Behmor 1600 Plus - Coffee Roaster

[AntC1946]

Having tried out roasting using a popper, I started accumulating the parts for a bread maker setup. Then I changed my mind and ordered a Behmor. It arrived this week after a painless and easy ordering process here on CS. Also arriving were 2 bags of coffee beans ordered a day or so earlier for the popper and so with the one free with the roaster I have plenty of beans to practise with.

During last two days I have completed the 100 grams x 4 sessions using up some Chiang Mai beans. After getting into second crack very quickly on the first roast and producing quite a bit of smoke, in subsequent roasts I cut the power to 25% after hitting 'C'. That gave it the time to finish the roast within the countdown thus providing some repeatability. Following the 100 gram roasts I have tackled a 200 gram roast of the Elephant Hills bean.

So far none have been tasted - they are degassing and maturing and will be in the grinder from tomorrow. Chiang Mai first as that is what I was roasting in the popper so the comparison will be interesting. I must say the results from the roaster looks much more consistent in colour than from the popper.

I have just printed out the CS bean colour chart and will be matching my beans against that (provided my colour printer is up to it) to see what CS numbers I have produced so far.

My thanks to Andy and everyone who has written on this thread. I have found a new and interesting hobby that has the promise of tasting good too!

Tony

[Nickgb]

Hey guys, I have a question about the Behmor and its temperature control. Coming from a popper as per most people, I am used to a dynamic and almost instant result which I am still trying to get a good grasp on with the Behmor but I have been thinking, with the power levels - what exactly do they do. Do they cycle the heat until they reach a certain temp (there for p2 and p5 are the same end resulting temp but the trip there is much shorter with p5) or do they stop at lower temps?

Its obvious they cycle the power on/off at different intervals from watching the Behmor, but I am curious as to what are the other parameters that I could utilise.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

There are diagrams of time since start v's power level in at the back of the owner's manual. p2 for instance reaches 100% power quickly, then drops to 70% power after 60% of roast time, then blasts back up to 100% for the last 10% of the roast time. I don't let it do that last bit....hit P4 to stay at 75% power after 1st crack.

[Nickgb]

There are diagrams of time since start v's power level in at the back of the owner's manual. p2 for instance reaches 100% power quickly, then drops to 70% power after 60% of roast time, then blasts back up to 100% for the last 10% of the roast time. I don't let it do that last bit....hit P4 to stay at 75% power after 1st crack.

Yeah I've read that, but without any idea of what the machines parameters are they lose their relativity. I guess unless someone has spent the time to temperature profile the Behmor, my question is more pointed at either Andy or someone from Behmor (or the man himself) to help me understand how it has been designed to work. Basically I'm looking to try and get some controllability out of the Behmor to try and use some finesse to improve my roasts without heavily modifying it like some people have, to get finer control.

Perhaps I'll also rephrase my question to be a little more straight forward.

I want to know:
1- What's the max temp of the Behmor.
2- Will P2 reach this max temp (with enough time) or is this only reached by P5/full power?
2a - If Yes - What are the parameters of how this is achieved (Does P2 apply 1/4 power and only cycle the element for 3 seconds out of every 10 seconds?).
2b- If No - Does each power setting have its own max temp? If so, what are the parameters as to how this is achieved.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

What do you mean by 'max temp of the Behmor'? Max temperature *where* in the Behmor? The Behmor has the two sensors, the readings from which you view as per the manual. You can also install a fixed temperature probe near the bean cyclinder, or slip a bead type thermocouple under the door....there are profiles in the old Behmor thread logged by people using these methods. Mightn't be what you're after....

[fleery]

Hey all,

Im looking at getting the temp/thermocouple probe and installing it in the Behmor. Just wondering if others that have done so have found the info you get off it useful - RoR etc? Worth the upgrade?

Also looks like I just drill the hole in the right spot (I assume the Plus is the same hole as the older Behmor???), stick the probe in and thats it? Do I need a braided probe or is the one that comes with the thermocouple ok?

Sorry for all the q's!

[frasertr]

I have done it. The install of the probe is relatively simple. I have found the info somewhat useful in terms of developing consistency in roasting and profiles. However, I'm not sure if it will give you a useful reading of ROR because the probe is not in the bean mass and the reading seems to jump around alot. Perhaps others have overcome this through playing with settings.

[pyrmontboy200]

+1 on the readings jumping around a lot with a probe. The CS location seems to minimise that, but the readings are definitely of limited use, and jump around due to the cooling mechanism of the Behmor. I tried putting the probe poking up from the chaff tray about a mil shy underneath the beans as they turn around in the drum, which before trying I thought was a great idea, but the readings were really low, like FC at 150. Lately I've gone back to using the wall thermistor reading, and the probe data has been relegated to just a fun fact.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

+1 on the readings jumping around a lot with a probe. The CS location seems to minimise that, but the readings are definitely of limited use, and jump around due to the cooling mechanism of the Behmor. I tried putting the probe poking up from the chaff tray about a mil shy underneath the beans as they turn around in the drum, which before trying I thought was a great idea, but the readings were really low, like FC at 150. Lately I've gone back to using the wall thermistor reading, and the probe data has been relegated to just a fun fact.

What's the problem with low readings (such as FC at 150) as long as they are consistent from roast to roast?

[pyrmontboy200]

Nothing really, and I understand your point it's all relative and all that.... I guess it just concerned me that the readings were so far away from what I would think the actual drum environment temperature (or bean temperature for that matter) would be. Anyone who can explain why they are so low at this point in the chamber feel free to chime in. Hot air rises?

[fleery]

Hey all,

Installed the 100m probe by drilling in the specified location. I tried 3mm and then 4mm on the outside skin only (as per the instructions) but like others I found I had to drill a 4mm hole all the way through. Now the probe just sits in the side and can be bumped out - has anyone worked out a way to secure it there? I thought about maybe drilling a larger diameter outside hole such that the threaded section of the probe can slip in through the outer skin. Anyone tried that or got other ideas?

[Andy]

The 4mm outer hole will "stretch" to suit the thread... drilling bigger is likely to result in too big a hole.
You could try a rats-tail file or oval the outer hole with the drill bit but you will be better making the thread in a tight hole than making it too big.

[druemac]

Can any one tell me where I can get a new light bulb for the Behmor ?

[neofelis]

A light bulb shop?
Edit: Manual states:
"20 watt Incandescent light for ovens, clear glass."

Infact its 25w E17 240v Pilot Lamp

[daledugahole]

Check here...
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/showthread.php?t=39227
Cheers
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