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Rocket Espresso R58 Espresso Machine
Overview
Built with the commercial-grade components and handmade craftsmanship you've come to expect from Rocket Espresso, the Rocket R58 Dual Boiler offers you double boiler functionality and dual PID temperature control—all in a plumbable, classically styled chrome and stainless-steel housing. Features include a steel chassis complete with nylon rails for a seamless drip tray fit, an upgraded magnetic drip tray closure, adjustable-height feet and an updated control board for optimized steaming and brewing.
Features and Functionality
- Dual Boiler - Working independently for both brewing and steaming, the dual boiler along with thermo siphon system design allows for stability in the espresso boiler and increased levels of steam pressure and hot water from the service boiler. The brewing boiler holds 0.58 liters while the hot water/steam boiler holds 1.7 liters.
- Dual PID Temperature Control - Program steam and brew boilers with an electronic remote-control PID that plugs into the side of the machine and does not interfere with the R58's classic styling.
- Commercial Rotary Pump - Quieter than most other rotary pumps, the R58's pump gives you the ability to adjust the pump pressure with the external pressure adjustment controls while monitoring through the pressure gauges.
- Pre-Infusion - To extract the full flavor and aroma when you brew your espresso, the R58 has a dual pre-infusion system encompassing a working piston and static pre-infusion chamber.
- Plumb It! - Standard with a 2.5 liter water reservoir, a control switch allows you to plumb the R58 right into your kitchen's water line.
- Upgraded and Additional Steam Tip - The steam tip now features a 1.2mm diameter hole, and you get a replacement tip for down the road!
- Handcrafted - Each machine is unique and hand crafted in Italy. Small warps in the case are normal and part of each machine's unique assembly process.
- Two Year Warranty - We're proud to offer two years of parts and labor support for every Rocket machine purchase.
| Pros |
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|---|---|
| Cons |
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| SCG Staff Says... | New for 2017 models, the Rocket R58 now comes with the tapered, adjustable feet (± 1") found on the Mozzafiato and Giotto lines. |
| How Does it Compare? | An electronic PID guarantees consistent temperature regulation for each boiler, handy when making a wide variety of beverages in a short time frame. An upgraded rotary pump eliminates back pressure from the boiler and makes this machine plumbable. |
Specs
| Manufacturer | Rocket Espresso |
|---|---|
| Width | 12.25 inches |
| Depth | 17.5 inches |
| Height | 16.25 inches |
| Product Weight (lbs.) | 64.0000 |
| Watts | 1400W |
| Programmability | PID |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Boiler Material | Brass/Copper |
| Boiler Volume | Steam: 1.7 liter | Group: .58 liter |
| Reservoir Size | 2.5 liter |
| Solenoid Valve | Yes |
| Cup Warmer | Yes |
| Portafilter Size | 58mm |
| Available Portafilters | Bottomless, Non-Pressurized |
| Warm Up: Brew Time | 20 minutes |
| Warm Up: Steam Time | 20 minutes |
| Boiler Design | Double Boiler |
| Water Sources | Convertible - Internal Reservoir or Plumbed in |
| Auto Shut Off | No |
| Auto On | No |
| Pre-Infusion/Aroma | Yes |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
Q&A
Browse 53 questions and 103 answers
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Between rocket r58 v2 and alex duetto 3 which one has more grouphead flexing?, and between the 2 which one would you recommend.
I am struggling with deciding on the R58 or the Izzo Alex Duetto 3.0. Can you sell me on the R58? Why should I choose one over the other?
I've noticed ( because I don't use it ) that after a few months the water in my second boiler on my r58 gets kinda milky white, If I turn off this second boiler, will the water in it empty itself out ? And will it remain empty ? As well , once turned off will it start to rust from the inside if it remains off ? I just never use the second hot water boiler and don't know what I should do with it.
Hi, I am a proud owner of a R58 and I am getting along with the machine very nicely, one nagging concern I have is over advice I was given from the supplier (being outside of the US it wasn't possible to order from SCG). The recommendation was to always leave the machine on unless I wasn't planning to use it for over 10 days i.e. going out of town.
I tend to use the machine in the morning 1-2 cups prior to going to work and then 1-2 cups in the evening when I'm home, more on a weekend around 5-6 cups in a day. What's the general consensus - leave it on or put it on a timer?
I tend to use the machine in the morning 1-2 cups prior to going to work and then 1-2 cups in the evening when I'm home, more on a weekend around 5-6 cups in a day. What's the general consensus - leave it on or put it on a timer?
Best Answer: I bought the Rocket R58 Dual Boiler Espresso Machine V2 from Seattle Coffee Gear eight months ago (August of 2013). I have used it daily since then. My usage is almost exactly as you described yours tends to be. It has been on a heavy duty timer from day one to both save energy and eliminate the problem of an electrical malfunction while I am away at work. I have no problems to report so far by using the timer. I am very sorry you could not order from Seattle Coffee Gear. It is a super company to buy from. I was so impressed with them from the Rocket purchase that today, when my old Breville grinder gave out, I immediately ordered a new ceramic burr grinder from them.
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· Michael I K on Apr 14, 2014
Toss up between the Rocket R58 and the La Marzocco GS/3. this would be for home, non-plumbed use.
Really like the fill tray at the front of the GS/3. Filling the R58 could be a problem as it will sit under a cabinet.
Question: does the R58 have any small wheels for pulling out and filling? Seems it would be difficult to pull out to fill the reservoir.
Thanks. The videos with Gail are great!
Really like the fill tray at the front of the GS/3. Filling the R58 could be a problem as it will sit under a cabinet.
Question: does the R58 have any small wheels for pulling out and filling? Seems it would be difficult to pull out to fill the reservoir.
Thanks. The videos with Gail are great!
Is the video for descaling the Rocket R58 still available? Thank you and best Regards, Ale
Best Answer: Unfortunately, it's not. We are recommending per Rocket's recommendations, not to descale your machine. The Rocket machines should not need descaling except potentially every few years (typically 4-5) but only if you encounter an issue. This professional descaling is much more intensive and removes the boilers entirely from the machines. Instead, Rocket recommends using soft water, and by filtering your water, you can ensure that you're not putting too many minerals into your machine that cause a lot of scale buildup. You can use Rocket's filter, or you can test your water using a water hardness test strip. Ideally, you're looking for the water to be soft, somewhere between 1-3 GPG.
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· Stephanie AStaff on Dec 1, 2014
I see it is recommended to leave the machine running 24/7. Is that really necessary or does it work equally fine when powered on and off as needed?
How much maintenance is involved with this machine?
How much maintenance is involved with this machine?
Best Answer: You can absolutely turn off the machine when not in use, as long as the ~30 minute wait time isn't an issue in the morning!
I know many people will turn on their machine at night before bed so that it is nice and hot in the morning, and turn it off when they leave for work.
I know many people will turn on their machine at night before bed so that it is nice and hot in the morning, and turn it off when they leave for work.
Simple (and maybe stupid) question: How to remove the water tank? I'm having a hard time pulling it from the machine.
Best Answer: Rocket has made a change to the fit of their water tanks on the R58 as well as their other models within the last few months, and so this is actually a question we get a lot! The tank is a very tight fit, but does lift straight up and out. I generally advise putting a bit of water in the tank, turning the machine on to allow some water to be pulled into the boiler to lubricate the water tank gasket, and then turning it off after a few seconds (as you should rinse/wash the tank out before filling the boiler completely). Hopefully the tank will then lift out more easily for you so you clean it, and it will loosen up and be even easier to remove over time. Hope this helps!
