Rocket Espresso Mozzafiato Type V Review

The Rocket Espresso Mozzafiato Type V is a heat-exchange espresso machine with great functionality and impeccable style. With the latest upgrades, it’s more user friendly than ever before. 

But it still costs a good chunk of cash! So, you want to be sure it’s right for you before you buy. This review has all the details you need.

SUMMARY: The Rocket Espresso Mozzafiato Type V

• Semi-automatic espresso maker with a heat exchanger boiler, PID controller, and vibratory pump
  
• The addition of a shot timer improves user experience
  
• Iconic design features make this machine stand out from the crowd

It’s very easy to pull a perfect shot with this. The PID control takes all my guesswork out of the temperature and the pump is consistent shot to shot.

– John K

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The Rocket Mozzafiato Timer Type V Review

The Rocket Mozzafiato Type V is part of the Cronometro (or Timer, in English) class of Rocket’s home espresso makers, of which there are four variations. 

There are two different shapes, the Mozzafiato and the Giotto. Their only difference is aesthetic! While the former has straight sides, the latter has more unusual angled sides. There are also two different pump options. The V has a vibratory pump, and Type R features a rotary pump, among a few other differences.

In this review, we’ll be looking at the Rocket Mozzafiato Timer V, but the same information applies to the Giotto Timer V as well.

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Brewing Capacity – 3.5/5

The defining feature of the Type V class is the vibratory pump. Vibratory pumps are standard in HX espresso machines because they are less expensive, smaller, and easier to repair. The main trade-off is that you won’t be able to plumb this espresso machine to a water line. Instead, you’ll need to run it off the 2.9-liter water tank. 

It’s also a touch louder than the Type R model. But as many have pointed out, your grinder is likely to be the loudest part of your brewing set-up regardless.

As with all Crono metro models, this one is equipped with a PID temperature controller.

Skeptics aren’t convinced that it’s worthwhile, given how HX boilers work. Yet, evidence suggests that it does indeed help with temperature accuracy and stability. The solid-state PID will be far more durable than the mechanical pressure stat it replaces as a bonus.

Inside the Rocket Mozzafiato Timer, you’ll find a 1.8 liter insulated copper heat exchanger boiler (1). This allows you to pull a shot and steam milk at the same time. It’s auto-refilling, which is really useful when preparing multiple drinks in a row. 

The front panel features the classic E61 group head. E61 is the industry standard that has been a fixture on high-end espresso machines for decades — and for a good reason. The constant cycling of hot water from the boiler through the group provides reliable temperature stability.

User-friendliness – 3.5/5

The biggest upgrade to the Rocket Mozzafiato Timer versus the previous model, the Evoluzione, is right there in the name. It’s the shot timer. This model adds a shot timer to the front panel. 

Rocket is known more for its attractive design and build quality than its user-friendly features as a brand. But, in this case, the shot timer really improves the user experience. It’s a long-awaited and welcome addition.

When you pull the lever to start a shot, it automatically counts up. When you’re done, it turns off. Refreshingly, there are no additional features or programmability. In this case, simple is best.

In a few other cases, however, user-friendliness takes a back seat to aesthetics. Rocket is committed to keeping a classic, clean look with their espresso machines, so they hide the display behind the drip tray. And the PID controller is a separate remote that can be plugged into the machine and removed when not in use. 

This keeps the look undeniably sleek. However, if you intend to play with the temperature a lot, you might get annoyed always pulling out the drip tray and plugging and unplugging the controller.

At just 3 inches, the cup clearance beneath the spouted portafilter is also lower than most espresso machines in this class. In fact, even the Appartamento, which is designed to be ultra-compact, manages an extra half-inch in this regard. This is no big deal for espresso or cappuccino lovers, but if you crave a large Americano or latte, this may be frustrating.

Of course, a bottomless portafilter is a great way to add clearance, not to mention panache!

