Gail is the real deal. Plainspoken, matter of fact, to the point, and entirely trustworthy. An excellent spokesperson for SCG. Gail you've really earned your esteemed place in the global coffee community.
Yes, the E61 brew-head/group was invented by the same guys who founded the Vibiemme (aka: VBM) espresso machine company -- after (or before?) they left Faema (another Italian espresso/coffee machine company). That's one reason I chose a VBM: a Domobar Super HX Rotary Manual (a "switchable" model so it can be plumbed or use a water tank, whichever way you want for a given situation). And the VBM's E61 brew-head/group is the "original" one (and the heaviest, IIRC, @ 9lbs) -- all the other brands (I guess) copied the E61 under license from VBM. The E61 brew-head has been dominant on prosumer & commercial espresso machines for decades...only fairly recently have other systems (such as "saturated group") come along. But still, buying a semi-automatic machine today with "only" an E61 group is no real disadvantage whatsoever, as they STILL make great espresso. ETA: True, do not take these machines apart so you don't void the warranty, but it's also true that these prosumer-class machines ARE designed/made to be "end user maintained/repaired" so it's expected (for several reasons) owners will be working on them at some point and they are BUILT with that in mind (and built-to-last 20-30 years if maintained properly, unlike appliance-class machines) -- it goes with the territory of owning prosumer-class machines. ONE reason for that is shipping a HEAVY (and fragile/very expensive) machine back & forth to a shop is problematical (for several reasons, including costly shipping charges). Still, don't mess with them until AFTER the warranty period (or instructed to do so DURING the warranty with your dealer's technicians guiding you) but that depends on your store's/dealer's warranty/tech-support policies -- so check with them first! -- BR
The E61 is an excellent design and was perfect for the time, but I prefer what La Marzocco is doing with their saturated groups and piero group caps. The E61 does currently dominate the professional-home espresso market, but due to it's mechanical complexity I think it's inferior, and I am just waiting for the day that a saturated group dual boiler prosumer machine is released. La Marzocco's GS3 is an excellent choice but is way overpriced (nearly 8k). Something like the Quick Mill Andreja with the E61 is still my recommendation for under $2k.
Okay, I'm new to home espresso making. I got a Breville all in one (grinder up top, etc). Clearly the Breville is a budget machine. I like the results I get with it (usually an Americano drinker). I've never tried a machine like the Rocket that is discussed here. I guess my question is this: what more do I get from a machine like this? I'm guessing longevity and a more consistent brew, but curious what the experts say. Thanks in advance.
Nice review. I did enjoy the "what comes in the box" segment talking around both sides of the tamp without mentioning it. Which is appropriate for an aluminium tamp, but gave me a chuckle
Owned this little beauty for 3 years. Now she enjoys a well deserved retirement at my beach condo, I have too many (and better) machines. Honestly there’s nothing better for that amount of money. Piece of advice from a sca pro : you can’t brew and steam at the same time with the Appartamento. What you did (but can’t see, because there’s only one gauge) was basically bypassing brew pressure to the steam wand. Your espresso shot had to be poor in consequence and your steam pressure wasn’t high enough.
when making ice drip coffee i would suggest putting it in one of those plastic cooler boxes. it will give a more mellow taste due there being no outside factors like the heater or AC blasting at the tower
@@jonnycodling15 i love this grinder.......the grinder looks great and the grinding results are very good for this price class and its easy to clean......in my opinion way better than the eureka specialita.
@@Thomas_8490 the Faustino sure is great, but I guess you know that all rocket grinder are made by eureka. I think the faustino is the same as the mignon perfetto
Great review! I notice the pressure dropping down to 0.65 Bar when using the steam wand brewing. Some say this machine has too high a pump pressure, perhaps this method is one solution, but maybe too low a pressure?
I’m sorry if that sounds like a stupid question but is there a big difference (especially with the price difference) between the rocket appartamento model and la marzocco mini. I mean a difference that justifies the price. I am looking for a machine that gives an amazing espresso crema. I can’t with nespresso pods anymore, it’s too weak. Thank you !
Are you able to leave the Rocket Appartamento on at all times to avoid the warm up times in the morning? I've been told that may even be better than turning on and off everyday to avoid the expansion and retraction on the gaskets and seals everyday. Thoughts?
Hello Gail , I really enjoy all the reviews you have done..thank you!! Finally figured out how to comment.. Would love to have your opinion on a comparison with four espresso machines (below) but on the quality of the actual espresso (no milk) Most important for me is no cheap metal for aftertaste, no cheap plastic or rubber commig in contact with the liquids (as little as possible) a standard quality portafilter with well perforated holes (58 mm..?) ☆A bottomless portafilter ☆ Good pressure for firm tamping, No gadgets On and Off brewing mode is good for me Just plane excellent European oily style espresso with lots of crema In my price range: • Capresso ec Pro •Avanti Capri •Ascaso Basic V2 •Gaggia Classic Pro Thank you very much ! Best regards Eric Z
Nice review, but how noisey is the Vib pump compared to the rotary pumps of the other rocket machines I have an R58 (6yrs old) and looking to get a smaller machine.
