Roaster review: Behmor 1600

01-19-2009, 02:30 PM

thanks for the review! I am in the market for a roaster

Mister Moo · 01-19-2009, 07:14 PM

Terrific review, Fumes.

Cigargal · 02-23-2009, 02:31 PM

my second Iroast bit the dust today-I've had 2 of them in 2 1/2 years-not a good track record at almost 200 per. I was looking at this Behmor today on Sweet Maria website. They seem to be very concerned about fire hazard and recommend a shop vac after every use. I only roast small batches-only brew 10 cups a day at our house, so I think the smaller batches are less risky. I was wondering if anyone else has tried this machine.

Fumes · 02-24-2009, 09:39 PM

I was really cautious when I first started using the Behmor because of all the warnings, but I think they're overstating the fire danger to cover themselves. It's not an idiot proof machine -- loading a pound of dry processed beans and setting it for a Vienna roast would probably not be such a great idea, but I think the smoke pouring out of the machine would give you a good indication that something bad was about to happen anyway. So far I've managed to avoid any untoward combustion issues by just paying attention to the roast.

And a shop vac is not really necessary. A small paint brush (supplied) does the job just as well, though there is always a little bit of chaff that gets away and ends up on the floor.

Mis dos centavos.

germantown rob · 02-25-2009, 06:13 AM

Well first I want to say Joe Behm and his customer service was great and was needed right up to the end of it's life.

It is a great machine for the average home roaster, not an over zealous one like me. If a pound a week is what you are after it will work great.

I had 3 fires in mine, 2 where big chaff fires, no big deal. 1 was bad, beans where burning and it was pretty scary. This bad fire happened with monsoon beans and never could find out why those water logged beans where trouble for the Behmor.

When my motor died after 5 months and the machine was sent out to get fixed under warranty it took 2 months to get it back I bought a Hottop. At some point many months after the Behmor returned and the warranty was up I tried it again and it wouldn't get a 1/4lb to second crack...it now takes up space in the graveyard of a basement. This completely justified the expense of the Hottop since I would have gone through 3 Behmors at this point.

In the end I give the machine a lot of credit since it effectively created a roaster out of me. However the Hottop fits me better and can handle the abuse I throw at it, also any repair or part can be replaced by me, You can't even change the behmor heating lights yourself.

althekillr · 02-25-2009, 08:13 AM

i second the customer service as great. mince came with a dented piece and he replace it right away.

mine has been working fine. but I'm a pound a week roaster. love mine, love the reduced smoke feature. to hear the cracks now is a big help. and my coffee does taste much better. i came from a i-roast.

Cigargal · 02-25-2009, 09:33 AM

It sounds like the roaster might just work for me. I roast no more than a lb per week. Have to wait until next month to fit it in the budget so we will have to drink store bought for a while(ack!!!) Thanks for the info fellas!

01-19-2009, 02:30 PM	#1
ChicagoWhiteSox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Roaster review: Behmor 1600 thanks for the review! I am in the market for a roaster

01-19-2009, 07:14 PM	#2
Mister Moo I barely grok the obvious Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Lizard Lick, NC Posts: 1,417 Trading: (3)	Re: Roaster review: Behmor 1600 Terrific review, Fumes. __________________ "I hope you had the time of your life."

02-23-2009, 02:31 PM	#3
Cigargal Waiting for SoCal XI Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,472 Trading: (25)	Re: Roaster review: Behmor 1600 my second Iroast bit the dust today-I've had 2 of them in 2 1/2 years-not a good track record at almost 200 per. I was looking at this Behmor today on Sweet Maria website. They seem to be very concerned about fire hazard and recommend a shop vac after every use. I only roast small batches-only brew 10 cups a day at our house, so I think the smaller batches are less risky. I was wondering if anyone else has tried this machine.

02-24-2009, 09:39 PM	#4
Fumes Not So Memorious Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Posts: 205 Trading: (0)	Re: Roaster review: Behmor 1600 I was really cautious when I first started using the Behmor because of all the warnings, but I think they're overstating the fire danger to cover themselves. It's not an idiot proof machine -- loading a pound of dry processed beans and setting it for a Vienna roast would probably not be such a great idea, but I think the smoke pouring out of the machine would give you a good indication that something bad was about to happen anyway. So far I've managed to avoid any untoward combustion issues by just paying attention to the roast. And a shop vac is not really necessary. A small paint brush (supplied) does the job just as well, though there is always a little bit of chaff that gets away and ends up on the floor. Mis dos centavos. __________________ It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues. -A. Lincoln

02-25-2009, 06:13 AM	#5
germantown rob Still not Adjusted Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Rob Location: Philadelphia Posts: 330 Trading: (1)	Re: Roaster review: Behmor 1600 Well first I want to say Joe Behm and his customer service was great and was needed right up to the end of it's life. It is a great machine for the average home roaster, not an over zealous one like me. If a pound a week is what you are after it will work great. I had 3 fires in mine, 2 where big chaff fires, no big deal. 1 was bad, beans where burning and it was pretty scary. This bad fire happened with monsoon beans and never could find out why those water logged beans where trouble for the Behmor. When my motor died after 5 months and the machine was sent out to get fixed under warranty it took 2 months to get it back I bought a Hottop. At some point many months after the Behmor returned and the warranty was up I tried it again and it wouldn't get a 1/4lb to second crack...it now takes up space in the graveyard of a basement. This completely justified the expense of the Hottop since I would have gone through 3 Behmors at this point. In the end I give the machine a lot of credit since it effectively created a roaster out of me. However the Hottop fits me better and can handle the abuse I throw at it, also any repair or part can be replaced by me, You can't even change the behmor heating lights yourself.

02-25-2009, 08:13 AM	#6
althekillr Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 78 Trading: (0)	Re: Roaster review: Behmor 1600 i second the customer service as great. mince came with a dented piece and he replace it right away. mine has been working fine. but I'm a pound a week roaster. love mine, love the reduced smoke feature. to hear the cracks now is a big help. and my coffee does taste much better. i came from a i-roast.

02-25-2009, 09:33 AM	#7
Cigargal Waiting for SoCal XI Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,472 Trading: (25)	Re: Roaster review: Behmor 1600 It sounds like the roaster might just work for me. I roast no more than a lb per week. Have to wait until next month to fit it in the budget so we will have to drink store bought for a while(ack!!!) Thanks for the info fellas!