Fresh Roast Plus

I have the "Fresh Roast Plus" coffee roaster. I've used it for well over a year now, but I'm really starting to want something better. The "FRP" does small batches like a popcorn maker... it blows up hot air from underneath. For me, I'm tending to think it roasts the coffee too quickly. In the same day, I might have to do two or three batches of green beans to get the amount I need if I have company over, or whatever else, and I'm finding it very difficult to get consistent results.... After each batch I let it cool down so it's like I'm starting from the same point every time. But since the thing is SO HOT, it goes from first crack to second so quickly... it's hard to stop the roast at the same point everytime... and hard to stop it right where the particular coffee I'm roasting is at its best. Also, using a timer doesn't work very well (analog timer anyway on this thing, not digital, so can't be very exact unless you have a separate timer somewhere) because different amounts of coffee roast at different speeds. You have to be extremely accurate with your measurements!

So... I'm looking for suggestions on a new roaster, not of the air blower popcorn type, with digital controls, even roasting, more capacity than the "FRP", that has some consistency to it.

I was thinking about going for theHearthware I-Roast

Anyone use it yet?

Comments on the one you do use? How do you like it?

Was this covered somewhere else already?

Brad, I have an IRoast. Will post my thoughts when I have the time. Give me a few days...

A.S.

Brad, I've had an I-Roast for about 8 months now. I really like it, and feel it is a big step up from the popcorn popper I was using before that. But it is far from perfect.

If you haven't been there yet, the best discussions out there are at coffeegeek.com and the homeroast digest at SweetMarias.com

The I-Roast gives you the ability to address your main concern--slowing down the roast. You can program three time periods, setting the temp and time for each period. I usually have my roasts done in about 10 or 11 minutes, and to be honest, I havn't tried stretching that out. But clearly I could speed it up if I wanted to. There is a built-in 4 minute cooling cycle that runs at the end of the program (or earlier if you hit the button manually). That is a nice feature.

The other thing I-Roast gets you is a screen on the top that catches the chaff. But this is where the design hasn't been perfected. It seems that the I-Roast counts on the chaff to build up and help hold the heat in somewhat. Decaf roasting always takes longer, since there is no chaff. But different beans have different amounts of chaff, so that variable is there. And the screen is not perfect, so generally you get some small chaff leaking out and clogging the output airflow vents. Too much, and the roast really goes fast.

The other big design flaw is that it does not remember your program. There are two factory set programs, but if you put in your own, it is gone when you unplug it. Would have been cheap and easy for them to have it remember your program. Also, no cancel button for some reason. If you start the roast too soon or mis-program it, you have to just unplug it to stop. Some people complain that it is very noisy, but I don't find it so--noisy, but about as I expected and not that bad.

But that said, it is easier to use, more controllable, and has more capacity than my popcorn popper and it is working well for me. I roast 160 grams in it, and about three roasts will last me a week to 10 days. I wasn't ready to spend the money on the drum roasters, so I'm happy with the I-Roast.

Brad,
I talked about Variacs in the other thread, but neglected to mention that they also allow you to roast larger batches in the FreshRoast (because you can rev up the fan speed). The max capacity for a stock FR is 64 grams, and I typically push 95-100.

Revlis: I pretty much agree with BryanG.

Issues: I was not that crazy about the iRoast originally.I have grown used to it. I bold that because that’s what it takes to take a liking to this machine. I guarantee it.

It is not as simple or straight-forward as the (i.e. Fresh Roast).
It is a machine that takes time to get used to & master.
It is a very temperamental machine.
It is slow to start when cold. So, I recommend to place it near a warmer place (environment) about 30-60mins before use. Otherwise, it will have troubles starting.
It is on the expensive side. I bought it on-sale.
Some people complain about the noise. It is a bit on the loud side, but does not bother me @ all.

Pros:

Really only 2 things & nothing more needs to be said:
a. As far as “roasting”, it is probably the best home machine one can buy. The roasting is most precise & as even as a home roaster can possibly roast/achieve. And, you control the temps & the times.
b. Customer Service: is great. I called @ least 10 times. I had troubles with my 1st iRoast. I sent it back & they sent a new one.
…& c. After you get used to it, I believe you will love it.

Do I recommend it??? – Depends:
a. Like I said, it is not cheap. I believe $200.00+. I would wait for a sale (keep an eye on Kris Coffee & Whole Latte Love). Both often run sales/promotions on this Roaster or @ least they used to.
b. If you don’t mind the learning curve & some of the issues mentioned above, I recommend it.
c. The new Fresh Roast+ is supposed to be a very good roaster & cheaper. Not on the level of the iRoast BUT well worth the money (the difference in price).

Hope that helps!

Recently received a Zach and Danny's roaster as a gift.

First roaster I have ever used but so far is quite simple, has a cooling cycle, a chaff collector, the auger keeps the beans moving nicely, and the timer helps with cionsistency. While it roasts plenty at a time for one household, I suppose if I were having large numbers of people over I might need several batches. Anyway, quite happy ith it.

