By: The Caffeinated Gear Team
The Rocket Appartamento TCA isn’t just another espresso machine update—it’s a complete reimagining of what home espresso can be.
After weeks of intensive testing, we’re genuinely impressed by how this machine balances classic Italian craftsmanship with modern innovation.
From its gorgeously redesigned curved edges to the brilliantly engineered angled E61 group head, the TCA’s refinements showcase Rocket’s commitment to both form and function.
For those new to the world of premium espresso machines, let us share some fascinating background about Rocket Espresso.
If you’re already familiar with the brand, feel free to click here to bypass my waffle and jump straight into our detailed review.
Rocket Espresso machines represent the finest in Italian espresso craftsmanship, and their meteoric rise in popularity is no accident.
Their story begins with a unique blend of passion for coffee and competitive cycling. Andrew Meo, a former professional cyclist and coffee shop owner, was distributing ECM home machines in New Zealand when an extraordinary opportunity arose.
Upon discovering ECM’s financial challenges, Meo and his partners made a bold move: acquiring the rights to the ECM Giotto and establishing a new brand focused on excellence.
Founded in 2007 with manufacturing based in Italy, Rocket Espresso brought on board the son of ECM’s founder, creating a perfect fusion of heritage and innovation.
The brand’s sporting roots run deep, attracting not just cyclists but also rugby players, footballers, and athletes across various disciplines who appreciate its precision engineering.
What truly excites us now is Rocket’s latest strategic moves. While maintaining their premium quality, they’re making these exceptional machines more accessible through innovative programmes.
Their new club espresso rental deal for the Appartamento TCA and Faustino grinder, alongside interest free credit options on their entire range, demonstrates their commitment to bringing professional-grade espresso into more homes.
These initiatives mark a brilliant strategy that we believe will introduce many coffee enthusiasts to the world of premium espresso making, without the initial financial hurdles or uncertainty.
For those familiar with the original Appartamento, the TCA represents a significant evolution.
The redesign brings rounded corners and an innovative angled E61 group that sets it apart from traditional designs. The enhanced build quality, featuring a single-piece chassis, ensures exceptional durability and stability.
We’re particularly impressed by how Rocket has addressed previous limitations. The TCA narrows the gap between the Appartamento and premium competitors like ECM and Profitec.
Two significant improvements stand out: the newly insulated boiler and the addition of PID temperature control. These updates directly address the most common feedback from the home barista community.
Previously, many coffee enthusiasts found themselves torn between the Appartamento’s stunning aesthetics and the Lelit Mara X’s temperature control capabilities. The TCA eliminates this compromise.
Beyond these core improvements, we appreciate the refined steam tip design and the ergonomically angled portafilter that makes tamping more natural and comfortable
Our extensive testing reveals very few drawbacks with the TCA.
One notable point: we expected more detailed temperature guidance. The manual focuses primarily on pressure settings rather than actual brewing temperatures. While the TCA offers four temperature settings, our testing suggests only two fall within ideal brewing ranges.
This isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, but it’s worth noting if temperature control is your primary motivation for choosing this model.
For those new to premium espresso machines, here’s what you need to know: The TCA is a heat exchanger machine featuring an E61 group with adjustable PID offering four brew temperatures and an adjustable OPV.
It uses a vibration pump and includes a premium 2.5L water tank with sophisticated low water detection. The entire unit is manufactured in Italy to exacting standards.
If you notice design similarities between the Appartamento and ECM machines, there’s good reason. As mentioned earlier, Rocket’s heritage traces back to ECM’s Giotto model.
While many appreciate the classic E61 aesthetic that pays homage to the original Faema machines, we’re thrilled to see Rocket push boundaries with the TCA’s design. The rounded corners and modern colour options make it more home-friendly, while the angular E61 group adds contemporary flair.
We particularly admire how Rocket maintains mechanical temperature adjustment rather than adding digital displays, preserving the tactile experience their enthusiasts value.
Let’s dive into the practical experience before exploring the technical specifications in detail.