A year later, if no one answered, but the Profitec 500 has more features, I'd go with that. Unless there's a big price difference that's too prohibitive.
Hello, this has been bothering me for a bit. I have this machine from you guys, I do love it, but #1 also when i am making my drinks like you in the video, the boiler pressure drops well out of the green zone. Does it not need be in that zone to generate the right pressure for extraction. I notice its worse if my milk is cold needing more steam time too. #2 ,Also I am still getting soupy pucks with about 25 sec -30 sec extraction time. How do i fix this. Thanks
@lampshade: Don't worry: The Italians have been using HX (Heat Exchanger) machines for over 120 years to make excellent espresso...and of course, they had no PID! The design of the E61 brew-head maintains its temp about 200F degrees spot-on. Just get used to the "water dance" (aka: cooling flush) all HX machines share if you let them sit a while...but you'll get used to it. Don't want to mess with cooling flushes? Then get a DB (Double Boiler) machine instead of a HX...MIGHT need a warming flush for the brew-head, but no cooling flush. Happy Espresso-ing, -- BR
I just bought this baby and I cannot wait for it to get here soon! I am however not ready to argue with my parents (I take care of them) because they're going to judge my expensive purchase LOL
@@xXAssasinXx2456 It has been great these past four months. The shots are always consistent and delicious, but that's because I attached a thermometer on the grouphead. Before it was giving me bitter overly extracted coffee despite having a shot extract at 25-30 mark. I soon found that I wasn't flushing enough water and my shots were being pulled at 220F. I would only pull an ounce of water. This machine doesn't have a huge learning curve, but it takes some getting used to. If you have the extra cash get a machine with PID, but if this doesn't bother you then I recommend the Rocket Appartamento.
My apartamento seems to be pushing too much water through the portafilter. I have tried the finest grind setting on a Mazzer grinder with new burrs, and it still goes fast. The tamp is also tight and even. Not sure what's going on 😭
The pressure on these stock are very high for some reason. James Hoffmann did a good review of the situation. You'll need to go in and twist a nut to reduce it closer to 9 bars.
@@SarinEA Thanks! I did ask the company I bought it from and they said it is pre-adjusted to 9 bars from factory now. Now, should I trust it? I don't know haha
3 года назад
@@toritowalker No, I had to ajust a week ago, from factory it was 11bar
Any Appartamento owners out there... is it normal to get loads of steam through the hot water arm? On mine, it doesn't give quite the same level of steam as the steam arm but it's about 60% steam to 40% water. I mean, it works but the noise scares the hell out of my cat :)
Maybe someone here knows more about this: I bought this machine and we have been trying to make espresso with it. The pressure was at around 1 bar, we used the Baratza Forté AP to grind at 2K (settings go between 1A and 10Z), which is recommended for Espresso, we tampered very lightly but the water only starts dripping at around 40 seconds and a shot is done in maybe 2-3 minutes. Way to slow of course. Is the machine somehow broken? And even though we used the recommended setting for the coffee, is it too fine? The water barely goes through even if we just flatten it with the tamper without pressure. Coarser coffee works, but I think even 1A should work with the machine if not tampered to much, right? Espresso is supposed to use very fine coffee, right?
Benjamin Göller if water barely goes thru your grinder setting is too fine. Darker oily roasts require more coarse setting. Tamper pressure should be about 30lbs/13kg use bathroom scale to get the feeling of how much you have to press. Extraction time should take about 25-30 seconds. Grinder setting will change if you switch coffee blends. If that fails return machine to the store, or ask them to show you how to work it. Good luck.
@@paul_iFomo Hey thanks, the info with the oil in heavy roasts was a really good hint. We have very dark beans and you were right: Less fine and less coffee overall worked! The crema is not perfect yet, but that might also because of the 100 % arabica. The only thing that still confuses me is the pressure. You said 13 kg whilst I mostly read 25-30 kg (not lbs) pressure, which is a huge (!) difference. As for me right now 13 kg works better, as more pressure causes the coffee to not flow, but I wonder what is better: Coarser coffee but 25 kg pressure or finer coffee and 13 kg pressure. Ideas?
I don't get it; why buy this when Breville 980xl has PID, auto wake, volumetric control as well as time control, two separate boilers at 2/3 of the price? I am genuinely asking, no hate.
personal preference ? company behind the machine ? the look of the machine affect buying decision as well. I myself have VBM domobar rotary , which has similar look like Rocket App.
"why buy this when Breville 980xl has PID, auto wake, volumetric control as well as time control, two separate boilers at 2/3 of the price?" -- Jason Mainly because ANY Breville -- regardless of cost -- is an appliance-class machine, not prosumer-class. BIG difference in how they are made & materials used, and some of us prefer to go prosumer. Also, Breville is not "Made in Italy!" Ciao! -- BR
Yea I agree that the breville is built with cheaper parts and most of them need fixing after 1 year mark of heavy use. There's no doubt that Italian made machines are built like a tank.
