I-Coffee Roaster, Behmor or Baby Roaster FZ-RR-700?

lmz

Hi Guys,
now that I know what I am doing in regards to the extraction, I thought I will pick your brain with equipment for roasting green beans.

Objective: always have fresh coffee in pantry without need to order 1-2kg roasted beans at a time and put in freezer.

Previous experience: popcorn roasting. Could hear first crack (very very quick). But I have been put off by the set up and mess it creates.

My time dedication: I do not want to experiment too much on roasting. I want a roaster quick and simple to use, clean and put away. Batch size around 250g at a time would be great.

I have read about these 3 home roasters in my price range:
Behmor 1600 $400
Baby Roaster FZ-RR-700 $290
I-Coffee Roaster (Korean) NEW S-100CR 2013 Model $525

Of course there is the KKTO BUT it does not seem to be available at the moment.

Other option is not to bother and keep spending money on roasted beans (and freight).

Any recommendation / shared experiences?

Laurent

lemoo

Factoring in ease of use without the need to experiment too much and not to mention cost, I would highly recommend the Behmor. I've had one for 2 years now and have never had a issue In terms of quality of roasts, a behmor was used to roast the gold medal winning roast for the past Golden Bean In fact, I got 2 bronze medals using my behmor as well I typically roast in batches of 200-300g so that's well within your specifications Best thing of all would be that it does not have a steep learning curve and there is a large community of owners that are always around to help if you have a question or two

GaryatGala

Hi Laurent, You have to ask yourself the question, do you like a hands on approach or do you prefer an appliance with buttons to push and let it do the roasting? I,ve just posted a new thread regarding the FZRR700 which may help you.

lmz

Gary, I have watched your 2 videos. Great way to actually see the process and great comments too. Well done mate. I feel that the baby roaster -in manual version as shown- might be a bit (too) hands on. Having said that I am glad to see ou can actually roast inside with it. Thanks again for the time in putting these videos together. Laurent

Brett H

Hi mate, I reckon a quick PM to KK for the KKTO would be worth your while.  I have both the Behmor and KKTO and both are excellent but he KK gets better results in the long run.  I do love my Behmor because it's so easy and clean but I've never got 500g out if it... More like 350g to ensure a good even roast.  The KK will do 800g at a pince and some are even getting 1kg quality roasts out of theirs.  You might never need that capacity but it's great to know its there especially when Christmas and guests align etc.

Koffee_Kosmo

My distributor Barazi Bezzera said that we have enough parts to make one last KKTO kit The parts were held for someone but they can't be held indefinitely All you need is a set of pre loved Arcosteel pasta pots  and I will get one made KK

lmz

Thanks KK, I will be on the look out for these arcosteel pasta set. Can we use the Behmor inside ? What about the KKTO? Thanks. Laurent

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1389790257:

Thanks KK, I will be on the look out for these arcosteel pasta set. Can we use the Behmor inside ? What about the KKTO? Thanks. Laurent

No to both unless you have strong exhaust fan close KK

lukemc

KK if Laurent decides to go another way if be more than interested if you have parts for a kkto left. I've been waiting for the big version you hinted at but would love to jump in Luke

Brett H

on 1389816827:

KK if Laurent decides to go another way if be more than interested if you have parts for a kkto left. I've been waiting for the big version you hinted at but would love to jump in Luke

Oh yes... The big boy KKTO.... I'd forgotten.  I had an idea based on Alex's excellent version.  Let me do some destroying... I mean playing... :/

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1389816827:

KK if Laurent decides to go another way if be more than interested if you have parts for a kkto left. I've been waiting for the big version you hinted at but would love to jump in Luke

The issue is that one needs to source the Arcosteel 24 cm pasta pot set Sometimes you strike it lucky and other times it takes a little longer

on 1389821845:

Oh yes... The big boy KKTO.... I'd forgotten.  I had an idea based on Alex's excellent version.  Let me do some destroying... I mean playing... :/

That was also my design that I was going to build and passed it on to Alex I think we still have a couple of Stainless Steel rings to make it all work

lukemc

I'll start scouring the net and op shops

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1389824371:

