I've used an
iRoast2 weekly for the last few years for my espresso beans. I make pretty much exactly one batch a week, so am at probably around 200 batches by now. I actually roasted in the oven (manually) for quite a while, too.
Pros:
- Cheap-sh
- Works
- Since all the smoke is driven straight up, it is fairly easy to vent.
Cons:
- Doesn't do a lot of coffee. For "regular" coffee, it doesn't really make enough. Of course, this depends on your household coffee needs.
- In my experience, with most beans, it cannot do good medium roasts. It is too fast (even at min temperature), and there are too many under-roasted beans, sometimes giving a very off flavour. It does darker roasts well. I've had poor luck with beans that need a 'slower' roast.
- It is a wailing banshee
Unfortunately, a decent drum machine seems to come in at about $1000. When the iRoast dies, I'll likely get a drum, but am hoping there is a market breakthrough by then.....
It will get you in the game, though.