@@jasonokazaki5893 Yes...but with appliance-class products (whatever they are, not just espresso machines), most buyers KNOW they don't last long and just buy another one when they break. No big deal for them... Also, IIRC Breville does NOT want owners working on their machines -- they want them sent back to Breville for repairs/service. Not so with prosumer-class machines, as they are designed & built to be worked on by the "end user." Again, that's one difference between appliance and prosumer. -- BR
Haha i like this woman so much! No bullshit, easy peasy and important informations. So efficient. :'p i want this coffee machine! But is there a version i can hook up to a water supply instead? Maybe with a faster heatup time?
I'm really tempted to upgrade from an Appartamento to a Giotto Chronometro. They're within reach of one another price wise, and I think you'll get more features for not much more $$
woosha10 still like it? Trying to decide on my next espresso machine. Sort of considering waiting a while longer and getting the Linea Mini, but... you know, it’s 5 grand versus 1700 for the Rocket.
I have never seen Gail or other answering here, so (sadly) don't expect anyone at SCG to respond... So I will try to answer: It depends on (1) how long an HX machine has been warming up and (2) how long it was sitting idle AFTER warming up. Personal example: When I let my VBM Super HX warm up for 20 minutes, no cooling flush needed. If left warming up for 30 minutes, cooling flush DEFINITELY needed. -- BR
Bill is correct, if you use it right as it comes to temp it will not require a cooling flush. If you let it fully saturate over 30 minutes to an hour you will definitely want to do a cooling flush. -Brian, SCG repair department
Gail hates coffee - what you see here is yet another example of a video made under duress. She simply feigns a love for coffee so that Kat, her kidnapper, will allow her to have food. Ever wonder why we havent seen her for like 10 years? Wake up, sheeple!
Turn on 20 mins before use - this kinda seems like a bad purchase if you’ve got to carve out 20 mins to make an espresso. In a hurry, you’d surely be out of luck. I know I typically am in a rush to get ready for work.
@sherlock (?) Then you're not a semi-automatic espresso machine person (you just don't get it, nor understand the true espresso scene). For you a super-automatic machine would be better. Some people just want to "push buttons and see espresso/steamed milk drinks come out" -- that's okay, too. Conversely, people who use semi-automatic espresso machine are NOT in any hurry. They like the WHOLE PROCESS (science & art) of making espresso on them as much as they like the taste of the product itself. It's another world entirely -- two completely night/day different kinds of people/mindsets. So if you can't grasp the "time factor," fine, but don't make judgements based on ignorance. -- BR
Bill Redding sounds like your semi-automatic espresso machine makes some stellar coffee with a side of pretentiousness. I’ll give you a big eye-roll for your incredibly condescending remark.
@@SherlockChromesSFY You deserve any "condescending" remark...but you kind of brought it on yourself as I thought you were dismissing these machines because "they take to long to warm up" which I thought was a pretty shallow (and ignorant) reason, as there IS a reason these machines NEED such time to warm up: Unlike a lightweight appliance-class machines, prosumer-class machines are HEAVY (if they're NOT, something's wrong) -- they're made of heavy copper, brass and stainless steel. For example, my VBM machine weighs about 82 lbs, so that "weight" takes a while to warm up. Additionally, the entire "espresso-brewing drive-train" (if you will) -- including the portafilter -- needs to be heated up to the proper brewing temp (about 200F) and that takes a while. But for those of us who buy these machines, it's part of the "espresso making ritual" and we don't see it as a negative. Besides, I'm retired...no having to rush off to work -- if I did, I'd probably just stop at a Starbucks and be done with it, yes? Or have instant coffee. Or set my Drip coffee-maker to turn on 30 minutes before I wake up. But I like home-made espresso/Cappuccinos, and so I went with a heavyweight prosumer machine: Espresso-making bling (if you will). Next time, please try to get WHY something is the way it is (as in this case, warm-up times for prosumer machines) instead of right up front criticizing it. Now you know a bit more about the subject. Even for us though (prosumer machine users) the learnign curve was steep, so it took us a while to get even the basics, but we wouldn't buy a super-automatic espresso machine, partly because no matter how much they cost ($10-15K or more) they still can't produce espresso as good as a prosumer semi-automatic machine can. Plus, the owner of a semi-auto machine has to know a whole lot (a real Barista is amazing) as they control the ENTIRE espresso-making process -- water quality/chemistry, brewing temp, bean choice, bean roast level, grind size, shot timing, milk steaming (proper microfoam), etc. ("Latte Art" optional) -- no buttons to push where the machine does all that for you (even if not as well). But again, that's what we like also: Total control over the process...and only us to blame (not the machine/grinder, or the beans -- if they're not stale!) if the espresso doesn't come out right. -- BR
I like my Jura E8 i just bought but i can see why some might want the machine that lets you "do" it instead of having it done for you. But im lazy so it works for me. HA!! ;)
Why would U even prefer a manual machine over a automatic machine. I would never ever ever EVER, period, prefer automatic machines over the semi-automatic.
