First Look: New ROK GC Espresso Maker and Grinder
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- čas přidán 2. 12. 2018
- I was given a new ROK GC demo unit to try, along with their grinder. I had some fun!
This isn't sponsored, and I will be returning the unit.
For more check: www.rok.coffee
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Would love to see a manual espresso maker showdown: rok, flair, robot and picopresso, with non-pressurized gadgets, in terms of quality of the coffee.
Indeed
Yes
Agreed. Big trends happening with manual espresso making especially in Thailand
I got the robot. It’s phenomenal
That sproingy bit of hair at the crown has my undivided attention
GunDog Jr. wow thanks for that! now i can’t see anything else...
Laura It’s always the way: when you’ve been enlightened all you care about is the gritty truth 😉😆🙏🏻
It’s lovely❤️
I think it's called a cowlick.
This made me chuckle. Sproingy. 😂 [edit] I cannot unsee this now. Check out 7:11 for extra sproing.
Really enjoyed this, James, so informative. While we know you by the hearing of the ear (we are Ben S.'s parents), we now get a picture. Just 2 things to add to your noted advantages to this type of espresso, based on our experience:
1) We live in remote areas of Africa where there is either no electricity or where conservation of a little coming off solar panels is desirable. We used the old version to serve espressos and caps to guests in the bush for years. Will never forget the look on an Italian catholic priest missionary's face when our daughter came out with a cap, with frothed "Nido" on top: "I can't believe it! Cappuccino!! Do you know how ling it's been since I've had a cappuccino?!" So, if you're into all things "unplugged" or "off-grid", this is an excellent answer! Which leads us to say...
2) If you're serious about being "green" for the above reasons as well as due to the felt need to eventually dispose of things without junking up our earth any more with electric machines and plastic, this is an answer! (Where we live on the edge of the Sahara there is no garbage service, everything gets thrown on the ground or buried; makes you think about where all our electrical apparatus and plastic products end up). This product gives decent coffee with peace of mind.
EXACTLY my thoughts, too: Built to last and perfect for living off-grid but in-style.
Yes the less electric and plastic the better. Just ordered one can’t wait.
I own two of these, but this is a new perspective. Thanks for the insight.
The carbon footprint in making steel is much higher than plastic, and we need to get that down quick. Although i get what you are saying, i have to be a smartass 😉
I have had a ROK for about 8 years now. I saw one at a friend's place and instantly fell for it. Though his technique was not great I could see the potential! So I made a purchase myself. For the price I think something like this is pretty unbeatable. It sure takes some dialling in to get a really good shot especially with the grind. But once you do they are as good as anything else out there. A sink is it's best friend. I initially sit it in there and pour boiling water over it and through it. One shot is done back in it goes to remove handle. Just means excess water and mess is not a problem. And if you like having fun put your lips to the tip of the grouphead and you can blow the shot out into the bin. Just do it once you finished your coffee and it's had time to cool! This plus a Bellman stovetop milk steamer makes for an unbeatable match. As mentioned in other comments it's a little more fiddly if you are making coffee for a few others. Fortunately I don't have too many friends hence the time to write long winding comments lol. Great for glamping camping too!
Nice post! A shame nobody else commented. I am interested in purchasing one of these myself.
in Indonesia, some street coffee shop franchise use Rok Presso. They have like 4 to 5 unit of it in their store shelf to speed up the production of coffee menu, because of the high demand. it is quite reasonable due to the extremely expensive electricity cost in our country
Wkwkwk bukan listrik yg mehong bro
Tapi itu kualitasnya seduhanya rok / flair setara mesin espresso yang harganya 50jetis, plus bersiinya ga ribet kaya mesin espresso wkwk
Iya juga ya bang fred ... 👍👍👍
@@frederickateng3779 Well I can say that electricity cost in Indonesia is quite expensive, so It IS one of a valid reasons on why people up here using this thing besides any other automatons. Cheers from Bogor👍
@@frederickateng3779 kalo dibandingin sama mesin jauh kalo menurutku :l
dan di sekitaran lingkungan, pake rok presso sooooookkkkk gitu ajaa... jadi awful taste sih jatohnya :l
tapi nemuin yang enak banyak juga sih, mungkin karna kualitas bijinya juga kali ya :V
@@Buitenzorgian257 dibalas bahasa indonesia, eh dibalas pakai bahasa inggris lagi. Apaan coba.
I would love to see a video for those who are just starting/ wanting to make espresso from home. Like recommendations for bean types, beginner machines, grinders, and things to avoid.
Simply go through Jame’s video catalog here!
I've been using this since before Covid. Not many people have reviewed this ROK presso. The latest version has many updates, from new competition screen, bigger arms, pressure bar, smaller plunger, etc. really has potential.
