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: Excellent equipment for coffee fans
Summary: 5 Stars
A few months ago, I reviewed the FreshRoast coffee roaster, which costs under a hundred bucks and includes a few pounds of green coffee beans. That was a great purchase, when I got it, especially for someone who wasn't sure if this was a personal fad. (You know: the things you think are WayCool, but somehow don't continue using after three or four months.) As it happens, we literally wore out the FreshRoast -- after several years of dedicated use -- and decided to replace it with an I-Roast.
I'm glad we did. The I-Roast has better heat control, so the beans come out evenly roasted. (You might not think that matters, all that much, but experience has taught me it does!) It has two settings that you can program for your preferred roasting and cooling times, which is a boon if you're trying to roast coffee while getting the rest of the meal put together. (Not that I ever walked away for "just a minute" and ended up with a darker roast than I intended. But ::cough:: it might happen to SOMEone.) Plus, you can roast a much larger batch of beans at one time; in practical terms, it means we roast once every 3-4 days instead of every other day. That's an appreciated convenience, too.
In other words: the I-Roast has better quality, better control, and better taste results.
It *does* smoke up the kitchen a little more than did the FreshRoast; that's not a problem for us but it might be an irritation for you (especially if you don't have good air circulation in the kitchen). We have friends who do their roasting on the back patio.
If you already know you're serious about this roasting business, the I-Roast would be a great choice. If you can afford the extra cost, I assure you that the quality justifies it.
If, on the other hand, this feels like a REALLY expensive toy that you aren't sure you'll keep using, then I'd suggest you get the FreshRoast instead. Financially, that's a better deal -- at least in the short run. If you find that you want more than the FreshRoast can deliver, I assure you that you won't have ANY problem finding a friend to take the FreshRoast off your hands. (Having a coffee roaster in your house gets guaranteed "Oh wow!" responses from dinner guests.)
Customer Review: Excellent machine, easy to use
Summary: 5 Stars
i am a complete novice about coffee roasting, so i bought this machine and some green coffee beans and gave it a try. i was amazed at the ease of use and the simplicity of roasting. i programmed my own roast (that i found online) in less than 5 min, and although rudimentary, the programming is easliy done by following directions in the manual that comes with the machine. if i could re-engineer the machine i would make the capacity larger, because the roast volume of 1/3lb (or less) makes it necessary to roast coffee often. to ensure even roasts with this machine, you must not overload it. the coffee beans expand as heat is added and can overwhelm the fan motor resulting in some beans being exposed to hot air longer than others (over roasting). if you keep your quantity on the low side and get a good color chart for roast colors, you will be very pleased with the ease of use this machine offers. buy some good good green coffee from a reputable seller and you will be set to enjoy some of the best coffee you've ever tasted.Customer Review: Fresh coffee!
Summary: 5 Stars
Most people have NEVER had a cup of coffee made with fresh roasted beans. Roasted coffee is like produce and is best used in the first three days after roasting. Since all coffee is at least three days old by the time it reaches you.... Most of the "gourmet" coffee is over roasted to cover up ho hum green beans. I was shocked when I had my first cup roasted in my I-Roast. It smelled wonderful and tasted even better with no bitter aftertaste. Be warned, you will want to drink more coffee, much more! P.S. I buy my green beans online at http://www.sweetmarias.com/ their Sumatra triple pick is WONDERFUL!Customer Review: Fresh home roasted.....YUM!!! And Lots of fun!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this for my husband for Christmas this year (2005). He is having alot of fun with it!! He had been roasting in an air popper before, and it was pretty good, but this is even better and we don't run the risk of melting the air popper anymore. He has shared his home roast with all our neighbors, he has tried many different types of coffee beans, from Mexican to Pure Kona.....
I would highly recommend this roaster!!! We have had alot of great coffee!!
Customer Review: GOOD VALUE
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased the I-Roast 2, after having decent luck with I-Roast 1. Hearthware seems to have corrected some of the very minor flaws with version 1 and I am extremely happy with it. The major thing that has been corrected is the tendency of the sealed top to unseal itself, which was a mess. I have not had this happen with version 2.
With some green beans, you have to roast smaller batches (Ethopian comes to mind) or it will overheat and shut down. However, it will do almost any controlled roast you could ever want. Version 2 seems much improved in roasting the entire batch more evenly, something that was not necessarily the case with version 1. Version 2 also seems to take more slough out of the roasting chamber.
Do be forewarned that this unit is VERY noisy (as most home roasters are, with the exception of the FreshRoast), so your neighbors may hate you if you live in an apartment.
This is a great unit for the home roaster.