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I've read through some of the threads on Behmor plus in here and one thing I've noticed is a bit of a lack of thorough discussion on the manual mode, and techniques people are using to roast different varieties of beans. This panel update, going from the old 1600 to the plus, has been revolutionary for me, and wanted to share some of the things I've picked up, but also was hoping for others to throw a few ideas around to see other techniques being used. Anyway here goes:
I write ET generically for your measure of environment temperature, whether it be the Behmor thermistor or a thermocouple somewhere in the chamber.
I've been mainly focusing on trying to get Ethiopian DPs and Brazil pulped naturals down pat. I prefer roasts which are balanced in acidity, body and sweetness. I typically do 200g batches.
Ethiopian - dry processed:
Method:
P1-auto mode until FC. I hit D for double drum speed at FC. As FC really starts to get going, I hit P1-manual to cut the power, keep an eye on the ET to make sure not dropping. This gives me a good loud first crack, which I'm always searching for on the Behmor. FC for me typically occurs at around 9 to 10 mins for a 200g charge. FC typically runs at around 1:30 duration. After it fades I hit the beans for another 45secs to a minute at half heat (P3-manual) until end of roast (cool). Typically my ET is creeping up at this stage, although I have a suspicion I should hit them a bit harder, maybe P4-manual, and for a shorter time.
Brazils - pulped naturals
Method:
P4-manual mode (75% power) until bread baking smell, then P5-manual (100% power) until FC. Aim here is to go a bit easy early on to avoid tipping, but once drying phase is over get some momentum up before hitting FC. Once I hit FC I drop heat to P1-manual, hit D, when I hear the first few consistent pops of FC. I drop heat earlier then I do with the Eth DPs, because I've noticed the Brazils take off like a rocket if you heat too much during early FC. I let FC fizzle out, which is around ~1:30 mins duration, then add back P2-manual 30 seconds, P3-manual 30 seconds, and P4-manual 30 seconds, listening intently for any sounds of SC (and watching for smoke). At some point in this ramp I hit cool. One issue I have here is I can't seem to just butt up against SC (ie a few snaps and nothing else). Typically if I hear one snap of SC during the roast, I hear 15-20 seconds of SC snaps during the cool, and my roast is a bit darker then I'd like. I'd be keen to hear how others drive the Behmor to achieve this outcome - a roast delivering just a couple of snaps of SC.
General tips I’ve learnt along the way:
- Don’t add much (any?) heat during the start of FC or your roast will go off to the stratosphere
- For almost all roasts I hit D at FC to kickstart the exothermic, but I use slower drum speed for the beginning of the roast. Keeping it on double drum speed the whole roast led to too ‘bright’ tasting roasts.
- If you want to notch down a power level, say 100 to 75, the key sequence is P5, P1, P4. The elements have fixed cycle times which can lag this power change, P1 ensures power is cut straight away.
- Before hitting cool, hit P1 beforehand to turn off the heating element. This stops that extra little kick cool gives your roast, if the element is on.
Appreciate any input or discussion this post generates….
I write ET generically for your measure of environment temperature, whether it be the Behmor thermistor or a thermocouple somewhere in the chamber.
I've been mainly focusing on trying to get Ethiopian DPs and Brazil pulped naturals down pat. I prefer roasts which are balanced in acidity, body and sweetness. I typically do 200g batches.
Ethiopian - dry processed:
Method:
P1-auto mode until FC. I hit D for double drum speed at FC. As FC really starts to get going, I hit P1-manual to cut the power, keep an eye on the ET to make sure not dropping. This gives me a good loud first crack, which I'm always searching for on the Behmor. FC for me typically occurs at around 9 to 10 mins for a 200g charge. FC typically runs at around 1:30 duration. After it fades I hit the beans for another 45secs to a minute at half heat (P3-manual) until end of roast (cool). Typically my ET is creeping up at this stage, although I have a suspicion I should hit them a bit harder, maybe P4-manual, and for a shorter time.
Brazils - pulped naturals
Method:
P4-manual mode (75% power) until bread baking smell, then P5-manual (100% power) until FC. Aim here is to go a bit easy early on to avoid tipping, but once drying phase is over get some momentum up before hitting FC. Once I hit FC I drop heat to P1-manual, hit D, when I hear the first few consistent pops of FC. I drop heat earlier then I do with the Eth DPs, because I've noticed the Brazils take off like a rocket if you heat too much during early FC. I let FC fizzle out, which is around ~1:30 mins duration, then add back P2-manual 30 seconds, P3-manual 30 seconds, and P4-manual 30 seconds, listening intently for any sounds of SC (and watching for smoke). At some point in this ramp I hit cool. One issue I have here is I can't seem to just butt up against SC (ie a few snaps and nothing else). Typically if I hear one snap of SC during the roast, I hear 15-20 seconds of SC snaps during the cool, and my roast is a bit darker then I'd like. I'd be keen to hear how others drive the Behmor to achieve this outcome - a roast delivering just a couple of snaps of SC.
General tips I’ve learnt along the way:
- Don’t add much (any?) heat during the start of FC or your roast will go off to the stratosphere
- For almost all roasts I hit D at FC to kickstart the exothermic, but I use slower drum speed for the beginning of the roast. Keeping it on double drum speed the whole roast led to too ‘bright’ tasting roasts.
- If you want to notch down a power level, say 100 to 75, the key sequence is P5, P1, P4. The elements have fixed cycle times which can lag this power change, P1 ensures power is cut straight away.
- Before hitting cool, hit P1 beforehand to turn off the heating element. This stops that extra little kick cool gives your roast, if the element is on.
Appreciate any input or discussion this post generates….
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