Cio Dokop its the visceral process of grinding with top line unit, tamping the fresh grind snugging the porta filter throwing the arm etc. Much more involvement and satisfaction. I guess you have to be there. I'm off to crank up the old (10 yrs.) ECM Giotto made thousands of excellent shots for lattes americanos etc. Cheers😎
The Silvia is a domestic machine with domestic parts. The apartmento is a mix of commercial and domestic, much more enthusiastic. Compare boiler sizes for example
Not for me. Saw plastic tubing in there. A good espresso machine should have a copper, stainless steel, or glass water tank, a copper boiler, and all copper tubing, even for cold water. This manufacturer should be ashamed of themselves to sell a machine at this price with plastic inside.
@@BensCoffeeRants yeah I dived deeper into prosumer machines last 2 months and figured this out already. I also noticed funny that cheap plastic machines want to imitate machines like this and they put cup shelf on the top, with is ofcourse does not work in plastic coffie machines because they don't have to warm up warming cups on the way
vsboy 25 lol I'm a melennial on disability cuz brain tumor / brain surgery. Most I can afford is my capresso ec pro which is a pile of crap compared to this.
It is extremely disheartening when you invest a very large sum of money in an espresso machine from what you hope will be a reputable brand, only to discover you will be let down on parts! After waiting a month for a simple inexpensive part I am informed by the local distributor that it will be at least another month; no guarantee. Meanwhile the owner of Rocket Espresso, Mr Andrew Meo, swans around Italy on his bicycle; perhaps he should focus on his business rather than his image on social media. I would certainly NOT recommend Rocket Espresso as all you will end up with is a very expensive useless hunk of junk. 🤬
Gail is the real deal. Plainspoken, matter of fact, to the point, and entirely trustworthy. An excellent spokesperson for SCG. Gail you've really earned your esteemed place in the global coffee community.
By far the coolest person on RUclips when it comes to coffee.
Decentralised Chain I conquer 😍
when will we get Gail to talk to James Hoffmann???
James Hoffman surely as cool
Agreed!
Totally agree👍🏻
The Appartamento is probably one of the best espresso machines ever made. Well worth the coin if you really appreciate coffee.
Very helpful- great introduction to the machine. Thanks!
I actually got this machine yesterday, it’s awesome.
Which website I can find it ?
Yes, the E61 brew-head/group was invented by the same guys who founded the Vibiemme (aka: VBM) espresso machine company -- after (or before?) they left Faema (another Italian espresso/coffee machine company). That's one reason I chose a VBM: a Domobar Super HX Rotary Manual (a "switchable" model so it can be plumbed or use a water tank, whichever way you want for a given situation).
And the VBM's E61 brew-head/group is the "original" one (and the heaviest, IIRC, @ 9lbs) -- all the other brands (I guess) copied the E61 under license from VBM. The E61 brew-head has been dominant on prosumer & commercial espresso machines for decades...only fairly recently have other systems (such as "saturated group") come along.
But still, buying a semi-automatic machine today with "only" an E61 group is no real disadvantage whatsoever, as they STILL make great espresso.
ETA: True, do not take these machines apart so you don't void the warranty, but it's also true that these prosumer-class machines ARE designed/made to be "end user maintained/repaired" so it's expected (for several reasons) owners will be working on them at some point and they are BUILT with that in mind (and built-to-last 20-30 years if maintained properly, unlike appliance-class machines) -- it goes with the territory of owning prosumer-class machines. ONE reason for that is shipping a HEAVY (and fragile/very expensive) machine back & forth to a shop is problematical (for several reasons, including costly shipping charges).
Still, don't mess with them until AFTER the warranty period (or instructed to do so DURING the warranty with your dealer's technicians guiding you) but that depends on your store's/dealer's warranty/tech-support policies -- so check with them first!
-- BR
The E61 is an excellent design and was perfect for the time, but I prefer what La Marzocco is doing with their saturated groups and piero group caps. The E61 does currently dominate the professional-home espresso market, but due to it's mechanical complexity I think it's inferior, and I am just waiting for the day that a saturated group dual boiler prosumer machine is released. La Marzocco's GS3 is an excellent choice but is way overpriced (nearly 8k). Something like the Quick Mill Andreja with the E61 is still my recommendation for under $2k.
Okay, I'm new to home espresso making. I got a Breville all in one (grinder up top, etc). Clearly the Breville is a budget machine. I like the results I get with it (usually an Americano drinker). I've never tried a machine like the Rocket that is discussed here. I guess my question is this: what more do I get from a machine like this? I'm guessing longevity and a more consistent brew, but curious what the experts say. Thanks in advance.
Really glad this little channel is taking off. Good for you guys!
Nice review. I did enjoy the "what comes in the box" segment talking around both sides of the tamp without mentioning it. Which is appropriate for an aluminium tamp, but gave me a chuckle
Big love from Bahrain, and God bless you. Your videos are very helpful
Friend of mine got this machine as his introduction to espresso. Never had a God damn machine before......so jealous.
buy it used from him if he gets bored XD ... or not ,,, if he uses unfiltered tap water
I did too I thought it was a good into machine?
Damnit Gail. You’re just too convincing. Me now wants one. Thanks for the great video.
Always a pleasure when Gale shows up on my feed. Love to see what they have in store.