Hey!
Really thinking about this machine for home use and settings like small events. Seems to be fairly on par with the La Marzocco GS/3, which is surprising with such a drastic difference in price point.
One question I do have concerns pre-infusion. Is this just a built in pre-infusion? Can you control it or set the time yourself?
Any other additional thoughts would be great!
Really thinking about this machine for home use and settings like small events. Seems to be fairly on par with the La Marzocco GS/3, which is surprising with such a drastic difference in price point.
One question I do have concerns pre-infusion. Is this just a built in pre-infusion? Can you control it or set the time yourself?
Any other additional thoughts would be great!
Best Answer: E61 group is built in with preinfusion function but according to SCG you can stretch it by controlling the lever. It takes a few trials to find the position of the lever for it, but I'm not sure it makes a diff. The shots are all good with or without doing it and they taste the same.
I shared all my experience and posted it on coffeegeek dot com (SCG doesn't allow to post a link of a website). You can find it in the forum under "rocket R58 v2 experience sharing". Hope it will help.
I shared all my experience and posted it on coffeegeek dot com (SCG doesn't allow to post a link of a website). You can find it in the forum under "rocket R58 v2 experience sharing". Hope it will help.
I've only had this machine for 2 days and I absolutely LOVE IT!!
My question is, what should be the proper ritual to making myself a latte every morning? My biggest questions are around cleaning, but here's what I gather so far. Any advice on something I'm missing or something I'm doing that is not necessary would be greatly appreciated!!
1. Make sure there is enough water in the water tank
2. Turn machine on, wait 30-45 minutes
3. Run hot water through portafilter (manual says 1 cup? Do I do this every time??)
4. Pour milk into frothing pitcher (ice cold)
5. Let a little steam out of the steam wand
6. Froth milk and set aside
7. Let a little more steam out of the steam wand and wipe clean
8. Fill portafilter with coffee, tamp, put in machine
9. Lift lever half way for a few seconds, then all the way
10. Watch my espresso being poured (time it, 20-30 seconds for 2 oz), close lever
11. Remove portafilter, dump hockey puck
Cleaning... (this is where i'm most confused about the best way to keep my machine clean)
12. Do I place portafilter back into the machine and run water through it each time?
13. Remove basket from portafilter with tool and wash/clean each separately
14. Do I remove the basket (not sure what this is called, sorry) inside the machine with the rubber ring each time after I make coffee to clean?
The reason I ask about the cleaning is because I found grounds in my portafilter after I had cleaned it and placed it back in the machine from the previous use. I had NOT removed the upper basket/rubber ring after previous use. When I did that, I found grounds stuck around the ring, etc. So should I clean that everyday? Every time?
Thanks so much!
My question is, what should be the proper ritual to making myself a latte every morning? My biggest questions are around cleaning, but here's what I gather so far. Any advice on something I'm missing or something I'm doing that is not necessary would be greatly appreciated!!
1. Make sure there is enough water in the water tank
2. Turn machine on, wait 30-45 minutes
3. Run hot water through portafilter (manual says 1 cup? Do I do this every time??)
4. Pour milk into frothing pitcher (ice cold)
5. Let a little steam out of the steam wand
6. Froth milk and set aside
7. Let a little more steam out of the steam wand and wipe clean
8. Fill portafilter with coffee, tamp, put in machine
9. Lift lever half way for a few seconds, then all the way
10. Watch my espresso being poured (time it, 20-30 seconds for 2 oz), close lever
11. Remove portafilter, dump hockey puck
Cleaning... (this is where i'm most confused about the best way to keep my machine clean)
12. Do I place portafilter back into the machine and run water through it each time?
13. Remove basket from portafilter with tool and wash/clean each separately
14. Do I remove the basket (not sure what this is called, sorry) inside the machine with the rubber ring each time after I make coffee to clean?
The reason I ask about the cleaning is because I found grounds in my portafilter after I had cleaned it and placed it back in the machine from the previous use. I had NOT removed the upper basket/rubber ring after previous use. When I did that, I found grounds stuck around the ring, etc. So should I clean that everyday? Every time?
Thanks so much!
Best Answer: Hi Claudia,
It sounds like everything you're doing is just about right! You don't need to run an entire cup of water through the portafilter each time, and just a little bit for a cooling flush. As far as cleaning, you do not need to remove the brew head gasket (that rubber ring) and brew head screen each time you brew. You can run some water through the brew head and/or rub a clean rag around the edge of the brew head to remove excess grounds after each brew. We also recommend back flushing and descaling regularly. I have included a few links to pages that outline those processes, and we recommend back flushing once every 1-2 weeks, and descaling this heat exchanger once every 2-3 months depending on how hard your water is. Hope this helps!
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/learn/coffee-101/infographics/guide-to-backflushing
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/learn/coffee-101/infographics/guide-to-descaling
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/learn/coffee-101/infographics
It sounds like everything you're doing is just about right! You don't need to run an entire cup of water through the portafilter each time, and just a little bit for a cooling flush. As far as cleaning, you do not need to remove the brew head gasket (that rubber ring) and brew head screen each time you brew. You can run some water through the brew head and/or rub a clean rag around the edge of the brew head to remove excess grounds after each brew. We also recommend back flushing and descaling regularly. I have included a few links to pages that outline those processes, and we recommend back flushing once every 1-2 weeks, and descaling this heat exchanger once every 2-3 months depending on how hard your water is. Hope this helps!
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/learn/coffee-101/infographics/guide-to-backflushing
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/learn/coffee-101/infographics/guide-to-descaling
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/learn/coffee-101/infographics
Is there a way to have the machine warn me about the water level before pouring a shot? It's really my only complaint with this machine. The light blinks just as the machine stops running water and then I have to start all over refilling the portafilter which wastes coffee and time :( . Would be great to know the water level is low before it's out. Thanks!
Best Answer: No, unfortunately there is not an indicator for a low level of water, just that blinking light to indicate when your Rocket R58 is out of water. Other than checking the tank before you brew your shot, I don't have a recommendation for any warning for this ahead of time, unfortunately.
I just got my R58 machine. I notice i need to apply a bit of pressure to push the drip tray/forcing it into machine. Is that unusual?
Best Answer: My drip tray slides up to the machine and then the magnets take over cause it to stick in place. I have not had to force it at all. It sounds like something may be a little off. I like my machine a lot and hope you can get yours working how you want it.
Can the feet on the R58 be removed? i currently own a Silvia and was wanting to upgrade. my only issue is we just had our kitchen remodeled and i'm fearful that it won't fit under the upper cabinet?
Best Answer: Technically yes, they are able to be unscrewed like furniture legs. Though the machine wouldn't work without legs as the bottom is not flat, the drain for the drip train and the water connection for hard plumbing extend out on the bottom. I have the machine on our counter under our upper cabinets and it is a pretty tight fit (16 7/16" from counter to bottom of cabinet) but works well. I hard plumbed the machine so I do not need to move it in and out all the time to fill the water reservoir, which with the machines hefty weight and tight fit, was very inconvenient.
What tamper size fit well with Rocket portafilter?
Best Answer: The standard one. I think its 52 or 58mm. Get a rounded one. ROUNDED. Not flat. This machine especially appreciates a little help centering the puck pressure. Otherwise anything less than PERFECT alignment results in an imbalanced extraction. Also the spring loaded "training" ones are good. Not for the spring, but because the level of the head is perfectly level with the basket during tamping which allows easy alignment checking with fingers along the sides. Enjoy!
