Posted Thu Mar 21, 2013, 10:55am Subject: Suggestions for upgrading from i-Roast 2
I have been home roasting for six years with an i-Roast 2 purchased from Sweet Maria's. It's held up great so far, only having to replace the glass once for a hair line crack around the top. The roast capacity is what I'd like to increase. Small batches are fine, as I'm usually roasting for two people (sometimes more for the obligatory give-away to friends and family).
Living in the US south allows me roasting access outdoors year round. I can roast in the garage during inclement weather. Taste preference is FC+ to Vienna, depending on bean of course. I live with someone who doesn't like the smell of roasted coffee in the house (but loves drinking it) so have to take that into consideration.
Looking at the SM excellent site information regarding roasters, I think the Behmor might be a good next step. Although using recorded profiles, I roast mainly by sight, sound and smell, so am slightly intimidated by drum roasters.
Posted Thu Mar 21, 2013, 11:09am Subject: Re: Suggestions for upgrading from i-Roast 2
From what you've said, it sounds like the Behmor is your best upgrade. I mostly roast by sight and sound on mine and I have no problems whatsoever, even with the different profiles. It'll also allow you to increase roasting capacity up to 1lb. No other roaster under $1,000 will let you do that. It produces little smoke and the smell isn't too bad, especially if you're roasting outdoors. It's certainly a worthy investment.
Posted Thu Mar 21, 2013, 1:27pm Subject: Re: Suggestions for upgrading from i-Roast 2
While sight, sound and smell are useful, the Behmor manual provides you with a more workable benchmark: It suggests that 'completion' of the roast can be timed starting with the first few snaps of the 1CR.
I do 10 oz roasts and I conclude the roast (go to cool) roughly 3 min after the onset of the 1CR.
Each variety and bean is different, so it might take 2 roasts to 'get it right'. Sometimes it is 2:30 min and sometimes 3:15 min. My first roast of decaf Donkey Blend from Sweet Maria's was 3:06 and just at the edge of the 2CR and it was just right: dark brown with a slight oil sheen and I would grade it FC++ (or Vienna --).
This benchmark is well-hidden in the manual but it really works, even with beans where the 1CR is sparse and/or there is no dead-spot between the 1CR and 2CR.
oldgearhead Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 354 Location: Go Colts! Expertise: I like coffee
Grinder: Virtuoso by Baratza Drip: Chemex,Dilongi DCM900 Roaster: 1/2K Fluid-bed
Posted Fri Mar 22, 2013, 5:28am Subject: Re: Suggestions for upgrading from i-Roast 2
Yes, Jerry made a huge point, decaf is different. I roast with a heat-reclaiming, fluid-bed roaster, not a Behmor but If I use the same profile as a high-grown mild for a high-grown mild decaf the result is usually way beyond French.
Posted Sat Mar 23, 2013, 10:49pm Subject: Re: Suggestions for upgrading from i-Roast 2
Thanks for your advice. I roast mostly single origins from Sweet Maria, but the best all-around for me is Monkey Blend. Have yet to roast a decaf in all these years. Maybe with the new Behmor I will be tempted.
Posted Sat May 11, 2013, 7:16am Subject: Re: Suggestions for upgrading from i-Roast 2
In it's price range, the Behmor is an obvious choice. There are some unfortunate limitations regarding tight control over the roasting process but there are some work-arounds for this. I've been quite satisfied with mine and their customer support is excellent.
If your budget is > $500 you could consider a Gene Café Roast or Hot Top but neither allows you to roast more than about 1/2 lb at a time (which for me is a deal killer). Also, they produce much more smoke (if I'm not mistaken).
Dooglas Senior Member Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 685 Location: Portland, OR Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar HX, La Pavoni lever Grinder: Ascaso, Baratza Drip: Bonavita, Bodum press Roaster: GeneCafe, Behmor
Posted Sun May 12, 2013, 9:11am Subject: Re: Suggestions for upgrading from i-Roast 2
BarryR Said:
If your budget is > $500 you could consider a Gene Café Roast or Hot Top but neither allows you to roast more than about 1/2 lb at a time (which for me is a deal killer). Also, they produce much more smoke (if I'm not mistaken).
On this one point, you are mistaken in my experience. The Behmor is a good roaster and I recommend it. On the other hand the larger quantities of coffee involved defintely produce a significant amount of smoke. I use mine only in my garage. My Gene Cafe, on the other hand, I successfully use in the kitchen under the stovetop vent fan. In fairness, I typically roast only to FC/FC+ so that may be a factor - but that is true of my use of both machines. The GC also has an optional chafe filter which allows connecting a section of flexible ducting to vent the machine out a window. I have been using a GC for more than 6 years with good results and find it to have great adjustability and good visibility of the beans while roasting. In my experience, both the Behmor and the GC have good customer support.
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