rocket

Rocket Espresso – Italian E61-style espresso machines from Milan

The chrome lever of the E61 brew group is horizontal. You pull it up, the thermosiphon system starts to circulate, you hear the delicate gurgle in the copper pipe. Ten seconds later, you begin pre-infusion, lifting the lever all the way up – the pump engages, and the shot begins to flow from the bottomless portafilter. Dark, slow, with a hazelnut-brown crema building up like honey. That's E61. That has been the heart of Italian espresso culture since 1961. And Rocket Espresso builds machines around precisely this group – and now also around other modern brew group concepts. By hand, in Milan.

Rocket Espresso combines Italian craftsmanship with continuous development. Each Rocket is built by hand in Milan, and each machine carries the characteristic Milanese engineering aesthetic – chrome, stainless steel, rounded shapes, visible technology. The portfolio ranges from compact E61 heat exchangers to dual boilers with cylindrical brew groups or saturated groups and pressure profiling. Coffee Coaching Club is a partner of Rocket Espresso Switzerland – the entire home portfolio is directly available, delivered in a few days, with showrooms in Bern and Zurich.

What makes Rocket unique

Three things. First: Craftsmanship from Milan. Each Rocket is built by hand, with a visible chrome presence, the characteristic "R" logo on the cup rail, and a clear Italian design language. Second: Breadth. Unlike brands that only build one heating system or brew group, Rocket covers the entire spectrum – E61 heat exchangers, E61 dual boilers, proprietary cylindrical brew groups, and saturated brew groups with pressure profiling. Third: Repairability. Rocket machines are designed to remain in use for decades. Parts are replaceable, service channels are established, and the mechanics are accessible.

All Rocket machines use 58mm portafilters – industry standard, compatible with IMS and other precision baskets.

The Rocket Home Family

Rocket Appartamento and Appartamento TCA

The classic for compact kitchens. Heat exchanger (two-circuit) with E61 brew group, 1.8 L copper boiler, vibratory pump, 2.5 L water tank, pressurestat. Round laser-cut side panels as a distinctive visual feature, 27.4 cm wide – fits on narrow kitchen counters where other espresso machines might be too wide. Hand-built in Milan, 1200 W, approx. 20 kg. The current 2.0 version includes RGB LED status and an economy mode.

The TCA variant (Temperature Control Adjustment) has four adjustable boiler pressure setpoints (approx. 0.9 to 1.2 bar), which can influence the brewing temperature – relevant for those who drink light roasts or consciously switch between beans. Otherwise identical to the classic Appartamento. The Appartamento has been one of Rocket's best-selling models for years and an honest entry into the Italian E61 world.

Rocket Mozzafiato FAST (V and R)

The Mozzafiato ("breathtaking" in Italian) series in the current FAST variant. E61 heat exchanger with 1.8 L insulated boiler, actively heated E61 brew group, PID temperature control, integrated shot timer, dual pressure gauges. Heat-up time approx. 12 minutes thanks to optimized heating system and actively heated group. Mozzafiato FAST V: Vibratory pump with white gauges, tank-only. Mozzafiato FAST R: Rotary pump with black gauges, plumbable. For those who want the Rocket culture but don't want to wait 20 minutes every morning.

Rocket Giotto FAST (V and R)

The Giotto series is the classic Rocket mid-range with asymmetrical, three-dimensional side panels. Like the Mozzafiato FAST: E61 heat exchanger, 1.8 L boiler, PID, shot timer, actively heated E61 group, approx. 12 minutes heat-up time. Giotto FAST V: Vibratory pump, tank. Giotto FAST R: Rotary pump, plumbable. The Giotto variant for those who prefer the more distinctive Rocket line.

Rocket R58 Cinquantotto and R58 Tune

The dual boiler flagship with E61. "Cinquantotto" means 58 in Italian – a tribute to the 58mm E61 group. Two independently PID-controlled boilers (0.58 L brew, 1.8 L steam), rotary pump, plumbable, detachable touchscreen PID, integrated shot timer, auto-on timer, angled feet. The Tune variant is the advanced version with extended adjustment options. For those who want Rocket's classic E61 dual boiler with a commercial-grade pump and plumb-in option.