What is the recommended water hardness for this machine? I know it requires some minerals in the water to detect a low tank and very soft filtered water sometimes cannot be detected.
Best Answer: I've been using it for over a year without any problem. I have a water softener and a reverse osmosis filter, so the mineral content must be low...
Great machine, highly recommend it.
I used to have a Rancilio Silvia, which is great for the price, but the rocket is far ahead
Great machine, highly recommend it.
I used to have a Rancilio Silvia, which is great for the price, but the rocket is far ahead
Does it come with a tamper?
Best Answer: Yes it does. It is not quite as heavy as the extra one I bought but it would have been sufficient by itself. It is fairly substantial in it's weight, looks good with the machine, and if I would have been able to see it in person I would not have purchased another one. I have owned several espresso machines over the last 30 years and this is by far my favorite. You will definitely enjoy it.
Jay M.
Jay M.
Can you please tell me what the specific waterline size this machine requires and what kind of piping? Copper, flexible, etc. Thank you.
Best Answer: Stephanie,
the R58 comes with an adapter for american plumbing. The connection would be R58, metric hose, adapter, 3/8" or 1/2" american hose(depending on your outlet), valve.
The american side is the same as the flexible hose for your sink. You may want a double outlet valve at your sink to supply your machine, if that is where it will be. One for your sink, one for your machine.
It's really not that hard, once you have the parts in hand. You may want a inline water filter, depending on your water. But, you can add that later.
the R58 comes with an adapter for american plumbing. The connection would be R58, metric hose, adapter, 3/8" or 1/2" american hose(depending on your outlet), valve.
The american side is the same as the flexible hose for your sink. You may want a double outlet valve at your sink to supply your machine, if that is where it will be. One for your sink, one for your machine.
It's really not that hard, once you have the parts in hand. You may want a inline water filter, depending on your water. But, you can add that later.
I've read a bottomless portafilter is included with a kit for this machine. Is this still true?
Best Answer: No, unfortunately the R 58 comes with the single and double spout portafilter and baskets, but the bottomless portafilter and triple basket is a separate purchase, and can be found at the link below:
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/58mm-bottomless-portafilter-for-rocket-giotto-and-rocket-cellini-models
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/58mm-bottomless-portafilter-for-rocket-giotto-and-rocket-cellini-models
OK, so I understand a dual boiler unit has one boiler to provide steam, one to provide the hot water thru which the actual 'espresso shot' is piped to be heated up (and I believe this boiler has the wand for hot cocoa, whatever). I believe that the water for the shot itself never really 'sits in' the boiler, it pipes thru it along an isolated path to be heated up along the way. Am I right?
In that case, can you ever truly 'drain' both boilers anymore? On my Giotto Professional Plus v2 the hot water tap and steam wand both plumb to the same boiler, so I can heat the machine up, turn switch off, immediately drain as much water as I can using the hot water wand (steam pressure pushes quite a bit out - can usually get close to 1 ltr), then turn machine back on to refill with clean.
I don't know that this is necessary but for example with descaling seems to be the way to get the citric acid washed out the quickest (v.s just letting it refill as it vents).
If you never really descale this machine under new instructions - I guess perhaps I shouldn't care that the steam boiler cannot truly be 'drained'? Does it not over time give any mineral flavor (or worse yet, with backflow) burnt old milk solids flavor to the steam?
In that case, can you ever truly 'drain' both boilers anymore? On my Giotto Professional Plus v2 the hot water tap and steam wand both plumb to the same boiler, so I can heat the machine up, turn switch off, immediately drain as much water as I can using the hot water wand (steam pressure pushes quite a bit out - can usually get close to 1 ltr), then turn machine back on to refill with clean.
I don't know that this is necessary but for example with descaling seems to be the way to get the citric acid washed out the quickest (v.s just letting it refill as it vents).
If you never really descale this machine under new instructions - I guess perhaps I shouldn't care that the steam boiler cannot truly be 'drained'? Does it not over time give any mineral flavor (or worse yet, with backflow) burnt old milk solids flavor to the steam?
Best Answer: Richard,
I have owned this machine for almost two years. It does have two boilers. The steam boiler is larger and supplies the steam wand as well as the hot water wand. The brew boiler is much smaller and the water does enter this boiler and is heated for brewing as well as keeping the group head heated. You can drain both boilers fully and it's needed if you do ship the unit. You can also remove the steam boiler and drain it. It's not very difficult and I did this when I needed to move the machine.
I have not noticed any mineral taste. I will say that I have my machine plumbed in and I have a fairly robust water filter to help with scale. My understanding is you can send it it for a service rescaling. All they do is remove both boilers and descale outside of the machine and then reinstall. If you are comfortable working on cars or other projects you could easily do this at home. I plan to do it down the road if I notice any signs of scaling.
I hope that helps.
I have owned this machine for almost two years. It does have two boilers. The steam boiler is larger and supplies the steam wand as well as the hot water wand. The brew boiler is much smaller and the water does enter this boiler and is heated for brewing as well as keeping the group head heated. You can drain both boilers fully and it's needed if you do ship the unit. You can also remove the steam boiler and drain it. It's not very difficult and I did this when I needed to move the machine.
I have not noticed any mineral taste. I will say that I have my machine plumbed in and I have a fairly robust water filter to help with scale. My understanding is you can send it it for a service rescaling. All they do is remove both boilers and descale outside of the machine and then reinstall. If you are comfortable working on cars or other projects you could easily do this at home. I plan to do it down the road if I notice any signs of scaling.
I hope that helps.
Does this unit include a tamper or any other extras? Just wondering what I need to purchase along with it
I was wondering if anyone has found the perfect PID setting for the r58? I'm finding there's too much pressure when I'm pulling shots. Water still comes flooding out. Also I just got the naked portafilter and it's just messy. Lol help please :)
Best Answer: The PID does not control pressure on the R58, only temperature of the boilers. If your shots are pulling too fast, it is due to your grinder setting. Try a finer grind. The factory setup on the PID is a great start and should not require any adjusting for good drinks, although you may enjoy playing around with temperatures at some point.
If your naked portafilter is a bottomless portafilter, what you are seeing would again indicate an improper grind setting and tamp pressure. It may be worth going to the store to get some instruction or taking a half day barista class. Good luck and enjoy.
If your naked portafilter is a bottomless portafilter, what you are seeing would again indicate an improper grind setting and tamp pressure. It may be worth going to the store to get some instruction or taking a half day barista class. Good luck and enjoy.
I am having trouble chosing between the V58 and the V2 Evoluzione. One is double boiler and the other heat exchanger. Can you tell me if you provides a better expresso shot than the other or is the quality the same?
Best Answer: I would say it entirely depends on your usage! If you are an occasional or once-daily espresso drinker, the Evo will be more than suitable (and it's a tad smaller too!). But, if you really want to dig in to espresso, play with temperature regularly, or are making drinks for a crowd, the R58 would be my suggestion.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
We have owned this model for two years and still do not understand how to preinfuse. We have it plumbed to the house, and we have about 65psi house pressure.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, George
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Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, George
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Best Answer: Pre-infusion is just that, the passive line pressure from your plumbing that 'pre-wets' the grounds. If you want to see it in action, remove your portafilter and flip the R58's brew lever halfway up. This will open the line in the group head, but will not engage the machine's pump. You'll see a stream of water from the group screen.
