The Rocket Appartamento TCA is an evolution of the commercially successful Appartamento. This small heat exchanger machine was highly regarded by many and paved the way for the success of the machine manufacturer Rocket. The new Appartamento TCA has been equipped with a four-stage temperature control. This is a valuable enhancement for a heat exchanger, provided it functions fully. During our tests, we encountered some difficulties at this point, which is why we measured and tested two additional machines in addition to the test machine. You can find out our test results in this video.
Buy Rocket Appartamento TCA
The following specialist stores sell the Rocket Appartamento TCA, and we recommend purchasing from them. All of them offer the option to adjust the machine's offset.
Germany:
Switzerland:
We actively search for specialist partners known for their excellent work and service, and we maintain close communication with the retailers mentioned. The links provided are commission links. If you order through one of these links, you won't pay a cent more – however, we receive a small commission, which we directly reinvest into new test equipment.
We are still looking for competent partners in the DACH region.
Strengths of the Rocket Appartamento TCA
Undoubtedly, one of the strengths of the Rocket Appartamento TCA is its excellent frothing performance. The machine performs well and consistently in this regard. It has sufficient power to initiate milk circulation in the frothing pitcher. It doesn't matter whether you're frothing with a small 0.3L or a large 0.6L pitcher. The Rocket Appartamento TCA froths milk very well.
Another strength lies in the eye of the beholder. The Appartamento TCA is an espresso machine with a Faema E61-style brew group. While this format is widespread and familiar from many machines, the Appartamento, even in the TCA version, stands out positively. Not only the side panel but also the tapered brew group set it apart from the crowd of E61 machines. Otherwise, the craftsmanship appears solid.
The machine boasts a beautiful manometer, stylish matte rotary knobs, and a control system reduced to the essentials.
Weaknesses of the machine
The biggest weaknesses of the Rocket Appartamento TCA are its temperature stability and slow heat-up time. In terms of heat-up time, the machine ranks last among all espresso machines we've tested; it doesn't reach operating temperature within a realistic usage time. With much goodwill, we've allotted the machine a heat-up time of 42 minutes. But even then, we were still below the target temperature. We discuss the temperature issue in more detail further down in the article.
Also, in the area of the Rocket Appartamento TCA's temperature settings, we note the poorly preset temperature ranges of the TCA. This is absurd, as the Temperature Control Adjustment is precisely what should positively distinguish this machine from its predecessor. In our view, however, all of the machine's preset temperature levels are below the target temperature. It's unclear to us why Rocket set them so low. To put it differently: we have an idea. We believe that Rocket only checked the machine's temperature after more than an hour of operation. Then, at the highest setting, it is indeed warm enough. But is an hour of operation really the benchmark for determining the target temperature of an espresso machine today? In an age when other espresso machines are warm in 5 minutes and other Faema E61 brew groups can manage it in 17 to 18 minutes?
Coupled with the long heat-up time, the Rocket has a very high power consumption to prepare one or more espressos. At 0.34 kWh, the Rocket Appartamento TCA ranks among large dual boilers, demonstrating very poor performance.
Temperature curves: WBC protocol and KM protocol
We discussed the issue of temperature problems in another YouTube Live session.
Energy consumption and power measurement
Further information about the machine will be added. For a comprehensive test, please watch the video.
