Posted Sun Dec 10, 2006, 8:39pm Subject: Gene Cafe Owners - Do You Love Your Gene Cafe?
I started roasting with my Gene Cafe on August 28, 2006. Thus far, I have run 62.5 pounds in 121 roasts through this roaster; it has yet to disappoint me and I often run between anywhere from 4 to 10 consecutive batches through the roaster at a time. I have even run as many as 15 consecutive batches.
Yemenman Senior Member Joined: 3 Apr 2006 Posts: 267 Location: Midwest Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bialetti Moka Pot Grinder: Rocky Vac Pot: Yama 8 , Kona Drip: TV KBT741 MOKA MASTER CD Roaster: I ROAST GENE CAFE HOT TOP
Posted Sun Dec 10, 2006, 9:38pm Subject: Re: Gene Cafe Owners - Do You Love Your Gene Cafe?
EddieDove Said:
I started roasting with my Gene Cafe on August 28, 2006. Thus far, I have run 62.5 pounds in 121 roasts through this roaster; it has yet to disappoint me and I often run between anywhere from 4 to 10 consecutive batches through the roaster at a time. I have even run as many as 15 consecutive batches.
I could not be more pleased,like you have said before Eddie"if this thing ever breaks il get another one".I have been subjecting mine to vey cold temperatures in the garage and it doesnt even care,ramps up in about the same time,its a real workhorse!
fredfal Senior Member Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 348 Location: Broadway, NC Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Brewtus II, Linea Grinder: Mazzer Mini E/B, WBC K10 Drip: Bodum pour-over Roaster: Behmor
Posted Sun Dec 10, 2006, 10:06pm Subject: Re: Gene Cafe Owners - Do You Love Your Gene Cafe?
Same. I just passed the 50 pound mark this afternoon and going strong.
After reading so much negative feedback on this thing, I was thinking I was just lucky. Don't know. I have Gene hooked up to a dedicated 20 amp circuit in my garage. I think some folks may be having power problems. Not sure, but I'm sure happy.
Susanna Senior Member Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 70 Location: california Expertise: Just starting
Grinder: KitchenAid pro line Drip: Technivorm Roaster: Gene Cafe
Posted Sun Dec 10, 2006, 10:18pm Subject: Re: Gene Cafe Owners - Do You Love Your Gene Cafe?
I am happy with mine so far. Had it about a month now and haven't counted the roasts. I will have to check my notes and see how much I have done. My husband and I drink a lot of coffee. I make a TV full in the morning when I first get up and we drink that. Then I make a 32oz bodum press pot and fill my thermos for work and make another TV full for him before I leave. Then I make a TV full when I get home and sometimes a press pot too. I know I have gone through a SM sampler and on a second one. Also have bought several pounds from the green coffee buying club and 20lbs off ebay. I would say it has all turned out better than any store bought. I usually do 8ozs at a time and do two roasts back to back. No problems so far and it is so easy to use.
Posted Sun Dec 10, 2006, 10:37pm Subject: Re: Gene Cafe Owners - Do You Love Your Gene Cafe?
It's ok for me. I have moved from PP to iRoast and now to Gene Cafe. I left iRoast because it died, and I was somewhat tired of small batch size.
Gene Cafe is satis for me. But, mine basically never reaches 482. It will get close, but never gets there, not even empty. I'd blame it on the electicity, but my iRoast screamed on this particular circuit (I've moved enough to have comparison). It takes me 18 minutes to roast to beginning of second crack for 250 grams of beans. I'm not using any roast profiles, because it takes so long anyway.
I am roasting outside, but I'm in coastal Cal, so the ambient temp is usually 55-68 all the time.
I emailed Sweet Marias re this. They seemed to think that was just fine. So, I'm sticking with it.
I have an interesting problem/occurrence with it recently that I will detail in a new thread.
Susanna Senior Member Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 70 Location: california Expertise: Just starting
Grinder: KitchenAid pro line Drip: Technivorm Roaster: Gene Cafe
Posted Sun Dec 10, 2006, 11:23pm Subject: Re: Gene Cafe Owners - Do You Love Your Gene Cafe?
Hey Jon,
I am in So California also. What area are you in? Anyway, I have noticed that mine sometimes does not reach 482 either. It usually gets to at least 480 though. I don't use that high of a temp anymore. 465 is the highest I go lately. Been trying some of the other profiles using a slower ramp up time. I just kinda watch the bean and listen for 1st crack to start and most of my roasts I stop when first crack ends. So far so good.
Posted Mon Dec 11, 2006, 5:07pm Subject: Re: Gene Cafe Owners - Do You Love Your Gene Cafe?
I've roasted around 35 lbs so far with my Gene Cafe. Realized about 5 lbs ago that making sure I only roast 240g at a time, and preheat has helped tremendously, I consistently reach first crack around 10-11 minutes and hit second crack at around 15 minutes. All told, I love this thing, and would recommend it to anyone.
Stumpknocker Senior Member Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 53 Location: St Simons Island Ga Expertise: I live coffee
Grinder: Baratza Drip: Bunn Roaster: Gene Cafe
Posted Mon Dec 11, 2006, 6:05pm Subject: Re: Gene Cafe Owners - Do You Love Your Gene Cafe?
Got mine in March and love it. I was trying to roast on a BBQ drum and found it impossible to consistently get results. I roast using 10 oz. regardless of the bean and have not had any trouble. I think the instructions indicate 12 oz is the max. I too do roasts back to back and have not had a problem. I do notice after the first roast with a cold start the next roast to the same profile takes a littles less time (45 secs or so). Just for you guys to compare, the following data shows the difference in time and temperature with 12 oz of Columbian from a cold start using a warm up temp of 250 for four minutes and then 460 until the first crack vs the second roast from a warm startup with the same profile.
I can't say that I can tell any difference in the taste of the two roasts but as you can see the total roast time to first crack is 51 seconds longer for the cold start. I generally ramp the temperature down to 440 with the start of the first crack and roast for 3 to 3.5 min. I don't use the cooling cycle but terminate the roast and cool using a colander, hair dryer and a little water spritz.
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 Tue Dec 12, 2006, 6:23pm Subject: Re: Gene Cafe Owners - Do You Love Your Gene Cafe?
Yes, mine works great for me. Had it since spring and it just turns out roast after roast with predictable and almost monotonous consistency. Like a toaster, I'll use it until I wear it out and then I'll get another one.
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