Thinking about a new roaster... Suggestions?

[mivanitsky]

If you want to consider 3kilo.... here is one that might be worth looking at.

This very overpriced for that roaster, I would concur with previous posters. You could buy Pat's (Danetrainer) Ambex YM-2 for less than $8000.

Also, the IR-3 is felt by many to ba a less than 3kg roaster. Depending on the bean, it is often more like a 2.5kg roaster.

-Mike

[danetrainer]

In 2009 when I bought mine (YM2) the price for the basic one was $6900, plus $500 for shipping, not sure what current pricing is. Biggest problem with a new one is the lead time between when you place your deposit and when it is built and shipped. I believe the IR3 now reflects more realistic roasting capacity in their current literature. Agree on USRC, Dan is a heck of a guy and builds awesome quality roasters.

[Pyment]

I have heard that both Ambex and Diedrich have problems roasting their rated weight and do a better job with an 80% load. I would expect that to be worse with cold weather.

US Roasters, Probat, Geisen and most of the Turkish roasters roast their rated load.

I am told that Diedrick aren't as nimble when you need to make adjustments or corrections due to their infrared set up.

[Ron_L]

I am pretty happy with Toper 1 Kg. Roasting in the Garage is quite doable all winter. And Ron you're invited to try it out if you want. I keep the garage door closed until I am getting smoke, then I open it about 2 feet. In winter this sets up an air current where the cooler air comes in below the door and the warmer smoke containing airg goes over the door and out. I also do some tweaking with air flow I can show you. I would lean towards a gas unit over my electric all things considered.

Thanks, Py...  I used the garage door trick when i roasted with the Gene or the SC/TO in the garage, too.

I'm curious, Why would you lean towards a gas unit?  Is your Toper gas or electric?  There is an electric 1Kg Toper on eBay right now.

[Pyment]

I have the electric Toper. Electricity, in this case, isn't as adjustable or as quick to change settings as gas. You have the choice of having 0, 1, or 2 coils on. If you make an adjustment, it doesn't really take effect until the coil heats up or cools off. You have to look ahead and make your adjustments. You also have to replace the element periodically.

That said, it is much better than any other roaster I have owned and I will only give it up when I get a 2-3 kg gas roaster. I have my eye on the US Roaster corp 3Kg

http://usroastercorp.com/3kiloroaster.htm

If I were you, I would take a close look at their 1 lb sample roaster

http://usroastercorp.com/sample.htm

Before I bought, I would compare it to the Diedrich. http://www.diedrichroasters.com/index.cfm?page=LabRoaster

I would contact the company to see if they will be at Coffeefest.

[Ron_L]

I have the electric Toper. Electricity, in this case, isn't as adjustable or as quick to change settings as gas. You have the choice of having 0, 1, or 2 coils on. If you make an adjustment, it doesn't really take effect until the coil heats up or cools off. You have to look ahead and make your adjustments. You also have to replace the element periodically.

That said, it is much better than any other roaster I have owned and I will only give it up when I get a 2-3 kg gas roaster. I have my eye on the US Roaster corp 3Kg

http://usroastercorp.com/3kiloroaster.htm

If I were you, I would take a close look at their 1 lb sample roaster

http://usroastercorp.com/sample.htm

Before I bought, I would compare it to the Diedrich. http://www.diedrichroasters.com/index.cfm?page=LabRoaster

I would contact the company to see if they will be at Coffeefest.

Thanks...  Responsiveness makes sense. I was wondering if you were having troubles with roast times in cold weather or something like that.

I really think that a 1lb. roaster would be a step backwards.  Yeah, I'd be roasting inside and have better control, etc. over the RK drum, but I'd be dropping from 3 lb batches and 6 lbs an hour to 1 lb batches and maybe 3 lbs an hour, so I'd be spending twice as long roasting.  I think a 1Kg. is the smallest that I would consider, and would prefer a 2Kg.

Unless a great deal pops up, I probably won't do anything until Coffeefest, but who knows

[Pyment]

I don't know if you saw this thread.
http://www.greencoffeebuyingclub.com/index.php?topic=10394.0
 

[Ron_L]

I don't know if you saw this thread.
http://www.greencoffeebuyingclub.com/index.php?topic=10394.0
 

I did not, but it expires on 12/31, so the likely hood of being to get a group buy together by then is slim to none

BTW, I just finished four batches in the RK Drum for Christmas.  It took a total of 1 3/4 hours including setting up the grill and cooling station and putting it all away again.  Actual time spent roasting was 1:20, so 20 minutes a batch.  I will probably try a batch with the grill in the garage next week just to see how the smoke vents out.  If that works, I'll need a way to cool the beans without getting chaff all over.  That will hold me until I can get the money for a shop roaster.

[Pyment]

I think the free shipping applies to any roaster they have in stock.

You can ask Tia her email is tia at robustroasters.com

[Charly]

I don't know if you saw this thread.
http://www.greencoffeebuyingclub.com/index.php?topic=10394.0
 

BTW, I just finished four batches in the RK Drum for Christmas.  It took a total of 1 3/4 hours including setting up the grill and cooling station and putting it all away again.  Actual time spent roasting was 1:20, so 20 minutes a batch.  I will probably try a batch with the grill in the garage next week just to see how the smoke vents out.  If that works, I'll need a way to cool the beans without getting chaff all over.  That will hold me until I can get the money for a shop roaster.

 You should check out Ed Needham's grill roaster with venting for roasting in a garage. It seems ingenious but I can't quite understand  exactly how he did it. Chaff gets collected on it's way through the vent pipe just like a commercial roaster so cooling isn't a big mess in the garage.
 http://www.homeroaster.com/5pound2.html