Posted Thu May 8, 2008, 12:42pm Subject: Re: Hottop vs. Gene
I think it would be hard to get a real comparison here, as most people don't buy both. I'm sure there are one or two, but who knows if they're looking. A good place to go might be Sweet Maria's roaster reviews, as they've used both and can give a professional roaster's perspective on them.
I have the Gene. For me, the benefits are:
More control. Roast time and temperature are very variable, but must be controlled manually. The Hottop can be preset to a given roast profile. I roast too many different beans to too many different leves, so I like the extra control.
Lower price. Gene prices are around $500, while the newer Hottop models are between $700 and $900. Of course the Gene doesn't have the programmable interface, but I don't think I want that as coffee roasting is too variable for me. If you have a lot of a particular bean, the Hottop would be good for that. The Hottop does have some cheaper models.
Some disadvantages:
Roast is more uneven. Too many beans, and they don't circulate well in the Gene. I don't do more than 225 to 230g, which works out to about a half-pound (453g/lb divided by two). More than that and the beans near the heater output don't circulate. Even with a smaller load, the roast is more uneven (but still good). I've heard that no matter the load, the Hottop produces a very even roast.
Cooling cycle. The Gene cools slowly in the cooling cycle; most people just stop the roaster and do a forced air cooling outside of the machine. The Hottop dumps the beans into a cooling stirring tray.
Both are excellent, but both have their caveats and quirks.
DavecUK Senior Member Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 203 Location: UK Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto (serial... Grinder: Mazzer Mini E Roaster: Toper 1kg (sold) Gene Cafe
Posted Thu May 8, 2008, 3:22pm Subject: Re: Hottop vs. Gene
On Coffeetime we did some face offs between the two machines and have members who have owned both. Two of the members sold their Hottops and bought Genes. There are many other articles as well about the roasters, probably more about the Gene though. I recommend using the search below on the Wiki and read all of the posts, then make your own mind up about which roaster best suits your needs. Of course these are UK models, so perhaps everything will not apply to the same units running under US voltage?
Posted Thu May 8, 2008, 3:57pm Subject: Re: Hottop vs. Gene
Check out this:- http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1204864186/0#0 it is a discussion about your question and also the merits of the heatgun/breadmaker option, which you can set up for a fraction of the cost of the Hottop or Gene. I hope this is helpful.................. cheers
Dooglas Senior Member Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 403 Location: Portland, OR Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar, La Pavoni Grinder: Ascaso, Solis Drip: Cuisinart CBC, Bodum press Roaster: GeneCafe, Caffe Rosto
Posted Sun May 11, 2008, 10:02am Subject: Re: Hottop vs. Gene
svyerkgeniiy Said:
Some (Gene) disadvantages: Roast is more uneven. Too many beans, and they don't circulate well in the Gene. I don't do more than 225 to 230g, which works out to about a half-pound (453g/lb divided by two). More than that and the beans near the heater output don't circulate. Even with a smaller load, the roast is more uneven (but still good). I've heard that no matter the load, the Hottop produces a very even roast. Cooling cycle. The Gene cools slowly in the cooling cycle; most people just stop the roaster and do a forced air cooling outside of the machine. The Hottop dumps the beans into a cooling stirring tray.
I, too, use a Gene. As svyerkgeniiy points out, not many folks (including me) have much experience with both machines. The cooling limitations of the Gene have been frequently discussed (and probably over discussed). To each his own on that one. I hesitate at the other con listed above though. The roasting capacity of these two machines is pretty much identical (about half a pound) and I find that the Gene produces a very consistent roast with most coffees. I do get some inconsistency with dry processed Ethiopians but I think that everyone does regardless of the roaster.
Probably the other point to add is that the Gene has good chaff handling capability. This is often cited as a weakness of the Hottop.
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