The Fresh Roast is so easy to use it's practically idiot-proof and it's quiet enough to enable you to hear the cracks without a problem.
Negative Product Points
The maximum batch size IS small which might be a problem for large coffee drinking households but since it enables me to roast several batches of different beans in a single session, I rather think it's an advantage.
Detailed Commentary
I've really put the Fresh Roast through its paces in the comparatively short time that I've owned it and it's come through like a champ, delivering batch after batch of delicious fresh coffee. As I said, I really appreciate its ease of use for the inexperienced roaster like myself. The chamber, while small, allows a perfect view of the color of the roast from start to finish and the quiet motor permits me to hear the cracks easily without straining my aging, rock-music-battered ears.
The roast is comparatively fast especially on a warm day but it's easy enough to slow it down by hitting the cooling cycle once or twice during the process. Although I've done this frequently, I've never had the sensation that the beans are baking, something that I've experienced while using a Poppery (and the reason that I now use the Poppery exclusively for roasting nuts and not coffee).
I did have one minor mishap with the Fresh Roast. A few weeks after I got it, the adhesive in the roasting chamber failed and the base separated from the rest of the chamber. I called Tim, the developer and he immediately and without question shipped me a brand new roasting chamber which has performed flawlessly.
I also find the roaster easy to maintain and to keep clean. I use Oxi-Clean on the glass chamber and the chaff collector and have never had a problem with oily residue.
Buying Experience
Coffeewholesalers has been great and I've had no problems. The price I paid included free shipping and 5 pounds of green beans.
