Comparing the Rocket R58 vs Giotto Evoluzione R? This guide is going to provide you with all the information you need to make an assessment.
Here's what we're discussing...
- Which features are similar on the Rocket R58 V2 and Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R.
- The key differences between these machines and what they offer.
- How to decide which model is best for your home or office.
Quick Summary
Rocket R58 V2
Designed with an E-61 group, a plumb-in option, and a powerful double boiler system, this semiautomatic machine is for prosumer kitchens, offices, and small restaurants. It's the best option for accommodating back-to-back drink making.
Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R
Sharing most of the R58's advanced features, the Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R has an efficient heat exchange boiler perfect for home kitchens as well as some small offices and restaurants. This model is ideal if you're looking for a quality machine with a shorter warm-up time.
Similarities
Semiautomatic Machine Type
Semiautomatic machines like the Rocket R58 and the Giotto are favored among many home baristas who want more control of the extraction process.
With lever operation, these machines offer a truly vintage feel and traditional experience close to brewing on a fully manual machine, but with a much easier approach.
The user starts and stops the brew cycle by pushing the lever into the "on" and "off" positions. It's simple, straightforward, and best of all, fun. You'll be able to pull long shots, ristretto shots, and any customized espresso shot in style.
Plumbing Options
Built with water tanks and direct plumbing options, you can choose to operate the R58 and the Giotto as either manual pour-over machines or direct-connect types.
If you choose the manual function, you'll need to keep an eye on the water tank to replenish it. Switching over to the direct-connect function activates an automatic water feed via a connection to a water line.
Some home baristas need the machine to work in a location without access to a water line while others want the ease of a continuous water supply. With these Rocket models, you can operate either function at the flip of a switch.
Output Capacity
These single-group machines are workhorses. On average, they'll produce up to 20 espressos per hour.
In a typical home setting, this is more than adequate to meet the needs of the whole household.
But this capacity will also sustain a small office or even a small restaurant with low-volume cappuccino sales.
E-61 Commercial Group
Expect nothing short of professional quality from the E-61 commercial groups.
By continuously circulating water between the boiler and the group, the E-61 achieves a more stable brew temperature.
Equally significant is the E-61's automatic pre-infusion feature. When you begin the brew cycle, the coffee is immersed in water while the pump slowly builds pressure, promoting evenness in the extraction.
You'll enjoy a well developed espresso with more of the individual coffee notes present in the cup.
Rotary Pump
The R58 and Giotto run quietly. A big factor in their quiet operation is their rotary pumps.
Unlike vibratory pumps, rotary pumps produce less noise while brewing, which may be advantageous in a work or home environment where quiet is easily disturbed.
Low Water Sensor
It's not always easy to stay on top of refilling the reservoir, especially with different users operating the machine at any given time.
With low water sensors in the tanks, both models alert the user when it's time to refill.
As an added safety measure, they'll also cut the power if the water level is too low, saving the machines from any possible damage.
Boiler and Group Pressure Gauges
You get two pressure gauges with the R58 and Giotto. One is for the boiler and one is connected to the pump.
The boiler pressure gauge is like an easy-to-use guide to when you can brew and steam. It's useful especially when you're waiting for the machine to warm up after first turning it on for the day or for monitoring it with heavier use.
By checking the group pressure gauge, you'll have improved insights into your process. An insufficient brew pressure generally indicates adjustments that need to be made to your brew ratio.
Rocket Tamper
Do you prefer metal tampers to plastic ones? Rocket includes its branded metal tamper with each model.
Metal tampers are known to have a little more weight to them than plastic tampers. This is a good thing—it will help you apply the correct tamping pressure with ease.
Sleek and professional, metal tampers also possess sophistication. It's not hard to see why they're favored by many baristas.
No Burn Hot Water and Steam Arms
Standard hot water and steam wands reach temperatures that will easily burn you if you're not careful.
The insulated wands on the Rocket models reduce the risk of getting burned while you're making a drink or cleaning the machines.
An added benefit of the cooler steam wand is that it stays cleaner. Milk won't instantly stick to it after steaming, making you're job much easier.
Cup Warmer with Removable Guard
The area on top of these machines is not just a convenient place to stash cups. With heated trays, they'll keep coffee cups warm.
A hot drink remains hot for a longer period of time in a preheated cup. If you've ever seen your barista at the coffee shop put hot water in a cup before making your cappuccino, this is why. Keeping the cups on the warming tray accomplishes the same thing.
Surrounding the warmers are removable guards that keep cups from sliding off. If you need extra space overhead, no problem—you can just remove them completely.
Key Differences
Style
It's true that these models are pretty similar, both inside and out. Crafted from high-quality 304 stainless steel, they're elegant machines that can be polished to a high luster.
They also have E-61 groups and traditional hot water and steam valves in common. It's really the side panel design that differentiates them.
The R58 has flat side panels while the sides of the Giotto have a diamond-like quality in their angled edges.
Each of these machines strikes a balance between a vintage vibe and a modern design.
Dual Boiler vs Heat Exchange Boiler
Here is the biggest difference between the R58 and the Giotto: the boilers.
While they both allow you to brew espresso and steam milk at the same time, they're built differently.
In order to brew espresso and steam milk on an espresso machine, you'll need to reach a separate temperature for each. The R58's dual boiler system includes a dedicated boiler for each function, maintaining optimal temperatures simultaneously.
The Giotto is designed with a heat exchange boiler. Using a copper tube to siphon water to the brew group, it heats this water to brew temperature while keeping the steam temperature optimal.
Both models have great steam power, but the R58 has the most. With the Giotto, you'll also need to do a little more group flushing before pulling a shot to get the optimal brew temperature.
PID Temperature Controller
PID temperature controllers increase the thermal stability of these models. They employ an algorithm that adjusts internal variables, producing the correct temperature at all times.
With the R58 you'll receive an external PID controller that allows you to set the group and steam boiler temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
The Giotto's PID controller is fully integrated into the machine, versus the R58's external control box that can be removed after you've selected your settings. The Giotto's PID also doesn't control the temperate at the group head like the R58.
Rocket Giotto Evoluzione R Adjustable Feet
If taking the cup guard off of the Giotto doesn't create enough space at the top, you can adjust the machine's feet.
The adjustable feet let you raise the machine up higher or make the Giotto just a little more compact to fit underneath a low cabinet.
Price Considerations
All of our espresso machines at Majesty Coffee are carefully assessed to bring you the best equipment at the most affordable prices.
We offer the Rocket R58 V2 for $3,000 and the Giotto Evoluzione R for $2,550.
So Which Should You Buy?
The Rocket R58 and Giotto make excellent home or office espresso machines.
Not sure which one to pick? Consider style and boiler power.
Style-wise, you may find that one machine works better with your decor than the other. While they're both sleek, the R58 is a little simpler than the Giotto with its interesting side panel design.
More importantly, the different boiler systems have their own advantages. With the R58 dual boiler, you'll get maximum temperature consistency and less recovery time between drinks. This is most useful in offices and cafes.
On the other hand, the Giotto's heat exchange boiler will accommodate temperature adjustments more quickly as it doesn't need to heat two entirely separate boilers.
Here's our advice.
More than budget, functionality is going to play a key role for most people choosing between these espresso machines.
Consider espresso drink volume and your environment to decide whether you need the power of the dual boiler system or the speedy warm-ups of the heat exchange boiler.
For expert service and the best prices online, check out the Rocket R58 and Giotto Evoluzione R here on Majesty Coffee…