Hi James, lovely concise look at this gear. Nice job. I’ve had the original unit for many years (presso) and just today updated it to the new GC piston assembly. Just ran the first shot and must say the difference in the feel and extraction is very noticeable. Physical effort required to extract is far less, extraction starts almost immediately compared to previous assembly and now requires a bit of extra concentration in lever position to control the shot. Very obvious that new piston diameter reduces effort to build pressure and pressure builds immediately.
I would echo all of your thoughts to anyone who asked me about the ROK, esp regards to pre-heating. I dose around 16-17.5gm, often around 17.5, level by hand and tamp. Hottest possible water (off boil) as you suggest is a winner, as when it hits the chamber a few deg are probably dropping off, (without me measuring).
While I don’t use the machine daily (mostly when camping) I’ve never had a problem with it. I have a handful of other ‘portable espresso makers’ sitting in the cupboard and this one produces the best results in my opinion. It also looks damn cool.
Cheers, James
I bought the Rok GC about 6 months ago after watching this and have been beyond pleased with it, the quality of espresso I was getting with it within 2 weeks of use would be nye on impossible to tell apart from that of £2000+ machines I've worked with as a barista. I was so impressed with it I had to buy the grinder which was equally awesome, the size and uniformity of the grounds are top notch( the only drawback being that when making coffee for multiple people it can take a little longer than I'd like). Beyond the quality of the coffee it produces, the ritual of making coffee from start to finish with Rok products is just so satisfying, I cannot recommend them more highly!!
How is the quality? Heard the Flair has quality issues. Hard pass for me.
@@ninetendopesaitama2107 The Flair is for travel, tbh. If you don't plan to travel, the ROK GC or the Cafelat Robot are the way to go, imo.
how is the grinder if you only want it for poor overs and moka pots?
this is the first time i see a grinder like this which is somewhat affordable.
i really dislike the normal handgrinders and the design of the rok is exactly like i imagined the perfect handgrinder for me
@@rigdigwus I love my 1ZPresso K-Max, first hand-grinder that I found to be super comfortable and enjoyable to use. That said, would also love to hear how people are finding this GrinderGC for drip coffee. Given how the adjustment works, it seems it should do quite nicely.
@@error.418 yeah I'm just not very fond of those standard handheld coffee grinders.
I like the idea of having a vertical grinding motion as well as this longer leverage.
I wish there were more grinders like this on the market. Also the Rok seems to be specialised on espresso grind, which I don't need. I'm fine with a coarser grind for the pour over machine.
Hey there James, Joseph from the states here, Texas to be specific, and I've been a follower of yours for several months at this point in time. I appreciate you doing this in-depth review of both the grinder and the espresso maker. I recently purchased the manual grinder for doing pour-over coffee in the mornings, and I wanted to note something that maybe you experienced but did not include in the video.
Prior to having this ROK grinder, I had had an electric chopper, and then a handheld electric "BRIM" conical burr grinder. I had been using the chopper for several years before recently upgrading to the BRIM, although I wouldn't quite call it an upgrade because it was just as noisy as the chopper, took forever, and I didn't like the process of removing the grinds from the device. Anyway, because I was mostly dissatisfied by the BRIM, I decided to return it and purchase the ROK, and I'm so happy that I did.
The ROK does not take long at all to grind (especially since I only do pour over), nail on the head there. The long throw of the handle definitely makes for an easy time grinding the coffee (I would also say kind of fun). But the thing I wanted to point out about using the ROK, is that you can FEEL the beans crunching and grinding in the burr. The vibrations travel through the whole machine and can be felt through the handle as you turn it. It is an oddly satisfying feeling, something I did not expect to experience not having used a manual grinder before. Also, being a musician, the sound of the cracking and popping of the beans being ground is enjoyable, although I feel probably not many people will side with me on that one, the volume level is a little louder than expected.
Hej Joseph!
How is the ground coffee that you do for pour-over? Does the ROK grinder do a good job?
I don't mean the best job in the world, even just good enough :) Thanks for your time!
@@TheJB27 hey, good to hear from you! I still follow your videos religiously.
A year later and I am still quite satisfied with the ROK, having had the time to learn and adjust accordingly. One downside I would point out is that not all the grounds come out of the chute and cleanup can be a pain since grounds tend to fall out of the machine if bumped.
I'm hoping to pair this with a Technivorm KGBT in the near future.
Keep up the good work! I love the coffee from Square Mile as well.
@@josephmclemore9094, thanks a lot for the info!
