A few cents' worth of silicone between you and a wet worktop
This small silicone gasket, with an outer dimension of 12 millimetres and an inner dimension of 5.8 millimetres, sits on the steam and water shaft of the Appartamento. It seals the passage and holds back whatever would otherwise work its way out along the shaft.
Silicone copes well with heat, but not forever. After years of alternating between steam and room temperature, it hardens, loses its resilience and no longer conforms to the shaft. A damp film then appears behind the knob and comes back after you wipe it off.
When it's due
Moisture or a limescale ring appears behind the steam or water knob. On removal, the gasket is hard, brittle or cracked. It has lost its round shape and is squashed flat. Or the tap assembly is being opened anyway – in which case a gasket costing a few francs should always be replaced rather than reused.
At a glance
| Type |
Silicone blanking gasket |
| Fitting location |
Steam and water shaft, in the tap assembly |
| Fits |
Rocket Appartamento |
| Scope of delivery |
One gasket. Shaft, spindle and knob are separate items. |
| Part number |
611813 |
| Version |
Silicone, 12 × 5.8 mm |
| Brand |
Rocket |
| Installation |
Installation by a specialist recommended |
Who it's for
For Appartamento owners with a damp patch behind the knob – and for service workshops that replace all the gaskets whenever they overhaul the tap assembly, rather than reusing individual ones.
Important for installation
The gasket sits in the steam-carrying tap assembly. Disconnect the machine from the mains, let it cool down completely and depressurise it before opening anything. Silicone gaskets are not pressed in with tools – a pinched gasket never seals properly. We recommend installation by a specialist and deliberately do not give step-by-step instructions here.
What goes with it
The spindle for the Appartamento steam and water tap, the gasket for the steam and water tap, the O-ring for the steam and water knob and the Rocket Appartamento spare parts category.
From our workshop in Bern and Zurich
Our routine, not a manufacturer requirement: when we open a tap assembly, we lay the removed gaskets out in order on a piece of paper and write next to each one where it sat. That sounds excessive until you have three almost identical silicone rings in front of you and can no longer tell which goes where. Afterwards, we always fit new ones, never the old part. And to finish, a cappuccino as a check: Very Nutty holds its own best in milk, Nutty Delight is our all-rounder, Cozy Chocolate the sweet counter-check. More in the Coffee beans section.
No returns
Original spare parts are excluded from exchange and return. They are sourced specifically for each order and cannot be resold once they have been installed or test-fitted on a machine. So before ordering, check your machine's model, year of manufacture and serial number – or drop us a quick message and we'll clarify the fit together. Your rights in the event of defective goods remain unaffected.
Does the gasket fit every Appartamento?
The part number is 611813 and the item description names the Appartamento. The model series has changed over the years – send us the serial number and we'll check it before you order.
How many do I need?
One gasket is supplied. If you overhaul steam and water at the same time, you'll usually need two – best check this on the machine beforehand.
Can I reuse the old gasket?
We advise against it. Once a silicone gasket has been compressed, it no longer returns to its shape and often seals worse than before after being refitted.
How hard is the silicone?
We have no information on this, and we make no claims here. What is documented is the material, silicone, and the size of 12 × 5.8 mm.
Can I see the part at your Showroom?
Yes. We're in Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zurich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b. Bring your machine's serial number along and we'll check the fit together at the counter.
Questions about the fit? Write to us at [email protected]. We deliver across Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2-4 working days.
