Espresso makes the world go round. Well, at least, it starts your day off right! We love a good espresso at my house. That is why I am so happy to be able to review the ROK espresso maker. This post is brought to you by The Grommet, a site full of fabulous, unique gifts and innovative products by makers. I selected to feature the ROK espresso maker to feature because it is a super cool kitchen gadget. It allows you to handcraft your own professional quality espresso with ease.
Why The ROK Espresso Maker?
My husband was raised in Italy and he is a perfectionist. We used to use a stove top espresso maker but he started eyeing better espresso makers. So being the good little wifey that I am, I decided to get him one as a Christmas gift. I got a fancy $800 dollar espresso machine but he was not as impressed as I thought he would be. He didn’t like all the automatic features because it took away his ability to control the process. Well, I thought the automatic machine was great at first. However, the quality seemed to decline with use despite regular maintenance cleaning. He made due but less than four years later the machine went kaput. As in finito (Italian for finished)!
He began researching espresso makers again but this time I paid more attention to the results of his research. When he selected the ROK espresso maker as the forerunner in his search for the best espresso maker, I made a mental note.
Soon after, I was searching through The Grommet Kitchen Gadgets, and their seemingly endless array of super cool gifts and clever, innovative products, when I spotted the ROK Espresso GC. This was the perfect chance to be able to test this manual espresso machine out so I jumped on it.
My husband had already read all the reviews and watched all the YouTube videos so he was super excited when I gave him the ROK espresso maker. I, on the other hand, was a bit suspicious of the manual machines- but not for long!
ROK Manual Espresso Maker Review
The ROK Espresso Maker is a compelling choice for coffee enthusiasts who value hands-on brewing and sustainability. Unlike electric machines, it operates manually, giving you full control over pressure and extraction for a customized espresso experience. Its durable, all-metal design is not only aesthetically appealing but also eco-friendly, with no need for pods or electricity. Ideal for those who enjoy the ritual of making coffee, the ROK delivers rich, café-quality shots while reducing waste and energy use—making it a smart and stylish addition to any coffee setup.
Espresso With No Electricity Needed
The ROK espresso maker has a very simple, elegant design. There is no electricity needed to run its metal parts so there is no need to plug it in. It just requires hot water and, of course, ground coffee (our absolute favorite is illy- which you may purchase at your local grocery store or through my amazon affiliate link here). It has a 10-year guarantee for the metal parts.
Manual Espresso Maker
The ROK espresso maker comes with the unit itself and a portafilter with stainless steel basket (for holding the ground espresso), coffee measuring spoon / plastic tamper (for packing the espresso down flat in the portafilter), and clip-on splitter (for splitting the standard double shot into two single shots if you so desire). It has a very clean design and looks nice out on the counter without taking up too much room or any needing an electric outlet close by. ROK is from a British company and their non-electric espresso maker is a hand-powered machine. By changing the amount of pressure you apply to the handles, you can control the strength of the espresso shot you make. The slower and steadier you press on the aluminum arms, the stronger the espresso. The ROK gives you the best result for your home espresso!
Easy To Use
The ROK is super easy to use. I fill the portafilter with ground espresso coffee, tamp it down, and fit it into the ROK. Then, I just boil water on the stove and then pour the boiling water into the chamber at the top of the ROK. I lift the handles and allow to sit for a few seconds for a richer taste and then press down slowly. I pull up and press down one more time slowly and that is it. My double shot of espresso, just the way I like it, is ready. I was nervous it may take a lot of strength to hand press my espresso but it actually is not hard at all. The ROK creates an amazing double shot of tasty espresso with a beautiful, rich crema.
Easy To Customize
I then add my frothed milk and enjoy it as a cappuccino because that is my favorite way. My husband enjoys his as a plain espresso sometimes and sometimes as a cappuccino. We can both customize our espresso to exactly how we like to it, more or less strong. He likes his hotter than I do so he goes second so that the ROK is already warmed up or if I am not having coffee at that time, he runs hot water through it once before adding coffee to the portafilter. The ROK espresso maker works great and allows you to get the perfect shot of espresso for your favorite type of espresso drinks.
ROK Espresso Maker Tips For Best Results
Here are some tips to get the best results with the ROK Espresso Maker:
- Use freshly ground coffee – A fine, espresso grind is crucial. A burr grinder will give you the consistency needed for good extraction.
- Preheat everything – Warm up the portafilter, the cylinder, and your cup with hot water to maintain brew temperature.
- Tamp evenly – Use firm, even pressure when tamping to ensure uniform extraction. A consistent tamp helps avoid channeling.
- Use boiling water – Pour just-boiled water into the reservoir to compensate for heat loss during transfer.
- Apply pressure steadily – Lower the arms smoothly for consistent pressure. A slow, even press usually yields better crema and flavor.
- Experiment with dose and grind – Start with 16–18 grams of coffee and adjust based on taste and shot timing (25–30 seconds is a good benchmark).
- Clean immediately – Rinse all parts right after use to keep buildup and bitterness at bay.
Conclusion
I also really like that the ROK is made to last. Unlike electric kitchen gadgets that can just give out on you, the ROK espresso maker is built with sustainability of materials and methods in mind. The ROK Espresso Maker comes with a 10 year warranty on manufacturing defects of the metal parts.
If you are a coffee connoisseur, you will love how you get to be a part of the art of making the perfect espresso. It also makes a great gift. My husband loves the iconic design and he is already planning to bring it on our summer vacation with us!!
I must admit I have quite an espresso coffee habit myself. How about you? Do you have trouble getting a proper espresso? Do you know a coffee connoisseur who would you love to try the ROK espresso maker? Have you checked out The Grommet to see what other unique gifts they have?
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