Owned this little beauty for 3 years.
Now she enjoys a well deserved retirement at my beach condo, I have too many (and better) machines.
Honestly there’s nothing better for that amount of money.
Piece of advice from a sca pro : you can’t brew and steam at the same time with the Appartamento. What you did (but can’t see, because there’s only one gauge) was basically bypassing brew pressure to the steam wand. Your espresso shot had to be poor in consequence and your steam pressure wasn’t high enough.
What do you think about ECM Synchronika? anything better?
Easy to use and clean. Coffee tastes great. Love it!
when making ice drip coffee i would suggest putting it in one of those plastic cooler boxes.
it will give a more mellow taste due there being no outside factors like the heater or AC blasting at the tower
Bought the mozzafiato evoluzione r with the faustino yesterday.
I wandet to buy the fausto grinder but my kitchen is to small.
What are your thoughts on the faustino?
@@jonnycodling15 i love this grinder.......the grinder looks great and the grinding results are very good for this price class and its easy to clean......in my opinion way better than the eureka specialita.
@@Thomas_8490 the Faustino sure is great, but I guess you know that all rocket grinder are made by eureka.
I think the faustino is the same as the mignon perfetto
Just about to purchase this machine in Australia. Enjoy your videos Gail.
woosha10 where did u get it from?
Great review!
I notice the pressure dropping down to 0.65 Bar when using the steam wand brewing.
Some say this machine has too high a pump pressure, perhaps this method is one solution, but maybe too low a pressure?
What a great video! Love your personality! Subscribed!
I’m sorry if that sounds like a stupid question but is there a big difference (especially with the price difference) between the rocket appartamento model and la marzocco mini. I mean a difference that justifies the price. I am looking for a machine that gives an amazing espresso crema. I can’t with nespresso pods anymore, it’s too weak. Thank you !
Great video, one question though... Is the (pressure?) gauge suppose to go under the green when pouring the shot?
should be in green !
My go to channel for reviews and just getting to know what's good.
Love it thanks.
Are you able to leave the Rocket Appartamento on at all times to avoid the warm up times in the morning? I've been told that may even be better than turning on and off everyday to avoid the expansion and retraction on the gaskets and seals everyday. Thoughts?
Hello Gail ,
I really enjoy all the reviews you have done..thank you!!
Finally figured out how to comment..
Would love to have your opinion on a comparison with four espresso machines (below) but on the quality of the actual espresso (no milk)
Most important for me is no cheap metal for aftertaste, no cheap plastic or rubber commig in contact with the liquids (as little as possible)
a standard quality portafilter with well perforated holes (58 mm..?)
☆A bottomless portafilter ☆
Good pressure for firm tamping,
No gadgets
On and Off brewing mode is good for me
Just plane excellent European oily style espresso with lots of crema
In my price range:
• Capresso ec Pro
•Avanti Capri
•Ascaso Basic V2
•Gaggia Classic Pro
Thank you very much !
Best regards
Eric Z
Nice review, but how noisey is the Vib pump compared to the rotary pumps of the other rocket machines
I have an R58 (6yrs old) and looking to get a smaller machine.
“creamy and caramel….I concur”! 😆👍
And how does it compare to Bezzera BZ10. Which one to choose (at the same price I can have)?
Love your reviews...all of the above! Thanks 😊😊😊
Can you pull espresso and steam milk at the same time? Looked like she did with this machine
Hai gayle,would you buy this or profitec 500 pid? Please answer. Thanks alot
A year later, if no one answered, but the Profitec 500 has more features, I'd go with that. Unless there's a big price difference that's too prohibitive.
This is like my dream coffee machine for home use
me too
Just bought one this week🥰
Gail is the expert of experts!
what kind of glass and size (in oz) is Gail using for her drink?
I just bought nera apartamento and faustino grinder, is that a good choice i made? Ty
I wanted to Classika ECM but now thinking to get Rocket. Just waiting for 2020 bonus.
Is this a good machine for a mobile coffee truck?
Hello, this has been bothering me for a bit. I have this machine from you guys, I do love it, but #1 also when i am making my drinks like you in the video, the boiler pressure drops well out of the green zone. Does it not need be in that zone to generate the right pressure for extraction. I notice its worse if my milk is cold needing more steam time too. #2 ,Also I am still getting soupy pucks with about 25 sec -30 sec extraction time. How do i fix this. Thanks
For your pucks, I would suggest increasing the dose and grinding courser. As for pressure I wouldn’t worry too much, sounds normal.
Would you say the appartamento is superior in terms of quality and features to the ascaso Steel PID? Can’t decide ....
Really wondering between this one and the Breville Dual Boiler...
What did you decide on? I'm looking at this to upgrade my BBE
@@cliffbeneventi still waiting for a good price
Great vid Gail and team !
Yeah, I love the look of this little machine and even without a PID, I'm seriously considering it
@lampshade:
Don't worry: The Italians have been using HX (Heat Exchanger) machines for over 120 years to make excellent espresso...and of course, they had no PID!
