Hottop, Digital

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Tim:

Fair enough too.

Mind you there are a lot of people who will spend 2k - 3k on the espresso machine $1k on a grinder then grizzle about the price of a roaster.

I mean it isnt expensive in the scheme of things and I think if you want to improve your coffee, the quality of the roasting process is THE key area. Not saying though that your setup doesnt do it as well as the Hottop. Maybe a blind cupping is in order?

Grant

[tim]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Grant,

Theres an awful lot of Heath Robinsons out there doing this.
Hardly ingenuity on my part. Its someone elses idea and there is a whole movement of people roasting this way in the U.S. as well as quite a few in this very forum.
(go back through the old roaster posts)
The roasts are large, very uniform, the cracks are well-defined and the whole process is very controllable.
About the only thing it doesnt do as well as a HOTTOP is get rid of the chaff efficiently.
Oh...... and it doesnt look as pretty either.
Mind you, if HOTTOPS were a more realistic price, I might consider it but 600-700 bucks US for a roaster that does 250 grams is too rich for my blood.

Tim

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Tim:

I have to admire the ingenuity of members. This heath robinson-ish approach is very admirable and it certainly leads to some interesting machines. My adventures so far consist of cutting a slice out of a campbells pea and ham soup can and stuffing it in the top of my B&D popper. I am still impressed by the results although the Jave beans (no others) seem to roast unevenly. I dont know why although I think these beans are very light density wise and the heat has more trouble distributing itself evenly. Other beans seem to roast perfect. Anyway, the Java still tastes great even if the colour is somewhat uneven.

I will get my hands on a hottop soon and see what a difference a drum makes.

Boom Boom.

Grant

[tim]

Re: Hottop, Digital

I dunno,
A Hottop would sure be nice, no doubt about it.
But I can do 300-350 gms per batch in my current setup and its total cost was $332.
Westbend StirCrazy: $130
240-110V step-down: $90
Cheap-arse Cascade Convection: $80
Plastic bucket & Ceiling Fan from Bunnings (for cooling): $20
Colander to fit above: $12

Thermostat on convection is accurate (within 10degC).

I read the paper in the shed while I roast on a Sat morning:
($2.00 for the Age).
I blow away chaff wiith my wifes old model hairdryer that she replaced.

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Yes, well, I havent got one yet but I am leaning that way.

It is hard to knock it aside from on price. It evidently started on the market at $350USD when it came out. I think the price they can charge is an indication of its success.

What do you think of the build quality? Is it reminiscent of the Giotto ? I mean not quite in that league but do you think you could use it a dozen times a day for several years without it breaking?

Grant

[garglebutt]

Re: Hottop, Digital

I want to be spoiled by unspoiled coffee.

HOTTOP rocks for batch size and ease of use at this point in time.

[stratford]

Re: Hottop, Digital

We are....

I roasted for years in a Sunbeam frypan, and I love my little Cafe Rosto...

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

I have been happy with my popper and that is a $20 unit with no controls or profiling. It nevertheless for most beans most of the time produces astonishingly good coffee.

Maybe we are spoiled?

Grant

[stratford]

Re: Hottop, Digital

It depends what you are after, Grant....

Though it would be nice to adjust the profile on the Hottop, this is not a showstopper for me, as I mainly roast with sight and sound, and I am happy with the pre programmed temperature routine of the Hottop.

I wouldnt be surprised if the `next control panel of the HT included access to programming functions...

Cheers..

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

The two machines that have been proven to be reliable and deliver the goods are the hottop and the i-roast as they have had the bugs ironed out of them over time.

The hottop is certainly built like a tank.

The irosto may well prove to be a ripper but it depends as much on its reliability and durability as its design. The irosto will have more to play with regarding temperature profile than the hottop but the hottop produces top roasts evidently and its whats in the cup that counts.

Proving a new machine just takes time. Sometimes youre lucky and it is well designed and there are no problems, sometimes youre unlucky and they break down regularly. Really only time will tell.

Grant

[Dimal]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Why not wait for the Genecafe that Andy is bringing in as a sample. Very similar mode of operation.

Yep,

Im with you benthx. I would rather wait until Andy has put this machine through its paces for a while than rush into buying a HotTop or other Roaster.

Cheers,
Mal.

[joe]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Hear hear!

[stratford]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Grant,

The machine is built like a tank, and if you are a bit handy, very easy to pull apart...

There is always a risk when you are an `early adopter, but in this case, parts and service info seem to be in abundance... One day, roasters will be available from Harvey Norman, but not for a year or two Ill bet....

Roast on!

8)

Cheers.....

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Ho ho ho.

I wouldnt worry too much about the Visa business, I mean this crowd sell thousands of these machines all over the world and a lot of other stuff besides. You certainly are not going to get ripped off and the parcel will be insured.

Regarding their warranty, yes a bit unconventional. I can see though that the next step is an Australian distributor but that is a step that they havent taken yet. It could also push the cost up to us when it happens.

I have emailed them and regarding parts they are supplied from Australia, if not then via Taiwan in seven days. I guess until someone puts them to the test, well just have to wait and see though. Personally I think they will be prompt and Shelly has dealt with CoffeeGeeks and is regarded positively.

The actual repair though is up to the owner. Most of the machine seems simple enough to access (from what I have seen). It would mean though some help required by phone or email but that shouldnt be an issue. There is a site www.hottopusa.com which not only has the owners manual but also a comprehensive repair manual and other stuff.

I must say it is streets ahead of anything else I have seen on the internet.

Grant

[joe]

Re: Hottop, Digital

It is unfortunate that Hottop will not allow payments via VISA. At least visa would provide you with a level of protection if you wish to dispute the transaction

Is that the Australian agent saying that? I know that in reference to another appliance that Cheng Hue make, I emailed them and Shelly was willing to do the transaction via Visa.
Youre right - I wouldnt spend that kind of money without a credit card.