I’ve had my ROC espresso machine since 2011. Nine years. I got it to make lattes when I went camping. In 2012 I thought that buying expensive espresso machines -$700- would make better coffee. The $700 started to make yucky espresso (off tasting) in less than a year. I pulled my ROC out of the camping gear. I’ve been using - the old one- since then. It hands down makes better espresso than any machine I’ve ever owned. But here’s the thing- the waste reduction alone! The $100 espresso machines break down in under a year. My $700 machine is about to be donated - with the $1,000 machine before that. And all through that time?? The original ROC is still pulling great espresso! I’m getting the new press today and I don’t have to buy a new frame to put it on! Significantly better in so many ways! Best espresso press I’ve ever had!
If you pull this thing out when your camping, you’d better be ready to be the morning barista. It pulls everyone in to see what this “cool looking contraption is.” If you have any engineers, firemen, or builders they will be enthralled.
I'd love to know how you are getting good shots from this thing. I've had mine for more than 5 years and I've never gotten consistently good shots. Most are under-extracted and sour. The alternative is clogged up and unable to extract. I weigh the beans, I now own a Breville Pro grinder, and it just doesn't work well!
@@barrychovitz322 i guessed you didn't preheat things hot enough
@@barrychovitz322 I would test different grinders... I have a breville grinder and couldn't get good espresso... Changed the grinder and it made all the difference. Admittedly haven't used the Rok before...
@@barrychovitz322 I am using a manual Q2 1zpresso grinder and I have no sourness at all now. It has slowed down the shot as I am grinding the coffee fairly fine. Using at least 16 grams of ground coffee in the stock filter basket of my RokGC. Also, if you are not already doing this, feel free to dunk your portafilter in a mug full of hot water for a while. :) Make sure it is not and hot, just wipe it really dry before putting the coffee grounds in it. Good luck!
Not sure when I purchased my first “Presso” but I would really question twenty years; maybe more like ten. I now have three of them and just upgraded one with this mechanism; it has definitely upped the depth f flavor. Very nice that they make this upgrade available for owners of the older models.
Rather than trying to heat up the plastic parts of the machine, just put the portafilter in some hot water for several seconds; I put it in the cup I am going to make my cappuccino in, then it is prewarmed to so I am not putting hot espresso in a cold vessel.
The grinder is wonderful, I got the initial crowd-funded one and it is still working perfectly.
Finally, definitely going to open up the bottom of one of my portafilters.
I have been a Rok user going on 8 years. The GC update was a major improvement. I agree with the advice about preheating the water chamber/piston and basket; I use the basket immersion in a cup of boiling water method. Finally I must comment on the excellent customer service I have received from Rok. I was in email communication with them about replacement parts when I received an unsolicited email from customer service saying that after review of my emails it appeared I was covered under warranty. Rok ended up sending me a complete new unit.
What needed replacing?
One of the lever arms broke where it attaches to the other lever arm atop the machine.
06:37 I use funnel from aeropress and it fits perfectly with rok's portafilter
Yes! me too
Ah! you're right it does! thanks lol!
Genius. This has saved so much mess. Thanks!
I just put the porta filter over my small hand grinders bottom container, then turn it over and tap the whole thing on the counter.
Thank you Mr. Hoffman. After watching this video I bought this combo of grinder and brewer and as an entry level espresso-enjoyer am more satisfied than I thought,I would be, since it fits perfectly in my small kitchen, I love that style, it makes great espresso (even without any experiance in coffee making beforehand) and without the noise and cost of heavy machinery. Greatings from germany. And thanks for the lots of great content you provide. All that effort for making the world a better place with good coffee doesn't go unnoticed.
I had version 1 of the ROK grinder fresh from their Indigogo fundraising campaign. On the whole I liked it for the year I had it.
What I liked most is the zero retention of grounds. I used it almost exclusively for cupping, and measuring exact doses and little-to-no waste between beans was fantastic.
What I didn’t like was the way larger grounds and sometimes whole beans would pop out of the top of the tiny hopper. So I cut a used plastic takeaway container lid to fit the top diameter, put a hole in the middle the size of the drive axle, and then split the radius to easily slip it on and off.
The other thing I found challenging was changing grind size from finer to courser. Often the adjustment ring would start to spin freely and I would have to disassemble it and clean out whatever was jamming it. In other words, set it and forget it is best practice.
Permanently mounting it to a workspace was also a bonus. I used a small C clamp to affix it to the edge of my countertop so I could one-hand the grinding. But like you said, doing the actual grinding is a snap.
Cheers!
But you didn't like it enough to keep it?
I just started looking into these. As someone who is new to this, I appreciate the informative reviews. Thank you!
Agreed I'm about to go buy one and I can not wait now 😍
I’ve had a rok first gen for about 10 years now. It is my go to for espresso when camping and caravan trips off grid.
I have the earlier model. Here are some comments... I hold the grinder by placing my left hand in the bean hopper with the shaft between my fingers. That keeps the last couple bean fragments from shooting around and is a nice grip. I small spritz of water on the beans will keep the static down (which can be an issue if the humidity is low).
