Behmor 1600 Plus - Coffee Roaster

[druemac]

Behmor error code

I have just done my first roast with the new Behmor..with the 100 gramme test roast it does the roasting run and then goes into an err 7 on cool down? is this normal?

[Javaphile]

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/roasters/3...tml#post530890


Java "Search engines are your friends" phile

[Andy]

I have just done my first roast with the new Behmor..with the 100 gramme test roast it does the roasting run and then goes into an err 7 on cool down? is this normal?

Javaphile's link above pretty much covers it.

#5 on the "Cheat Sheet" that was in with the roaster says you need to press [Start] to confirm you are awake during the UN30, UN29, UN27... countdown which happens at 75% of the roast.

Happy roasting!

[neofelis]

Ok, so I'm on the fence about getting one of these... I need help deciding if they're worth the money or not. Please remain unbiased and honest.

From what I've read they do work but are far from simple. Most people have stuffed up a few batches and there doesn't seem to be a method which works for all types of coffee which is disappointing. I was kind of expecting I could put the beans in press the weight and a profile and my beans would be perfectly roasted. It doesnt seem to be that way though and after reading peoples comments the whole process sounds intimidating. Please correct me if I'm wrong as I've wanted one of these for ages but it definitely doesn't seem like an easy machine to use.

I guess another off putting thing is the thread really lacks positive feedback. No one is saying "These are the best roaster ever!!" "Everyone has to get one!!" Are these really that bad? Instead people are saying look into a hottop. I understand there is a ford vs holden debate going on but just the lack of positive feedback is saying a lot.

this leads onto my next set of questions,
Can you roast peaberry beans in this or will they fall through the mesh holes?
Is there a fool proof method of roasting which doesn't require you to "predict" when second crack is suddenly going to happen?
Is there an easy way to dump the beans if you do hit second crack and need them out ASAP?
Based on your experience, would you say the profile timers are accurate or does it require a lot of fiddling around with heat %, Time etc?
Are these a user friendly machine?
If you were to pick a profile for a broad range of beans, what would this be?
Do you think Andy should release a bean profile and setting on all future released beans so users know the ideal settings for that bean?

Please help me decide if this machine will be a great buy or not.

[Andy]

These are the best roaster ever!!
Everyone has to get one!!

They are easy to use, 3 kids under 13 won the home roasting category of the Golden Bean 2 years running using the Behmor so all questions of ease of use, quality of output and blind unbiased judging should be answered right there.


Being totally frank, reading between the lines on your post and knowing some of your history I would say you don't really want to learn how to roast, it seems like you want some magic machine that you pour green beans into and roasted beans come out. That machine does not exist and even if it did the best it could do is produce something that suits the average person.


The reason you should home roast coffee is to produce coffee that suits you and your taste perfectly, it's really not hard and on your first couple of roasts you will produce great coffee, some roast depths and profiles you will like more than others... it will only get better as you understand what it is YOU like.

[flynnaus]

Hi Neofels

I have used a wide range oif home-roasting methods and none of them are perfect but will occasionally produce the 'perfect result'

In short, the Behmor is great value for money and a good starting point on the home roasting journey. The next step up would be the smaller shoproasters that will usually cost you serious coin.
The best roaster I have used is the KKTO but these are no longer in production. You could make your own but there are aspects of the Behmor that make it a better option.

Can you roast peaberry beans in this or will they fall through the mesh holes? I have roasted peaberries quite often. It's the really tiny beans such as the Yemen Ismel that may have that problem

Is there a fool proof method of roasting which doesn't require you to "predict" when second crack is suddenly going to happen? Not really. You have to accept that coffee roasting is a journey and you need to gain experience to work out what works for you.

Is there an easy way to dump the beans if you do hit second crack and need them out ASAP? Just hit the Cool button. Some have managed to manouver the cage out of the Behmor but not recommended. some leave the door open and direct a fan into the chamber to speed up cooling (but expect lots of chaff to fly around)

Based on your experience, would you say the profile timers are accurate or does it require a lot of fiddling around with heat %, Time etc? They are accurate but the critical factor is the power supply. You need to weork out an optimum weight. For me that is 330g in winter, 360 in summer on a 1lb (400g) setting

Are these a user friendly machine? Yes. Very.

If you were to pick a profile for a broad range of beans, what would this be? Most use P2B. I'm leaning towards the P1 profile these days due to the shorter roast times it provides.
Do you think Andy should release a bean profile and setting on all future released beans so users know the ideal settings for that bean? No, because what works for Andy doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

It's a bit like learning to swim. People can explain stuff to you but at some stage you have to jump in and get wet.

The HotTop is probably a better machine than the Behmor but has a max batch size of 300g and costs 3x as much as the Behmor. Others say the Genecafe is better than the HotTop. I haven't tried either of these.

Edit: ...and what Andy said in the reply before mine

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

I guess another off putting thing is the thread really lacks positive feedback. No one is saying "These are the best roaster ever!!" "Everyone has to get one!!" Are these really that bad? Instead people are saying look into a hottop. I understand there is a ford vs holden debate going on but just the lack of positive feedback is saying a lot.
.

