Thread: ROK vs Rossa

While I have used both the ROK and the Rossa, I was never able to get consistently good results from the ROK. I accept that this was possibly due to the grinder I was using (porlex) or something else I wasn't doing quite right, but my Rossa experience has been completely different. The ROK has been sitting in its container in a cupboard since I got my Rossa.

I have a Rossa PG paired with a Rosco grinder. Both have been used daily in all sorts of conditions at home and when camping for the last 3+ years - a pretty good indication of how happy I am with the coffee I get from this combination.

Hi,

Welcome to CS

I have used all the Rok, Rossa HC(Hand Crank) with pressure gauge adapter, and Rossa PG(pressurized air version) that you mentioned. I have also used an impressive American-made Espresso Forge which wasn't in your list. I now have a Rossa PG, that should say something about my pick. Worth noting the Rossa PG I have now is the not the same unit I owned initially (I sold my first one so I could try out different devices for evaluation, and eventually found that my experience was best with Rossa PG and it suits my expectation best) In short, Rossa PG was my pick as it was the most consistent, relatively easy to use, mess free process & clean up, and of course the great shot quality.

Originally Posted by landodafree

My biggest complaints with the ROK are first: durability

That was one glaring weakness with Rok I've found. Aluminium+moisture/water = corrosion. Check around the plastic chamber, you will more than likely find some white dusts/spots - those are aluminium oxide from moisture that you can't dry after use. Plastic + hot water + high pressure = bad recipe.

Shot quality wise, it was okay/acceptable but not as consistent as I would like. Once you got over the learning curve, you could get more hit than misses, but you still get some misses. At its best, the shot is still not as good as an actual Italian espresso machine (E61 and the like). I am evaluating based on flavors and not crema alone.

Originally Posted by landodafree

Second: no pressure profiling.

Pressure profiling is nice to have. But it's not crucial. Knowing you have achieved the same pressure consistently in every shot is the more practical benefit.


About Rossas, they are the real deal as many has mentioned. It is slower to use compared to a machine (but that takes a long heat up time), and even slower to produce many coffee in a row (doable though). But the shot quality from Rossa is bar none. It is a no-compromise espresso quality as Ross (the inventor) has envisioned. I have used many machines (more than I like to admit) that costs thousands, the shot quality from the Rossa always hold its forte every time and thus becomes my gold standard for comparison. If you make no more than two shots in a session and can't have a full machine(for the convenience factor), or requires the portability, the Rossa is unmatched in my humble opinion.

Rossas are built with the highest quality material and can last forever (no built-in or planned obsolescence). But you do need to give it the proper maintenance. That means don't let it fall on the floor, and if you have the aluminium version, you have to dry them thoroughly after each use. I have the aluminium version for weight reason and prefer aluminium to brass (alu requires more care but seems more odor neutral). They are still as good as I first received it.

Originally Posted by landodafree

but I'd appreciate it if we could keep the discussion to dispassionate comparisons

I hope I was able to do that (or not). It's hard to be completely dispassionate because the Rossa (PG) is really that good. The Rok is a good value, but the Rossa is on a whole another level.


The above was mainly spoken with Rossa PG in mind. But the Rossa HC is also equally excellent in build quality, can achieve same great shot quality and extremely portable. But for my use/experience, I do find I get a bit more shot-to-shot consistency with the PG, and a completely mess-free clean up in comparison. Much less learning curve on the PG as well (I get good shots right off the bat whereas the HC requires some 'practice'). You get a nice solid dry puck with PG, but on the HC it can be a bit wet requiring more thought/effort in cleaning up. The great thing about HC is you can operate without a gauge and keep the experience more zen-like if you wish to. Because it requires no separate pump, it's a compact self-contained device so extremely portable(but pretty hefty @ ~1kg! slightly less without the gauge adapter).