The proverbial 'jury' is still out on whether preinfusion is necessary or helpful, but in my experience, hard to dial in roasts (especially single origins) benefit from it.
Hope this helps!
The proverbial 'jury' is still out on whether preinfusion is necessary or helpful, but in my experience, hard to dial in roasts (especially single origins) benefit from it.
Hope this helps!
What is the height of the machine without rails?
Best Answer: This machine is 14.75 inches without the rails.
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· Samantha BStaff on Nov 22, 2015
Would the R58 be an option for a SMALL restaurant/bar? Our soon-to-be-open bar/restaurant has 40 seats and serves lunch and dinner. While we don't anticipate a huge call for coffee (projecting 10-15 shots/day), we DO want to pay homage to our beautiful locally roasted beans and have a lovely product to offer with our desserts. I love that the R58 has dual boilers and can be plumbed, it is aesthetically pleasing and the size is nice for our space, plus the reviews are very positive!
In short, seeking a machine for greater than home use volumes, but smaller than a coffee-centric business who still wants a great product.
I don't want to go overboard with our first machine purchase and I am willing to grow with the growth of our business. Do you think the R58 is a good jumping off point considering we are not a coffee-centric business?
Lastly, I saw the question below about a similar business model expecting a higher coffee sales and I looked at the review for the Rancilio Epoca ST 1, but I don't think that's the machine for us. We would need a smaller machine, and would like similar features to the R58 if you do not recommend that we purchase that one.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
In short, seeking a machine for greater than home use volumes, but smaller than a coffee-centric business who still wants a great product.
I don't want to go overboard with our first machine purchase and I am willing to grow with the growth of our business. Do you think the R58 is a good jumping off point considering we are not a coffee-centric business?
Lastly, I saw the question below about a similar business model expecting a higher coffee sales and I looked at the review for the Rancilio Epoca ST 1, but I don't think that's the machine for us. We would need a smaller machine, and would like similar features to the R58 if you do not recommend that we purchase that one.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Best Answer: It will be very important if you are using a machine in a business (no matter the size), that you choose a machine that is NSF rated. This means that it has passed all requirements for scenarios where you're serving drinks to customers, for sanitary reasons. The Rocket R58 is NOT NSF certified, so if you were to be inspected, you would not pass based on this reason alone.
It's also important to be using a machine that will be able to reliably handle the demands that your situation will be putting on the machine. The R58 in not designed for this kind of use, and is considered more of a prosumer home machine.
I appreciate the idea of wanting to find a beautiful machine for your nice, locally roasted beans and desserts. I might suggest looking at the Rocket Boxer 1 group, if you like the Rocket look, or possibly even the La Marzocco Linea Mini.
As we have a great commercial department, above all it would be best to speak with someone that can help you assess and then find the right machine for your situation. You can talk to someone in our commercial department by calling 866-372-4734.
It's also important to be using a machine that will be able to reliably handle the demands that your situation will be putting on the machine. The R58 in not designed for this kind of use, and is considered more of a prosumer home machine.
I appreciate the idea of wanting to find a beautiful machine for your nice, locally roasted beans and desserts. I might suggest looking at the Rocket Boxer 1 group, if you like the Rocket look, or possibly even the La Marzocco Linea Mini.
As we have a great commercial department, above all it would be best to speak with someone that can help you assess and then find the right machine for your situation. You can talk to someone in our commercial department by calling 866-372-4734.
Hi. I noticed that SCG sell a double basket for the rocket, with a specification of 12 grams. I've always wondered what the weight specification is for the single and double baskets that come with the machine?
Best Answer: That will entirely depend on how fine or coarse of a grind you're using. Generally, a single shot will be approximately 10-11 grams, while the double filter basket for Rocket as it comes with the machine is about 14 grams. Other brands will be slightly deeper, and fit 16 or even up to 18 grams of coffee. That will also depend on how fine of a grind you have, and how you're dosing (under, neutral, or over) as you can get more coffee into the basket if you're overdosing, etc., but you will experience a difference in the timing of your shot. In the end, it all depends on how the shot timing and taste is for your preferences!
can I get a specification sheet for this please?
Best Answer: What kind of specifications are you looking for? The following specs are found in the "additional information" tab: ManufacturerRocket Espresso
Width12.25 inches
Depth17.5 inches
Height16.25 inches
Product Weight (lbs.)64.0000
Watts1400W
ProgrammabilityNo
Case MaterialStainless Steel
Boiler MaterialBrass/Copper
Boiler VolumeSteam: 1.7 liter | Group: .58 liter
Reservoir Size2.5 liter
Solenoid ValveYes
Steam Wand TypeTraditional Only
Cup WarmerYes
Available PortafiltersNon-Pressurized
Boiler DesignDouble Boiler
Water SourcesConvertible - Internal Reservoir or Plumbed in
Auto Shut OffNo
Auto OnNo
Pre-Infusion/AromaYes
MaterialStainless Steel
Width12.25 inches
Depth17.5 inches
Height16.25 inches
Product Weight (lbs.)64.0000
Watts1400W
ProgrammabilityNo
Case MaterialStainless Steel
Boiler MaterialBrass/Copper
Boiler VolumeSteam: 1.7 liter | Group: .58 liter
Reservoir Size2.5 liter
Solenoid ValveYes
Steam Wand TypeTraditional Only
Cup WarmerYes
Available PortafiltersNon-Pressurized
Boiler DesignDouble Boiler
Water SourcesConvertible - Internal Reservoir or Plumbed in
Auto Shut OffNo
Auto OnNo
Pre-Infusion/AromaYes
MaterialStainless Steel
Roast my own beans. My La Pavoni is dying after 15 years. So I am upgrading. Pretty sure I have settled on the R58. Just some questions. All based upon making 2 doubles in the morning sometime between 6am and 7am and 1 single or double between 2 and 3pm in the afternoon. If I manually turn on the machine, realistically, I see I must wait 30 minutes for a good shot (7 to 9 minutes with my la pavoni). Can I use a timer? The timer people speak of, is this something programmable that goes in the outlet and the R58 plugs into that? I leave the on/off switch on? (any kind I find online of sufficient amperage allowance?). I set it to deliver power to the machine from 530am to 730am and 130pm to 3pm? Is this a reasonable and safe practice that works ok for the machine? (that manual says turn off and unplug when not in use...not so realistic I would think).
Also, the manual (I found in pdf online) says to empty (and clean!)the water reservoir every night. Is that really necessary?
What size tamper do I buy? (looking at one that clicks at 30 lbs...has two sizes)
If I buy a bottomless portafilters..which size...I assume you sell one that fits?
thanks...
Also, the manual (I found in pdf online) says to empty (and clean!)the water reservoir every night. Is that really necessary?
What size tamper do I buy? (looking at one that clicks at 30 lbs...has two sizes)
If I buy a bottomless portafilters..which size...I assume you sell one that fits?
thanks...
Best Answer: Wow, you'll love the R58! It's a great machine! The nice thing about this powerful machine is that it can actually be left on 24/7 so it's always ready to go when you are! As for the tamp size, it's a 58mm portafilter and yes, we sell a bottomless portafilter specifically for the Rocket machines.
Is there a modestly priced grinder you would recommend (<$500)?
