Rocket Appartamento TCA User Guide & Cleaning

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The Appartamento TCA is a compact heat-exchanger machine with a vibration pump, a 1.9 L water tank and Temperature Control Adjustment (boiler pressure from 0.9 to 1.2 bar). Here’s how to set it up, make great coffee and keep it clean, based on Rocket’s Appartamento TCA user manual.

Which models this covers: All colour options of the Appartamento TCA (black or stainless body with copper, black or white circles) work the same way.

Jump to: Before first use: water and start-up · Making espresso · Steaming milk and hot water · Daily cleaning (2 minutes) · Every 2–3 weeks: cleaner backflush · Water and servicing

Before first use: water and start-up

  1. Place the machine on a stable bench with about 10 cm of space each side and behind it.
  2. Lift the tank cover and fill the tank with fresh filtered water up to MAX (about 1.9 L). Rocket recommends a softener bag in the tank.
  3. Make sure the group lever is down (off), then switch on. On the TCA the indicator light is blue at switch-on and turns white once it is running.
  4. On the very first start, open the steam knob so the boiler can fill – you will hear the pump run. When the pump stops, close the steam knob.
  5. Wait for the boiler gauge to reach about 1 bar, then open the steam knob for 5 seconds to release air and close it again. This stops milk being drawn back into the wand later.
  6. Raise the group lever and run a cup of water through the group. The machine is ready once the gauge is back around 1 bar.

Making espresso

  1. Leave the portafilter locked in the group while the machine heats so it stays warm.
  2. Grind fresh beans, dose the basket and tamp evenly.
  3. Run a short flush through the group, lock in the portafilter and raise the lever to start the shot. Lower it to stop.
  4. Adjust your grind finer or coarser until the shot runs at the speed and taste you like.
  5. To change brew temperature, the TCA lets you set the boiler pressure (low, medium or high, 0.9–1.2 bar) in its programming mode using the group lever – see Rocket’s manual or ask us to walk you through it.

Steaming milk and hot water

  1. Purge the steam wand into the drip tray for a second or two to clear any water.
  2. Put the tip just under the surface of cold milk, open the steam knob and texture the milk, then lower the tip to heat it. Close the knob before lifting the jug away.
  3. Wipe the wand with a damp cloth and purge it again straight away.
  4. For hot water, open the hot water tap and close it when you have enough. Take care – the water is very hot.
  5. The TCA has an Eco standby setting (off, or standby after 30 minutes). Lift and lower the group lever to wake it up.

Daily cleaning (2 minutes)

  1. With the machine hot, take the coffee basket out of the portafilter and fit the blind filter (the basket with no holes) supplied with your machine.
  2. Lock the portafilter into the group and run the pump for about 10 seconds, then stop. Water and coffee oils flow back out through the group into the drip tray. Repeat 4–5 times until the water runs clear. This is a water-only backflush – no cleaner needed day to day.
  3. Brush the shower screen and group gasket with a group head brush and wipe away any visible coffee, without taking parts apart.
  4. Rinse the portafilter and baskets in warm water and wipe them dry.
  5. Wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth straight after each use and give it a short purge to clear milk from the tip.
  6. Empty and rinse the drip tray before it gets full, and keep the water tank clean and filled with fresh water.

Every 2–3 weeks: cleaner backflush

For home use, a backflush with espresso machine cleaner every 2–3 weeks keeps the group fresh. Rinse thoroughly with water afterwards so no cleaner is left in the group.

  1. Heat the machine up fully and brush the shower screen and gasket.
  2. Fit the blind filter and add a small scoop (about 3–5 g, or the amount on the pack) of espresso machine cleaner such as Cafetto Espresso Cleaner or Cafetto EVO.
  3. Lock the portafilter in and run the pump for about 10 seconds, then stop and let the cleaner soak for 10–20 seconds. Repeat several times.
  4. Remove the portafilter, rinse the blind filter and portafilter, then backflush again with water only until no cleaner foam or smell remains.
  5. Run some fresh water through the group without the portafilter, refit your normal basket and pull one shot to discard.
  6. While the cleaner is out, you can soak the metal portafilter head and baskets (not the handle) in hot water with a little cleaner for 10 minutes, then rinse well.

Water and servicing

  • Descaling: leave this to us. Your machine should only be descaled by a qualified technician as part of its service. Call 1300 357 575 to book.
  • Prevent scale instead: always fill the tank with fresh, filtered water. Don’t use distilled water – the machine needs some minerals for its water-level sensors to work.
  • Book a service every 12 months for home use, or every 6 months for cafés and busy commercial sites, so seals, gaskets and valves are checked before they wear.

Reorder cleaning supplies

Prefer to order by phone? Call us on 1300 357 575.

Official manual and resources

  • Rocket Appartamento / Appartamento TCA user manual: Supplied with the machine; Rocket does not offer a public download on rocket-espresso.com. Misplaced yours? Call us on 1300 357 575 and we’ll help.
  • Official YouTube channel: Rocket Espresso

Shop this model

Need a hand?

Call Coffee Machines and Beans on 1300 357 575, or book a service.
1/48 Shandan Circuit, Albion Park Rail NSW 2527

Servicing: home users should have their machine serviced every 12 months; cafés and other busy commercial sites every 6 months.

Written steps are based on Rocket Espresso’s user manuals. Always follow the manual supplied with your machine.