Rocket Bicocca

The most modern Rocket development – and a break with E61 tradition. Designed by Valerio Cometti and V12 Design Studio. Dual boiler with 0.5 L brew boiler and 1.5 L steam boiler, both made of stainless steel, fully insulated. Instead of E61, the Bicocca uses a **proprietary cylindrical brew group** directly connected to the brew boiler – fast thermal response, actively heated with PID control. Rotary pump, plumb-in or 1.8 L tank, 3.5-inch touchscreen directly on the brew group (three color themes selectable). Programmable pre-infusion and volumetric dosing. Approx. 10 minutes heat-up time, NSF certified for small commercial use.

The Bicocca is Rocket's answer to the fully digital, button-controlled home machine – for those who do not see E61 mechanics as a prerequisite but prioritize modern operation and thermal stability. Hand-built in Milan.

Rocket R Nine One (R91)

The pressure profiling flagship. Dual boiler with 1.9 L brew boiler and 3.6 L steam boiler, both made of stainless steel, insulated, PID-controlled to 0.1 °C accuracy. Instead of E61, the R Nine One uses a **fully saturated brew group** – the group is part of the brew boiler, no thermosiphon circuit. This ensures the thermal stability usually only offered by commercial machines. Permanent magnet pump, plumbable or 2.5 L tank.

The signature feature: Manual pressure profiling via a paddle above the brew group. Unlike La Marzocco's GS3 MP, where the paddle only controls pre-infusion, the Rocket paddle controls the entire pump pressure throughout the extraction. You can program and recall up to five pressure profiles at any time, plus manually control a semi-automatic profile via the paddle. Record-and-Playback: You pull the perfect shot by hand, the R Nine One records the pressure curve, saves it as a profile, and plays it back exactly the same next time. Touchscreen display with real-time pressure graph, volumetric dosing, auto-on timer for every day of the week. For those who want to experiment with pressure profiling – and want reproducible results.

Rocket Epica

Rocket's lever answer. Instead of a pump, the Epica uses manual lever extraction with pressure profiling via lever movement – no stored profiles, control is entirely manual. Dual boiler made of AISI 316L stainless steel, saturated brew group (integrated into the brew boiler, not E61), permanent magnet volumetric pump for boiler filling, plumb-in or tank, touchscreen display, wood accoutrements on the lever and handles. Shot timer with pressure curve display on the PID. Steam boiler can be switched off to save energy when only espresso is being pulled.

The Epica is for those who seek direct mechanical contact with the extraction – each shot is a manual decision, not an automated repetition. Close to the classic Italian lever machine tradition, but with modern temperature stability thanks to a saturated group.

Which brew group suits you

Rocket builds three different brew group concepts, and each has character. The **E61 brew group** uses a thermosiphon circuit – copper tubes circulate the brewing water in a closed loop through the group, without active electrical heating. The lever is mechanical, and pre-infusion arises from the design. Character, haptics, ritual. Built into Appartamento, Mozzafiato FAST, Giotto FAST, R58 Cinquantotto, R58 Tune.

The **Bicocca's cylindrical brew group** is a proprietary Rocket development – not E61, not a saturated group in the classic sense. The group is directly connected to the brew boiler, electrically heated, PID-controlled. Fast response, tidy operation via touchscreen.

The **saturated brew group** in the R Nine One and Epica is conceptually related to La Marzocco's approach – the group is part of the brew boiler, water and group are a single unit. Maximum thermal stability. Our observation: Saturated groups deliver a more refined flavor profile, E61 more character in the ritual. Both approaches are legitimate. Those who want it, know why.

Rocket in comparison

La Marzocco works exclusively with saturated brew groups, Florentine engineering aesthetics, and app integration (Linea Mini R). Rocket covers a broader spectrum – from E61 classics to saturated groups with pressure profiling. ECM and Profitec are the German E61 specialists, technically closely related to Rocket's E61 line, but with a different design language. None of the brands are better – they are different answers to the same question.

Who is Rocket Espresso for?