For newcomers to traditional espresso machines, don’t let the premium status intimidate you. In our experience, the learning curve can actually be gentler than with many entry-level machines.
While it uses a vibration pump rather than a rotary pump (found in more expensive models), the noise level remains surprisingly manageable. Several design features contribute to this: the insulated boiler dampens sound, the rubber-mounted pump reduces vibration, and the robust steel construction prevents rattling.
The E61 group head operation brings a wonderful hands-on quality to espresso making. Instead of pushing buttons, you control extraction through the group lever—a truly engaging experience.
Pre-infusion is beautifully intuitive: raise the lever to 45 degrees for gentle water flow under boiler pressure, then fully lift for pump engagement.
The cool-touch steam wand proves practical beyond its safety features. While the rubber grip makes handling comfortable, we particularly value how milk simply slides off rather than baking on—a common frustration with traditional wands.
Steam power varies slightly with brew temperature settings, but at the factory preset (93°C and 1 bar pressure), it delivers impressive performance. The redesigned steam tip strikes an excellent balance between power and control, making milk texturing accessible for beginners while satisfying experienced baristas.
During our testing with Cworks Chocolate Brownie Blend, the factory temperature setting (93°C) produced consistently excellent results. We believe most users working with traditional espresso roasts will find the temperature control more than adequate.
For those seeking precise temperature control down to single-degree adjustments, a dual boiler machine might be more suitable. We’ll explore this in more detail below.
Let’s break down the technical specifications and explain the terminology in plain English, perfect for both newcomers and experienced baristas alike.
When it comes to heat exchanger machines, you’ll find a single boiler with an integrated pipe running to the group head that heats the brewing water. This differs from dual boiler machines, which feature separate boilers for espresso extraction.
While heat exchanger machines allow you to steam milk and pull shots back-to-back (just like dual boilers), they typically don’t offer the same precise temperature control you’d find in a dual boiler setup.
The generous 1.8L boiler size delivers impressive steam power – our tests showed it takes roughly 20 seconds to steam 150ml of milk to 60C using the factory temperature and pressure settings.
Regarding boiler construction, the copper material with T.E.A coating meets professional standards, and we’re particularly pleased to see that the new Appartamento includes insulation.
The decision to insulate the boiler makes perfect sense – while the cost savings of skipping insulation might be minimal, the TCA boiler’s insulation is a welcome addition.
You might smile at the irony of T.E.A coating in an espresso machine, but this special alloy coating serves an important purpose: enhancing resistance to both corrosion and oxidation.
When purchasing from Pro Espresso, they’ve provided an exclusive offer for our readers – a complimentary professional Rocket milk pitcher worth £43 with any Appartamento purchase. Take your pick between this one or this one. Simply add your chosen jug to your basket and use the code coffeeblog at checkout.
It’s important to note that while the rental package is limited to the black TCA model with black circles and includes the Faustino grinder, Pro Espresso offers 2-year interest-free credit on all Rocket machine colours and models.
TCA/PID
TCA (Temperature Control Adjustment) is one of many abbreviations you’ll encounter in the espresso world. We coffee enthusiasts do love our three-letter terms!
Take RDT (Ross Droplet Technique) for instance – it’s our fancy way of saying “spraying water on coffee beans to reduce static.” Yes, we’re that specific! Then there’s WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique), which simply means stirring ground coffee with fine tools for better distribution.
TCA, however, is refreshingly straightforward – it actually describes what it does: Temperature Control Adjustment.
Traditional espresso terminology uses PID (Proportional Integral Derivative), referring to the technical feedback system controlling temperature. Calling it a PID is rather like referring to your car’s engine by its full technical name – accurate but perhaps unnecessarily complex.
While PIDs were once exclusive to dual boiler machines, they’ve become standard features on premium single boiler and heat exchanger machines, offering precise temperature control across all high-end models.
What sets this machine apart is its clever mechanical adjustment system, maintaining the traditional aesthetic while offering modern control. After reading the manual, we found it remarkably simple to use: switch off the machine, raise the brew lever, power back on, lower the lever – and from there you can adjust boiler pressure and auto-off settings.
