Rocket Cellini Semi Automatic Espresso Machine

[joeldamianicigan]

Wondering how often Rocket Espresso puts out a new machine. Coffee Fest 2011 is this weekend but not sure if they announce new products at these trade shows.

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@joeldamianicigan Coffee Fest have shows all around the US, but historically Rocket have not been involved in them, preferring to introduce the new machines directly to their dealers. In the past they have introduced a new style of machine pretty much each year since they launched in 2007 so perhaps we'll see a new iteration this year. - Kat

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@joeldamianicigan Coffee Fest have shows all around the US, but historically Rocket have not been involved in them, preferring to introduce the new machines directly to their dealers. In the past they have introduced a new style of machine pretty much each year since they launched in 2007 so perhaps we'll see a new iteration this year. - Kat

[ericschramm2000]

Hi Kat,

First off, thank you for all of your helpful videos!

Second, can you briefly compare and contrast the Rocket Cellini/ Giotto with the Rancilio Epoca (1 group)? They are fairly close in price, but the Rancilio is a commercial unit. So, I'm wondering which machine produces a better shot, steams milk better, which has more power, etc. I'm guessing the Rancilio takes quite a bit longer to heat up?

Thanks!!!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ericschramm2000 The Rancilio has more powerful steam, larger boiler, but I think I prefer the shots off the E61 on the Rocket. Also the Rancilio is going to have a faster recovery time than the Rockets and could do more coffees in succession than any of the ''prosumer' machines. Let me know if you need more info. - Kat

[ezuniga612]

Hey, Kat! Can I ask you three questions?

1) Can I use my Rocky grinder to pull consistent shots with the Cellini.

2) Can you briefly explain how the pressure gauge works on this machine? Would it tell me if the shot is just about right with respect to tamp/grind for example?

3) I'm visiting Seattle in about a week and besides visiting SCG, can you drop a few names of some coffee places downtown that would offer a unique visit and something different from say...a New Orleans coffee shop?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@ezuniga612 Hi there! OK 1) Yes, I regularly use the Rocky with the Giotto (same functionality) with great results. If you can get into a stepless, that would be ideal, but the Rocky does a fine job. 2) The pressure gauge on the premium plus versions is ONLY boiler pressure/temperature; these versions do not have brew head pressure. 3) Check out Seattle Coffee Works (by the market) for excellent straight shots; also, going to Vivace is definitely worth the trip. - Kat

[markpianoman]

What is the price difference between the two?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

@markpianoman No functional difference between the Giotto and Cellini -- just casing. - Kat

[DubsMood]

@markpianoman they tell you in the video...

[AWAKENING009]

can you do a video with the Vivaldi Mini in the near future then? Love to see the plus and minus and how the shot differ from any other machine. Thank you KAT

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

We did - if you search for Vivaldi in our videos, you'll find it. :) - Kat

[AWAKENING009]

I fell in love with Cellini Rockets . . . looks gorgeous. Wonder about PID for heat exchange machine however. Is it worth it to install or better go with a different machine. I like to experiment with different beans. Thanks KAT

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

PID wouldn't really make sense on a Hx, while you could control the main boiler that would affect the water delivery for the Hx to the brew head, you could also do that through experimentation and tweaking the temperature on the machine. If you want to get very finite about temp, I say go for a Spaziale or a single boiler Alexia. - Kat

[AWAKENING009]

Curious when are you going to get more Cellini in stock?

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

End of January. - Kat

[lmchisholm]

Thanks so much Gail and Kat for this video.......great, and complements the instruction booklet perfectly. I love my machine.

[Agathorn]

From your experience Kat, is the Rocket Cellini/Giotto easier/the same/harder to get good microfoam with compared to Mini Vivaldi II ? I´d just kill myself if I spend 2 grand on a machine and my microfoam gets worse then my current (after a lot of practice that is, I realise that!).

I really like the looks of the Cellini but if steaming is to tricky ... well :)

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

I think it's the same -- they both require practice and technique, but I can achieve microfoam with both. The technique is a little bit different and I think I prefer the Cellini's steam wand to the Vivaldi in terms of maneuverability, but they function really similar.

[Agathorn]

Great thanks! I was into the dual boiler but ... god the Cellini is a nice looking machine! And it seems to be your favourite as well (oh well the Giotto, potato potato, hehe), good enough for me!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

No i prefer the Cellini -- dig the streamlined design. I think the double boiler/PID functionality can trump if you're interested in messing around with temperature and how it relates to single origins, etc. But if you're a blend drinker, I don't know how much being able to switch between 198 and 200 is worth ;)

[Agathorn]

Since I got the quality Compak grinder I have only used blends. So I guess I´ll have to give some single origins/estates another chance as well before I make up my mind regarding machine then :) God I hope I like blends more so I can get the Cellini without any regrets!

[SeattleCoffeeGear]

I not-so-secretly hope you do, too, so you can get a Cellini! :)