Best Answer: For a nice machine like this, you'll want a good grinder. We do have the Baratza Vario which is under $500 and is a great grinder that will last you a long time and give you plenty of settings to dial in your grind. Here it is for your convenience: https://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/baratza-vario-burr-grinder-with-metal-portaholder
There seems to be a pressure regulation problem after the water line is connected - the pump pressure rises way above the 8-10 range during the pull causing massive water discharge into the tray. Same problem persists when setting is changed back to reservoir. Any thoughts why this might be happening? Thank you
Best Answer: Try readjusting your pressure. On the bottom of your machine, there is a brass bolt with a black nut that can be hand adjusted. Put in a blind basket (basket with no holes used for backflushing) and while the pump is going, loosen the black nut around the brass bolt and adjust until you see the pressure at the 9 bar range and leave it there. See if this helps.
On the Rocket R58 the internals of the E61 grouphead are chromed - since Dezcal can remove chrome plating, what is the recommended descaling procedure for the R58 or a similar E61 type machine?
Rocket Espresso R58 Espresso Machine
Does the Rocket really need back flushing daily? That is the recommendation here. That is the only thing holding me back from purchasing the Rocket.
Best Answer: It really depends on how much you're using the machine. We recommend backflushing the machine once per week if you're using it daily, but if you're only using it on weekends or every now and then, then every 2-3 weeks should be fine. What's important is that you're doing it often enough to keep the machine clean, and if you don't do it but continue using the machine, you could encounter a variety of issues, so regular maintenance is key!
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· Stephanie AStaff on Mar 1, 2015
On the R58 Rocket can you remove the cup guard rails?? I only have 15 7/8" clearance. If yes what would be the height from counter to very top of machine?
How many amps does this use, 15 or 20?
Best Answer: This will be 15 amps, and uses a standard, grounded 110V outlet. You will not need a specialized outlet.
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· Stephanie AStaff on Feb 2, 2015
Hi I reside in Canada, do I need to buy extra electrical & water line adapters if I want to use this at home? Also, do you do delivery over to Canada?
Best Answer: I'm sorry, unfortunately we cannot ship to Canada. Also, provided that you have 110V outlets, you shouldn't need extra equipment, the machine uses a grounded 110V plug (and you shouldn't adapt it for any other outlet like 220V since the wiring inside is set for 110V). For plumbing it in, the machine comes with a BPT connection, but also has an adapter to switch it to NPT (American threading), so you should be able to use it with either the European threading or the American threading. I don't think there is a different kind besides that.
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· Stephanie AStaff on Jan 29, 2015
Is the Rocket R58 "NSF" sanitation certified?
Best Answer: No, sorry, it's not. If you're needing a machine with NSF certification, you should look at the Nuova Simonelli brand like the Oscar or Musica, or give us a call and talk to someone in our commercial sales department!
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· Stephanie AStaff on Jan 19, 2015
Is the protafilters in solid brass?
Best Answer: The portafilter for the Rocket R58 is chrome plated brass with a plastic handle. They are very solidly constructed, however due to the plating you may notice the chrome wear and expose the brass on the portafilter tabs over time. Hope this helps!
What is the range of voltage of this machine? Is it 110 - 220 V ?
Since I'm located partly in Europe as well in the US I want to make sure that I can use this machine at all locations.
Since I'm located partly in Europe as well in the US I want to make sure that I can use this machine at all locations.
Do the two Rocket R58 Portafilters come with ridged or ridgeless baskets? I'm planning on buying 3rd party baskets by VST which come in both versions. I'm hoping the R58 uses ridgeless baskets.
I appreciate the answers given to previous questions, I'll certainly be following some of the advice given.
I appreciate the answers given to previous questions, I'll certainly be following some of the advice given.
What is the height of the grouphead to the drip tray,also the distance from the double spout portafilter to the drip tray?
When mounting the pf, is there flexing in the grouphead at all if so how much? I heard you cant brew and steam at the same time with 15amp?
Best Answer: The brew head gasket is stiff at first on the Rocket R58, and like any will wear in over time. This will reduce any flexing that you might see at first in the brew head but any at all is minimal. You can absolutely brew and steam at the same time even using this machine on 15 amps.
Could this machine be used for small catering events or for say a small business?
Best Answer: No, this machine is not commercially rated, and so I would not recommend it for commercial or business use. For a commercially rated machine in a similar price point, check out the Rancilio Epoca at the link below:
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/rancilio-epoca-st-semi-automatic-commercial-espresso-machine-1-group-tank
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/rancilio-epoca-st-semi-automatic-commercial-espresso-machine-1-group-tank
How long do Rocket machines take to warm up? The things I have read online have a wide variance - anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes.
Best Answer: The reason that you will read such a variance on heat up times with this Rocket R58, or any similar large, E-61 brewhead machine, is because the machine will be hot in the boiler before the brewhead is hot. So the machine may look "ready to brew" on a PID or boiler gauge, but both the metal at the brewhead and portafilter will be cold. Therefore, if you brew at this point, you will draw nice hot espresso through an ice-cold portafilter and dramatically alter things! For this reason, we suggest letting most machines heat up for about 30 minutes with the portafilter attached for best results. Hope this helps clarify!
Would this machine be a good choice for a restaurant bar area. Concern is speed and reliability making up to 100 coffees
a day. Advice?
Thanks!
a day. Advice?
Thanks!
Best Answer: No, unfortunately this is not a commercially rated machine, and so you will void the warranty if you use it in that setting. For a restaurant, you'd need something like the Rancilio Epoca, and I've included a link below. I would suggest looking for something that is NSF rated, and start by looking at the Cafe tab on our website. Feel free to give us a call to talk about commercial machines if you have any other questions!
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/rancilio-epoca-st-semi-automatic-commercial-espresso-machine-1-group-tank
http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/rancilio-epoca-st-semi-automatic-commercial-espresso-machine-1-group-tank
What is the R58's power consumption at idle. It's a 1400W device which is the most it should draw while starting up. If I turn it on and don't use it for 4hrs, approximately how much power is it drawing while idle? How often does it have to ramp up? Should I expect like 60W average per hour or is it more like 100W or 300W or higher?
Thanks,
Chris
Thanks,
Chris
Purchased the Rocket V58 Dual Broiler and am having trouble figuring out how to hard plumb it. What size water tube must be plumbed into the Rocket and what size drain tube attaches to the unit? Thank you!
Best Answer: The adapter fitting to work with US plumbing standards came with the Unit. You need to use the adapter that came with it and the length of hose....then if you need a longer hose you can extend it with a longer dishwasher line. I also put a charcoal filter where I added the additional line for a bit less taste in the water.
Reviews
- Excellence in coffee making since 2012Review by Iker
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Purchased this machine in 2012 and I use it every single day to prepare at least 8 espresso shots a day. 3 cappuccinos a day. I have never had a single problem with the machine. The best investment I have ever made in my coffee experience. I cannot recommend this machine enough. Came to purchase more gaskets. With my excellent experience with Rocket Espresso I was compelled to write one. (Posted on 8/30/2017)Price Quality Value - Great Coffee, price is high but you get what you payReview by Kevin A
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There is no doubt this is a quality build product that delivers consistent great espresso. Looking inside it is appears simple and is. The reservoir is way too small, especially with a tea drinker in the house. I'm constantly filling the tank. Still can't justify the price but I'm loving the coffee lets just hope that construction holds up to the bill and it lasts for 20 years. This is my first machine and didn't want to spend a grand to get a throw away machine, I'm happy but I don't have a tone of experience beyond comparing it to supper automatic machines, which this one kills hands down. (Posted on 2/7/2017)Price Quality Value - Fantastic MachineReview by Craig
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My main aims for upgrading from my Rancilio Silvia were to get a machine were that could be plumbed in and that produced great coffee. The R58 meets both of these criteria, and it's by far the best-looking machine in its class.Price Quality Value
Any dual-boiler, plumbable espresso machine has to be of a certain size, meaning it will have a presence in your kitchen. The R58 was easy to plumb next to my auxiliary kitchen sink, and its beautifully polished stainless steel surfaces make it an enhancement to the decor of the kitchen. I've had many compliments on its impressive looks.