The manual and brochure clearly outline the pressure settings from 0.9 to 1.2 bar, with options for low, medium, high, and very high. For specific temperature details, we referenced HLL Marc’s comprehensive TCA video.
The machine offers four distinct temperature settings:
Our extensive testing with various roast profiles has shown that setting 2 (93°C) works brilliantly for medium to dark roasts.
For lighter roasts, we’ve found that bumping up to setting 3 (95°C) during the dialling-in process can help extract more of those subtle flavours.
Settings 1 and 4 aren’t typically used for brewing – they’re more relevant for steam functionality, which we’ll explore in detail below.
The legendary E61 group head stands as one of the most influential innovations in espresso machine history.
This iconic design, first introduced by Faema in the early 1960s, revolutionised how we make espresso today.
The E61’s influence extends beyond its distinctive looks – it established the 9-bar pressure standard that has defined quality espresso extraction for generations.
What we see today are technically “E61 style” groups, evolved from countless manufacturers’ interpretations of Faema’s original design since the 1960s.
At their core, these groups share the same brilliant engineering: a brass assembly with continuous hot water circulation through a thermosyphon system.
While E61 groups excel at temperature stability, they’re not alone in achieving this. However, their iconic design, proven reliability, and straightforward flow control modifications make them a favourite among coffee enthusiasts.
For those keen to understand the technical brilliance behind this design, see [How the E61 Thermosyphon Works – Barista Hustle]
Vibration Pump
Considering the outstanding build quality and specifications, we understand why Rocket chose a vibration pump to maintain competitive pricing – rotary pumps significantly drive up costs.
Rotary pumps offer whisper-quiet operation without vibration (no dancing cups on your drip tray) and usually allow for direct plumbing options.
The trade-off with vibration pumps is purely economic – they’re much more budget-friendly. When properly cushioned with rubber mounts and housed in a solid case like the Appartamento TCA’s, the noise level stays perfectly reasonable, barely louder than grinding beans or steaming milk.
Adjustable OPV
The Over Pressure Valve (OPV) – because we coffee professionals do love our abbreviations – controls maximum pressure in the filter basket. While the original Appartamento puzzlingly came set to 12-13 bars, the TCA arrives perfectly calibrated at 9 bars.
Should you want to experiment with pressure adjustment, it’s refreshingly simple: remove two screws under the water tank and adjust a single nut.
Single Chassis
At a substantial 22kg, this machine means business. Unlike its predecessor’s sectional construction, the TCA features a solid steel base plate.
This unified design significantly improves durability and stability. While Pro Espresso’s premium two-person delivery service ensures careful handling, this robust construction provides extra peace of mind.
2.5L Water Tank
We’re genuinely impressed by the TCA’s water tank design – and yes, this might sound rather geeky, but it’s these details that matter.
The reservoir showcases premium construction with thick, durable materials, featuring beautifully embossed Rocket logos on both the tank and its black removal aid.
A particularly clever touch is the bottom-mounted connection, eliminating those awkward dangling pipes we’ve seen in other machines.
This isn’t your typical cost-cutting generic container – it’s a purposefully engineered component that reinforces the TCA’s premium positioning alongside brands like Profitec and ECM.
The Steam Wand
The cool-touch steam wand brings two significant advantages: it prevents burnt fingers and resists milk buildup, making cleaning notably easier.
Steam power impresses consistently – when pulling shots simultaneously, you’ll typically finish milk texturing first. We particularly appreciate the wand tip design; while professional-grade steam power requires some practice, this ranks among the most user-friendly high-power steam wands we’ve tested.
Optional Eco Mode
The TCA takes a thoughtful approach to energy efficiency. While many domestic machines force auto-shutdown after a preset time, this isn’t always the most efficient option for prosumer equipment.
Your usage patterns – frequency, warm-up preferences, and daily routine – determine whether frequent cooling and reheating cycles actually save energy.
We appreciate the flexibility to disable auto-shutdown if it doesn’t suit your brewing habits.