I use the funnel that came with my Aeropress to reduce spill when pouring into the portafilter.
Mine came with a useless tamper so I had to order one elsewhere.
To help with the tamping I took an ice hockey puck (I am Canadian) in to work and drilled a conical hole and cut a slot to hold the portafilter while I loaded and tamped the coffee in.
It came with a milk frother that I didn't like much so I use one of those battery powered whippers.
I have an old Rok that I updated with the kit. Every once in a blue moon I will underheat the unit. So, it's definitely a critical step to make sure that the Rok has been heated adequately warmed. But is only "budget" espresso machine I've bought is still working and seems like it will never stop.
And, yes, pressing the arms down is a great moment each morning. I'm sure that I'm sure my body is already preparing for the forthcoming coffee.
I’ve been using my presso (the old name for the ROK) since ‘09 on and off. It has outlasted all of my other machines. Got the GC kit last year, love that it fits. Its a good upgrade- I’ve gone through a few of the old brew chambers over the years. One of my absolute favorite things about it is how simple it is to clean. I think I’m going to get the grinder now.
Been using a ROK for 5+ years daily, if your grind is right, they are amazing! 100% dependent on the grind as that determines the back pressure and length of the shot. This changes with different types of beans or even if they have been in the grinder hopper for a couple of days etc. What I like about it is, not having to rely on mechanical mechanisms in an espresso machine. Even the most expensive machines require a ton of maintenance, this thing keeps on going. Probably getting 95% of the quality of an expensive maching without the down sides. Just my opinion.
After reviewing many of these things, this appears to be the one I would go for. Simple and durable and works. Love that grinder as well.
DJ you can have mine. Nearly new but I gave up.
@@fuelbasti but why
any recommendations for making a shot of espresso? the water and the coffee aswell
I’ve just made my first espresso. I may need to check ‘how many clicks’ on the hand grinder. As . It’s was. Well. A bit minging/bitter. Hopefully it’ll improve with time -
I've had the ROK for several years. I like it still. I've taken to doing the "double fill" method where by you pre infuse the coffee with the first chamber of water and then top off, lifting the levers so that when you pull the shot, you're pushing water rather than air. It makes pushing the rest of the water through to clean a bit more laborious but I like the feel of the process a bit more
Can you explain this a bit more? I'm interested in buying a ROK
I ended up getting the grinder + espresso maker combo and have been very happy with them. I've encountered, and solved, two issues with them which may be of help to people:
1. The grinder tends to fling beans all over the place as they get down to the burrs due to the open design. I ended up making a makeshift lid to go over the top of it out of aluminium foil. It'd be great if the Rok people made a machined aluminium lid or something of that kind.
2. As noted by James, filling up the portafilter with ground coffee is very messy if just using the included cup. I ended up getting a portafilter cone thingy that slots in so I can dump the grounds in without losing a bunch.
Other than that, it's been very good as an espresso maker. I tend to boil some water and submerge the portafilter into a coffee cup full of it while grinding the coffee. After that, dry the filter, fill with coffee, tamp and reboil the kettle in order to get the hottest water possible. I tend to preinfuse for about 15sec.
One thing I found, if you like even better crema is elevating the espresso cup a little so it's closer to the portafilter.
You can get a cover espressounplugged.com/products/rok-grinder-cover
I cut a slit in the lid of an iced coffee and have been using that as the lid. It sits perfectly, has a hole in the middle for the shaft to pass through, and you can see through it to see how many beans are left to grind!
Do you have any other grinders to compare with? I bought the espresso machine but didn’t buy the grinder and I don’t want to spend too much on a grinder when I’m just getting started, do you think the grinder is able to endure over the years and not be something that I need to upgrade?
I am a coffee newbie and received my Rok a few days ago and was struggling to get a decent espresso from it.
Finally after a few days of practicing with different coffees , grinds etc I am finally getting the results I was hoping for.
I now have a much better understanding and appreciation of what is needed to make a good cup of coffee.
What grinder did you pair your Rok with?
Great review! I really love the look of these machines, somehow industrial yet elegant and sleek at the same time.
I love my rok, I use 16g shot to a 35g yield and have a 12 sec pre infusion. That's on the old version.
Thanks for the reviews. I'm a big fan of the Rok grinder, which I normally use with an Aeropeess. Works really well, and looks beautiful.
I’ve been using the rok grinder at the office for filter coffee at the office for a year. Co workers love it and now take turns to grind it. And it’s really quick for filter coffee. The cup gets a boat load of static. Other than that, it’s fun.