Most important, it's easy to make great coffee with this machine. It is very forgiving of variations in the grind, and it has great steaming power. The only criticism I have is for the hot water dispenser: the water dispensed is very frothy and agitated--not the smooth stream I would like. Other than that, it is a wonderful espresso machine, and I'm extremely happy with it. I love the detachable PID controller--these are adjustments that rarely need to be made, and it's great to have only the analog pressure gauges visible on the front of the machine. (Posted on 1/5/2016) - great machineReview by Jerry Marin
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I had a pasquini Livia for 15 years. yes, I got the first model year. it was a great machine, and almost never broke, but time to upgrade. I did an incredible amount of research on the units in this price range. The Rocket R58 is beautiful, and works wonders. in another league from Pasquini machines. I did not realize what I was missing before. it does use a lot of water. I can't attach to the water pipe given where the machine is. bottom line I gave this five stars. also, Eric was my salesman and was very good in answering all my questions. you will have questions, therefore I suggest that you purchase it from Seattle Coffee Gear or someone who will answer your questions.Price Quality Value
JERRY MARIN (Posted on 1/3/2016) - Great with a few exceptionsReview by Joseph
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I've spent quite a bit of time watching the Rocket videos, especially here on SCG. I really like the in depth commentary. It's fun watching Gail and the team. There's definitely a passion there for the art of making quality espresso. Needless to say I did my homework and researched this purchase extensively.Price Quality Value
A couple of commentaries on the R58. It's well built. Definitely a statement piece. It doesn't take up too much room on my counter and fits nicely under the cabinet. Having the water reservoir in the back is a little inconvenient to refill. Would be nice if it were behind the drip tray. Warm up time for me is about 12-15 minutes. Hot water on demand is awesome. I'm in teavana as well.
There are a few issues I needed to point out that I wasn't able to find before purchasing the machine. First, if you make adjustments to the brew boiler using the PID, the brew head will automatically shut off (at least on my machine). Has anyone else had this problem? This is a little disconcerting because I initially thought my machine was broken and didn't work. I called SCG to analyze the issue. I believe there is a switch that trips and requires you to shut the machine down, let the power cycle out the system, wait for 30 seconds, and then cycle power on to re-engage the pump. Huh? That's a little temperamental. Can I get a software upgrade Rocket? As long as it comes back on I'm good, but my excitement turned into slight disappointment. Wa-waa
Second issue I noticed was the drip tray. It's not all that magnetic and when on the counter tilts slightly up at a 10 degree angle. Looking at the rails there is a slight gap between the tray and machine. Why isn't my machine level? Hmmm.
These are small gripes I know. It's a great machine don't get me wrong. I'm hoping these are minor inconveniences, but you never know. They could potentially turn into big issues. At this price point, I think the value and quality out weighs the possible downside.
When setting up a home system, obviously the machine is important. However, what I learned real quickly is your grinder is BY FAR the most important piece of equipment. Consistency and grind is critical. Go with a stepless with big burrs. Spend the money on the best prosumer grinder you can get. I really like the Mazzer and Ceado lines.
Hope this helps. If anyone else has experienced these issues I would love to hear your feedback. Happy brewing! (Posted on 10/8/2015) - Great MachineReview by Tom
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This is the best machine I've owned. I've waited to give a review for 6 years. It has held up to 3 cups a day. The only part I don't like is waiting for it to warm up with is 11 min. Get a good coffee grinder if you buy this machine. (Posted on 5/13/2015)Price Quality Value - We love our R58Review by Dave
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Spent several years with the Rocket Cellini (HX) which made great coffee. Needed a machine at our office so I sent the Cellini to work and bought an R58 for home. This is the most fun a person can have making a cappuccino. The dual boiler makes you not wait until the boiler is hot before you pull a shot. (If the Cellini fills after steaming you must wait.) There are a few quirks like steam wand on the left, but NBD. We were able to bump the boiler pressure to 1.3 so it never goes below 1.0 when steaming. The insulated boilers stay hotter than the Cellini and do not require as much time to tre-heat (Posted on 3/21/2015)Price Quality Value - in perfetto statoReview by Sandy
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This is by far the foremost espresso machine for home use, ever fabricated; beautiful, well engineered and easy to utilize.Price Quality Value
(Posted on 2/16/2015) - Great Machine!Review by Tanega
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I have had this machine for over a year now. I did run into the loose steam valve problem...just got a wrench and tighten it...problem solved. Put lock tight on nut now problem now. Make sure you plumb it in with a water filter. Wish they had a way to descale the machine in the pid controller....oh well maybe V3 will have it.Price Quality Value
Over all the it has been a great upgrade from a exposer lever HX machine. I use a Espro Toroid for steaming milk... (Posted on 12/10/2014) - Great machine, a few nitpicksReview by Brent
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When our vintage mid-60's Italian espresso machine died, my wife said a little prayer, held a little wake and we then went researching a new machine. We had come down to a choice between the Rocket Giotto Rev (HX) and a Vetrano 2B (Dub boil), which were the same price. My wife, a designer, loved the aesthetic of the Rocket. When we decided to go with a double boiler machine, she really wanted the Rocket look, so we spent up to get the R58. Boy are we happy we did.Price Quality Value
First, SCG is awesome to deal with. They worked with us on the price. They shipped instantly. They were patient and always available as we worked through the plumbing installation (see below) and asked general questions as we tried to figure out the machine, and what wasn't stated in the manual. So, SCG continues to be a stellar company to work with and kudos to them. Their customer service in the buying, negotiating, and set up were all top notch, and we highly recommend buying from them.
As to the machine, it is beautiful and well built. By and large it is an amazingly well designed machine. Even the packaging was top notch. We do have a few nits to pick, but none of them affect our overall pleasure and none of them should be a major deciding factor in considering this machine.
It took us about 4-5 tries to get our grind, tamp and pull to where the espresso "was better than" what we get from our local barista place, according to my wife. So, the machine has a learning curve, like any machine, but delivers a great result. The warmer on top is great, the controls are solid and it makes great coffee. It heats up in about 5 minutes, is appropriately quiet/noisy and it just plain works. Note, you do need to have about a half pound or more of coffee and a half gallon of milk allocated just for your training, which would be true with any new machine Once you get it dialed in, the coffee and frothed milk are fantastic.
We are supremely pleased with the R58 and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high end machine. So, what are our "nits" we pick? Again, these are fairly minor, but here they are:
1. PID location: The plug-in point for the PID is about the worst possible location. Left side, way in underneath the machine. Since most people are right handed, this is your "inferior" side and you can't quite reach it by touch. So, you have to get your head down on the counter and carefully insert the PID Pin connectioh or risk bending a pin. It seems like an afterthought location. How about putting it on the upper back or closer to the edge on the right or somewhere easily accessible?
2. Plumbing: SCG now includes a metric/english brass adapter which is a good thing. However, the adapter comes stuck to the inlet valve for convenience, but not water tight installed. They don't tell you this, and it looks installed. There are no instructions on exactly how the inlet, hose and adapter need to be configured. It took us 2 trips to the hardware store and two calls to SCG to get it right. A one page instruction sheet on how exactly to connect the various parts with a minimum of mistakes should be included.