The Portafilters
The machine arrives with two portafilters: a single-spout version for purists and a practical double-spout for everyday use. While single shots aren’t common in modern coffee culture, having both options proves useful.
Creative baristas might even use the single-spout portafilter with a double basket for precise pouring into narrow vessels.
Both portafilters demonstrate professional build quality with satisfying weight and clever design touches, including self-levelling angles when set down and distinctive bottle-cap style end pieces featuring Rocket’s signature R logo.
The Drip Tray
The generously sized drip tray comfortably holds 500ml and matches the machine’s premium construction with substantial weight and quality materials.
Here’s a helpful tip from our testing: when replacing the drip tray, avoid pushing from the front. Instead, place it on the base, gently pull out the bottom edges, and it’ll slot perfectly into position.
White Glove Delivery
Pro Espresso provides exceptional service with their two-person delivery team, who’ll carry and unbox your machine wherever you’d like it placed.
While this isn’t a full installation service (reserved for their plumbed-in systems), having professionals handle the heavy lifting and unpacking represents a premium touch rarely seen with home machines.
Factory Bench Tested
Each Rocket machine undergoes individual bench testing after hand assembly in Italy – a crucial quality assurance step that sets prosumer machines apart from mass-produced alternatives.
While transit can still occasionally cause issues, this thorough testing protocol, combined with careful two-person delivery, significantly reduces the likelihood of problems.
Home Service & Maintenance
Pro-Espresso stands out by offering home-visit warranties instead of requiring returns. Their engineer team provides on-site solutions, sparing you the hassle of shipping a heavy machine.
Coverage includes two years on parts and one year on labour. Club Espresso rental customers enjoy comprehensive parts and labour coverage throughout their rental period.
This highlights why grey market imports, despite lower prices, often prove risky. While some UK websites offer apparent savings, these typically involve non-UK stock with EU plugs, no valid UK warranty, and hidden customs fees that diminish any cost advantage.
After extensive testing, we’re convinced the TCA delivers outstanding value through its combination of quality and performance. The distinctive design stands out among E61 heat exchanger machines, offering genuine character.
Rocket has clearly listened to feedback about the original Appartamento, addressing previous criticisms about style over substance by adding PID control, boiler insulation, and correct OPV pressure settings.
We believe this upgrade will win over many who admired the original’s aesthetics but hesitated due to performance considerations versus lower-priced alternatives.
From our hands-on experience, we’d happily recommend this as a primary home machine, particularly when paired with the Rocket Faustino grinder.
Initially, we questioned the Faustino’s £590 price point for a 50mm flat burr grinder. However, practical testing revealed its merits: quiet operation, beautiful aesthetics alongside the TCA, efficient grinding, stepless adjustment, and remarkably clump-free grounds that surpass expectations in this price range.
Despite the name emphasising temperature control, we feel the implementation could be clearer. The manual simply lists “Low, Medium, High & Very High” settings without specific temperatures.
Through independent testing by Whole Latte Love’s YouTube channel, we learned these correspond to 91°C, 93°C, 95°C, and 98°C – information we believe should be clearly stated in official documentation.
We find Rocket’s focus on pressure rather than temperature somewhat misplaced, given the TCA name. Additionally, while four temperature settings exist, realistically only the middle two prove practical for espresso brewing.
Regarding internal components, our only theoretical concern involves the vacuum relief valve’s internal moisture release. While the small amount typically evaporates harmlessly, we’d prefer external drainage to prevent potential future issues if the valve becomes compromised.
For enthusiasts drawn to Rocket’s design philosophy seeking a reliable, temperature-stable E61 heat exchanger with impressive steam capability, the Appartamento TCA demands serious consideration.
The Club Espresso plan makes this professional-grade machine surprisingly accessible, offering a risk-free 6-month trial with comprehensive coverage.
While the PID ensures temperature stability, most users will primarily use the middle temperature range. If precise temperature control tops your priority list, you might want to explore other options.
Still weighing your options? Explore more alternatives in our comprehensive guide:
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