Milk Frothing – 3.5/5

The milk frothing on the Rocket Mozzafiato V is very good. It doesn’t have the most steam pressure in its class (for that, you might want to check out something like the ECM Technika). But the rate of steaming feels just about perfect for the average home user. It takes less than 20 seconds to steam 6 ounces of milk for a latte, which you can do simultaneously as brewing coffee (2).

Both the steam wand and the hot water wand are dual-walled, so they don’t get hot on the outside. This is nice for avoiding burning your hands, but it’s even better for keeping burnt milk from adhering to the wand’s exterior. If you’ve ever used a standard steam wand, you’ll know how tiresome that can be to remove. In this new model, the inner wall has been swapped from silicone to Teflon, making for drier steam.

Both the steam and hot water wands are nicely articulating to accommodate any size of the pitcher. And both respond well to the knob controls, which feel mechanical and satisfying. If you usually prefer joysticks to knobs, don’t write off this model, as the knobs here offer a similar tactile experience.

Build Quality – 5/5

Build quality is typically the stand-out feature of any of Rocket’s products, as you’ll see in all our Rocket espresso machine reviews. Clearly, the build quality is essential for such an expensive purchase (3). 

This isn’t by chance. It’s a conscious decision by founder Andrew Meo, who has said the company is willing to spend a little extra to offer a premium product. 

As a result, the brand is constantly innovating. Just take a look at their revolutionary portable Porta Via, for one example.

The Rocket Espresso Mozzafiato Timer has a high-grade stainless steel casing and commercial-grade stainless steel components throughout the interior. Amazingly, the included portafilters, one single spout, and one double spout are commercial. They are a 58 mm diameter and hefty stainless-steel build.

The dials and gauges all have an industrial look and feel, with a nice tactile response. One of the few aesthetic differences between the Type V and Type R models is that they have white gauges. At the same time, they’re black on the Mozzafiato Evoluzione R. Of course, the steam and hot water knobs come with the iconic R logo that immediately identifies this espresso machine as a Rocket.

The adjustable-height feet are a relatively new upgrade that consumers have been craving for. It’s a nice touch that makes it that much easier for this large machine to fit comfortably in your kitchen.

Cleaning and Maintenance – 4.5/5

A common misconception is that buying an expensive espresso machine should mean less work for you. But this is not the case with prosumer models. You’re spending all that money for incredible coffee and, if you clean and maintain it properly, something that will last decades.

But do be prepared to put in a little work.

That said, this machine is quite manageable when it comes to maintenance. HX machines, in general, have fewer parts than dual boilers, so there is less to go wrong. And the choice of the well-established E61 group head means there is plenty of documentation and skilled technicians available should you have a problem. Plus, a PID controller rather than a pressure stat removes a common mechanical failure point in older machines.

Because this machine can’t be plumbed in, you will need to keep on top of filling the reservoir and emptying the drip tray. The good news is that the machine light-alerts you if the tank gets too low, and it will shut down before you can cause any damage. Using only filtered water in your reservoir will go a long way in preventing future problems and is well worth the extra expense.

Don’t Buy The Rocket Espresso Mozzafiato Timer V If….

• You make many milky drinks: Heat exchange boilers are fantastic to a point, but if you plan to serve lattes to a crowd regularly, a dual boiler will better serve you. Check out our Rocket R58 review for a great double boiler option that keeps the clean aesthetic.

• You want to plumb directly to a water line: If you use your machine frequently, especially if you’re making a lot of Americanos or tea, dealing with the water tank and drip tray will get tiresome. In which case, consider the rotary pump version of this machine. Our Rocket Giotto review has all the details of the Type R features.

• You don’t make milky drinks: If a cappuccino is a rare occurrence in your home, save a little money and opt for a single boiler dual-use option instead. The ECM Classika is an excellent choice, with impressive steam power and best-in-class build quality.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a heat-exchange home espresso machine that stands out from the crowd, the Rocket Espresso Mozzafiato Timer V Type fits the bill. The use of a PID for temperature control, the iconic aesthetic, and the addition of a shot timer all put this machine a cut above. It can pull shot after consistently perfect shot, and it looks great doing it!

CHECK OUT ROCKET ESPRESSO MOZZAFIATO