UPDATE: For a full review of the Appartamento TCA, check out our YouTube video.
Rocket Espresso machines are renowned for perfectly blending form and function. Rocket’s Appartamento espresso machine is no different.
This is a heat exchanger machine that allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming. Their specially designed E61 group head means excellent temperature stability and features a dual pre infusion system which results in richer, more aromatic extractions of specialty coffees.
The Appartamento also features a no-burn stainless steel steam wand, 1200 watt heating element, front-panel steam pressure gauge, and a low-water sensor that automatically shuts the machine off to avoid a dry boiler.
On top of all that, the Appartamento is visually stunning —the sleek black side panels with colorful circle accents are eye-catching in exactly the way you want them to be.
And we haven’t even gotten to the best part yet: there’s a new version out this year and you can pre-order it right now, exclusively at Whole Latte Love. That’s right—the only place to get most of these upgraded features is right here at Whole Latte Love.
What’s New?
Temperature Control Adjustment
The namesake of the model, the Rocket Espresso Appartamento TCA features Temperature Control Adjustment. This PID-controller allows you to switch between one of four preset brew temperatures: low, medium, high, and very high. An LED light on the front panel indicates which temperature setting you’re on without an unattractive digital display.
This is a major upgrade in terms of the flexibility of this machine. Espresso connoisseurs will be able to achieve nuanced extractions with coffees of all origins and specificities on the Appartamento TCA. The PID controller also allows for much greater temperature stability than with a non-PID machine.
Adjusting the temperature will also increase or decrease the steam power, which comes in anywhere between .9 and 1.2 bar, depending on how hot you set the boiler via the PID controller.
Flow Control
The Appartamento TCA’s E61 brew group allows for the addition of a flow control device—but only if you shop at Whole Latte Love.
Flow control allows you to pre-infuse your coffee for a more aromatic, sophisticated extraction. It’s a feature any serious espresso connoisseur will appreciate.
Stainless Steel Boiler
The Appartamento TCA has an upgraded boiler as well. Whereas the original Appartamento had a copper boiler, the TCA’s 1.8 liter boiler is pure stainless steel, making it much more resistant to scale build-up. This means you’ll need to clean your machine less often while still maintaining optimal performance.
Updated Design
The Appartamento has always been an extremely cool espresso machine, and the TCA model continues to do justice to that reputation. In fact, there have been several aesthetic improvements on the original design that make it—if possible—even cooler.
There’s a whole new palette of six different custom panel inserts (available exclusively through Whole Latte Love), so you can ensure your TCA matches the aesthetic of your kitchen.
The cup warmer tray has also been reimagined to avoid the plastic railing that sat atop the old version of this machine. From there, the curved back panel matches the contour of the feet for a sleeker look, and the impressive “ROCKET” logo stripe down the back of the machine demands the eye’s attention.
Overall, the Appartamento TCA is, without a doubt, one of t he most eye-catching espresso machines on the market.
A True Upgrade
Rocket Espresso has taken what was already an extremely desirable machine and made it even more so.
Before the addition of the Temperature Control Adjustment, true espresso connoisseurs would have been disappointed in the lack of control they had of extraction temperatures on the machine—no more.
For those who want to have a fully capable heat exchanger espresso machine that does visual justice to just how awesome the whole concept of at-home espresso brewing is, the Rocket Appartamento TCA is the answer they’ve been seeking.
You can preorder yours today, or, if you want to see this machine in action, schedule a Coffee Cast for a live 1:1 product demonstration.