I'll start scouring the net and op shops

Even if you have to make a timber base we have the motors and drive shafts to make a roaster The reason I prefer the Arcosteel is that they are made with thicker steel and the perforated insert does not flex to much KK

lmz

First, this morning I changed the PID settings as suggested by Jeff to increase brew temp for the 'Redemption of the Spro'. The outcome was a lot better than previous pour. Quite enjoyable shot with lots of interesting (read unusual) flavours. Now roaster comparison / search update.... KKTO... probably best option for me as it lets me do weekly/fortnightly roast for home consumption in one batch. But a few more parts to assemble and put away when using. Also need a cooling system. Baby roaster...probably the pick in term of flavour output. But for my needs it would need 2 batch of 200g roast every week. I feel that the hands on approach might kill the motivation to roast consistently for me. Behmor... well could do everything I need in one batch. Cooling system included. Is the flavour out of this roast method much lower than KKTO/Baby????????? KK... I am still hunting these Arcosteel Pasta pots on the ebay/gumtree world. Any suggestions in an informed choice would be great. Laurent

Lwowiak

Hi Laurent, I have the motorised version of the baby roaster, and have to say it is a joy to use. I installed a s/s hose clip inside it to act as a stirrer arm, and shake the beans about every 60-90 seconds. It is a lot easier to use than the manual version. I would recommend this unit over the behmor, as you have so much control. You can play with different roast profiles and gauge the best one to use for a particular bean, or blend. It is a fantastic sample roaster which would compliment the KKTO. Roasting times are quick, 12-15 minutes, plus a couple of minutes to cool the beans. You can start again, straight away. It is compact and easy to store. I roast in the garage, as it provides perfect shelter, but leave the door open for the smoke to escape. Maintenance is a piece of cake. Batch sizes can go up to 230-240g, but it depends on the beans. I tend to roast soft and hard beans separately, as I prefer my Brasil and Indonesian beans roasted to a particular level around second crack, but the harder beans benefit with a bit more depth. I try to avoid the huge cocoa notes in my coffee. Recently, by choosing the correct beans, I roast 3 and 4 bean blends together and get very good results, so my roasting skills must have improved a little. The beauty of the baby roaster is that you can use the beans straight away, though they do benefit from a rest. I have been caught out a few times recently, and was surprised how nice the coffee was, one day post roast. Call Mark from CRA and have a chat with him about the unit. He is very honest with his replies. Downfall with the unit is the batch size, as I believe 300g would be ideal. There was a rumour that a new version was on its way, but it might still be a while before its release. Either way, enjoy the experience.

Koffee_Kosmo

You can make a KKTO baby with 20cm pots Same design rules apply Have you seen the Hybrid ? It can be made with as little as 1 KKTO kit part and a few bits and pieces http://www.bestcafes.com.au/forum/roasters-different-roasting-equipment/kkto-hybrid/ Based on one of my other designs Attachment not found.

lmz

Here we go.... I have ordered the Baby Roaster (motorised version) from our friendly sponsor Brendan at BeanGreen. I decided because: - I don't really want to wait for the Arcosteel pots for the KKTO - I am keen to have a go at a roasting method that will bring most of the coffee subtle flavours - I have a Plan B if batch size is too small: Sell the Baby Roaster and go Behmor or KKTO (if lucky) Thanks again all your inputs. I wil sure have some more questions on roasting ... Laurent

Brett H

Excellent mate!  Thanks to Gary's video we all know that you're on the way to great home-roasts! We expect pictures!!

lmz

1st roast with baby roaster: 1st crack, what 1st crack? Never happened... Neither 2nd crack after 18min After a quick chat with Brendan (GreenBean), I had the roaster not warming enough. Gas stove too low. Here the result... tried to grind anyway but would not happen. Beans too hard.

lmz

2ND TRY BABY ROASTER: 1st crack: 8min; 2nd crack: 11.10min Total roast time: 11.30min Brazilian Yellow Bourbon (BeanGreen) Here we go:

Lacehim

Hi LMZ, I would love to know what the roasts are like.  I remember when this roaster first came out and everyone said you could use the beans straight away, no degas times. It's an interesting little roaster alright.  Can you hear the cracks ok with the motor going?