3. Instructions- The included video is essentially useless. It is nothing more than a video of the "how to use the machine" section of the manual. The manual doesn't include a bunch of useful information. For example, every picture in the manual shows the right side pressure gauge as "working", at 1 bar. However, when resting there is no pressure to the brew head, so the right side gauge is at 0 until you pull. Well, given the manual always looks like that gauge should work, we thought something was wrong. Manual should explain the brew head pressure gauge only shows pressure when you pull a shot. There are other similar discrepancies or lack of info in the manual.
As we said, these are pretty small nits and we still would buy the R58, even knowing the "nits." We are very pleased, and way over caffienated from enjoying the machine so much! (Posted on 9/2/2014) - a real machine for real espresso connoisseurs at home.Review by Charlie
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I got into espresso again due to the "modernist" food movement in Seattle. In Los Angeles I was staying near Espresso Profetta and discovered the joy of being near a synesso machine, filled with Espresso Vivace beans. Then I left. And ... there was only Starbucks. So I looked at GS/3's and Hydras and all the stuff that would make put that syrupy black liquid on tap on my home. I was hesitant to buy such an "inexpensive" machine- one that I could only guess if it would output the quality I was expecting.Price Quality Value
So here's the verdict: Skip the "pressure ramping" gimmick or any of the other nonsense they're trying to upsell. This machine gets it right- perfectly right. It looks great in my kitchen. It outputs EXACTLY the quality I would expect from Intelligentsia, Vivace or any of the other "synesso shops" that have popped up in Los Angeles lately.
The R58 to me is great coffee without hipsters. If I had to buy it again I'd say the La Spazial "Dream" would be a candidate- though as a beginner the lack of volumetric on the R58 force me to time shots and measure volume, which forces me to learn it correctly. And if I were running a cafe... the GS/3 would be the "one"- just because of its 20 amp and volumetric- allowing you to "fire and forget". (Posted on 4/23/2014) - An Almost perfect Espresso Machine. Beautiful! Review by Steve San Diego
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First observation, this thing is a work of art. It is beautiful. Over the years I've owned several quality machines, including a La Pavoni Manual, a Rancilio Rocky, an Andreja Premium, and an Izzo Duetto Dual Boiler. This is hands down the best of all of them. It is very easy to make a great shot of espresso in this machine, and it quickly produces perfectly frothed micro-foam with its Naval Boiler facsimile powerhouse of a Service boiler. It far more forgiving of tamp, grind and other parameters than the other machines I have owned. It is hard to NOT get a good shot. I can train a neophyte to pull a good shot in 5 minutes. When you get the grind right, the amount of coffee correct and the tamp correctly performed, you will almost always get a "God Shot". Very consistent. No flushing, no waiting, just keep pulling shots.Price Quality Value
I keep the PID controller connected, and monitor the recovery until I get a good feel for the machine. The machine's brew boiler recovery time is exceptionally fast, and is about 15-20 seconds. Nothing like a 1400 Watt heating element. That's less time than it takes to knock out your portafilter grounds and then refill it. Because it is 15 amp only machine, with brew boiler priority over the two boilers, it has a minor quirk. One boiler can run at a time, but they are quickly switched on and off by an internal microprocessor to maintain temperature stability, and to keep the total instantaneous current load below 15 amps. You can steam milk first, and go right into brewing coffee, as the brew boiler gets priority from the machines's internal Microprocessor. If you choose to pull your shots first, pause for about 30-45 seconds before you steam milk. That gives the machine time to recover the brew boiler temperature, at which time it switches the Steaming boiler back on line. If you don't wait, you will run out of steam midway through steaming your milk. Once again, monitor the PID controller and wait for the default display of the brew Boiler to reach its preset temperature. It's set at 105C at the factory. That a good for a dark roast, but I use Lavazza Top Class, a medium roast, and prefer a setting of 106C. My experience and preference is higher Brew temps for lighter roasts and vice versa. Anyway, it recovers quickly, and you're off to steaming your milk.
It makes a lot of steam. I switched the tip from the 1.5mm holed tip to the provided 1.2mm holed tip. A small crescent wrench works well. It will heat a small carafe of milk a little too quickly to make good foam with the larger tip. For larger quantities, say 16 ounces + when you're making multiple lattes, use the larger 1.5mm tip. For best results and to avoid overly frothy milk, Don't angle the tip at first, and keep it aligned vertically just below the milk's surface, allowing a small hiss of air to be injected into the milk, until the temp is between 100-110F, then submerge the tip at an Angle of about 15-30 degrees, and let the milk swirl until it's about 150-155F. No more than 160F to avoid scalded milk.
Is this machine better than a single boiler or a single boiler hear exchange machine? Yes, way better. It is far superior to my Andreja Premium, which I've owned for 10 years. It is far better than my 1st generation Izzo Duetto, which I thought that machine was heavily flawed and unreliable. That's why it's now a 3rd Gen Machine. I understand the newest version of the Izzo Duetto rocks, but it still suffers from lack of cup clearance between the brew head and drain tray.
Expensive yes, but ITS WORTH IT! Did I mention it's very beautiful sitting on your counter! (Posted on 2/8/2014) - Great Machine Overall. Pay attention to plumbing!Review by J White
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One quick bit of autobiography...this is my third "Prosumer" class espresso machine in seven years. My first love, an Isomac Tea, eventually replaced with the rotary/plumbed Quickmill Vetrano and now the dual boiler/PID Rocket R58.Price Quality Value
Pros:
External controller - I don't intend to fiddle with it much except to adjust the temp for new coffee blends and occasionally turn on the steam boiler, so I like the fact that the classic styling is not ruined with a glaring digital display. One of the main reasons I picked it over other PID controlled machines, including the Vetrano 2B
Switchable Steam boiler - 90 percent of the time this machine is used for espresso but I do make milk drinks for visitors and the kids, so I like that I can turn that on and off. This is another of the deciding factors for me. FYI the time from cold to full steam is about 6 minutes.
Easily removable drip tray - Easy to remove and clean and the magnets ensure that it stays in place.
Overall aesthetic - I just really like the looks of the cup rail. It looks both elegant and sturdy, and looks like something from a professional machine. It's a petty thing but for some reason it stands out for me. The gauges are large and readable but not out of place. Little things like the real screwed on name plates, where most machines in its class have stickers, and the disk covering the expansion valve drain. And once again no glaring PID display.
Quality accessories - The portafilters and tamper that came with the machine are better quality than those provided with the other machines I've owned. The included smaller hole steam tip was a nice touch.
Cons:
Loud - For a rotary pump machine it is suprisingly loud. It has a buzzy sort of sound that seems like it might be from parts vibrating together. In addition the pump is just louder than it was on my first generation Vetrano, and has a whine when it comes up to the full 9 bar pressure. It's not horrendous but not what I expect from a rotary pump machine. I would almost knock a quality star from it for that.
Drip tray size is ridiculous - It is so shallow front to back that if you don't have a portafilter in the group you WILL have water everywhere, for example when you are cleaning the group. Of the three machines I've owned, it is the worst by far. In addition it is pretty shallow, if you are not plumbing the drain you'll be dumping it a lot (but if you're a neatnik that might not be a bad thing).
Controller connection - It is described on this site as a USB connection, I wish it was. It is actually a 25 pin serial connection that can be tricky to connect if you are not looking directly at it, and if you're a ham handed person you could potentially bend pins.