The design of the E61 brew-head maintains its temp about 200F degrees spot-on. Just get used to the "water dance" (aka: cooling flush) all HX machines share if you let them sit a while...but you'll get used to it.
Don't want to mess with cooling flushes? Then get a DB (Double Boiler) machine instead of a HX...MIGHT need a warming flush for the brew-head, but no cooling flush.
Happy Espresso-ing,
-- BR
@@billredding2000 thanks! ☺
@@lampshade452 :-)
Thanks for all your help.
What a pleasure to watch. You are fantastic
I just bought this baby and I cannot wait for it to get here soon! I am however not ready to argue with my parents (I take care of them) because they're going to judge my expensive purchase LOL
How is it?
@@xXAssasinXx2456 It has been great these past four months. The shots are always consistent and delicious, but that's because I attached a thermometer on the grouphead. Before it was giving me bitter overly extracted coffee despite having a shot extract at 25-30 mark. I soon found that I wasn't flushing enough water and my shots were being pulled at 220F. I would only pull an ounce of water. This machine doesn't have a huge learning curve, but it takes some getting used to. If you have the extra cash get a machine with PID, but if this doesn't bother you then I recommend the Rocket Appartamento.
@@chavitavb Awesome, I have a Gaggia Classic Pro and I will likely upgrade next year.
@@chavitavb thats the reason why i bought the rancilio silvia pro pid makes a huge difference imo especially at the same price point
My apartamento seems to be pushing too much water through the portafilter. I have tried the finest grind setting on a Mazzer grinder with new burrs, and it still goes fast. The tamp is also tight and even. Not sure what's going on 😭
The pressure on these stock are very high for some reason. James Hoffmann did a good review of the situation. You'll need to go in and twist a nut to reduce it closer to 9 bars.
@@SarinEA Thanks! I did ask the company I bought it from and they said it is pre-adjusted to 9 bars from factory now. Now, should I trust it? I don't know haha
@@toritowalker No, I had to ajust a week ago, from factory it was 11bar
@ Oh man, I might have to do that too then 😭
Can the steam/hot water valves be changed for taps on this machine ?
"...just guessing"
lol, Gail the legend.
Any Appartamento owners out there... is it normal to get loads of steam through the hot water arm? On mine, it doesn't give quite the same level of steam as the steam arm but it's about 60% steam to 40% water. I mean, it works but the noise scares the hell out of my cat :)
Yes same with my machine
How do you know how many grams went into the Porta filter?
Maybe someone here knows more about this: I bought this machine and we have been trying to make espresso with it. The pressure was at around 1 bar, we used the Baratza Forté AP to grind at 2K (settings go between 1A and 10Z), which is recommended for Espresso, we tampered very lightly but the water only starts dripping at around 40 seconds and a shot is done in maybe 2-3 minutes. Way to slow of course. Is the machine somehow broken? And even though we used the recommended setting for the coffee, is it too fine? The water barely goes through even if we just flatten it with the tamper without pressure. Coarser coffee works, but I think even 1A should work with the machine if not tampered to much, right? Espresso is supposed to use very fine coffee, right?
Benjamin Göller if water barely goes thru your grinder setting is too fine.
Darker oily roasts require more coarse setting. Tamper pressure should be about 30lbs/13kg use bathroom scale to get the feeling of how much you have to press. Extraction time should take about 25-30 seconds. Grinder setting will change if you switch coffee blends. If that fails return machine to the store, or ask them to show you how to work it. Good luck.
@@paul_iFomo Hey thanks, the info with the oil in heavy roasts was a really good hint. We have very dark beans and you were right: Less fine and less coffee overall worked! The crema is not perfect yet, but that might also because of the 100 % arabica.
The only thing that still confuses me is the pressure. You said 13 kg whilst I mostly read 25-30 kg (not lbs) pressure, which is a huge (!) difference. As for me right now 13 kg works better, as more pressure causes the coffee to not flow, but I wonder what is better: Coarser coffee but 25 kg pressure or finer coffee and 13 kg pressure. Ideas?
I don't get it; why buy this when Breville 980xl has PID, auto wake, volumetric control as well as time control, two separate boilers at 2/3 of the price?
I am genuinely asking, no hate.
personal preference ? company behind the machine ? the look of the machine affect buying decision as well. I myself have VBM domobar rotary , which has similar look like Rocket App.
"why buy this when Breville 980xl has PID, auto wake, volumetric control
as well as time control, two separate boilers at 2/3 of the price?" -- Jason
Mainly because ANY Breville -- regardless of cost -- is an appliance-class machine, not prosumer-class. BIG difference in how they are made & materials used, and some of us prefer to go prosumer. Also, Breville is not "Made in Italy!"
Ciao!
-- BR
@@koaminsamudera235 I also have the "VBM Domobar Super HX Rotary Manual Switchable." :-)
-- BR
Yea I agree that the breville is built with cheaper parts and most of them need fixing after 1 year mark of heavy use. There's no doubt that Italian made machines are built like a tank.
@@jasonokazaki5893 Yes...but with appliance-class products (whatever they are, not just espresso machines), most buyers KNOW they don't last long and just buy another one when they break. No big deal for them...