Such a good review James, thanks for an impeccable work. Greetings from COLOMBIA 🇨🇴
I love my ROK, I've had the 1st gen for around 6 years now. It was a bit of a learning curve (I had never done espresso), but i find it to be easy to use and clean, and it takes up almost no space. I'm glad I found this video, I'm starting to have problems with the old chamber and it's nice that it can be upgraded for a decent price!
Thank you for the review, I find it very interesting to see what other people think as I have been using the more original Rok now for years while at home and travelling in an RV. We make around 6 to 10 shots a day using the Rok grinder. What I love about the original machine is that the chamber where you pour the water in is transparent and it is easy to see how much water you have poured. As I always feel slightly different about the coffee I want at the time of making it I love the control I have over the grind, the tempering, the amount of water, the time of preinfusion and the pressure and speed I pull the shot. I use rapidly boiling water at all times and get the best results with it. I don't do reviews but I am a heavy very practical minded user and find the Rok easy to use, easy to clean and easy to maintain.
can you share what measurement of water to grounds you have used for success? thank you!
@@kevinroll7581 I do not use any measuring devices. I've been making so much coffee that I go by the feeling and experience. Fairly often I have to adjust the grinder when I get a new lot of beans. If I want the coffee smooth I use lots of ground coffee, tamper it very hard fill up the coffee machine to roughly 3/4 and let it preinfuse for around 30 seconds and press it very slowly and only keep the first 1/3 and discard the rest. If I want it stronger in taste and less smooth, usually when I make a latte, I use a little less coffee still tamper it fairly hard, fill with water to 1/2, again preinfuse for 20-30 seconds and then slowly press all of it in my cup. I make lots of different coffees all the time as I usually feel different about coffee taste, when I am eating or not, have little or lots of milk or cream, just have a shot or have a latte. I hope this helps
I bought the ROC when he was still called Presso. I’ve been using it for about 10 years when we’re camping. I get the same results as with my large espresso machine at home. My procedure is to heat water in a teapot and pour it over the aluminum body before the first use. The mistake I often see in people is that they do not preheat the device and believe the 30ml of hot water would be enough.
This seems great for me. I want a totally manual process but with as little steps as possible. Beautiful sort of vintage aerospace design too
Having to deal with the preheating makes the process involve quite a few unnecessary steps I'm afraid. There are better options out there.
I recently started to get a certain interest in manual espresso maker. the Rok is one which caught my attention and I m quite amazed to find out that this model has been in the market for a decade!
thank you for your interview James.
Just ordered mine. I wanted something reliable that can produce good espresso at a reasonable price. Can't wait to try it out.
Quick tip : the Aeropress funnel fits nicely inside the PF, it's a bit tricky to remove though, as the bed of coffee will be quite high.
~
I have the newer model and have been using it make great espresso for about 6 months now. I love it and yes the heat management is a challenge
I've been using the old ROK hand grinder for over a year now and am still impressed daily by the consistency of my espresso grinds. Duribility thus far has been a non issue, although I see they have replaced the stiring mechanism in the burr cup with a metal peg. Hopefully the plastic wand in mine will last, or if not, they do a simple retrofit like was done for the press. Go ROK!
Question. How many ‘clicks’ do you have the Grinder set at? Or how many rotations left to right?
I use the original ROK grinder with my Gaggia Classic. I use a piece of newspaper instead of the dosing cup (it's easier to control a pour of the grounds into my portafilter) and I use the Ross Droplet technique to avoid the static issue. It's a very easy device to clean, and dead simple to operate. It works for me.
Do a video on the best coffee makers and grinders to buy for someone on a student/early-career budget!
I know your comment is old but right now (UK prices) I would recommend:
Aeropress, Timemore C2 hand grinder, small scales (about £120 as a bundle from Kiss the Hippo - it's what I use at work)
Wilfa Svart grinder (£120) is a good pairing with a V60, Mokka Pot, or aeropress for home... a pouring kettle for V60s is "nice" rather than essential.
There's not really a good low budget option for espresso... I guess you could make a Picopresso (£110) and a Timemore C2 grinder (£60) work but that feels like an espresso addict's travel system rather than an everyday one.
Love these personal up close review of the mecanical style of coffee makers
James U R doing a great job. Unlike other CZcamsrs U get straight 2 the point. Plus UR videos R informative. Regards, KB from TURKEY.
I have one of the originals and I use it every day. I find it great for my limited ability, BUT I've been teaching myself how to make Turkish coffee so it hasn't been getting as much love lately.
I've never actually liked espresso but I just keep watching this channel and the reviews
Me neither but I care about getting it right (or as best as I can with my equipment) for the cappucinos that form 99% of my rancilio's usage. Never did care for straight espresso though :)
I drink espresso with Italians
Otherwise I drink aeropress
Ha I've been like that with guns and the Gun Jesus. And now I know about trapdoor rifles.