GaryatGala

Hi Laurent. Congratulations on your first efforts. That roaster looks smashing against the decor of the kitchen.:) Roast looks uneven in colour. Store the beans you roasted, give them a day or two to rest and then taste. The times for the second roast is more typical of the times i achieve. Did you pick up the drum and shake every 30 seconds? I thought the first stove burner was the more appropriate size for the base of the roaster. Perservere with the first burner with a bigger flame than previously.

lmz

on 1391590566:

Hi LMZ, I would love to know what the roasts are like.  I remember when this roaster first came out and everyone said you could use the beans straight away, no degas times. It's an interesting little roaster alright.  Can you hear the cracks ok with the motor going?

No problem to hear the 1st crack, as for the 2nd you do need to be close by and vigilant...

lmz

on 1391590666:

I thought the first stove burner was the more appropriate size for the base of the roaster. Perservere with the first burner with a bigger flame than previously.

Gary, I have a feeling that the cast iron plate is too high above the burner... I will try again with less ventilation maybe and high flame straight up. I have to admit that I did a cheat sheet with all your posts/PM/instructions that I followed religiously.... thanks again. In terms of agitation I only did it every minutes...might have to increase to 30sec. It is also quite relaxing/meditative to do this roast. Now I need to wait for tomorrow for tasting. Laurent

Koffee_Kosmo

You have the exact stove top that we have in our kitchen Ohh keep the roasting up It will all fall into place with a little practice It's no different than buying a new machine and or grinder KK 

Seeya Latte

We'll done Laurent It's one big learning exercise that's all so stick at it..at least you're having a crack You're not alone with not hearing cracks... I still struggle to hear them on the KKTO unlike my popcorn maker but that doesn't stop me trying and trying again - each time making more progress - it's all part of the fun

lmz

Today same Brazilian beans roasted with Baby Roaster on bigger burner (Gary the one that looks too big for the base). 1st crack 8:50min 2nd crack 10min Roast time: 10:50min shaking every 45sec. Roast evenness is improving but not quite there yet. Roasted beans smell much better than on the smaller burner after 20min roast (got a bit of a copper type smell when roasted without enough heat). here is the pic for your comment on how to improve. Taste report tomorrow....

Koffee_Kosmo

If you have time LMZ and room at the back of the shop I can bring the KKTO so you can see a roast and compare KK

mycuppa

LMZ. It's going to take a lot of practice and experimenting, but you will improve. Perhaps it's the image, but that roast of the Brazils looks a bit inconsistent with a fair amount of tipping and scorching combined with under-developed beans. It will of course depend upon the type of Brazil you are using, e.g. if it's a natural, then it will be far more sensitive (less tolerant) to incorrect energy (heat) application. You must keep the bean type and it's processing method in mind when roasting - build up your own level of knowledge. Naturals may have a more mottled appearance, at least initially and they may even out over a week if roasted correctly. Washed and dense beans of high quality when roasted to the correct levels will appear beautifully uniform. My suggestion is to try a number of different types of beans, e.g. hard and dense Central Americans, soft Southern Americans and some washed Africans. Across a range of different beans, you may find that one of those beans better suits your heat particular heat application and you will nail it easier - which of course gives you further motivation and incentive. The most important thing to keep in mind is that there are significant differences in every single home roasting system and you will need to find the right combination of heat and technique to suit your own systems. PNG, Colombia, Peru and Mexicans might be easier prospects.

lmz

Hi KK this is a great idea as I would not mind. Live demo on the KKTO using the same beans I have here... Unfortunately the shop is no place for roasting coffee due to OHS considerations  Would Boyland avenue be an option? Or anywhere on my way home to the inner city?

Koffee_Kosmo

If you can take time to pop over during the day we can roast and drink coffee from the Strega