Jay.

Al (or anybody else):

Is this version of the I-Roast a lot easier to use and less tempermental per se?

I-Roast

"easier and less tempermental" compared to what?

Thanks Bryan. I'm thinking of taking the leap to roasting my own. A drum seems a bit pricey at this stage of the game.

Which ever roaster you get, I'd highly recommend getting a variac....for example at:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.roastkits.shtml

Some roasters, like the iRoast, is very very sensitive to voltage fluctuations (or slightly high or low voltage). There are a lot of complaints about the iRoast that are basically due to this problem. Variac's are devices that let you adjust the voltage to ensure it's at the right level and isn't changing.

The other complaints about iRoast's are due to 'roaster variation" (aka bottle variation). If this happens to you, Hearthware will eventually make it right, but be prepared to spend a lot of time getting there.

The other option to consider is the Cafe Rosto, which is an excellent machine.

I'd recommend against the Alpenrost.

The freshroast is good for the money, but the Rosto or iRoast are a big step up in roast quality.

Haven't tried the HotTop (tho would like to) or the Zack and danny's roaster.

The Cafe Rosto shows discontinued. Is it worth seeking out elsewhere over the iRoast?

wineismylife: See my post/review of the iRoast & Fresh Roast+ above in this thread.

I believe that you will do fine with the new Fresh Roast+. It is a great roaster for the money. The fact that you are a beginner, it is easy to use, cheaper than the iRoast, & a great little roaster.

I used it for 2+ years. My friend still uses it. And, I think that Revlis is still using it. We all bought it together. I bought it for the 3 of us & received a discount. Check it out...

Once you discover the power of the Dark Side, you will never go back.

And, here is a little bonus/push for you:
a. Roasting is fun & only takes about 7-13 mins. I roast every 2 weeks. I love it!
b. I roast in the house with open windows. The entire house smells like fresh coffee the entire day. Always roast outside or with open windows.
c. I store my fresh roasted coffee in the wine cellar. The entire wine cellar smells like fresh coffee year round since I roast every 2 weeks. Going to the wine cellar is like going to heaven, all that wine down there & aroma of fresh coffee. I can live down there.
d. Last but not least by any means: roasting on your own is 1/2 the price of buying roasted coffee. Average price per 1 lbs of green beans is $4.00-$6.00. What are you paying for 1 pound of roasted coffee?!?

Negatives (just one): You will be spoiled to no end, will become just another coffee geek, & will pretty much never drink another cup of coffee outside of your house. Unless, you get lucky & someone, somewhere will make some descent coffee, but don't hold your breath...
Good: saves you money since you don't have to buy, spend $2.00-$3.00 for a cup of black, bitter H2O when dining out.
Bad: sometimes you want a cup when dining out, but you know it will just be another cup of black, bitter H2O.

Thanks for the additional info LCC and "the push". I'll keep you guys posted.

Have to say - threads like this are why I LOVE VinoCellar. Was over at my buddy's house yesterday roasting green coffeebeans in his popcorn maker and watching the PGA Championship. Figured, "you know, I'll bet there's a thread about this on VC, and I'll bet there's more info than I could ever use posted somewhere (undoubtedly written by LCC)"

Sure enough... Thanks again.

I've now been using the iRoast 2 for awhile... roasted with it perhaps 12 times so far. I'm using the default PRESET II for roasting. So far, I really like this machine. Nice and even roast... some beans roast faster than others of course, and some beans you don't want much at all past Full City... so if not putting in custom roast curves, which this unit is capable of, use the PRESET II and keep your eyes and ears open when there is about three minutes left to the roast. Right when you can see and hear the desired roast, hit the cool down button and it will cool down for four minutes. The entire roast is about 14 minutes start to finish.

I let the PRESET II run it's full course with the Congo Kivu Peaberry and it roasted up perfectly to FC+. The Sumatra Iskander Triple-Pick however, I had to start cooling with 1minute 30 seconds left to get a perfect FC+.

Chafe collection is good, but perhaps a little hard to clean one of the top pieces, but this doesn't bother me much. I'll just put everything in the dishwasher and it comes out nice and clean. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this roaster. I don't typically have to worry about voltage regulation because I sit there and watch it when time starts to run out so I can get the roast I really want. If I bought 50 lbs of the same coffee or something, I'd definitely set a roast curve, get a voltage regulator, and let it go.... but I try so many different coffees all the time that I really don't need to do this.

Yes, sweetmarias is fantastic. I can smell how fresh those green beans are.. it's wonderful.

21 minutes for a roast? Is that a tumble roaster?

I'm still using the iRoast 2 as seen above. Thinking of programming a couple roast curves since I just bought 12 lbs of coffee from SMs. My voltage is really quite stable so I'm not worried about that.