Also, IIRC Breville does NOT want owners working on their machines -- they want them sent back to Breville for repairs/service. Not so with prosumer-class machines, as they are designed & built to be worked on by the "end user."
Again, that's one difference between appliance and prosumer.
-- BR
Hi guys. Would you recommend this machine for a small coffee shop that can serve at least 50-100 cups a day?
Nope
Haha i like this woman so much! No bullshit, easy peasy and important informations. So efficient. :'p i want this coffee machine! But is there a version i can hook up to a water supply instead? Maybe with a faster heatup time?
make a new review video about lamarzocco linea mini
I'm really tempted to upgrade from an Appartamento to a Giotto Chronometro. They're within reach of one another price wise, and I think you'll get more features for not much more $$
Do it, it's the right thing to do.
I would recommend taking a look at dual boilers. You can get a good dual boiler for around the same price as the Giotto V.
Hi Gail, what's the model of the grinder in this video?
That’s the Rocket Faustino.
Does this pull noticeably better shots than say Barista express?
Got mine today and it’s awesome
woosha10 still like it? Trying to decide on my next espresso machine. Sort of considering waiting a while longer and getting the Linea Mini, but... you know, it’s 5 grand versus 1700 for the Rocket.
Hey Gail! Shouldn't you have done a cooling flush before brewing? This is a heat exchange machine.
I have never seen Gail or other answering here, so (sadly) don't expect anyone at SCG to respond...
So I will try to answer: It depends on (1) how long an HX machine has been warming up and (2) how long it was sitting idle AFTER warming up.
Personal example: When I let my VBM Super HX warm up for 20 minutes, no cooling flush needed. If left warming up for 30 minutes, cooling flush DEFINITELY needed.
-- BR
Bill is correct, if you use it right as it comes to temp it will not require a cooling flush. If you let it fully saturate over 30 minutes to an hour you will definitely want to do a cooling flush.
-Brian, SCG repair department
OH man! now I have to go out and get a latte! Pavlovian responses.
Does Gail, like, really, really love coffee? And why? Serious question. Good to see you Gail. Your manner is relaxing.
Gail hates coffee - what you see here is yet another example of a video made under duress. She simply feigns a love for coffee so that Kat, her kidnapper, will allow her to have food. Ever wonder why we havent seen her for like 10 years?
Wake up, sheeple!
Turn on 20 mins before use - this kinda seems like a bad purchase if you’ve got to carve out 20 mins to make an espresso. In a hurry, you’d surely be out of luck. I know I typically am in a rush to get ready for work.
You are right. I just started making pour overs and have to get up earlier to get it done. Its been worth it so far.
Just use a programmable power socket and organize yourself ;)
@sherlock (?)
Then you're not a semi-automatic espresso machine person (you just don't get it, nor understand the true espresso scene). For you a super-automatic machine would be better. Some people just want to "push buttons and see espresso/steamed milk drinks come out" -- that's okay, too.
Conversely, people who use semi-automatic espresso machine are NOT in any hurry. They like the WHOLE PROCESS (science & art) of making espresso on them as much as they like the taste of the product itself. It's another world entirely -- two completely night/day different kinds of people/mindsets.
So if you can't grasp the "time factor," fine, but don't make judgements based on ignorance.
-- BR
Bill Redding sounds like your semi-automatic espresso machine makes some stellar coffee with a side of pretentiousness. I’ll give you a big eye-roll for your incredibly condescending remark.
@@SherlockChromesSFY You deserve any "condescending" remark...but you kind of brought it on yourself as I thought you were dismissing these machines because "they take to long to warm up" which I thought was a pretty shallow (and ignorant) reason, as there IS a reason these machines NEED such time to warm up:
Unlike a lightweight appliance-class machines, prosumer-class machines are HEAVY (if they're NOT, something's wrong) -- they're made of heavy copper, brass and stainless steel. For example, my VBM machine weighs about 82 lbs, so that "weight" takes a while to warm up. Additionally, the entire "espresso-brewing drive-train" (if you will) -- including the portafilter -- needs to be heated up to the proper brewing temp (about 200F) and that takes a while. But for those of us who buy these machines, it's part of the "espresso making ritual" and we don't see it as a negative. Besides, I'm retired...no having to rush off to work -- if I did, I'd probably just stop at a Starbucks and be done with it, yes? Or have instant coffee. Or set my Drip coffee-maker to turn on 30 minutes before I wake up. But I like home-made espresso/Cappuccinos, and so I went with a heavyweight prosumer machine: Espresso-making bling (if you will).
Next time, please try to get WHY something is the way it is (as in this case, warm-up times for prosumer machines) instead of right up front criticizing it. Now you know a bit more about the subject. Even for us though (prosumer machine users) the learnign curve was steep, so it took us a while to get even the basics, but we wouldn't buy a super-automatic espresso machine, partly because no matter how much they cost ($10-15K or more) they still can't produce espresso as good as a prosumer semi-automatic machine can. Plus, the owner of a semi-auto machine has to know a whole lot (a real Barista is amazing) as they control the ENTIRE espresso-making process -- water quality/chemistry, brewing temp, bean choice, bean roast level, grind size, shot timing, milk steaming (proper microfoam), etc. ("Latte Art" optional) -- no buttons to push where the machine does all that for you (even if not as well). But again, that's what we like also: Total control over the process...and only us to blame (not the machine/grinder, or the beans -- if they're not stale!) if the espresso doesn't come out right.