Hi James- I recieved one of these to upgrade my old Rok that broke. 100% better after swapping. I have crema every time now, while before almost never.
Same re convincing me to upgrade.
James thankyou for your thoughts I really appreciate this I have just found your channel last week and have been watching though all your videos this has been my favourite and making me want to dive deep into home espresso I'm off to buy a rok espresso maker 👌🏼
I have been using mine for a few months now. My 1Zpresso JX grinder fits the portafilter perfectly. I also always put hot water in the Rok and I put the portafilter in a cup of hot water when I am grinding my beans.
I have the old unit and have got back into using it recently - I basically do it as in the video, and get decent coffee now that I've binned the plastic scoop/tamper that came with it and got a proper one. I end up running three or four blank shots through it while I grind coffee, find a cup and all that, but my kitchen is really cold in the morning. My only tip is to use an Aeropress funnel to fill the portafilter - it's almost exactly the right size :)
Now to investigate upgrade kits...
Great idea to use the aeropress funnel.
Finally got an upgrade kit - immediately better coffee, and a lot easier to pull a shot.
I bought a Rok espresso machine a few years ago and just recently upgraded it with the GC upgrade kit. It is a great improvement! I get better pressures and better crema. I do like the zen-like process and the idea of the simple machine with few parts - and the parts are user-replaceable and fairly priced. And that's a good thing, because I recently broke the bayonet ring (the thing the portafilter locks into) and the new part is like $12 shipped. That part is kind of a weak link. Basically, if you grind too fine and find yourself really having to push down the arms hard, then you might break it. It is aluminum after all.
Good to hear that the latest upgrade can be retro-fit to my older one. I like design and function of the Rok, but have had some bad corrosuon issues in the arms in top pivot. The design of the pivot bolt and holes leads to wear and holds moisture. Given it is always getting wet and steamed it should be made a bit better. Im considering having the arms plated to stop the build up of oxidisation and the resultung pitting.
I’m trying to find an off grid espresso maker and just picked up a first generation Rok. So far, having fun with it and will purchase the update kit in the coming weeks. Great video!
We got our grinder during the kick starter campaign for it and have been using it every day since then (3+ years). It still works great, a few signs of wear, but overall still grinding no problem.
Woah! One of the *original* ROK fans! Really great to hear, Trevor, that your grinder is still in the forefront of your daily coffee routine - long may it continue. (And with our design of longevity in mind, it certainly should!)
@@ROKEspressoMaker I really like the idea of ROK grinder. Even though I love my Hario Skerton Pro grinder very much, but I am sure the ROK grinder will grind faster with less effort. The only problem is it seems a bit too expensive for a manual one. I wouldn't think twice of getting it if the price is lower.
Your soothing voice mixed with tasteful eloquence and straight up good quality images makes for binge watching your channel. Thank you for all the good content. Now, I have this ROK GC and I pour delicious espressos with it. Crema however, is but a fleeting shadow of what might have been there. Just can't seem to get one, no matter how hot everything is, how fine our fresh the grind is, faster or slower pulling of the leverages - which by the way I like to vary it as I feel like it, but at the same time makes it pretty hard to gauge "proper" pressure throughout the pull. Last but not least I thought about a previews manual espresso puller I had, the Handpresso, which is very compact seemingly way better built than the wacaco, looks like a beautiful gadget, deffo convo starter, and I would take up on hikes with hot water and have sneaky espressos on top of the mountain with minimal gear. Cheers!
I'm really impressed with the grinder. I would pair the Rok grinder with the Flair for a cheap at home manual espresso setup. Expensive grinder but it's capable of an even espresso grind.
That is the setup I have + Bellman CX25P for frothing the milk.
I wish the grinder would have been step-less and the frame which holds the house of the burrs would have been 2 x A-frame for more stability.
Thank you!
I'm using the old one and super interesting with the new piston. I agree on all your tips. Pre heating (also to prevent breaking the part), I put the hot water to almost full (My experience is that will add more pressure), my fav pre infusion is with a liiiittle bit water (lift the lever until a small portion of water gets in) and wait 15-20sec. I think that'll make your shot sweeter. Then kind a put a little pump 1-2 times, again, to add more pressure. I agree on 16grams for 40grams. Best grind setting if you can do it in 25sec.
Rest of the water? Just put another glass and finish it and dump it.
When you say "Best grind setting if you can do it in 25sec" Do you mean 25s for the entire process including pre-heating? or for just one press from top to bottom?
I just got mine today and still trying to figure everything out, just wondering if my grind is too course. Doesnt take anything like 25 sec for me.
@@Psi105 congrats for having one. 25s for just one press.
