Coffee At Home
Everything you need to keep your Rocket brewing like day one
Setup, everyday use, and cleaning, all in one place. Built for Rocket machine owners, whether you are a week in or a year in.
Video guides
Learn it by watching
Four short guides covering your Rocket Mozzafiato R Fast: meeting the machine, dialling in espresso, steaming milk, and keeping it clean. Prefer to read? The full cleaning guide is below.
Getting to know your Rocket
A quick tour of the Mozzafiato R Fast: the rotary pump, PID temperature control, steamer, group head, and hot water hose.
Dialling in a great espresso
Dose, distribute, tamp, and extraction timing, walked through step by step using our Veloce blend as the reference recipe.
Shop Veloce blendSteaming milk like a barista
Getting a good vortex, the right microfoam, steaming to temperature, and pouring with confidence.
Weekly cleaning, step by step
The backflush routine, wiping down the steam wand, and keeping your machine looking sharp.
See the full cleaning guideFull cleaning guide
How to clean your Rocket machine
A clean machine pulls a better shot and lasts longer. Here is what to do daily, weekly, and now and then.
After each use
- Purge the steam wand for a second or two, then wipe it down with a damp cloth while it is still warm. Milk left to dry is far harder to remove later.
- Run a short flush of water through the group head to clear any leftover coffee oils.
- Remove the portafilter and knock out the used puck straight away into a knockbox, rather than leaving it to sit.
- Empty and rinse the drip tray so it does not build up residue overnight.
Weekly deep clean
- Insert the blind filter basket into your portafilter and add a small amount of espresso machine cleaning detergent.
- Lock the portafilter into the group head and run a short backflush cycle. Repeat this a few times, then run two or three cycles with plain water to rinse the detergent through fully.
- Soak your portafilter, baskets, and any loose parts in warm water with a little detergent for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse well.
- Unscrew and soak the steam wand tip if it has milk residue built up, then dry and reattach. A steam wand brush makes short work of any stubborn residue.
- Wipe down the exterior of the machine with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners on the panels.
Descaling
- How often you need to descale depends on your water hardness and how much you use the machine. As a general guide, every three months is a sensible starting point for most homes.
- Use a descaling solution suited to espresso machines, following the dilution instructions on the packaging.
- Run the solution through the machine as directed, then flush thoroughly with fresh water afterwards. Do not skip the rinse cycles, since leftover descaler will affect the taste of your coffee.
- Empty, rinse, and refill your water tank at the same time.
What you will need
- Cafetto espresso machine cleaner
- Blind filter basket (usually included with your machine)
- A soft, non-abrasive cloth
- Descaling solution, used every few months
- Steam wand brush (optional, but handy for weekly cleans)
- Knockbox (optional, for daily puck disposal)
Keep it running smoothly
A few small habits go a long way toward keeping your machine performing well between services.
Use filtered water
Hard water speeds up scale build-up inside the boiler. A basic filter jug or an in-line filter will help your machine stay cleaner for longer and can stretch out the time between descales.
Check your gasket
The rubber seal in the group head wears over time and usually needs replacing every 6 to 12 months. If you notice coffee spraying from the sides of the portafilter, that is the first sign it needs attention. Replacements are available as a head seal.
Know when to call in the experts
Regular cleaning covers most of what your machine needs. For anything beyond that, such as internal servicing or a part replacement, it is best to book in with the team rather than opening the machine up yourself.
Need a hand?
We are here if something is not quite right
Whether it is a question about your machine, a part you need, or it is time for a service, get in touch and we will sort it out.