This guide brings you a detailed comparison of the Rocket Giotto vs Quick Mill Andreja. By the time you're done reading, you'll have a clearer idea of which espresso machine to buy for your home kitchen or office.
Here's what we're going to cover...
- Which features the Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R and the Quickmill Andreja Premium Evo share.
- Key differences between these models and their advantages.
- Advice to help you choose the machine that meets your needs.
Quick Summary
Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R
With a PID temperature controller and adjustable feet, this elegant semiautomatic machine is perfect for serious home baristas as well as trained employees in a small office or restaurant. Choose this model if you're looking for greater control of the brew process.
Quick Mill Andreja Premium Evo
This home or office model comes with many of the same advanced features as the Rocket R58, including passive pre-infusion. It's ideal if you need a prosumer machine to fit a smaller budget.
Similarities
Lever-Operated Semiautomatic Machines
One of the most distinctive features of the Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R and the Quickmill Andreja Premium Evo is the lever brewing mechanism.
Like other semiautomatic machines, these rely on the user to stop and start the brewing process. However, this is done with a lever rather than an on/off button.
The lever lends a romantic feel to crafting espresso that vintage hunters love. If you want that old-world barista experience, these machines are for you.
Output Capacity
These single-group models deliver abut 20 espressos per hour on average, plenty for the home user making cafe-style lattes.
Beyond home use, the Rocket and Quickmill are also perfect for an office with a small staff enthusiastic about premium espresso.
E-61 Commercial Group
For quality results, the value of temperature consistency can't be underestimated.
With a thermosiphon that circulates water between the boiler and group, the E-61 lever group helps to sustain the optimal brew temperature.
Another innovation of the E-61 group is automatic pre-infusion. As the pump slowly builds pressure, the coffee bed is evenly saturated to promote balanced extraction.
The pre-infusion stage enhances the flavor of the espresso, highlighting the nuances of the coffee.
Insulated Copper Heat Exchange Boilers
If you own a single boiler espresso machine, you know that there's a wait time in between brewing and steaming. With heat exchange boilers, the Rocket and Quickmill can do both at the same time.
A tube running through the boiler heats water drawn to the group head to the proper brew temperature. Meanwhile, the water in the boiler remains within a temperature range optimal for steaming.
Made out of copper, these boilers are antimicrobial heat conductors. The insulation further increases energy efficiency, keeping your eco footprint minimal.
Plumb-In Convertibility
The Rocket and Quickmill come with manually refillable reservoirs. But with plumb-in options, they aren't strictly pour-over machines.
They'll connect to a water line, giving you access to a continuous water feed. You can switch between manual refill and a continuous feed at any time.
Using these models as pour-over machines allows you to take them anywhere. You're not restricted to setting up near a water line.
On the other hand, manually replenishing the tank can get cumbersome. Especially in an office, the direct connection saves valuable time and energy.
Low Water Sensor
Monitoring the water tanks is easy with low water sensors. These are designed to alert you when it's time to refill.
A light on the front of the Rocket will begin flashing. When the sensor detects a water level that's too low, the machine will cut power as a safety precaution.
Similarly, the Quickmill has an initial low water warning. This signal is audible rather than visual. The next phase is a power cut power to the heating element.
Both systems protect the machines and make your job easier.
No Burn Hot Water and Steam Wands
Getting too close to standard steam and hot water wands can result in accidental burns. To minimize this risk, Rocket and Quickmill add no-burn wands to the Giotto and Andreja.
The wands stay cool to the touch to make cleaning safer. A cooler steam wand also discourages milk from sticking, making cleaning not only safer, but also easier.
Boiler and Group Pressure Gauges
An espresso machine's pressure gauges allow you to optimize usage.
Not sure when the machine is ready to make a latte after you've turn it on? The Rocket and Quickmill boiler pressure gauges show you when the warm-up period is over.
The information displayed on the group pressure gauges can be used to improve your brew ratio. If the pressure is inadequate, you'll know that your ratio needs tweaking.
Cup Warmer
Did you know that your lattes lose heat faster in chilly cups? The key is to use preheated cups from the cup warmer.
Capturing heat from the machine, the warming trays on top of the Rocket and Quickmill models bring cups up to temperature.
With guards surrounding the warming trays, you won't need to worry about cups falling off when the machines are nudged.
Dimensions
The dimensions of these models are very similar. With the cup guard, the Giotto stands at about 15.75 inches high, 13.5 inches wide, and 17 inches deep.
The Quickmill is 16 inches high with the cup rail, 11.5 inches wide, and 17.5 inches deep.