I would love it if you made a video on coffee grounds ratio to coffee liquid ratio . Thanks for this amazing video
You can learn to use rokpresso on our channel
Great review James! I have one on the way!
Thanks for the video and the tip to warm up the machine beforehand! I have the previous version and just got the conversion kit for Christmas. It's great! The new pressure is much nicer.
Next I'm gonna get the grinder. I have a Severin 80 Euro grinder, which is really not doing it for me for espresso.
Looked at this & like it , needs a group head pressure gauge though to look at whilst extracting , then can just take the extraction to get the grind right
Thanks for vid
Great honest review as always.
I... I don't even like coffee what am I doing here?
These are some excellent reviews though.
Go to a specialty coffee shop and I'm pretty confident you'll change your mind!
What kind of person doesn't like coffee at all? I'm sure if you were to taste good coffee you'd change your mind
@@sahirdiesh6386 I mean... it's taste... I also don't like peas but if you said "man peas are great, you just haven't had good peas" then I'd be a little lost for words. Not to say you would say that, but yea...
@@sahirdiesh6386 mostly because caffeine sucks
Yeah i guess
To lock in from left-to-center, you can just turn the machine around. It works both ways.
I am using my rok second edition and grinder almost on daily basis to make my morning latte. For latte I preheat coffee maker. When I add water I let it sit for 45 seconds max. If it goes beyond that the coffee will be very bitter. 35-45 seconds, brew and then use that as a base for my latte. If I make espresso, less than 30 seconds for water to sit is preferable I think.
i'm not a connoisseur but I bought one of these after using subpar machines. ive had the grinder and the press for a few years and i think it works great, always a think layer of crema and my lattes are unquestionably better than starbucks, we have some good coffee shops around but it makes me feel good knowing my espresso is better than starbucks, i've enjoyed your other reviews and I finally decided to watch this one to see how the rok compares, and I am happy that it seems to be relatively a decent machine, i just love being able to make my own espresso
Good for you. Life is too short to drink bad coffee. Have you tried home roasting? I have been roasting for years but only recently have I begun to understand the science of it. Now it is getting very fun.
I made a batch a few weeks ago that had a cherry flavour. That stuff was amazing! People thought I added flavoured syrup in the cup. Plus, it is way less expensive to buy green beans, but there is a bit of learning and understanding to do.
May you have many great cups to come.😊😊
What a great review! I use rok also at my cafe and apartment just a tip from me just put hot water inside the chamber and leave it while grinding and heating the milk for caps so when you already finish grinding the chamber and portafilter will be hot enough
"Pretty good" is a great compliment coming from James.
"Fiddly" - my new word to describe laborious espresso making... Love it, James!
Great video. I've been interested in this for awhile.
I was curious about this. & it’s awesome to see you review it because I feel like you genuinely have the least biased honest review on it. Not leaning one way or the other too much & being honest about the pros & cons. My manager David at Starbucks put me on to your content & I enjoy your tranquility while still conveying points.
Love your comparison videos on manual expresso makers and your honest reviews. After watching this specifically and most of your other reviews it reinforced my decision to purchase a cafelat robot. Price for price; all are sort of similar. Heat issues appear to be an issue in making a good cup though, as well as ease of making and feel my final choice appears right.
I have the flair espresso maker and the ROK and I will probably get the conversion kit for the ROK. I haven't used it over a year as I have been using the flair.
Woo - that's great to hear, Kevin. If you end up getting the new gear, we'd love to hear what you think and how it compares to the previous model!
spot on home coffee toy reviewing 👍
I just love my Rok espresso maker, been using it 2-3 times a week for the past 10 years, and now 3 times a day since confinement... I did purchase the update since I have the first generation. It really did change the taste of my espresso, for the better. Also did purchase a new portafilter, cracked the black handle after some years of knocking it to remove the coffee cake. Anyway, like you said the zen routine around this machine is what got me into buying one and keeping it.
Where do u buy?
I'm using a ROK. I cut a bib out of black silicone to make preheating more efficitne. It fits snugly around the flat part of the plunger just below where it attaches to the levers, so when the levers are all the way down, it sits flush atop the brew chamber. Keep the heat inside the machine while preheating. I just did this mod a couple days ago and it does seem to produce a hotter brew.
I saw on their youtube that you could also use the bottom of the dosing cup as a sort of tamper as well. That's pretty thoughtful design.
i've always wondered about the rok since it looks way better than other manual spro machines. good review
thank you Mr. Hoffman, I just ordered one based on a visual from Kruve. I thought about the Flair, but like the two handed approach of the ROK. I have been lurking at the edge of espresso, working on gaining experience with the Aeropress. Another inspiration came from a Denver based artist who was selling espresso shots on the streets of Denver out of his VW Bug. His device was a ROK.
