Rocket Appartamento Plastic Cup Rail – keeping your pre-warmed cups up top where they belong
On top of the Appartamento, the cups sit in the residual heat of the boiler, waiting. Around them runs a narrow plastic rail, less than two centimetres high, holding them in place. You never really notice it – until a cup gets nudged, wanders over the edge and lands on the metal panel.
The Appartamento is one of the compact machines in the Rocket range, so the tray area on top is correspondingly tight. That is exactly why the rail works harder there than on a wide commercial machine: it is the only thing standing between a full cup tray and the edge.
When it is time to replace it
Constant heat from below makes plastic brittle. Typical signs are fine cracks at the corners, a rail that moves along when you lift the cups off, or a section that breaks off during cleaning and stays in your hand. Yellowish discolouration is another sign that the material is past its best.
It is due at the latest when it no longer sits properly. A loose rail no longer holds a cup; it just gives the impression that it would.
At a glance
| Type |
Rail for the cup tray |
| Installation location |
Top of the machine, around the cup tray |
| Fits |
Rocket Appartamento |
| Scope of delivery |
One rail. We have no manufacturer information on the exact scope of delivery. |
| Version |
Plastic. We carry the stainless steel version as a separate item. |
| Brand |
Rocket Espresso |
Who it is for
For anyone with an Appartamento whose rail is broken, warped or missing altogether. A small part you replace once and then forget about again – which is how it should be.
If you would like to take the opportunity to switch to stainless steel straight away, you will find the other version linked further down.
What goes with it
The same rail in stainless steel instead of plastic: Rocket Appartamento Stainless Steel Cup Rail. If you are renewing the tray underneath at the same time, you will find it, depending on the series, as Cup tray Appartamento or as Complete cup tray Appartamento TCA.
Everything else for this machine is in the category Rocket Appartamento spare parts, the rest of the Rocket range in Rocket accessories and spare parts and all service parts in the category Service parts.
From our workshop
In our workshop in Bern, we briefly remove the rail during every service of an Appartamento and check the corners from underneath. That is where the plastic cracks first, and you cannot see it from above. This is our own routine, not a manufacturer requirement.
A second tip from everyday use: do not place cups on the tray while it is still wet. The water collects under the base of the cup, evaporates slowly and leaves limescale rings on the rail and the panel.
Our favourites to go with it in Bern and Zurich are Nutty Delight, Cozy Chocolate and, when it should have no acidity at all, Very Nutty. You will find the whole range in our Coffee beans.
No returns
Service parts are excluded from exchange and return. They are sourced specifically for each order and cannot be resold after installation or a trial fitting on the machine. So before ordering, check the model, year of manufacture and serial number of your machine – or drop us a quick message and we will clarify the fit together. Your rights in the event of defective goods remain unaffected.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the plastic or the stainless steel version?
This is the plastic version. We carry the stainless steel rail as a separate item; it is linked above.
What is the part number of this rail?
We have no part number for this item, so we do not state one. If you have a number from a service document, send it to us and we will check it.
Does it fit every Appartamento?
It is made for the Appartamento. The series has seen changes over the years, so: send us the serial number of your machine and we will check the fit before you order.
Can I replace the rail myself?
Yes. It sits on the tray from the outside, so the machine does not need to be opened. Still, let the machine cool down first – the surface underneath gets hot.
Can I see the part before buying?
Our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) show a wide selection, but not our entire range – the display changes. Drop us a quick line at [email protected] before your visit, and we will check whether the product you have in mind is currently there.
Not sure about the fit? Write to us at [email protected]. We deliver across Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2-4 working days.