Width-wise, you can squeeze the Quickmill into tighter spaces. However, it's more likely that you'll need to negotiate overhead space.
As compact machines, the Rocket and Quickmill are easily fit on most kitchen counters.
Key Differences
Style
These machines share many features, including a solid 304 stainless steel casing. But even at a glance, you'll notice that they have their own unique styles.
There are subtle differences in the steam valve shapes and the organization of gauges, lights, and switches.
More significantly, the side panels have completely different designs. While the Quickmill has flat side panels, the Rocket's are angled into a diamond-like shape.
Both machines have an understated elegance and contemporary feel that blends nicely with the classic lever machine style.
Boiler Size
The boilers in these machines have different capacities, but not by much. The Rocket's 1.8 liter boiler is only slightly larger than the Quickmill's 1.6 liter boiler.
Generally, a larger boiler means more power. However, the slight difference between these machines won't create a noticeable effect for the home barista.
Owners of these models find that they produce plenty of power for brewing and steaming at home or in a low-volume location.
Pump Type
The Rocket's rotary pump is quiet. For some baristas, this is an appreciated quality in an espresso machine.
With a vibratory pump, the Quickmill is a bit noisier. However, it's equipped with technology to reduce the noise level in comparison to a typical vibe pump.
Noise level aside, rotary pumps are known for their longevity while vibe pumps are less costly to replace if this should ever become necessary.
Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R PID Temperature Controller
A PID temperature controller adds incredible thermal stability to an espresso machine.
The system works using an algorithm to regulate a number of variables, producing a more precise and consistent temperature.
The Giotto's PID is hidden behind the drip tray and allows you to set your desired temperatures. This is perfect for those who like to experiment with different coffee profiles.
Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R Adjustable Feet
Need a little more room at the top of the machine? The Giotto comes with adjustable feet for height modifications.
The adjustable feet won't greatly alter the Giotto's height, but they can provide just enough difference to fit under a low-hanging cabinet.
Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R Metal Tamper
Is a metal tamper your style? The metal Rocket tamper is as sleek as the Giotto itself.
In terms of functionality, the Rocket tamper has a great weight balance to create the ideal tamping pressure.
Tamping correctly takes practice, but it also takes a quality tamper. The Rocket tamper will assist you in creating smooth, even coffee beds for proper extraction.
Quick Mill Andreja Premium Evo Sirai Pressurestat
The Quickmill Andreja's Sirai pressurestat is a high-quality element that can be found in many commercial heat exchanger machines.
Controlling the pressure inside of the boiler, the pressurestat regulates temperature by deactivating the heating element when the steam pressure builds to a certain point.
The Sirai pressurestat in the Andreja is an upgrade that adds durability to the machine construction.
Quick Mill Andreja Premium Evo 3 Position Power Switch
A three-position power switch on the Quickmill Andreja helps to protect the heating element.
Turning the switch to the left fills the boiler without activating the heating element while pushing the switch all the way to the right turns the heater on.
A simple but effective design.
Quick Mill Andreja Premium Evo Hinged Reservoir Cover
The hinged cover over the reservoir in the Quickmill Andreja can be flipped open—you don't need to take it off entirely when you're adding water.
It's another small design feature that adds to the machine's overall user-friendliness.
Price Considerations
Owing to their different features, the Rocket Giotto and Quickmill Andreja are priced differently.
We offer these models at Majesty Coffee for some of the lowest prices you'll find online.
Our Rocket Giotto comes in classic stainless steel for $2,550. The Quickmill Andreja also comes in a full stainless steel casing for $1,795.
So Which Should You Buy?
If you're looking for a prosumer home or office espresso machine, the Rocket Giotto and the Quickmill Andreja fit the bill.
As convertible pour-over/plumb-in machines, they're usable anywhere and reliable for efficiency and ease of use.
You'll need some training for any semiautomatic machine, including these models. But if you're a beginner willing to put in the work, you'll be impressed with the results.
Your preferences and budget will be important deciding factors. The Andreja is for the smaller budget, but the Giotto offers more precise control and flexibility with PID temperature control.
This may be a feature for more experienced baristas—beginners can make equally excellent espresso with either machine.
But if you're looking for a machine for a small business like a restaurant, the Rocket Giotto is the model you want.
Here's the bottom line.
Ultimately, both machines are built for the prosumer. Style, budget, and how much control you want over machine functions will help you figure out which model is best for your home or office setup.
For speedy service and the best prices online, see the Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R and the Quick Mill Andreja Premium Evo here on Majesty Coffee…
