Rocket Appartamento TCA Espresso Machine

TCA stands for Temperature Control Adjustment: you can choose the boiler pressure, and with it the temperature, on 4 levels from 0.9 to 1.2 bar. It leaves the factory on level 2 (Medium). Rocket states significantly better thermal stability and extraction consistency than the original Appartamento.

To change the level: with the machine off, raise the brew lever and switch on. When the light turns yellow, lower the lever within 3 seconds. The red light flashes once for level 1, twice for level 2 and so on: each time you raise and lower the lever you move to the next level. To save, hold the lever up until the light stays steady, about 3 seconds, then lower it. To exit, switch the machine off and on again.

All three share the same base: a 1.8 litre heat exchanger boiler and an E61 group, in a compact machine. The rest is different:

• Appartamento: the classic version, with no boiler pressure adjustment.
• Appartamento 2.0: the same size as the Appartamento, with the TCA electronics: a colour LED light, a tank sensor that lets you finish the shot even when the water is running low, and a deeper drip tray for tall cups. Compared with the TCA, the only thing it lacks is temperature adjustment.
• Appartamento TCA: it also lets you choose the boiler pressure, and with it the temperature, on 4 levels from 0.9 to 1.2 bar, and has an insulated boiler. Rocket states significantly better thermal stability than the original Appartamento.

Drinking water, filtered and soft: Rocket specifies a hardness of 4 to 7 °f (2-4 °dH). If yours is harder, use a softener, for example the bag that goes in the tank. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) guidelines point the same way: clean, odour-free water with a low but not zero mineral content.

Do not use distilled water or water that is too pure: the machine reads the boiler and tank levels through the water, and water with no minerals can throw these readings off.

It depends on how much you use it, but as a rule:

• after every espresso run a little water through the group (flush): it clears coffee residue from the shower screen;
• every day backflush with the blind filter and water only;
• every 1-2 weeks, more often if you use it a lot, backflush with espresso machine detergent.

Do not overdo the detergent: even in small amounts, over time it strips the grease from the gaskets and O-rings and dries them out.

Rocket also asks you to change the boiler water at least once a month, every two weeks with heavy use: the question on the boiler explains how.

With this routine and good quality water, the machine does not need descaling.

No. If you use the right water and keep up the routine (a flush after every coffee, a daily backflush with water and one with detergent every 1-2 weeks), descaling is not needed.

Rocket itself advises against it: descaling chemicals can corrode the inside of the machine and are hard to rinse out completely. If it is ever needed, an authorised Rocket service centre does it.

Rocket recommends changing the boiler water at least once a month, every two weeks with heavy use. You do not need to take anything apart: the pressure does the work.

Bring the machine up to temperature and switch it off. Straight away, with the boiler still hot and under pressure, open the hot water knob: the pressure pushes the water out through the wand. Repeat the operation twice. Keep a container under the wand that can take boiling water.

With the lever down, switch on and open the steam knob: the pump fills the boiler and, when it stops, close the knob. When the gauge reaches about 1 bar, open the steam for 5 seconds: this removes the vacuum in the boiler, which could otherwise suck milk back in. Wait for the gauge to get back to 1 bar, raise the lever, run a cup of hot water through the group and lower it again. You only do this the first time.

For the best espresso wait 15-18 minutes, until the group is fully hot. When you put the tank back, press it firmly down so that the tap at the bottom engages.

The one that matches the mains in your home. The 220 V version is for 220-240 V mains, the voltage in most of the world, Europe included; the 110 V version is for low-voltage mains, such as North America.

Before plugging it in, check that the rating plate matches your mains. If in doubt, write to us before ordering.