvia is fussy but I don't agree. All proper espresso machines need to have the right grind and tamp, the Gaggia classic included. All I noticed with the Silvia is that it needs a finer grind than the Classic. I also considered the Mazzer Mini and the Cimbali Junior but I wanted a doserless model. The Rocky is also surprisingly quiet. This was a surprise to me. The MDF was really very noisy to the point of being disruptive and I had real reservations using it early in the morning when other people were asleep. The Rocky is quiet enough to not disturb anyone and it always feels like it isn't working very hard. The portafilter holder is perfect and enables me to get a shot with very little spillage. Overall rocky solid and an excellent design. Really can't see me upgrading from this.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

Bulletproof solid Doserless Powerful Lots of adjustments Quiet Consistent Grind

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

Nope. I just use it. I don't bother cleaning the shoot or checking for stray beans.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Green Beans. Mocha/Java blend done in a popper.

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Nothing

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Gaggia MDF

Rated 4 out of 5

Posted By:
Mark Botta

Has owned for:
Less than 1 month
Ability Level:
Coffee Lover

A Wonderful Purchase

As with many others, I hesitated spending close to $300 on a grinder. But, having done it, it has been a decision which isn't regretted. With this grinder, I have been able to get more out of my Pavoni EPC-8 lever machine in the last 5 weeks than in the last 3+ years. If you are thinking about this purchase, do it. Also, it only took 2 days to reach my door. This is a powerful and sturdily built machine. When making my purchase, the Whole Latte Love rep was asked several questions about the Rocky and espresso making in general. She took the time to answer all my questions and didn't make it seem as if she were trying to rush things. Made the decision to buy a lot easier. The blurb on the Whole latte Love website advises to expect a few coffee grounds due to testing. Expect grounds in the chute, the hopper, within the machine falling out the chassis, and on the outside of the grinder. Before ever plugging it in the Rocky needed to be cleaned and calibrated. Luckily, these are not difficult procedures. So be prepared. :-)

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

Less than 1 month

What's Best About this Product?

1. Very easy to use. 2. This machine has heft. It weighs over 20 pounds. 3. All metal body. 4. Unlike the grinder it replaces, static has been virtually eliminated. 5. The ability to remove the portafilter fork allows the use of a container if desired. 6. It is a very quiet machine. 7. A lot of settings to find the right grind. Once you dial-in the grind for your machine, only minor changes are required due to bean type, age, etc. 8. A long cord allows flexibility in where you can place the grinder.

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

1. If you order your Rocky from Whole Latte Love, as I did, immediately ask for their cleaning and calibration instructions. They are clear and easy to understand. 2. Learn to do the "Rocky bounce". Grinds tend to remain in the chute pathway. Letting the machine rock back and come forward with a light bounce/hit will help clear those grinds. 3. Keep firm pressure on the hopper when changing to a finer grind. 4. There is a noticeable amount of grind waste. You'll want a grinder brush to help with that. After making several espressos, you'll have enough leftover grounds to make another cup. When in use, I use a paper plate cut to fit around the front of the grinder.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Coffee Lover

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Caffe Fresco, Terrior, Peets

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

These are all MINOR nitpicks. 1. There is a rubber piece which bridges the grinder chute to the curved plastic dispensing chute. If the inner chute was lengthened it would eliminate this piece and prevent grinds from falling down in the body of the machine 2. The inner chute and outer chute are not centered with each other. This may contribute to the complaint others have of the grinds being biased to one side when loading a filter basket. 3. To really clean the inner chute, you need to use a vacuum cleaner. The curved outer chute is attached to the body via two screws. If a better way could be found, it would speed-up the process. 4. If you need to go to a finer grind by more than one number, the machine should be running. You'll sometimes wish you had a third hand in order to do this so the hopper doesn't spin out of control.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

Braun KMM 30

Rated 5 out of 5

Posted By:
Hank Hirschfeld

Has owned for:
1 - 6 months
Ability Level:
Connoisseur

Rock Grinder

Very nice quiet unit, beans do jam on occasion. I have a group 61 head and it fills it fine. As the filter nears the top on remove it and gently tap it on the left side, grind tends to fill up on the right side of the filter. I leave the main power swith on all the time and just use the lower front swith. Built very well.

How Long Have I Been Using This Product?

1 - 6 months

What's Best About this Product?

Price and contruction

Some Helpful Tips For Using this Product:

I don't go crazy try to clear out the chute. I usually just add enogh beans for the servings with a touch more. When I start the gring , I discard the firts few grinds. I have read that some keep toggling the unit on and off to clear the grinds. Just be aware that most motor wear is caused by the initial torgue of the motor shaft against the bushings. Motors will really run longer if they are never turned off! Of course we can't do this with a grinder, but you might want to be aware of the additional wear on the motor.

My Experience With Using This Product:

Connoisseur

The Coffee I've Tried With This Product:

Illy & Peet

Some Improvements I Would Recommend for This Product:

Moving the switch from the lower left corner to near the adjustment button.

Some of the Other Machines I've Used:

La Pavoni