Posted Wed Oct 17, 2012, 5:52pm Subject: Should I Upgrade to a Hottop?
I've got the upgrade itch.... I'm currently using a Behmor and planning a move to the Hottop for a little more control and the desire to try something new... Any Hottop owners want to weigh in?
randychar813 Senior Member Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Louisiana Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: 95% of time: Izzo Alex... Grinder: Mazzer Mini E type A;... Vac Pot: french press Drip: no Roaster: SF 6 lber; Hottop
Posted Wed Oct 17, 2012, 6:55pm Subject: Re: Should I Upgrade to a Hottop?
I bought the first hottop model made in 2003 and it worked great. I still have it and sometime get nostalgic and pull it out especially when sampling 250-300 g coffee. In 2004 I was roasting very often so upgraded to a 6 lb roaster.
You probably know it smokes a lot so roasting outside is a must. The hottop will burn you badly if not careful. Electrical power pull is also a consideration. I added an extra 50 amp circuit to my patio so the hottop had all power ceiling it needed plus the extra circuit on the patio has various uses.
I like mine it does not have all the profiles but after roasting as much as I have over the past 9 years with the hottop and the 6 lber creating coffee profiles is like playing music. Its all in what you feel like at the time, and what you want to drink. Coffee is a big tasty world.
Posted Wed Oct 17, 2012, 8:21pm Subject: Re: Should I Upgrade to a Hottop?
randycha813 might have the first model, but I have the first pre-production unit sent into the US [no insult intended.]. I reviewed that first unit and subsequently, about one year or two later, they became a client of mine. I created the USA website for them, including all the repair procedures, as well as the owners manual. I have been an advocate of theirs, not because of that, but because it is the only roaster I use, and have since that first model, other than testing other brands for review purposes. (I do not get paid by sales and I do not sell them, BTW).
Unless you want to spend more then the Hottop, it is the logical next step after the Behmor. I do suggest the "B" model and NOT the "P" since you are an experienced roaster. Additionally, down the line, there is now a way to add two after-market boards and two thermocouples to control the machine and monitor the roast on a computer.
I have net seen a commercially-available roaster under $1000 (or even more now) that offers the control of the Hottop KN-8828B-2K. The only alternative in that price range would be a stainless drum in a BBQ.
Posted Thu Oct 18, 2012, 4:12pm Subject: Re: Should I Upgrade to a Hottop?
How about the smoke? The Behmor puts out smoke, even with the suppression built in when taking the coffee into the second crack.... I've been roasting in our laundry room beneath a window. After the roast is completed, usually after the first few pops of the second crack, I hit the cool button on the Behmor and then turn on a small fan attached to the window.... This pushes the smoke out of the window... I always roast a pound of coffee btw...
randychar813 Senior Member Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Louisiana Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: 95% of time: Izzo Alex... Grinder: Mazzer Mini E type A;... Vac Pot: french press Drip: no Roaster: SF 6 lber; Hottop
Posted Thu Oct 18, 2012, 6:02pm Subject: Re: Should I Upgrade to a Hottop?
No insult taken. I defer to your expertise with this roaster. I aggree with you it is an excellent roaster for the money. As I recall I paid around $600- $650 for the model I bought. It has served me well.
Gregr Senior Member Joined: 6 Mar 2010 Posts: 188 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Livia 90 Grinder: Moka Drip: CCD Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Thu Oct 18, 2012, 7:58pm Subject: Re: Should I Upgrade to a Hottop?
I had a Behmor for a couple years then moved to a Hottop. Love them both and both manufacturers offer outstanding customer service. The Hottop smokes more. I roast in the kitchen with a window open nearby- no oven hood or anything. Within about 3 hours there's no smoke smell in the house. I think a pound in the Hottop would be pushing it. But if you want to get more control over the roast the Hottop is great. I know most people roast for coffee and I do once in a while but mainly I make espresso and with the Behmor it was tricky stretching out that final stage- not so with the Hottop. Very repeatable results... and very tasty results :)
Madurodave Senior Member Joined: 3 Feb 2012 Posts: 141 Location: NH Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso Vac Pot: Yama 5 cup Drip: Mr Coffee, perculator Roaster: HotTop B, West Bend Air...
Posted Fri Oct 19, 2012, 10:05am Subject: Re: Should I Upgrade to a Hottop?
I agree with the posts. I bought the Hottop B since it offers great control for roasting. It is obviously more expensive than the Behmor, but the tradeoff is the ability to make changes while running your roast, plus the dump and pan cooling of the beans!
Dave Harley rider, Espresso drinker, Primo XL grill
Posted Wed Nov 7, 2012, 12:47pm Subject: Re: Should I Upgrade to a Hottop?
I have had most of the roaster seen on these pages, only one got me to come back and buy it a second time, that was the hottop. Now then, I still have my Behmor, but I use that for roasting nuts, thats all. My roasts out of the htottop smell and taste the same as my local roaster, and that is what matters to me.
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