Just read about the Behmor 1600 Plus

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I just heard from Behmor that the upgrade will be available in four to five weeks and will cost $50.

[sosha]

Does anyone know if the new model is available yet?   I have a friend that wants to buy one. 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

What would the new model offer that differs from an upgraded machine?

[sosha]

The upgrade boards will be available before the new models, not sure when the new models will be available.

Wow.  That seems kinda backwards. 

[dukhuntr]

I got an email from Joe Behm saying he thinks my unit will go out around July 7-8.

[rgrosz78]

The upgrade boards will be available before the new models, not sure when the new models will be available.

The Aussie site received their shipment of new Behmor models in mid May:
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/roasters/38089-behmor-1600-plus-coffee-roaster-2.html

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I can't wait to install the new board. Will this provide all the benefits of the new model, esp. readng temperatures?

[JojoS]

The new control panel will provide all the new features of the Behmor 1600 Plus. Temperature readings from the sidewall sensor and exhaust while not really new with the 220-240V models, will be available. The most interesting new feature is the manual mode power levels and motor rotation switch. The slow cooling method remains the same but many users have opted for external cooling devices already. 

[Mass. Wine Guy]

The slow cooling method remains the same but many users have opted for external cooling devices already.

Which brings up a question for me. Is it safe (for the Behmor) to place a fan in front and have it blowing in full force during the cooling cycle? that's the only option I see because I'm not reaching in to remove the hot roaster drum, even wearing pot holders.

[rgrosz78]

Which brings up a question for me. Is it safe (for the Behmor) to place a fan in front and have it blowing in full force during the cooling cycle? that's the only option I see because I'm not reaching in to remove the hot roaster drum, even wearing pot holders.

Many people have done that. I have always yanked out the drum using Ove Gloves - pot holders aren't sufficient.

[SJM]

I have always yanked out the drum using Ove Gloves - pot holders aren't sufficient.

Yeah, nothing is gonna burn you with the Ove gloves on!!

Pull the drum. 
Dump the beans in a colander on top of a fan.
They'll be cool in a minute.

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I was using the term pot holders generically. I have one Ove Glove and I'll get another. But I should still let the cool cycle finish after I remove the drum, I guess.

[rgrosz78]

I was using the term pot holders generically. I have one Ove Glove and I'll get another. But I should still let the cool cycle finish after I remove the drum, I guess.

Yep - press OFF, remove the drum, dump beans into "cooling device" then press Cool to restart the Behmor.

[Ascholten]

Putting a fan in front of it should not cause any problems unless you were well into second crack and on the verge of starting a fire to begin with.  if you have over roasted a batch and they are smoking pretty good, fanning them might be just the bit to catch them on fire.   Otherwise a non starbucks style of roasting should not be any problem to use a fan.

As mentioned many folks use various 'fanning' methods already.  The advantage of removing the drum first and then cooling is that if you blow a fan into the unit you are probably going to be blowing chaff all over the place too.

Aaron

[JojoS]

Based on Mass.Wine Guy's previous post on roast level preference which is on the dark side perhaps on the rolling 2nd crack stage, wouldn't it create too much smoke and igniting chaff when the door is opened? Fan is definitely not a good option in this scenario or maybe even external cooling. What flavor is there to lose with slow cooling if you like your roast past Vienna? Better to just let Behmor's smoke suppressor do it's job.