Hottop or Genecafe?

[andy]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

The company that makes the Gene Cafe has no real interest in selling one or two at a time to Oz... its not what they do, their job is to make roasters.  

An Australian distributor might be just around the corner which would open the door for local warranty and support not to mention great savings in freight, shipping and customs.

Of course the Hottop is available from QLD so the supply chain is a little more advanced for it at the moment.

[cd]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

Thanks JM,

The main reason I was asking was that I have sent the company a few emails to get details and as yet have had no response!!!

Cheers,

Rob

[JM]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

Yes direct from the factory (bought two). Delivery was a few days via UPS. Not saying price as not fair on any future Australian agent - or the seller for that matter. Sorry if that sounds stupid, but all I will say is that it was a good deal.

[cd]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

Hi JM,

Did you buy your genecafe direct from Korea and if so what was the delivery time and final all up cost?

Cheers,

Rob

[JM]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

> Horses for courses, as they say....

Very true! Both machines to their intended job very well.

One other comment on Gene Cafe I forgot to mention, the Chaff management is so good that its a case of "what chaff?"

When the roast is finished you simply pull the chaff "muffler" off, walk to the rubbish bin, unscrew the big cap and tip - Voila! Chaff management made easy, no screwdiver required (sorry, cheap shot)

[stratford]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

Horses for courses, as they say....

I suspect that they will be digging up HTs in archeological digs in a couple of hundred years....they are built like a tank...

But anything that roasts a few beans in a timely and elegant (and economical) fashion has got to be a good thing

Cheers.....

[JM]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

On the Gene you can have it run its cooling cycle automatically to conclusion (maybe six minutes?) or have it stop by itself at 100 degrees so you can then move the beans to a manual cooling option - or you can just force stop it and move to manual. To be honest though, they seem to have put so much thought into the features and design emhancements that the automatic option is included - it actually works well. Ive been sticking to the stop at 100 for now, but suspect that the testing proof will see me trust the intended setting. Yes HT external cooling is an impressive design, but the Gene fair whacks the air through when it steps into cooling mode and I suspect this is a question/opinion that is best tested on A-B tastings.

There is another thought, the Gene for me was a cheaper option than HT. No one yet knows of its lifetime so we will see - a question best answered in comparison to the HT owners in a couple of years time, but for now one very happy customer here.

[Javaphile]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

Just out of curiosity what are the inside dimensions of the Hottops drum?

Java "Always the curious" phile

[joe]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

I agree with Grant. Im up to my 30th roast in my Hottop and it hasnt missed a beat. (Early days, I know!) The beans are better visible in the Gene, but theyre still quite visible in the Hottop. Being able to vary the temp mid-roast may also be a plus for some roasters. The cooling of the beans is certainly better in the Hottop. That said, if the Gene can under-price the Hottop by $150-$200, then its a compelling buy, IMHO.

[wattgn]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

The Hottop can roast 300g easily and I have done it.

It is a well executed variation on the commercial drum roaster of much bigger capacities.

I think it is very easy to see the roast on the HT.

It is also tried and tested by many people over several years.

And yes, the cooling design is excellent whereas a fundaemental design flaw on the Gene cafe (in common with all poppers and the Alpenrost too).

I am very happy with mine, just so easy to use.

Grant

[Strapp]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

Thanks JM, this was the way I was leaning having read the few reviews, now to see if I can convince the guys at Genecafe to send me 1 unit instead of 100.

[JM]

Re: Hottop or Genecafe?

Not quite the reply you wanted as I have never used a HT, but the ability to (a) see the roast in progress much better than HT, (b) to change temp on the fly across a large range, (c) to change time on the fly across a large range, (d) roast slightly more in one load, and (e) cheaper GeneCafe made it a no brainer for me. I have read frequent complaints that the HT needs more time (but maybe too long already) sometimes - cant see it being an issue with gene. Do like HT cooling tray - looks the part thats for sure

[Strapp]

I am about to purchase a roaster, and considering either a Hottop or the Genecafe recently reviewed by Andy. For those who have used both, any recommendations here on which is the better unit (price taken out of consideration).