Rocket Espresso

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that I fell in love with Rocket Espresso machines after my dalliance with the Rocket Espresso R58 Dual Boiler machine. So, I was ecstatic this week when two new Rocket Espresso boxes turned up in my office. The Evoluzione V2 machines are the most advanced iterations of Rocket's line of Cellini and Giotto home espresso machines and I could hardly wait to get them out of the box.

For the sake of time, I wound up brewing with only one of the two machines, but that's okay because in terms of internal specs, the Cellini and Giotto are identical, Rocket being so devoted to aesthetics that the only differences between the two machines are purely cosmetic. If I had to choose between the two, I'd have to say that Giotto is the prettier machine in my opinion with all of its smooth edges and unique framework. The trade-off is that the Giotto is a bit wider and a bit more expensive than the Cellini.

I was impressed how quiet the machine was as I started making espresso. One of my favorite features of the Evoluzione V2 machines is a much quieter brewing experience due to the inclusion of a commercial rotary pump. I was happy to see that Rocket Espresso included some goodies along with the machine like a newly designed metal tamper, a microfiber cleaning cloth, and a how-to manual and DVD. There was also a group head brush, but that's not quite as exciting.

Like the Rocket Espresso R58 which uses two boilers to brew and steam, the Evoluzione V2 machines can brew and steam at the same time thanks to their heat exchanger system called a thermosyphon. While I'm not yet confident enough to try it, I'm sure many people will appreciate that capability, and they will be especially thankful for Rocket's patented cool-touch steam wands, which makes steaming safer.

On the topic of steaming, I also un-boxed Rocket's accessory set of four steam tips to play around with. For people like me, who are still getting the hang of manual steaming, experimenting with the variety of tips can be helpful. So if you find that the two-holed steam tips that come packaged with the machines aren't quite to your liking, try a variety of accessory tips. By the way, if you're really daring you might also want to try Rocket's bottomless portafilter.

Taking a look at the workings inside the machines, the Cellini and the Giotto share many similarities with Rocket's new R58 espresso machine. All three are equipped with sensors that shut the machine off if the boiler is dry, they all use the chrome plated brass E-61 brew group, they all come with commercial grade chrome plated brass portafilters, they all use commercial grade Sirai pressure stats, they all use dual pre-infusion systems, they've all got silent rotary pumps, and of course, all three machines come with an on-board water reservoir but are also plumbable to a direct fresh water source.

The boiler is one of the few places where the Evoluzione V2 machines differ from the R58. Whereas the R58 comes equipped with dual 1.7 liter 1400 Watt boilers, the Cellini and Giotto both use 1.8 liter 1200 watt heavy-duty copper boilers that come wrapped in a special heat insulating jacket for increased heat retention and thermal stability.

Really the biggest thing to consider when deciding between the Cellini and the Giotto is which one you think looks better.

The Cellini is more traditional in its shape, with flat sides and rectangular construction. The Giotto on the other hand has angular sides that extend out about half an inch from the main construction but, the base of the machine is the same size as the Cellini. The only real functional difference that results from their body construction is that the cup tray on the Giotto is slightly smaller than the Cellini. Both machines feature a pair of slick black steam and hot water knobs and a pair of black pressure gauges and are cased in stainless steel.

True to their creed, Rocket Espresso has again wrapped commercial quality components in a pair of elegant packages. The Cellini and Giotto Evoluzione V2 are sure to wow anyone in the market for a gorgeous machine with prosumer power.

To me, there's something really special about plumb-able machines. They represent a commitment to making the espresso machine a permanent part of your home and a part of your life, in addition to being a homage to the dedication of the people who make them.

All of this of course rings true with the new Rocket Espresso R58 Espresso Machine. Stylish, and superbly functional, the Rocket Espresso R58 was the perfect way to kick off my foray into the world of semi-automatic espresso machines.

