Posted Wed Dec 7, 2011, 3:25pm Subject: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
I contacted sweet maria's via email to inquire about the FreshRoast SR500. She recommended the Behmor because drum roasters can roast for longer times for espresso blends, and due to my living in an apartment it's quieter and creates less smoke. However it is much bigger than the FreshRoast and almost twice as expensive. I've already gone over my budget with the espresso machine, grinder, and accessories--I was hoping to not spend too much on the roaster as it was a last minute idea. I don't want to have to order fresh roasted coffee every week and I just don't have the time to go out and buy fresh coffee beans all the time. So I'd like to hear some opinions from the pros--can I make do with the FreshRoast or do I really need to invest the extra cheddar into this drum roaster. I know it's a great price as drum roasters go and it looks like an awesome machine--but it's too big for my little kitchen and twice what I was looking to spend. Thanks guys--I know you won't steer me wrong.
"Coffee should be black as Hell, strong as Death, and as sweet as Love."
Posted Wed Dec 7, 2011, 4:13pm Subject: Re: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
Both are electric and will work great or not great depending on the line current supplied in your apartment. A reasonably priced Kill-A-Watt electrical measuring device is your friend here. What are you roasting with now?
I chew coffee beans with my teeth while gargling with 195 F water to enjoy coffee. What is this "coffee brewing" device you speak of?
Posted Wed Dec 7, 2011, 4:16pm Subject: Re: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
I have not used the fresh roast, I started with an air popper, and eventually moved to a Behmor. The behmor is significantly more consistent and easier to use than the popper, but I did roast for espresso with the popper (outside, in the evening, stirring to try to stretch the roasts, and improve the roast quality.
My advice if you are cash limited or unsure of which roaster to get, start with a hot air popper and sampler from sweetmarias, roast through the sampler and see if you enjoy roasting. The popper and the FR should have similar bean capacities. It should give you an idea of how long and how often home roasting would take with the FR or if you desire a larger capacity drum roaster.
Mail order offers another option to have fresh beans if you are unable to purchase locally. I think Redbird espresso is less than 10 a pound and free shipping when purchased in 5 lb lots. Freezing beans in smaller amounts is a good way to preserve freshness. Roaste.com and other websites like it feature other popular roasters and offer options to keep shipping costs in check.
I don't want to discourage you from home roasting, if you are interested in roasting you should try it. Good luck!
Posted Wed Dec 7, 2011, 4:17pm Subject: Re: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
I'm not actually--I wanted to get an espresso machine in the next few months--so i came across this website and soon learned that just getting a decent espresso machine would not get me the coffee i'm craving--so now I'm patiently waiting and researching... and saving. I did roast some beans at a friends house in a popcorn popper but that's as far as I've gone. Coffee is a passion turned hobby for me. I'm tired of crappy coffee--and I can't afford finding a good barista and stopping there three times a day for my fix.
"Coffee should be black as Hell, strong as Death, and as sweet as Love."
Posted Wed Dec 7, 2011, 4:43pm Subject: Re: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
Penrod--you said you can freeze coffee beans in smaller amounts--what does this mean? How long will frozen beans maintain freshness? Freezing them will not affect them in any way? Or does it just slow down the staling process? If it is possible to freeze freshly roasted coffee I will definitely go this route for a while--Red Bird's Espresso blend seemed very appealing to me. I may also purchase the popcorn popper and test out Sweet Maria's Liquid Amber blend. Thanks.
"Coffee should be black as Hell, strong as Death, and as sweet as Love."
Posted Wed Dec 7, 2011, 4:43pm Subject: Re: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
I started with the poppers too and then bought gime2much's Behmor and have been tickled with it. I still small batch with the poppers sometimes so buying one doesn't mean you can't have the other too. The Kill-A-Watt should be your first purchase - without enough juice you will be baking the beans and breaking your heart with either electric roasting method - all is not lost though since a whirly pop is not tied to the wall socket...
I chew coffee beans with my teeth while gargling with 195 F water to enjoy coffee. What is this "coffee brewing" device you speak of?
Posted Wed Dec 7, 2011, 5:05pm Subject: Re: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
There are a number of threads on bean storage.
I use pint canning jars that hold about 5 ounces of beans. When I buy beans I repackage into the canning jars, filling the jars full of beans to minimize the oxygen in the jar, when I am ready to use the beans, take a jar out of the fridge, let it come to temperature to prevent condensation on the beans, then use. (This also works to ensure I have fresh home roast when I get back from a trip)
I do not notice a flavor loss for short term storage of about a month, but haven't done anything scientific. I want to say there is a detailed experiment on bean freezing on home-barista.
strfish7 Senior Member Joined: 7 Aug 2009 Posts: 174 Location: San Antonio Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Pavoni Europiccola,... Grinder: Vario Vac Pot: Bialetti Drip: Technivorm Moccamaster Roaster: Behmor, FreshRoast 8
Posted Wed Dec 7, 2011, 7:23pm Subject: Re: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
I started with a Freshroast 8 and moved on to a used Behmor. I highly recommend skipping to the end and getting the Behmor. Completely worth it, imo, for the larger roasts and consistency.
Posted Thu Dec 8, 2011, 8:14am Subject: Re: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
The Behmor is a great machine and will do a light vienna roast no problem, Just remember you should clean the machine more often if you do dark roast. Also if your point of buying the Behmor is to save money on beans you can forget that notion (my opinion)although cost of greens are cheaper than roasted you will find yourself buying more beans and different varietals than you normally would. If you are considering home roasting in general do it for the right reasons,wider selection of beans,the art of it,and knowing you have control of the final outcome. It really is a great hobby or (way of life).
Posted Thu Dec 8, 2011, 5:39pm Subject: Re: Is the Behmor drum roaster really necessary to roast for espresso?
If finances are a concern, look into stovetop stockpot roasting. You can find many threads on this. I have owned most coffee-roasting devices, currently own a Behmor and still do stovetop stockpot just to keep my hands-on roasting abilities sharp.
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