Rocket Espresso offers an incredible lineup of home espresso machines, with a fit for any user. Today we’re taking a look at the Rocket Espresso R Nine One espresso machine. This is at the highest of the high end for home espresso, but it really does earn it. Note that Rocket Espresso does offer a commercial model called the R9, which bears some similarity, but the R Nine One really is its own specific machine made for home use.
The Basics
Calling this section “the basics” is a bit of a misnomer, as the R Nine One is anything but basic. The first thing you may notice about this machine is the price tag. It is an expensive machine, which is specifically designed for home espresso hobbyists who view brewing espresso as a pastime as much as a utility. The R Nine One is a lot more than just a powerful espresso machine, so if you’re looking for something more affordable in the prosumer market, the Rocket Espresso R58 Cinquantotto is an incredible option as well.
As for the R Nine One, there’s a lot here to cover.
For starters, this machine is powered by two stainless steel boilers. The brew boiler is 1.9 liters and features PID controlled temperature regulation for stable brew temps. The service boiler is 3.6 liters, providing excellent recovery time between steaming sessions. At a basic level, the R Nine One is one of the most powerful, consistent home machines on the market. This is enhanced by features like its fully saturated brew group and commercial style steam arm, giving you professional grade brewing and steaming. The tactile controls that you come to expect from Rocket Espresso are here as well, with highly visible steam gauges for each boiler as well. The R Nine One also offers a hot water spout for rinsing and Americanos. It’s all wrapped up in a stainless steel case and frame, which gives this machine a stunning appearance and solid construction.
We’ve established that the R Nine One delivers on a design and performance perspective, but what makes this machine truly special is the last part of its face that we haven’t touched on: That little screen, and what you can do with it.
Programming and Pressure Profiles
At a basic level, the touchscreen on the front of the R Nine One gives you elements like a timer and control of the machine’s temperatures. You can even set an auto-on time through the R Nine One’s screen. But the thing that sets this machine apart is its pressure profiling, a feature perfect for espresso hobbyists.
Pressure profiling is a feature that allows you to manually set a pressure curve either by hand, or electronically. Every espresso machine applies water pressure to the portafilter over a slightly different curve. This is what creates distinct flavors from machine to machine. The R Nine One Group gives you the ability to create a profile by manually moving the brew lever during the brew process. You can also program in the profile you want via the screen. In both cases, you’ll be able to save 5 different profiles. This allows you to recreate virtually any espresso machine in the world.
This might be a lot for newer users to take in. It’s hard to wrap your head around the differences between different machines, but this is likely the last machine a big fan of home espresso will ever need to purchase. It’s for this reason that we believe the Rocket Espresso R Nine One justifies its price point for true enthusiasts, and we can’t imagine a better machine for the serious espresso hobbyist. Shop the R Nine One here now.
