Ease of opperation with better then satisfactory results from a very inexpensive machine modeled after the most precise roaster developed, by Michael Sivitz  thirty years ago.

I have a couple gripes about this machine.  Unfortunatly they dont make transparent aluminum like in star trek, because of the Fresh Roasts glass tube for visibility the vulnerability of breakage is high with a light sorta clumsy base and top heavy chaff collector.   I own the earlyer 5 min counter plastic base unit.  This unit requires me to break the top for more air to pass through, use a long extension cord to reduce roasting time and aluminum tape to repair the broken glass.  overall not bad.

My little roaster has been with me for almost two years.  I bought it for 17 dollars used in denver on a coffee pilgrimage  i took to learn about Sivitz fluidize bed air roasters.  I have found great advantages to clean air roasters virsus traditional drum roasters like the alpenroast home drum roaster.  One of these advantages is cooling time.  You would think that when coffee roasts it just roasts and when its done its done.  Well,  the cooling phase is important because of residual ambient temperature.  During the roasting process  natural sugars in the beans carmelize and you want to stop carmelization before carbonization.  In the full size machine a 30 second spray of water enters the roast chamber and cools the beans dramaticlly in a matter of seconds.  This water evaporates immediatly  when contacting 460 degree beans.   Then the beans go into a cooling tray where cool air passes over and through the beans to cool them to room temperature in under 3 minutes.  Then Kaladi Bros. freezes their beens immediatly after roasting to preserve the aromatic intensity  and freshness of their product.  

I try to mimic this as closely as i can with posative results.  Im getting eight minute roast times without burning.   Ive found my french press likes the results but my espresso machine doesnt.  The new machines have a less powerful heating element and a longer 8 min counter.   along with an extended aluminum base for the glass im exited to invest in a brand new unit.

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