IRoast2 40011 5-2/7-Ounce Coffee-Bean Roaster, Black
by IBC - Hearthware, INC
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List Price: Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of IRoast2 40011 5-2/7-Ounce Coffee-Bean Roaster, Black
Customer Review: A few things learned one month in...and 18 months later, too
Summary: 5 Stars
I really like this little machine, and have been working with it for about a month now. I've learned a few things along the way, and my roasts are improving as a result. So here are a few "after a month" tips.
1. Keep good notes. Get yourself a little notebook that you keep near the machine and record the kind and amount of beans, the temps and times of each stage in your programs, your initial reaction to the roast (straight out of the machine, before you make coffee). Then record your reactions to the coffee the next day when you start brewing.
2. Vent this puppy. I have a downdraft vent fan in my stovetop, so I spent $8 at the hardware store and bought a length of flexible dryer tubing. I get no smoke whatsoever this way. Maybe because my vent fan pulls the air from the roaster, my temps run almost exactly as programmed. AND, to connect the tubing to the metal ring that fits the top, you get to use duct tape for its intended purpose (!!!) - who'd a' thunk it?
3. Don't overload it. The instructions suggest you can load a full cup of beans. With my beans, 150g is almost exactly 3/4 c of beans. Overloading the machine will result in more char because the beans won't circulate properly. And, after all, the flavor of burnt is just that - burnt.
4. Ramp the roast up. I'm currently using 2 min ea at 330, 360, 390, 405, and setting the fifth stage at 390 for the remaining 7 min. Then I shut the roast down with the COOL button when the roast looks "right".
5. Don't overheat it. When I started, I was using very high temps (440-450), and I've backed way down. In my current profile, which produces a nice full city (dark brown, no oil), the temp reading on the LCD readout never gets above 408, and I get there after about 10 mins.
6. There are some very informational sites on the web on the topic of roasting. Kenneth Davids is a great source, as is Tom Owen at Sweet Maria's. Find 'em, read 'em, but remember, you're going to learn more about roasting from what you do than you will from the web.
Great little machine and you control it. Don't push the "On" button and walk away. Use the machine's "weakness" (small capacity) as a strength - more roasts, more practice, fresher beans.
******
It's now July, 2009, and my little iRoast2 is still going strong. I dropped the chaff cover and a wedge chipped out - I just glued it back in. No problem. Four roasts a week, and still one of the great joys is learning "the" roast for a new, unsampled variety of beans. Two more tips:
7. "Profile" the roast. Ramp it up just like I said in #4 above, peak it at your high temp (mine is 405 for one minute) and then ramp it back down. I set stage five to run 3.5 mins at 375, and this caramelizes the roast you've put into the beans at the high temp. I've found that if you want a darker flavor, you're better off extending the length of the final, cooler stage than extending the length of the high-temp stage. Naturally, YMMV.
8. Wipe the roast canister out with a paper towel after every roast, and wash it with dishwashing detergent and a sponge about every fifth roast.
When this little guy gives up his ghost, he'll be replaced by another iRoast2, 'cuz I couldn't be happier than with what I get from it.
Customer Review: After two weeks, I'm learning to roast coffee with I-Roast 2
Summary: 4 Stars
After a few hours on the Internet reading reviews and learning about roasting, I purchased the I-Roast 2. I've done at least 15 batches so far. The machine is functioning fine, but I'm learning something with each new batch. I'll tell you my impressions so far.
1. The machine is attractive and quite easy to learn how to use.
2. It is a bit noisy, but I knew that before I bought it.
3. It has a round wire ring above it which makes it quite easy to vent off any smoke. I got a metal 90 degree "elbow" made for clothes dryers and vent right out a window by attaching this elbow to the top of the machine.
4. I've learned the key to roasting is watching the beans while roasting. Look for the color you want. This machine is glass-sided, so it's easy to see the beans. If you can't monitor the color, each batch would be a guess at the product. You'll learn which color beans you like the most.
5. There's a button you push to see the roasting temp at any given time. It seemed to read low for what I had set. I've since read on the Net that this machine's inner temps might be hotter than the number reads. It's not too important if you're getting the roast you like, but you have to watch it and guage results.
6. Cleaning the chaf afterwords only takes a few seconds. It's really easy and no work at all.
7. As I get the roasts I like, the programable option is really nice. I can repeat it later if I want to.
8. The I-Roast 2 cooling cycle is automatic and easy. From what I've read, this is really important. After this 4 minutes cycle, the beans are almost room temperature and easy to remove from the glass drum. I put the beans into an open glass container for breathing for a day before grinding.
9. Overall performance is great. I can't comment on long term durability, but so far I'm really pleased. I'd recommend this machine to others.
W.B.
Customer Review: BUYER BEWARE
Summary: 1 Stars
LONGEVITY- glass top broken within 1 year, roaster dead in 1 1/2 years
QUALITY CONTROL- Had to purchase an entirely new roaster. First one arrived smoking with no air moving. Weeks to get another one. This one also burns coffee beans.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Non-existent. Much of the time you get a circuit busy on the phone; if you get through at all, there are usually 40 calls ahead of you. Messages are not returned. Neither are faxes.
Home roasted coffee beans are fantastic, but this machine and this company are horrendous. Check recent reviews to confirm my comments re customer service. DO NOT DEAL WITH HEARTHWARE!
Customer Review: Bad Product or BAD Business??
Summary: 2 Stars
You are taking your chances if you purchase this product...
My wife bought an IRoast2 for me for Christmas last year (from Sweet Maria's); I loved it and have enjoyed using the machine. HowEVER, the last 2X I have used it, it has stopped ~6min into the roasting time. GRRRrrr! I have contacted them and am awaiting reply--replacement--of motor unit. Read the return policy. Also noticed they are now "not available." Hard to take at $189 a pop! I'm disappointed.
Update: After contacting Sweet Maria's, the motor unit was replaced (under warranty) November 16, 2009. Last week (Jan 6, 2010) the motor again stopped working. 2 units in 14 months. The Hearthware website customer service page is "Under construction" and SM and others says not available 'til March 2010. Holly the Hearthware phone flunky refused to even work with me. Saying because the warranty expired (Dec. 7), they would not replace their DEFECTIVE replacement, and said I could to buy a new motor base (20 percent off!) for $111.20 plus postage. Hearthware completely dropped the ball on this potentially great product. BAD BUSINESS!
Big thanks to Sweet Marias and Derek for great customer service; I highly recommend them. www.sweetmarias.com
Customer Review: Bad customer service
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought an iRoast for Christmas last year and it worked fine for a couple of months. Then it started going berserk and the only way to control it was to unplug it. I attempted to contact the manufacturer several times and never received any kind of response. I believe that this appliance is a safety hazard and would never recommend it to anyone. The lack of a response from the manufacturer says a lot.