I'll start by saying that the Rocket Espresso R58 is by no means a lightweight. At a solid 64lbs, it took a bit of muscle to get it out of the box. Once I had it on the counter I was able to fully appreciate just how good looking a machine it really is. The team at Rocket Espresso cut no corners when it came to the aesthetics of the R58, literally. Every edge has been rounded and curved, giving the machine a very smooth and streamlined look. From the robust steam valve emblazoned boldly with the signature Rocket R, to the precision Swiss pressure gauges, the machine is a testament to the enduring allure of Italian design. I rapidly became very fond of its old world charm.

I had the opportunity to talk to Whole Latte Love's resident Rocket expert Todd, who explained to me a bit about the R58's mechanics. The Rocket Espresso R58 was highly anticipated as it is the first Rocket espresso machine with dual boilers, and it utilizes the unique PID temperature monitoring system that gives the user the actual temperature inside of the boiler instead of a calculation. This allowed Todd to show me how to program the machine to the optimal temperature for the coffee we were drinking. The R58 is programmed via a peripheral digital display that connects to the side of the machine, so as not to ruin its classic charm.

For an in-depth look at the machine's insides, you can follow the link here.

This time around, Todd recommended I try brewing with some Klatch Coffee House whole bean espresso, which I used to make myself a cappuccino. As someone who typically does all of his frothing automatically with the handy Nespresso Aeroccino Plus, I was happy that the steam tip was designed with two large holes that let me froth milk quickly. It was very easy to find the sweet spot in the pitcher, and the micro foam I was able to produce made all the difference in the quality of my drinks.

Elegant design features and advanced functionality make the Rocket Espresso R58 Espresso Machine an attractive choice for someone looking to buy at the prosumer level.

Odds are you’re looking around our site trying to make some sense of the coffee and espresso world to determine which machine would be a good fit for you. If you’ve had an espresso machine before, you may be looking to upgrade to a higher-end, more performance-driven model. We classify these types of units “Prosumer” machines. They are typically light-duty commercial machines or heavy-duty home machines. Most are heat exchange machines and, as such, have a completely different set of performance specs.

The judging criteria are a bit different for this class of machine, compared to most of my other “Best Bang for your Buck” winners, which were priced under the $1000 mark. If that criterion remained the same, we wouldn’t have a blog, as none of the machines in this class are under $1000. So, I’m going to raise that bar to $1800. The price range for prosumer machines starts around $1100 and can go as high as $6495 with the La Marzocco GS/3 1 Group Auto. With that in mind, $1800 or under is a good starting point for our intents and purposes. Additional criteria used to select the “Best Bang for Your Buck” include: ease of use, drink and build quality, machine durability, and access to after-warranty service or parts.

I’m going to select two outstanding machines, the Rocket Espresso Giotto Premium Plus and the Expobar Office Lever, as clear front runners for the grand prize. I chose these machines for very different reasons.

First, the Giotto clocks in at $1799 and is a beast of a machine. It has a true E61 group head, a nickel-plated 1.8-liter boiler, a Sirai pressure stat, and gravity-fed water reservoir, all within a beautiful, stainless steel body. The performance and build quality of this machine are well documented, from the days when it was made by ECM until now, after Rocket Espresso split off into its own company. As with all of the Prosumer machines, the Giotto Premium Plus is very durable, with the life expectancy of 10+ years, provided you keep up with regular cleaning and maintenance. When you factor in the decade-long life expectancy, $1799 for a machine is not bad at all. We handle the warranty work for Rocket Espresso machines, and are available for all of your parts, as well as, after-sale service and technical support needs.

The Expobar Office Lever is priced at $1299. Shot-performance wise, I would put this machine head-to-head against any of the other Prosumer machine with confidence. It sports a 1.75 liter boiler, no burn steam arm, and a true E61 group head. The Expobar line is also supported by us in-house; so any parts, servicing and tech-support needed after the sale would be directly through us. The Expobar Lever is a solid choice, but if you’re looking at this machine, you may also want to consider getting the Office Lever Plus. For an extra $50, you’ll be able to plumb the machine.

There you have it; these are my top picks for prosumer espresso machines that offer the “Best Bang for Your Buck.” Keep an eye out for my next blog; I’ll be offering up my take on grinders.