British Plumbing fittings - This is a real gotcha! The water fitting on the machine and on both ends of the supplied hose are a British fitting. You are simply not going to connect this with anything in your house without an adapter, and you will not find one at the local hardware store. One can be purchased from Seattle Coffee Gear separately. My only knock against SCG. Some sort of adapter to US standard plumbing fitting could only cost a few bucks at cost, pitch one in the box SGC! I was really frustrated when I found this out and had to wait for one to be mailed. To their credit SGC did send an adapter out for free, but it would have saved me some time and frustration if they had just done that up front. Good thing it has a tank!
Overall Impressions:
I am not an expert on milk drinks but I found that using the included optional steam tip did make it easier to froth smaller amounts of milk, which is all I ever do, and it seems to have more than enough steam power.
Overall I love this machine and I'm happy with the purchase. It looks great, and the build quality seems excellent. Most importantly, it makes a great espresso. I would definitely buy it again and would recommend it to others. Even with it's flaws, I think it is a five star machine. (Posted on 2/7/2014) - Very nice machineReview by Bill
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Got this a couple weeks back. Due to traveling, I've had about a week to get dialed in. At this point, I'm very happy with my Cappuccino (milk covers a number of sins) and getting closer on my EspressoPrice Quality Value
In short, really like the machine. The build is very solid. The valves for steam and hot water are very positive - no cranking down hard to close. And, most importantly, the temp and pressure are always consistent. So any 'defects' are my technique as this machine really seems to be able to make a great cup.
I put the machine slightly low on price rating for only one reason - I suspect a cheaper machine could make just as good a shot. However, the build quality and design are probably what you are paying for and those seem worth it if you've got the cash.
One minor complaint ... Rocket claims the machine was set at 9bar out of the factory. Maybe it was, but it wasn't set there when it got to my house. My first shots were barely getting to 7bar. Now I'm one of those geeky engineer types so I was pretty sure I could figure out how this thing should work and, even with the blind basket in the portafilter, it couldn't get past 7.5bar. So I pulled out my tools. Turned out the locking nut on the pump adjustment under the machine was barely tight. So, either they never got it set or they didn't lock it down and things moved (not sure I buy that). Anyway, a few 'turns and tests' later and I've got it dialed in (actually, may be a little high but close enough). If you're not handy, this might be a bit of a pain. So, if you get one, check the pump pressure. On the upside, the adjustment is pretty easy to make.
All in all though, great machine. Consistent performance. Never have to wait for hot water, steam or a pull. With that plus the build quality, I would recommend this to others. (Posted on 12/22/2013) - High quality, serious espresso machine with a few flawsReview by Bruce
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Pros: 1. Heavy and solid. One doesn't have to hold the machine to install the portafilter for extraction. 2. Steam, water, and group-head valves operate very smoothly. 3. Very nice warming tray - cups warm and ready to go. 4. Quiet pump.Price Quality Value
Cons: 1. Drip tray too small - one is constantly cleaning up spillage due to too small a surface area for normal extraction procedures. 2. Absence of reservoir gauge. 3. Absence of timer clock. 4. I'm still having trouble getting a nice, dry "puck" with extractions. 5. Configuration of steam wand, water wand, group-head and lever results in crowded ergonomics - one has to carefully negotiate a path to the lever to initiate an extraction. (Posted on 12/5/2013) - Great MachineReview by Mike D
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I've owned this machine for 8 months and use it everyday. It works as advertised. It makes great espresso's, lattes and just about anything else you would want to create with it.Price Quality Value
Bottom line is you get what you pay for and I wouldn't hesitate to buy this machine again. (Posted on 11/18/2013) - Just buy it. Review by WanderingMoo
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I could have easily talked myself out of buying this machine. I'm so glad I didn't. It's quite simply makes the best tasting espresso I've ever had. Any complaints are sadly on me, not the machine. Just buy one and smile.Price Quality Value
Oh - and a plug for SCG - Great people, great service. (Posted on 11/1/2013) - Wow!!! What a machine!!Review by Espresso NOOB
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This is my first and only espresso machine. I tried something that was a few hundred dollars less at first, and was very disappointed. The R58 is amazing. Café Crema is my favorite drink and It took me a while to learn to get decent results. My wife loves Cappuccino and needless to say, it also was quite a task for me to learn to steam milk with good results. That's all learning curve stuff, but the R58 made it a pleasure to learn on. Loads of steam, perfect pressure all the time every time....even when making 1 drink after another. At first I was surprised by the small size of the water boiler, but the recovery time on it is amazing. I opted to plumb the water feed and drain and even though it made the install a bit more complicated, I'm so glad I did. This machine is made with all top of the line commercial components. It's truly a work of art. (Posted on 5/11/2013)Price Quality Value - EXCELLENT EXPRESSO MACHINEReview by Veronica V.
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This is Excellent machine... the finish and construction is so beautiful, is like jelewery in our kitchen.Price Quality Value
we are very happy.
The ROCKET R 58 is like a Ferrari strong and powerful
vs with (Expobar Brewtus IV-R) is 100% diferency.
Thank you so much Seattlecoffeegear excellent service....
♥ ♥ ♥
Excelente maquina de cafe, el acabado y la construccion es hermosa, es una joya en nuestra cocina.
estamos muy contentos.
The ROCKET R58 es como un Ferrari fuerte y poderoso
comparada con (Expobar Brewtus IV-R) es 100% total diferencia.
Muchas gracias Seattlecoffeegear por su excelente servicio.
Veronica V. (Posted on 4/20/2013) - Fantastic machine!Review by Mudgey
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This is a fantastic machine, it is really solidly built and weighs a ton. The finish is awesome and looks fantastic in our kitchen. During the first few times using the machine I found a puddle of water growing on the counter top under the machine. A quick call to SCG soon determined that the metal pug in the bottom of the drip tray needed to be tightened, doing this cured the problem.Price Quality Value
My only question is why the brew head pressure gauge only ever gets to the bottom of the green section of the dial. So what is the rest of the green section needed for?
All I need to do now is to be able to pull great shots consistently and this is down to me.! (Posted on 4/12/2013)
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Resources
Warranty Information
What it Covers: Rocket Espresso machines
Length: Home Use: 2 year parts and labor (R60v, R58, Evoluzione R, Type V, Appartamento, Fausto Grinder), Commercial Equipment: 1 year parts, 3 months labor
Who Supports the Warranty: Seattle Coffee Gear, read more about Seattle Coffee Gear's Warranty coverage.
Warranty Contact Information: 866-372-4734 or email us at warranty@seattlecoffeegear.com
Eligible for SCG Extended Warranty? Yes, for home equipment only
Can SCG Repair? Yes, read more about our repair services
Care and Maintenance
- Clean the brew gasket daily with a cleaning brush.
- Soap out water tank and drip tray every few days.
- Perform backflush routine daily and clean the filter basket each week.
- Keep the stainless-steel casing shiny with a microfiber cloth.
User Manual
Videos
How to Backflush your E61 Espresso Machine
Compare Dual Boiler Home Espresso Machines
Crew Review: Rocket Espresso Accessories
Crew Review: Rocket Espresso Reservoir Filter
Compare: Rocket R58 and Rocket Giotto Evoluzione
Compare: Rocket R58 and Quick Mill QM67
Compare: Rocket R58 and La Marzocco GS/3
Interview with Rocket Espresso's Andrew Meo