Posted Sat Dec 21, 2002, 2:58pm Subject: sweet spot
With my HWP at 360+ roasts, I have to consider the candidates for the next roaster. For me, the ZD simply takes too long to roast and is not an option. A roaster that will roast somewhere between 4 to 6 oz of green beans would seem to be optimal. I can do about 10 roasts in the HWP in about 2 hours and that is enough for a week's worth of coffee, vac pot & espresso. The $150 mark is affordable. So that this is in the running of potential candidates, but I would prefer to wait and see the new Hearthware, hopefully it won't be a vapor-roaster.
espresso_jim Senior Member Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 325 Location: Austin, TX Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Mini Vivaldi II Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Drip: Technivorm Moccamaster... Roaster: Behmor 1600
Posted Sat Dec 21, 2002, 10:49pm Subject: Was an option
When the HotTop vaporized from the US market I was disappointed. I was at the point where I was ready to step up to a larger capacity roaster than the Freshroast+.
My choices were the Alpenrost and the Caffe Rosto. I looked carefully at the Rosto because of its lower price and the fact that it gave more body, less bright roast. The other factor was the bad rap the Alp has been getting lately.
I took a leap of faith and ultimately went with the Alp because of its 1/2 pound roast batches. If this first look was available when I was ready to buy, I might have looked a little closer at the Rosto. My FR+ still has some life in it and should last until the detailed review on the Rosto is out. I might just use the Rosto as a secondary roaster. (I try not to say anything much regarding the Alp as I don't wish to jinx it.)
mcKoffee Senior Member Joined: 29 Dec 2001 Posts: 854 Location: Vancouver WA USA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: VBM DD, Bricoletta, Audrey,... Grinder: Major,SJ, Rocky,... Vac Pot: Gold Royal Balance Drip: When it rains...Aero,... Roaster: USRC3k,CCR HT, Behmor, Cafe...
Posted Mon Dec 23, 2002, 11:18am Subject: Rosto roastin' for 20 months
I've been Rosto roasting for 20 months or so. Very please. I've added a variac for temp control profiling. As noted if exceedint weighed 4oz very little bean movement. No biggy. I use what I call 'Variable Variac Rockin' Rosto' roasting technique. Simply tilt the Rosto slightly back (away from chaff collector) and gently rock to add bean movement. My standard batch size is 1/3# by weight with no problem and very even roasts. When I'm in the mood I do 1/2# weighed batches, also no problem. Just must be careful in the rocking or will rock beans into the chaff collector. With variac, Rosto, and thermometer (fed through hole drilled in plastic portion of id) I can emulate a FR French in 4min or drum City in 20min or anything inbetween. I do not let it cool between batches, rather I always pre-heat for fist batch so batches will be consistent. My longest session was 24 back to back roast batches for Christmas gift coffee, no problem. MM:-)
Posted Sat Dec 28, 2002, 8:55am Subject: Very pleased with my Rosto
I bought a Rosto about five months ago after much careful research and comparison shopping. My previous roasting experience was with a friend's HWP. Two of my major criteria were roast capacity and durability of the unit. The Rosto has performed excellently on both counts. I routinely roast 4-5 oz. batches, usually to a full city roast at nine minutes or so. A wonderful unit and I would recommend it for most roasting purposes.
stagger Senior Member Joined: 2 Dec 2002 Posts: 18 Location: Boston Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Pavoni Grinder: Saeco Roaster: HGDB
Posted Wed Jan 1, 2003, 10:09am Subject: weight vs volume
For some reason, most people's kitchens dont have scales, so I'm not surprised that it caused confusion here, even though every other measurement is done by weight.
anyone who has read descriptions on how to properly scoop 1 cup of flour will add in a breath in a low voice "...or i could just dump 4oz on a scale..."
milnerb1 Senior Member Joined: 25 Sep 2002 Posts: 392 Location: Gig Harbor, WA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vivaldi II, Isomac Tea,... Grinder: Mazzer Mini, Solis Mulino Roaster: Behmor 1600, BBQ drum,...
Posted Fri Jan 3, 2003, 11:22pm Subject: Good Roaster that Could Benefit from Variac
I've been using my new Rosto for about 1 month and am generally very happy with it...getting much better and more developed roast flavors that what I had gotten with a Poppery II. I typically roast either 4.2 or 4.8 oz. by weight.
I have just ordered a variac, however, as my house voltage is 124 volts, resulting in relatively fast roasts (for the Caffe Rosto). Adding the cost of a variac makes this a $190 roaster setup that should produce roasts that are consistent, reliable, and very controllable, from the bright/acity profile of most air roasters to the mellow profile of drum roasts. Though not exactly cheap, it's still a reasonable value given the flexibiltiy provided by this roaster.
GlennHayes Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 1 Location: Elanora Hts Sydney Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Tue Jan 7, 2003, 7:34pm Subject: Caffe Rosto Roaster
I had problems with this unit 1st was repaired and died and was give a new one a month later it died even the dealer had problems with there unit and decided not to stock them because of the problems with the unit
mhodges Senior Member Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 29 Location: Cambridge, MA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: ECM Giotto Premium Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Bodum Santos Drip: Mr. Coffee Roaster: Fresh Roast+
Posted Thu Jan 9, 2003, 5:57pm Subject: the roaster delimma
You certainly would not think that it was so difficult to build a device that can roast coffee well, is durable, and is under a couple hundred US dollars, but it does not seem that easy.
Many of us have gone through a Hearthware or 2 (I'm waiting to see the next rendition although latest word is that it will be June 2003 at the earliest).
I currently use a Fresh Roast+ with decent results, but I would love a batch size twice as large.
I tested the new Zach & Dani's model, but found it did not meet my espresso needs (taste wasn't as good and the roast times were too long for the amount of coffee that was the end result).
I am very interested to see how Mark's detailed review will read in the end. The Caffe Rosto is definitely a contender, but I have also heard some mixed results.
I would love a Hot Top, but the liklihood that it will ever be for sale in the U.S. seems to further diminish with time. I would have paid a pretty penny for the Hot Top, but I'm not going to ship it from the UK or Taiwan.
I guess that all I can do is wait, or spend a few hundred hours in building my own barbeque roaster....maybe that's next.
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