pburbridge Senior Member Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 298 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: La Marzocco GS3 Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: Kalita pour over brewer Roaster: I-roast 2
Posted Tue Oct 18, 2005, 3:35pm Subject: What are people saying about the I-roast 2?
I'm thinking about getting an I-roast 2 and I was wondering if there are any words of wisdom out there about this new model. I've read that they basically worked out the bugs with the I-roast 1...
ChuckViau Senior Member Joined: 2 May 2005 Posts: 124 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Not There Yet Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus Vac Pot: Cona "D" Drip: Chemex Roaster: I-Roast2, FreshRoast Plus 8
Posted Wed Oct 19, 2005, 1:08pm Subject: Re: What are people saying about the I-roast 2?
I just picked one up last weekend. I'm upgrading from a FreshRoast +8. I love it as an upgrage, but the only negative thing that I can say at this point is that the machine is so loud that I can't hear the cracks. This roaster really forces you to develop your other senses like sight and smell to determine when the beans are ready for you!
CoffeePhilter Senior Member Joined: 9 Feb 2005 Posts: 620 Location: St. Albert, Alberta Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Bricoletta Grinder: Macap
Posted Wed Oct 19, 2005, 2:16pm Subject: Re: What are people saying about the I-roast 2?
One thing I noticed when I first got my i-Roast was exactly that....I couldn't hear anything but motor - It being my first roaster, I didn't know what these "cracks" were that people were talking about. But, after using the i-Roast for some time, my brain started to filter out the whine of the motor, and I noticed one day I could hear the cracks...it was a subconcious thing I guess...Zen i-Roastery.
Grant
The Coffee Philter - Canada Home and Small Business Espresso Machines - www.coffeephilter.com "Wake up and Smell the Coffee"
Posted Sat Oct 22, 2005, 5:02pm Subject: Re: What are people saying about the I-roast 2?
Being just new to coffee roasting I still decided on an i Roast 2. The sales person tried to steer me to something simpler but I like the control and features of the i Roast.
Yeah, it is loud. I had a hard time hearing first crack but I think I'm starting to hear it now. I know the beans get lighter with roasting so sometimes I think I might be mistaking the cracks for the beans bouncing off the walls of the glass chamber, though.
I don't have anything else to compare it to but I really like the i Roast 2. The convenience of memory storage is good and I'm pleased with the control it offers. It's good if you like to experiment. Good roaster if you keep it clean. I think it was here in a review where someone said that the chamber walls of the i Roast need to be clean or else the oils that build up will slow the beans down and keep them from circulating around the roast chamber. Before coming across that tip I noticed the beans indeed slowing during roasting when the walls were oily.
Posted Sat Oct 22, 2005, 9:26pm Subject: Re: What are people saying about the I-roast 2?
Preface this by saying that I have little experience in all things espresso and roasting as compared to most here. Although I do have a couple years dabbling.
Just got an I-Roast myself. I can certainly see where those extra profiles would be handy.
The most difficult part to get used to in my opinion is the beans roasting beyond where you push the cool button. It seems to take its sweet time in cooling down. With a popcorn popper I can stop the roast at exactly where I want and have them cooled in seconds with a fan and stainless collander.
The roast is very even though, I can say that. Just have to stop it sooner myself. If I take it to second crack before pressing the cool button the beans are too roasted for me. Unsure as to what temp the fan speed drops from high to low but it certainly moves the beans better at the higher speed.
The good stuff... even roasting, ability to clean parts in the sink that contact the beans unlike a popper, less mess than with a popper since the chaff stays contained, potential for longer roasts beyond my usual 5 minutes with a popper, and of course the program ability and the updated I-Roast 2.
Sorry if this is not exactly what you were looking for. Just thought some more input couldnt hurt.
Something interesting... Pointing an infrared digital temperature gauge down the vent where the air exits the unit appeared to match that of the temp reading on the I-Roast.
All in all Im happy with my new original I-Roast. What the heck another gadget.
love_this Senior Member Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 2 Location: LOS ANGELES, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus Drip: SwissGold, press-pot Roaster: Hearthware I-Roast
Posted Tue Oct 25, 2005, 11:57am Subject: Re: What are people saying about the I-roast 2?
I've had the original I-Roast for over a year now. Recently I accidentally broke the glass roast chamber and replaced it with the parts from the I-Roast II.
Thus my top no longer lifts off most of the time which I found quite annoying.
IMHO, the only significant difference between the original and the II is the fact that you can now save your roast profiles when the roaster is unplugged and the top doesn't loosen during roasting.
I think 2nd crack is hard to hear on any fluid bed roaster. I have to listen very carefully to hear second crack.
I generally roast between about 4 1/2 and 5 ounces of green beans depending on the size of the bean. Fewer beans move around better.
Other than poor customer service which has since been addressed, I like my I-Roast. I would have preferred to buy the Hottop but I just didn't have the money.
Posted Tue Oct 25, 2005, 2:24pm Subject: Re: What are people saying about the I-roast 2?
ChuckViau Said:
I just picked one up last weekend. I'm upgrading from a FreshRoast +8. I love it as an upgrage, but the only negative thing that I can say at this point is that the machine is so loud that I can't hear the cracks. This roaster really forces you to develop your other senses like sight and smell to determine when the beans are ready for you!
I don't know whether this is germane to the iRoast 2, but with the older Hearthware Precision, the cracks were easier to hear if you were a little bit away and if your ear was above the air outlet. I used to put it on the deck outside and stand above it with my head tilted when I wanted to listen for the cracks, particularly second.
ChuckViau Senior Member Joined: 2 May 2005 Posts: 124 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Not There Yet Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus Vac Pot: Cona "D" Drip: Chemex Roaster: I-Roast2, FreshRoast Plus 8
Posted Tue Oct 25, 2005, 4:25pm Subject: Re: What are people saying about the I-roast 2?
I have to agree with you David. Now that I've put a few more roasts under my belt with the IR2, I'm hearing the cracks better (well first crack anyways, I roast for coffee so I rarely go to second). And it's true that you hear them a little better when you stand off a little from the roaster and try to get a little higher than the roaster so you can hear through the vent.
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