Rocket is suitable for anyone who values Italian craftsmanship and wants to consciously choose between different brew group concepts. E61 classics for home baristas who see their shot as a ritual: Appartamento (TCA), Mozzafiato FAST, Giotto FAST, R58 Cinquantotto, R58 Tune. Modern touchscreen operation with cylindrical group: Bicocca. Pressure profiling with saturated group and digital profile storage: R Nine One. Lever extraction with saturated group: Epica.

If you exclusively want a saturated brew group with app control: La Marzocco Linea Micra or Linea Mini R. If you want manual lever extraction without electronics: Flair Espresso. If you prefer German E61 construction: ECM or Profitec.

What goes with it

A Rocket demands a corresponding grinder. For starters: Varia VS3 or VS4 (exclusive Swiss importer). For flagship setups: Weber Workshops EG-1 or Option-O Lagom P80. For grind-by-weight directly at the grinder: Mahlkönig E64 WS or X64 SD for single-dose.

For the scale: Acaia Lunar with flow rate or affordable from the Normcore Collection. For puck prep: Normcore for everyday use, Weber Workshops for premium. For precise brewing water: Apax Labs (exclusive Swiss importer).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Rocket is right for me?

For compact kitchens and a classic E61 entry: Appartamento or Appartamento TCA. For classic Rocket aesthetics with short heat-up time: Mozzafiato FAST or Giotto FAST. For an E61 dual boiler with a commercial pump: R58 Cinquantotto or R58 Tune. For modern touchscreen operation with a cylindrical brew group: Bicocca. For pressure profiling with a saturated group and profile storage: R Nine One. For lever extraction with a saturated group: Epica.

Which brew groups does Rocket use?

Three different concepts. E61 brew group in Appartamento (incl. TCA), Mozzafiato FAST, Giotto FAST, R58 Cinquantotto, and R58 Tune – thermosiphon circuit, mechanical lever, classic espresso tradition. Proprietary cylindrical brew group in the Bicocca – directly connected to the brew boiler, electrically heated, PID-controlled, touchscreen operation. Saturated brew group in R Nine One and Epica – group as part of the brew boiler, maximum thermal stability.

What is the difference between a vibratory and rotary pump?

A vibratory pump is more compact, cheaper, slightly louder, and usually found in smaller Rocket models (Appartamento, Mozzafiato FAST V, Giotto FAST V). A rotary pump is quieter, has more consistent pressure, and is plumbable – found in Mozzafiato FAST R, Giotto FAST R, R58, Bicocca. The R Nine One and Epica use permanent magnet volumetric pumps for precise volume control.

What does FAST mean for Rocket?

The FAST system optimizes the heating system and uses actively heated E61 brew groups for faster heat-up times – officially around 12 minutes, in practice around 12 to 15 minutes, significantly shorter than classic E61 heat exchangers with about 20 minutes. Built into Mozzafiato FAST V/R and Giotto FAST V/R.

What is the difference between Rocket R Nine One and La Marzocco GS3 MP?

Both have saturated brew groups and manual paddle control. The difference: With the GS3 MP, the paddle only controls pre-infusion, then the pump runs at fixed pressure. With the R Nine One, the paddle controls the entire pump pressure throughout the complete extraction – plus a programming function for up to five stored pressure profiles and record-and-playback. The R Nine One is thus Rocket's technically more advanced pressure profiling system.

Can I use Rocket machines with a direct water connection?

Models with a rotary pump (Mozzafiato FAST R, Giotto FAST R, R58 Cinquantotto, R58 Tune, Bicocca) and with a permanent magnet pump (R Nine One, Epica) are plumbable. Models with a vibratory pump use the internal water tank. For direct water connection, we advise you personally – installation, filters, and water chemistry are aspects worth clarifying before purchase.

Can I see Rocket machines before purchasing?

Yes. Several Rocket models are available in the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). You are welcome to bring your own beans. Lifting the E61 lever, the pressure on the R-Nine-One paddle, the feel of the Epica lever movement – all of this cannot be conveyed through photos.

How are Rocket machines delivered in Switzerland?

All home models can be ordered directly online. For R58, Bicocca, R Nine One, and Epica, we recommend pickup or personal delivery – on-site installation and an introductory course are the best start. Delivery throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein in 2 to 4 working days. Click and Collect in Bern and Zurich. Financing available through Heylight.