It's hard to find quality workmanship nowadays, but Milan-based Rocket Espresso delivers just that—handmade machines that look like a dream and perform even better. Armed with a mission to revive the legendary ECM home espresso machines, namely the Cellini and Giotto models, Rocket Espresso continues to innovate and build upon its rich heritage. This brings us to the company's newest debuts, the exceedingly impressive Cellini and Giotto Evoluzione.

Water Options
Rocket Espresso considers the Evoluzione line, available in the Giotto and Cellini body styles, its most versatile range. The Evoluzione machines can be plumbed, for a professional brewing experience. If you're the type to make heavy use of your machine or if you intend to use it in an office setting, connecting to a water line may be the way to go. You won't have to worry about refilling your water tank and will always have fresh water on hand. Both the Cellini Evoluzione and Giotto Evoluzione come with 2.9-liter water reservoirs, so you also have the option of filling the machine yourself, if you prefer. There is an in-line filter that will help trap large particles, if you're drawing your water from the reservoir; otherwise you have the option of installing a water conditioning system when you plumb the machine. Unique to the Cellini Evoluzione and Giotto Evoluzione, a switch located behind the water reservoir, allows you to seamlessly alternate between using plumbed lines or the contents water tank to steam and brew. The Evoluzione range also comes equipped with electronic controls that monitor boiler and reservoir water levels. A light, located on the front panel of the machine will flash, should the unit need to be refilled.

Additionally, the Giotto and Cellini Evoluzione have a unique drip tray that can be plumbed, so that you never have to empty it or worry about it overflowing. To plumb, simply remove the plug, located at the base of the drip tray and connect the water line (included with the machine) into the fitting. Make sure it's secure and you're all set.

Under Pressure
Built with commercial capabilities but modified to fit the household, Evoluzione machines have rotary pumps for quiet operation. A rotary machine has a distinct advantage over vibration pump units in that it builds brew pressure quicker upon startup.The design of the pump paves the way to allow users to adjust brew pressure, which Rocket Espresso takes full advantage of by integrating a screw into the base of the Giotto and Cellini Evoluzione that will enable you to make external brew pressure adjustments. Steam pressure can be modified using a separate screw, located within the machine. Additionally, two professional grade Sirai pressure stats, mounted on the front of panel of the unit lets you easily monitor steam and brew pressure. Both the Giotto Evoluzione and Cellini Evoluzion will let you exert maximum control over brewing environment for professional results.

Some like it Hot
In addition to its impressive handling of brewing and steaming pressure, the Evoluzione line also meticulously guards against heat loss through sophisticated temperature controls. As with all Rocket Espresso models the Cellini Evoluzion and Giotto Evoluzione feature chrome-plated brass E61 brew groups and horizontally mounted, nickel-plated copper boilers with brass endplates. A 1200-watt heating element ensures that warm-up time is kept to a minimal and Rocket Espresso's Thermosyphon System circulates hot water throughout the entire unit to maintain optimal machine temperature. The Evoluzione line won't go cold on you; that's for sure! This heat stability is going to deliver temperature-consistent shots that rival those pulled from a commercial machine.

With the Giotto Evoluzione and Cellini Evoluzione, you'll also have the option of pre-infusing your coffee to extract flavorful espresso. Simply push the handle to brew up half way if you wish to pre-infuse or lift it all the way up if you just want to extract. In addition, the unit comes with a no-burn steam wand that doubles as a hot water dispenser to allow you to create a variety of beverages from Americanos to lattes and cappuccinos. Evoluzione machines come with two portafilters, one for single-shot and the other for double-shot espresso. You'll also get a group brush, blackflush disc and coffee scoop.

The Giotto Evoluzione and Cellini Evoluzione are serious espresso machines designed with the coffee enthusiasts in mind. Beneath their shiny stainless steel exteriors, lie state-of-the art technology and innovative construction that is second to none. Take a close look at an Evoluzione machine if you're ready for a prosumer espresso machine with plenty of brewing power.