Rancilio Rocky

What it does well

Build is its reputation. Whole Latte Love says the motor and 50 mm burrs are the same as Rancilio's commercial MD40. Prima describes a metal body with plastic only on the hopper, chute and tray.

Retention is low for a grinder of this design. Prima measured about 0.1 to 0.5 g retained on average, most of it at the top of the chute. A few taps or a rock of the body clears more.

It is easy to take apart. Prima says a Phillips screwdriver removes the chute and a flat-head gets you to the burrs. The upper burr unscrews on its threads once the hopper is off.

Two versions exist. The Rocky SD is doserless and grinds straight into a portafilter or cup.

The SS has a doser chamber and lever. Home Coffee Expert sees little point in the doser version at home.

Where it falls short

The steps are coarse for espresso. Prima dialled in 18 g in and 40 g out, then went one step coarser.

Shot time changed by about seven seconds. Our page on stepless grinders explains why that matters.

There is no timer. Prima notes the Rocky does not grind by time or weight. You hold the button for the whole grind, so most owners weigh beans first.

Adjusting is fiddly. Home Coffee Expert says you hold a locking tab while twisting the hopper, and it is easy to lose your grip. Prima also found the fork did not hold its 58 mm Silvia portafilter squarely.

It is not a filter grinder. Prima says it can grind coarse enough for pour-over or Chemex. It adds that the burrs make fines that cling to larger particles, so the cup may not be clean.

Who should buy it, and who shouldn't

Buy a used one if you are starting espresso on a budget, pair it with a Silvia, or want simple commercial-grade parts. Check the burrs and the adjustment lock before paying.

Skip it if you want to fine-tune shots in small moves, want timed doses, or mostly brew pour-over. A newer stepless grinder will be easier to live with.

How it compares

The Eureka Mignon Specialità is the common step up, with stepless adjustment and timed doses. See Eureka Mignon Specialità vs Rancilio Rocky for both dials.

The Baratza Sette 270 is a cheaper new option with a stepped macro dial and a stepless micro adjustment. Compare them in Baratza Sette 270 vs Rancilio Rocky.

The Niche Zero is a single-dose conical grinder that also covers filter. Niche Zero vs Rancilio Rocky shows how the settings translate. If you are stepping sideways, Rancilio Rocky vs Rocket Faustino covers another 50 mm option.

Owning it

Home Coffee Expert suggests brushing out the hopper and chute every couple of days and the burrs weekly. Cleaning the burrs takes about ten minutes.

Line the hopper back up on zero when you reassemble, or your settings will shift. See how to clean a burr grinder.

Prima found the hopper's screw holes can trap beans, so keep a small screwdriver or brush nearby. A brush also clears the grounds that collect at the top of the chute.

For burr swaps, see how to replace grinder burrs. The settings chart on this page gives a starting point for each brew method, and calibrating a grinder helps on a used unit.