Compare Machines


	Ascaso	Rocket
MSRP
MSRP	$1725	$1850
Skill Level
Skill Level	Intermediate	Intermediate
Type
Type	Semi-Automatic	Semi-Automatic
Heating Element
Heating Element	Thermoblock	Heat Exchanger
Portafilter Size
Portafilter Size	58 mm	58 mm
Activation
Activation	Toggle Switch	Lever
Pump Type
Pump Type	Vibration	Vibration
Heat-Up Time
Heat-Up Time	< 5 Minutes	15-30 Minutes
Brew Boiler Capacity Note: The Steel Duo PID pulls brew water directly from reservoir Note: The Appartamento pulls brew water directly from reservoir
Brew Boiler Capacity	Brew: Not Applicable Thermoblock machines pull brew water directly from reservoir	Brew: Not Applicable Heat Exchanger machines pull brew water directly from reservoir
Steam Boiler Capacity
Steam Boiler Capacity	Steam: Not Applicable	Steam: 1.8L
Water Supply
Water Supply	1.8 L - Reservoir	2.5 L - Reservoir
Boiler Material
Boiler Material	Stainless Steel-lined Aluminum	Brass, Copper
Brew Group Material
Brew Group Material	No Information	Chrome Plated Brass
Hot Water
Hot Water	Yes	Yes
Steam Wand
Steam Wand	Yes	Yes
No-Burn Wand
No-Burn Wand	Yes	Yes
PID Temperature Control
PID Temperature Control	Yes	No
Pre-Infusion
Pre-Infusion	Yes	Yes
Shot Timer
Shot Timer	Yes	No
Concurrent Brew Steam
Concurrent Brew Steam	Yes	Yes
Flow Control
Flow Control	No	No
3 Way Solenoid
3 Way Solenoid	Yes	Yes
Brew Pressure Guage
Brew Pressure Gauge	Yes	No
Steam Pressure Guage
Steam Pressure Guage	No	Yes
Over Pressure Valve
Over Pressure Valve	Yes	Yes
Integrated Grinder
Integrated Grinder	No	No
Weight
Weight	15 kg	20 kg
Material
Material	Carbon, Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel

EspressoBot Comparison

Machine Overview

Machine 1, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID, has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,725 and is categorized as a semi-automatic espresso machine, suitable for intermediate skill levels. In comparison, Machine 2, the Rocket Appartamento, is slightly more expensive with an MSRP of $1,850, and it also falls into the semi-automatic category for intermediate users. Both machines provide a great balance between quality and price, aimed at those who have developed their skills yet still seek professional-grade espresso at home.

Brewing Comparison

In terms of brewing information, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID activates with a toggle switch and utilizes a thermoblock heating element, achieving heat-up times of less than 5 minutes. Conversely, the Rocket Appartamento operates with a lever activation, and includes a heat exchanger system, requiring more time to heat up, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. Both machines utilize vibration pump types and are equipped with a 58mm portafilter; however, the Rocket Appartamento has a larger water reservoir capacity of 2.5 liters compared to the Ascaso's 1.8 liters.

Features Comparison

When examining key features, the Ascaso Steel Duo PID is equipped with dual PID control, a shot timer, and pre-infusion capabilities, alongside a boiler pressure gauge and solenoid valve. In contrast, the Rocket Appartamento lacks PID controls and a shot timer but also features pre-infusion, steam pressure gauge, and solenoid valve functions. Both machines support concurrent brewing and steaming, and feature no-burn steam wands, providing users with very similar functionality in an espresso-making context.

Note: Espresso Setup Chris is expirementing with generated summaries for dynamic pages (we have 10,000+ so I can't write for all of them!) If you found this useful, or awful, please shoot me an email with feedback Chris@EspressoSetupBuilder.com. May your shots be perfectly extracted and milk frothy.

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