Crazy, I saw a video of a similar thing but it's an older gentleman on the streets of Argentina. I am not working right now but love coffee and am considering doing the same thing where I live here in Canada. Even if I just made a few bucks a day, I would be happy just with the experience!
I have the Grinder.
It is awesome.
I do french press and pour over.
I have considered getting the Espresso making because it is simple
Who are the 145 dislikes? What exactly were you expecting? I love these videos. Detailed concern for my coffee production will probably never be at this level, but I sure enjoy watching someone who is.
Thank you for the video, You where not to happy about the tamper recommend another tamper that fits the ROK?
can't see anyone praising the best feature of this machine: it is QUIET! seriously, I hate the sound of espresso automatic, my partner hates it even more, she started hating me recently because of that..
I mean... That comes standard with most manual espresso machines.
Hi James, I love your videos and I love how you explain all of this
And I hope you do a review about espresso maker Cafflano Kompresso. I watched a video that Dritan Alsela like this product
Thank so much James, I really love it.. cheers
5:12 "They doo doo"
James. Love your videos. As we all know, aesthetics are an often unacknowledged but important aspect of barista craft. With that in mind-who made your beautiful jersey and how can I acquire one? Thanks a million x
I'm rewatching old gear reviews...I hope we get some new gear reviews and updated reviews!
Finally, the Rok has come back to coffee entertainment!
If you smeeeeeeeeeeeeell, what the Rok, is brewing!
looks like I’ve found my dream set up. What a bizarre yet wholesome channel to find down the rabbit hole. I didn’t know I needed it.
Same here. If I have a 400 bucks to spare, I wanna get the espresso press and grinder haha
Justin Ypma honestly, I love coffee enough.this or the Flair 🤷♂️ James has a video on that if you haven’t seen it. These things look like they’ll last forever though 😂 great investment
always love this channel
I'm tempted to buy the ROK, but it doesn't have the pressure gauge like the Flair does, since I'm completely new to manual brewing. So my mind is now set to buy the Flair and buy the ROK grinder
Did you go with the Flair eventually ? If so, are you satisfied with it ?
@@patrix1987 No, I didn't. I skipped a whole few steps. With hindsight the better, I didn't want to mess with a hot waterkettle. I bought Bezerra Matrix MN. Lot more expensive, but worth every penny.
@@IXtremos666 Very nice, I just looked it up. Thanks 👍
I have 2 of the originals, one still NIB. I use the other time to time including at work.
Hi James, thanks for the review. What do you think of the other manual espresso maker called Cafelat Robot designed by Paul Pratt?
Hi James, thank you for your advice. I have old version of ROK. It tastes good but it doesn´t have crema.
How far up the ‘videos to make’ list is the V60 tutorial James 🤔
@@jameshoffmann Hi James, have you got plans to get one of Tim Wendleboe's new grinders when it comes out?
@@jameshoffmann Awesome, can't wait to see it! Thanks for replying
The aeropress funnel fits very neatly inside the portafilter which is handy for dosing cleanly. So glad to hear the GC can be retrofitted too!
@@jameshoffmann January 2020? lol
Congratulations
I live on a boat so totally off grid. Every morning I boil a pot of water for the washing up and heat my Roc in it as I go. Only way to get really good coffee from this is to get the whole thing proper hot!!
James how does the Rok Grinder compare to the higher end hand grinders like the commandant?
Excelent video James, I am learning so much about expresso coffee making although I have absolutely no intention on making any LOL! Regarding the heat issue with these machines, how about someone invents a machine with some kind of deposit to put the heated water in just the right amount to correctly preheat the system and make it easily refillable for the next shot if needed. Thank you and keep up the great content!
I just got this piece of beauty and has made me enjoy my local Kenyan coffee
Firstly - love the videos, keep up the great job.
Have a Rok grinder myself (paired with a sage duo temp) and have used this set up for the last 2 years and it's still looking great. I do 18g espresso shots with your red brick blend and love the results. I would say I find that the brew ratio to me that tastes best with this set up is about 1:2.5 (about 40ish grams of espresso) and I use the 5th smallest grind setting (turn anticlockwise all the way to the end til the tightest point then back to number 5).
I'm considering upgrading my Rhinoware hand grinder to the ROK one. Since you've used it for two years, do you suffer from grind setting drift? Is static really a problem (might be climate related of course) ?
Regarding water dosage. When I boil water for pour-over coffee, I always use the cup or mug I intend to use as dosage cup for my kettle. This saves time, water and energy. You could easily use this method to avoid excess water in the chamber.
I currently use the Lavazza espresso point but need to replace it If you just want a good cup of espresso (no bloody milk) what machine to have a fresh grind to a cup. Love your vid's Recommendation?