-- BR
Kinda low on pressure no?
Lol no way I was just looking this up to buy an now your reviewing it gale....thanks!!!!
Review ariete espresso 1389 vintage ???
Gail, could you tell us what beans you used? I want to try this “creamy and caramel”, did you say?
Andrea Casey
Gail brewed Holler Mountain from Stumptown Roasters.
Thank you!
Love your videos Gail!
Miss you Gail!!!
Just bought it yesterday
Is that more affordable than the rocket 58?
R58 costs twice as much
Looks identical to the quick mill rubino
Come through, Gail! 🤗
I love Gail she is the queen of espresso
“A little better than sometimes!”
what a great persona
The grinder's name Plz.
Rocket Espresso Faustino
Love you Gail 👍🏼
I like my Jura E8 i just bought but i can see why some might want the machine that lets you "do" it instead of having it done for you. But im lazy so it works for me. HA!! ;)
Why would U even prefer a manual machine over a automatic machine. I would never ever ever EVER, period, prefer automatic machines over the semi-automatic.
Cio Dokop its the visceral process of grinding with top line unit, tamping the fresh grind snugging the porta filter throwing the arm etc. Much more involvement and satisfaction. I guess you have to be there. I'm off to crank up the old (10 yrs.) ECM Giotto made thousands of excellent shots for lattes americanos etc. Cheers😎
Brian Buday
Amazing:D
How does this little thing stack up to the Rancilio silvia?
Antoine Thisdale not in the same category.
It’s in a different class! It is so much better, they are not even in the same universe,
jules
Yeah ranclio is a good brand? But may I ask about the reliability
I an interested in one of their BYRO BYO Commercial machines.
The Silvia is a domestic machine with domestic parts. The apartmento is a mix of commercial and domestic, much more enthusiastic. Compare boiler sizes for example
Dogmatic Pyrrhonist
Oh
E61 was great in 1961 - it's 2019 - there are better heads (temp-stability + powercons.) but hey, people just like the "Bling" ;)
chefalbino what’s better now and why? Considering getting one of these in the next year or so.
I know I like my VBM Super HX "bling" -- it's Italian art...that just happens to make espresso.
What a coincidence...
;-)
-- BR
Meh... there's always "Something better". Yeah, Casios exist, but doesn't mean a Rolex is now worthless...
Forget the machine man. I just love her when she starts making sounds like wooho, opss, bips and stuff. 😃 Just love her...
I am Gail and I concur this coffee.
Saving begins now
Did you buy it yet?
@@BiiketeamCO no..... According to my girlfriend a house is more important that an espresso machine.
@@jamesgreenwood8728 hahaha savage
Nice machine 👍
Great video
HI Gail!!!!!
@9:07 evidence of a professional barista.
This beautiful Lady rock a big time 😍
Not for me. Saw plastic tubing in there. A good espresso machine should have a copper, stainless steel, or glass water tank, a copper boiler, and all copper tubing, even for cold water. This manufacturer should be ashamed of themselves to sell a machine at this price with plastic inside.
Right to repair is looking dicey
The tamper that comes with this machine is so bad
No scale? Seems kind of slapdash.
He believed he could. So he did.
did she just said that this machine needs 20 minutes to warm up? sweet Jesus!
You could use it right away but cold metal isn’t conducive to good coffee.
Pretty typical for relatively large boiler E61 machines. 20-30 mins.
@@BensCoffeeRants yeah I dived deeper into prosumer machines last 2 months and figured this out already. I also noticed funny that cheap plastic machines want to imitate machines like this and they put cup shelf on the top, with is ofcourse does not work in plastic coffie machines because they don't have to warm up warming cups on the way
You are soo cool
Rich people coffee machine well poor people like me have to use a Walmart coffee machine.
vsboy 25 friend of mine just got this as his first espresso machine. So jealous.
Spruce Mouthman I bet your friend has a great income.
vsboy 25 he has No job. Rich parents bought it for him.
Spruce Mouthman typical millennials.
vsboy 25 lol I'm a melennial on disability cuz brain tumor / brain surgery. Most I can afford is my capresso ec pro which is a pile of crap compared to this.
I love your videos and I have a huge crush on you
make the coffee already
It is extremely disheartening when you invest a very large sum of money in an espresso machine from what you hope will be a reputable brand, only to discover you will be let down on parts! After waiting a month for a simple inexpensive part I am informed by the local distributor that it will be at least another month; no guarantee.
Meanwhile the owner of Rocket Espresso, Mr Andrew Meo, swans around Italy on his bicycle; perhaps he should focus on his business rather than his image on social media.
I would certainly NOT recommend Rocket Espresso as all you will end up with is a very expensive useless hunk of junk.
🤬