If anyone has any other ideas on how to enhance the smoke suppression, I would be happy to hear them.
Positive Product Points
Beans are consistently roasted very evenly. Minimal "Quakers" (under-roasted) and very few charred beans. The key to this performance I believe lies in the superior design of the wire drum and internal blades which constantly keep the beans moving back and forth
Negative Product Points
Smoke suppression does not perform even at a satisfactory level. Very disappointed in this, as this was a much-touted feature, and one of the reasons I bought this machine. That is really the only beef I have with this otherwise finely designed product.
Detailed Commentary
First let me back up a bit and say that my first roaster was the FreshRoast SR500, which is the bargain-basement air roaster. I used it weekly for 18 months. I wanted a unit that could do three things for me: 1) Allow me to roast larger batches than the 5 oz. allowed with the SR500. 2) Roast the beans more evenly so I didn't have to manually go through each batch picking out the multiple quakers and charred beans. I want superior taste, and for that you need a quality roast. 3) Allow me to roast inside my house. In Phoenix it does get to over 105F degrees every day for about four months out of the year, and it's just not much fun to be bent over a roaster spewing even more hot air in those kinds of temps.
The Behmor 1600 easily delivers on points one and two, but every time I tried to use it inside, it set off my smoke alarm about 3/4 through the roast. And that is using it under a range hood fan. I do not want to jepardize my safety by monkeying with my smoke alarm, even temporarily disabling it. So I am back to roasting outside, as my townhouse has no garage.
Buying Experience
Roastmasters.com gave the most generous deal, with the roaster at $299 with free shipping AND 8 pounds of free beans. Shipment was prompt and the unit arrived unscathed.
