scalla Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Tucson, AZ, US Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Silvia Grinder: Mazzer Mini E, Rocky DL Vac Pot: Kirby Drip: TV Moccamaster thermo Roaster: Behmor
Posted Mon May 26, 2008, 8:07pm Subject: Behmor or Iroast2 for first machine
Started off with a popper roaster. It was fun but showed me that appliance hacking was not what I wanted to do with my evenings. I want to roast coffee both to learn more and to have coffee to drink.
I'm leaning toward the Behmor because of its popularity, larger roast volume and quietness. Even though the "roar" of the Iroast2 and its limited batch size are negatives it appeals to me because it seems more tweakable in terms of the roast profiles. The cost difference between the two is not a deciding factor.
If you were buying your first commercial home roaster which would you buy and why?
KimberlyMacIntosh Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Washington the State Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Isomac Millennium, Salvatore... Grinder: Nuova Simonelli MCI... Drip: French Press Roaster: Behmor 1600 & Fresh Roast 8
Posted Mon May 26, 2008, 8:24pm Subject: Re: Behmor or Iroast2 for first machine
Behmor! Quiet and large batch size like you said. The preprogrammed profiles are a great starting place, but also by adding and subtracting time you can tweek them. Your might go to sweet marias and read their tip page about the Behmor and the downloadable manual from the Behmor website might give you more information to make your decision with. I like the flavors of a drum roaster better, deeper and richer.
Posted Tue May 27, 2008, 12:48am Subject: Re: Behmor or Iroast2 for first machine
I was in the same boat as you (looking for my first roaster) and after reading a lot (and talking to coffee geek friends) I decided to go with the Behmor (just placed the order from SM ... have not received it yet).
I am a bit concerned about (what seems to be) the Behmor's inability to do dark roasts at specified weights, but looks like people are successfully getting around this by using less beans at higher weight settings.
Some of the pros and cons between the two that you mentioned were the same I was considering ... I wasn't thrilled by the loud noise of the i-Roast 2 (look at a few Youtube videos to get an idea) but liked the custom profile option and better visibility of beans as they are being roasted. However, overall the quietness of the Behmor, ability to handle larger batches and the (supposedly) promise of better bodied roasts won me over. I hope this was the right choice. Oh, did I mention that the Behmor also (supposedly) generates much less smoke than i-Roast2 (and other comparable roasters).
Right now, if you get the Behmore from SM, you get a $15 shipping discount and 8 lb of free sampler green beans. Looked like a pretty good deal to me.
I would be interested in knowing what you chose finally and why.
I believe Scalla meant 'commercially-built' roaster, as opposed to a home-hacked rig. ;) I too suggest a Behmor...in addition to your reasons, but also due to flavor. IR1 and 2 simply cannot achieve the complexity or consistency I have experienced with bimmer...roast after roast. It is a step beyond my results achieved with my SC/TO rig, which is a step beyond my IR's. I still have my IR's, and SC/TO, but thay haven't been run since the Behmor arrived. :)
Posted Tue May 27, 2008, 1:53am Subject: Re: Behmor or Iroast2 for first machine
I started with a iRoast2, roasted 106 pounds in 344 roasts with it. It made me learn a lot and produced wonderful coffee.
I moved to a Behmor last December. After roasting 45 pounds in 85 roasts, I can definitely say that it is a much more enjoyable roaster. Less noise, easier to use, larger quantities are its strong features. However, it is a bigger machine and a little more expensive.
Go Behmor, definitely ! To me, noise and quantity are the selling points. Also, you will get Joe's great personalized service - no comparison with Earthware, their service stinks !
Posted Tue May 27, 2008, 1:39pm Subject: Re: Behmor or Iroast2 for first machine
I started with an Iroast2, got tired of the small quantities and built/tweaked/adjusted/fiddled with a SC/TO for 1lb roasts. It worked but even roasts were always a challenge. I've had a Behmor since last November and have been delighted with the results. Even roasts, very quiet operation, and consistent results.
Roger
scalla Said:
Started off with a popper roaster. It was fun but showed me that appliance hacking was not what I wanted to do with my evenings. I want to roast coffee both to learn more and to have coffee to drink.
I'm leaning toward the Behmor because of its popularity, larger roast volume and quietness. Even though the "roar" of the Iroast2 and its limited batch size are negatives it appeals to me because it seems more tweakable in terms of the roast profiles. The cost difference between the two is not a deciding factor.
If you were buying your first commercial home roaster which would you buy and why?
Well, you asked.. I have been through several roasters and would get an RK drum hands down. The primary advantages are the profile control (just turn the gas knob) and 4lb batches. It does require rigging a thermocouple to the drum so you can get an internal temperature reading and I guess that could be called hacking. You do need to do it outside but a well-circulating garage or porch can also work (I use a porch).
I have been roasting all of our coffee for four years now. Life is busy. The longer you do it, the more you want a bigger batch size.
scalla Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 78 Location: Tucson, AZ, US Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Silvia Grinder: Mazzer Mini E, Rocky DL Vac Pot: Kirby Drip: TV Moccamaster thermo Roaster: Behmor
Posted Mon Jun 2, 2008, 9:41am Subject: Re: Behmor or Iroast2 for first machine
scottfsmith Said:
Well, you asked.. I have been through several roasters and would get an RK drum hands down. The primary advantages are the profile control (just turn the gas knob) and 4lb batches. It does require rigging a thermocouple to the drum so you can get an internal temperature reading and I guess that could be called hacking. You do need to do it outside but a well-circulating garage or porch can also work (I use a porch).
I have been roasting all of our coffee for four years now. Life is busy. The longer you do it, the more you want a bigger batch size.
Batch size is definitely a consideration. But at this point, with only a few popper roasts under my belt, smaller is probably better. Drinking four pounds of mis-roasted coffee is sure to make the wife cranky ;^) .
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