Have you had a look at the price difference b/w a Behmor and a Hottop? It's not a Ford v Holden debate at all. I own or have owned a Behmor 1600 Plus, a Gene Cafe and an i-coffee.....and I think I burnt the first roast on all of them (maybe not the Gene). You get 2.5kgs of beans with the Behmor, to enable you to climb the learning curve. My 2nd roast was spot on. I've gone a bit too far on a few roasts, but all of them have been very drinkable (just had to grind a little coarser). Given the price difference, the Behmor is excellent value for money relative to the Gene (which I don't think you can buy in Aus at the moment anyway).

[neofelis]

Ok, my journey begins now. Im going to buy one. Ive been roasting on 2 popcorn machines for the past 2 years and I need bigger quantities and it might be a steep learning curve but im sure the results will be great either way.

Thanks for all your input, its appreciated!

[Kevo]

Ok, my journey begins now. ..... it might be a steep learning curve but im sure the results will be great either way.

It's not THAT steep at all really. Read ALL the instructions, enjoy the process, the experience and stay tuned.

You will never get "fool proof" roasting gear OR brewing equipment. If you could, then you'd still have to overcome the "fool proof" operator!

That "magic machine" Andy is referring to IMO, would only come in a jar of i-s-a-t and we all know where that stuff belongs! Latest polls say it is the most popular form of coffee in Oz and it may have its place;.......... Just not in mine!

[neofelis]

Hahah, I had my first cup of instant in about 2 years last week. It was bland and horrible. I actually had 2 types, international roast and blend 43, both equally as rotten.

I even tried some lavazza beans from the supermarket, cost me $30 for 1kg and its just as bad as the instant.
We really are spoilt with the coffee we can obtain here.

[nathan-7]

These look great, another must have to add to the list.

[Ravenscroft]

I think I know you from other unrelated to coffee forums Neofelis.

E-cigs perhaps?

Can't comment though as I use a FZ-RR 700 and a blinged out Corretto but I reckon attention is needed with whatever I have used.

You will nail it given a little time even though I must say that I am still learning the basics after 10 months roasting.

But I do prefer my home roasted to most cafe's so am happy.

Good luck!

[kutis]

Ok, so I'm on the fence about getting one of these... I need help deciding if they're worth the money or not. Please remain unbiased and honest.

From what I've read they do work but are far from simple. Most people have stuffed up a few batches and there doesn't seem to be a method which works for all types of coffee which is disappointing. I was kind of expecting I could put the beans in press the weight and a profile and my beans would be perfectly roasted. It doesnt seem to be that way though and after reading peoples comments the whole process sounds intimidating. Please correct me if I'm wrong as I've wanted one of these for ages but it definitely doesn't seem like an easy machine to use.

Perfect, especially with coffee roast, is very subjective term. But it is a great machine and generally yes it's just select weight, profile, start, and start again 75% in.

> Can you roast peaberry beans in this or will they fall through the mesh holes?
Mostly yes, a few drop beans here and there.

> Is there a fool proof method of roasting which doesn't require you to "predict" when second crack is suddenly going to happen?
Nope. Pre-heat helps, and you'd likely to catch it on the next batch.

> Is there an easy way to dump the beans if you do hit second crack and need them out ASAP?
The door and the drum are not locked in,... so easy, a qualify yes. Super hot and scary as heck though.

> Based on your experience, would you say the profile timers are accurate or does it require a lot of fiddling around with heat %, Time etc?
Depends on your taste. My current profile is basically P2 with fast drum and higher power drop.

> Are these a user friendly machine?
Very!

> If you were to pick a profile for a broad range of beans, what would this be?
P2. But maybe hit a few 'minus'es before start.

> Do you think Andy should release a bean profile and setting on all future released beans so users know the ideal settings for that bean?
No, my ideal roast would be different from yours or his.

From my very few experiments, stretching on different stages of a roast will present different a quite different flavour profile. I'm still playing with mine. After every roast, I kept thinking I can do better than this, and before I knew it, I have a lot of roasted beans that I should finish in 2-3 weeks!

[bodyboardingbum]

Bit the bullet on Monday and bought one of these, with a couple of different types of greens to experiment with!
Now i'm just being teased as i had my first 2.5kg bag of greens arrive today via StarTrack... but still no sign of the roaster! ha. Hurry up AusPost, i'm inpatient now

Looking forward to jumping head-first into the roasting world, and experimenting with different profiles, roast depths and and seeing the cup results

[Peter42]

@Neofelis:
I am sure that the Behmor is not only a good roaster, worth its money, but that it is THE roaster for you!

Why? > I read your first long list of questions and it seem that you are more interested in drinking the good coffee than digging into the all the details and possibilities of roasting, beans, profiles, drying, ..........

Your were missing lots of appraisals, but it is as with cars: You read a lot about dreaming of a Ferrari, Porsche,.... But for every day use a VW Golf, Nissan, Toyota Corolla and so on is much more appropriate, if you don't want to focus on sports all day or if you enjoy some comfort.

I have a (also) wonderful Huky in parallel. But the more possibilities of manual control you have, the more you must know and learn.
The Behmor is a good roaster, and you get the first good results nearly from start up.
Just knowing there are more sophisticated roasters you may buy for much more money (later), with more parameters to fiddle and play.
Just Enjoy it.
Peter