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Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

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  • Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

    I was just surfing around and saw the Gene Cafe at Go Barista for $780 + delivery. It takes up to 300 grams and roasts and is ready for another in half an hour. I can do 300 grams in half an hour comfortably with the popcorn maker (probably a little more).

    It would be a $700 + upgrade. I have never used such a machine. I was just wondering if anyone had and could compare it to the basic popcorn maker with chimney set up...

    Cheers

  • #2
    Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

    I would suggest that your best bet would be to get along to a CoffeeSnob bean pickup when someone is taking a Gene Cafe and try a roast from both.

    The Gene Cafe does do a better roast, is easier, more likely to endup with the same results time and time again but only you could determine if the quoted $700 is a worthy upgrade.

    Someone roasting in a $5 fry pan might have the same debate over the value of a popper.

    As always with coffee, the proof is in your cup.



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    • #3
      Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

      Scott- its a HUUUGE jump in terms of uniformity and control...You wont look back.

      Im handling sales for Serge while hes away and have 2 units left. Ill throw in comp. delivery.

      For those following the progress of distributorship and dealers, I have spoken with the newly appointed distributor today. I feel and hope that there is potential here. The new supplier has agreed to have discussions with Serge on his return. Lets hope that an agreement, fair for all can be reached...Im confident that a resolution might be possible.

      Chris

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      • #4
        Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

        Does anyone have uploadable photos of the various coffee roasting machines available please....

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        • #5
          Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

          Originally posted by Ray C link=1176983699/0#3 date=1176985931
          Does anyone have uploadable photos of the various coffee roasting machines available please....
          Google is your friend Ray,

          Heres info on the Gene Cafe, one for the HotTop, and one for the iRoast2 .....These are the most popular purpose built home roasters but if you want info on any others, there will probably more listed on Sweet Marias coffee website.

          Cheers,
          Mal.

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          • #6
            Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

            Thanks Mal..........

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            • #7
              Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

              thanks all - I looked at the website that Mal flagged; God I love the Chinese way of describing their products!! Its worth a read just for a good laugh. Having said that the roaster looks impressive.

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              • #8
                Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

                Originally posted by Andy Freeman link=1176983699/0#1 date=1176985536
                ... but only you could determine if the quoted $700 is a worthy upgrade.
                Its one of those things, where logic will never justify the upgrade, but once you have done it, you wonder why you didnt do it sooner!!!

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                • #9
                  Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

                  Like shifting from a $15 blade grinder to a $300 conical burr - and from a $300 Conical burr to a Swift et al. . .

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                  • #10
                    Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

                    I put 300gm of yirg in the gene this evening, set it for 230*/19mins, turned it on, then went for a shower, made dinner, etc.

                    Came back later and the beans are just the way I like them...almost feel guilty being able to do that!

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                    • #11
                      Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

                      Originally posted by ozscott link=1176983699/0#0 date=1176983699
                       I can do 300 grams in half an hour comfortably with the popcorn maker (probably a little more).
                      Wow   300gms in half an hour in a popper?..To do that amount, it was taking me nearly an hour or so. My popper would cut out if I used it too quickly after the first 2 batches, and then I had to wait for it to cool down, usually 10 mins. Thats a good effort 0zcott.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

                      I also found that it did alot of uneven roasts. Most of the beans would either be burnt on the ends or not cooked all the way through.
                      I dont need to justify to myself with spending the amount I did on the Gene. When I saw it in action a few months ago, I had already had in mind of getting it.

                      I love my GC.  :-* It does everything the popper did, and more. And the coffee DOES taste better, without it being underroasted, or burnt to a crisp, because I can determine the temperature and the time.

                      Hope this helps!

                      -Linda

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                      • #12
                        Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

                        Sounds great Linda. I am seriously considering an aquisition. As for the Popper its just a Breville Crazy popper, unmodded except for the basic chimney. The roast is quite even with no burning and I can easily do 3 roasts of 100-115 grams back to back...it really cranks along.

                        Cheers

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                        • #13
                          Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

                          I have to say that although ozscott the roaster takes just as long, the time you have to put into the gene is nothing even if your hands on about it.

                          If your hands on you can start the roaster and return 5 minutes before its finished. If youve got a profile your happy with then you can set and forget. (unless your into dark roasts that might catch fire) so thats 5min of work vs half an hour. there is also no cleaning up with the gene. For me and Im sure I might get flamed for it, The gene cafe is more of an appliance. It roasts my beans for me. Just as my washing machine washes my clothes, my toaster toasts etc. If Im getting low on beans its a matter of getting away from the tv for a minute loading it up and then relaxing back into whatever I was watching 8-)

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                          • #14
                            Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

                            muppet_man,

                            It is interesting how different people view the roasting process...

                            I like the "hands on" approach - just like the professional roasters who stay and check the roast as it progresses..... I get great satisfaction out of tweaking the process... the smell of the beans the sounds of the cracks.... the developing colour of the beans.... its almost therapeutic

                            I can also appreciate why some people want a "set and forget" solution.... and the GC certainly allows that.....

                            Somehow I dont think I could ever become enthusiastic about that style of roasting :-/ :-/

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                            • #15
                              Re: Quality Jump - Popcorn -v- Gene Cafe?

                              Id have to agree with the general view here... Ive only just picked up my GC this weekend but having now done a couple of roasts I found it to be a far easier exercise than using a popper or setting up a coretto. Of course nothing wrong with either of those approaches, but for me the GC is the easier one for a consistent repeatable roast.

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