ocarolina Senior Member Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 59 Location: chicago suburbs Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio silvia 3 Grinder: baratza preciso Drip: french press - no drip Roaster: behmor / iroast2
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 7:41am Subject: Re: New to Home Roasting--A newbie Question--
Unless you consume large amounts of beans, it is better to roast less beans more frequently. I started with the Iroast2 (dont recommend it, and probably cant get it anyway) and it roasted about 1 1/2 to 2 cups at a time. I am glad you are getting good use out of the popper - it provides agitation and heats the bean all around. If it works, more power to you. I dont think you have to spend $1000 on a roaster, and I am getting great roasts out of my Behmor. Believe me, it killed me to upgrade my roaster, espresso maker, and grinder - but I can now drink espresso con panna - my new favorite - at home. I could not do that before with my old grinder, saeco and iroast2. The more you get into enjoying coffee, the more it becomes a hobby (or addiction) to perfect what you drink. :)
Madurodave Senior Member Joined: 3 Feb 2012 Posts: 141 Location: NH Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: Mr Coffee, perculator Roaster: HotTop B, West Bend Air...
Posted Sun Apr 1, 2012, 1:56pm Subject: Re: New to Home Roasting--A newbie Question--
ocarolina Said:
Unless you consume large amounts of beans, it is better to roast less beans more frequently. I started with the Iroast2 (dont recommend it, and probably cant get it anyway) and it roasted about 1 1/2 to 2 cups at a time. I am glad you are getting good use out of the popper - it provides agitation and heats the bean all around. If it works, more power to you. I dont think you have to spend $1000 on a roaster, and I am getting great roasts out of my Behmor. Believe me, it killed me to upgrade my roaster, espresso maker, and grinder - but I can now drink espresso con panna - my new favorite - at home. I could not do that before with my old grinder, saeco and iroast2. The more you get into enjoying coffee, the more it becomes a hobby (or addiction) to perfect what you drink. :)
ocarolina Senior Member Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 59 Location: chicago suburbs Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio silvia 3 Grinder: baratza preciso Drip: french press - no drip Roaster: behmor / iroast2
Posted Mon Apr 2, 2012, 1:24pm Subject: Re: New to Home Roasting--A newbie Question--
Let us know how they taste. I wanted a hottop, but it was out of my price range, having bought the Silvia and Preciso. It will be my next upgrade when I am done with the Behmor. Let me know how it tastes.
Posted Mon Apr 2, 2012, 3:16pm Subject: Re: New to Home Roasting--A newbie Question--
To the OP, congrats on the new hobby! Roasting is a lot of fun!
ocarolina Said:
Let us know how they taste. I wanted a hottop, but it was out of my price range, having bought the Silvia and Preciso. It will be my next upgrade when I am done with the Behmor. Let me know how it tastes.
The Hottop does a fantastic job and really immerses the user in control. Its definitely a different experience than the Behmor, as you are in control of the variables that go into the roast. I use my Hottop once every 4-5 days doing half pound roasts and have had nothing but great coffee since my first couple roasts which were still enjoyable.
ocarolina Senior Member Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 59 Location: chicago suburbs Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio silvia 3 Grinder: baratza preciso Drip: french press - no drip Roaster: behmor / iroast2
Posted Thu Apr 5, 2012, 7:52am Subject: Re: New to Home Roasting--A newbie Question--
Good to know. I had more control when I had a functioning Iroast2, but it did not have a large capacity, and the roast chamber cracked 3 times. I like the Behmor, and have been getting great roasts (I am fairly consistent with the beans I roast), but once I graduate and get a job, I will have more money to spend on roasting equipment. I could not justify spending $1000 or so on a roaster when I don't have a job (hubby has to pay for all my stuff LOL).
I will keep that in mind when I get more cash. Thanks.
Posted Thu Apr 5, 2012, 7:58am Subject: Re: New to Home Roasting--A newbie Question--
ocarolina Said:
Good to know. I had more control when I had a functioning Iroast2, but it did not have a large capacity, and the roast chamber cracked 3 times. I like the Behmor, and have been getting great roasts (I am fairly consistent with the beans I roast), but once I graduate and get a job, I will have more money to spend on roasting equipment. I could not justify spending $1000 or so on a roaster when I don't have a job (hubby has to pay for all my stuff LOL).
I will keep that in mind when I get more cash. Thanks.
From what I hear, the Behmor is a fantastic roaster. If you are getting great roasts on the Behmor and don't mind the more hands off approach with the Behmor (compared to the HotTop), you should just stick with it! No point in spending the extra money if what you use does the trick.
beerANDmathematics Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2012 Posts: 62 Location: NYC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Via Venezia, La Peppina,... Grinder: OE Pharos+VDD, hario... Drip: hario woodneck, aeropress,... Roaster: popcorn popper
Posted Thu Apr 12, 2012, 11:55am Subject: Re: New to Home Roasting--A newbie Question--
Still roasting on my stovetop, without a cover, and some batches are better than others.... While the coffee tastes OK to OK+ (lol), depending on the beans... I think I will invest in a popcorn popper....
But still, I love how easy it is to get started! Just buy some green beans and gooooo! =)
I'll report back after my first air popper batch in a few weeks.
Posted Thu Apr 12, 2012, 12:14pm Subject: Re: New to Home Roasting--A newbie Question--
beerANDmathematics Said:
Still roasting on my stovetop, without a cover, and some batches are better than others.... While the coffee tastes OK to OK+ (lol), depending on the beans... I think I will invest in a popcorn popper....
But still, I love how easy it is to get started! Just buy some green beans and gooooo! =)
I'll report back after my first air popper batch in a few weeks.
I'd make a BMHG if I were you - fairly simple, and had I known it was that simple I would have done roasting that way first.
------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------- Le café doit être noir comme le diable, chaud comme l'enfer, pur comme un ange, et doux comme l'amour.
"There is no right answer with coffee. There is only the elixir in your cup at the moment you partake."
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