What roaster, where to buy?

[gihund]

Hi,

Am new to the forum and new to the home-brew coffee scene.

Will be relocating to Asia and I am not aware of good coffee roasters over there (Hong Kong) - unless somebody is aware of it.

So, I am looking to purchase a reasonable home-coffee bean roaster. Im a two-cup coffee (at most) girl and doubt Id be making more than that each day. So, I suppose a small-ish roaster is sufficient. I see an Imex? - that roasts about 100g at each roast, sounds reasonable to me.

Any recommendations which machine? Which website/ shop? Cost? The only one Ive actually seen in the flesh is the i-Roast whcih is around $400... Im happy to go something cheaper if I can find it.

Please advise! I cant bear to spend loads of money on roasted beans thatll get stale quickly in hong kong - it is oh so humid there.

Cheers!

Lucy

[Koffee_Kosmo]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

Hi & welcome

From my point of view, an I roast is a controllable pop corn machine

You can save money and get a popper to do the same job but in a more manual way

Second way is to get
1] Heat Gun (can also use a gas hob as heat source)
2] Stainless Steel Bowl
3] Whisk

These are the most economical ways to roast coffee

KK

[friskhr]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

If you are to spend $400 for an Iroast, I suggest you buy a Behmor from Andy (beanbay) and would come with green beans and etc.

[Luke_G]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

If you are to spend $400 for an Iroast, I suggest you buy a Behmor from Andy (beanbay) and would come with green beans and etc.

Agreed

[beanflying]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

Hi Lucy,

might pay you to drop a message to one of the members here epic76 http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?ac...7322B217574420 he may be able to help out on what is or isnt available locally in Hong Kong.

The Imex is a little overpriced for what it is IMO but it is small compact and easy to use so there is some good points. Most of the other drum types Behmor, Hottop or Gene are fairly large depending on what sort of accomodation you are getting into and how much gear you are actually shipping with you.

good luck with the move

[gihund]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

Hi Guys,

Thank you so much for writing back.

What about the Caffe Rosto?? Im pretty much drinking the coffee myself, roasting once a week is enough for now, I imagine!

I have quite a bulk to bring back already, is the Behmor a bit too large? 14kg!

Thoughts!! pplease!

Lucy

[beanflying]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

Sounds like a job for a modded popcorn popper, even get one when you are there and leave it behind for the $$ it will owe you. The popper I have does 60-80g in 11 or 12 minutes with no playing needed without any mods so far (I got lucky I guess) so a few roasts a week for $20-30 worth of gear might do too.

I still like the heatgun, bowl and spoon for a minimalist approach as you have a lot better control than a popper and batches of 250-300g are easy and just use a kitchen strainer to cool them in front of a fan will be fine.

[Koffee_Kosmo]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

What about the Caffe Rosto??

Again I believe the Rosto is just a corn popper with a few extras similar to the Iroast
Also - Hong Kong is 220 volt
Check if its available for Hong Kong use ?

I also agree with the post above

KK

[Epic76]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

Will be relocating to Asia and I am not aware of good coffee roasters over there (Hong Kong) - unless somebody is aware of it.

You mean they didnt make themselves known to you at the airport when you arrived? :

Hi Lucy,
Welcome to CS and congrats on your impending move to Honkers.

There are a number of boutique roasters in Hong Kong. When not roasting myself, Caffair is my local roaster of choice who provides a roast & post service at HKD$100/bag delivered to your door. It generally arrives on day 3 (post roast) and peaks around day 10 so no issues there. Of my top five cafes, all will sell you whole beans. All are fresh roasted except for the "guest coffees" from Square Mile, Mecca (SYD) etc. Price varies.

So.....theres no need to start roasting due to necessity. Now if you want to roast for the enjoyment, variety or challenge, thats another story!

The Hottop and Quest roasters are available directly from the manufacturers in Taiwan "next door". I bought the former this way. Gene Cafes amongst others are available from local retailers but beware: service, warranty and support is generally very poor in this part of the world.

Its often worth paying a bit more and buying from a reputable retailer such as your chosen site sponsor in AUS to avail yourself of after sales support that consists of more than the sound of a phone being hung up on you :O Additionally, if your supplier mails it outside of Australia to your HKG address youre eligible for the pre-GST price.

Sharing the former British colony status with Australia means whatever machine you bring to HKG will work without problems.

Best of luck and dont be afraid to shout if you need any info.

Brgds,

Epic76

[gihund]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

Wow thank you very much Epic76!

Priceless information!

Lucy

[Tozano]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

Can i please get a list with the best roasting machines from Europe/Turkey in the range 5kg - 10kg?

[TC]

Re: What roaster, where to buy?

Can i please get a list with the best roasting machines from Europe/Turkey in the range 5kg - 10kg?

Hello Tozarno.

2 CS sponsors import Turkish roasters and your best bet would be to speak with each of them. They will explain what needs to happen when a roaster arrives in Austraila including what you have to do to install your roaster and ensure compliance with the nessessary authorities. Each will be able to provide or arrange for the critical training as well.

2mcm