I would highly recommend this roaster. The pros:light enough to move around into storage, the electric cord is a good length of about 5-6 feet (so I can position it under my hood), it's quiet, I can hear 1st and even 2nd crack (though I might have to put my ear closer to the chaff vent)I can see the beansI can adjust the time and temperature on the flyI can roast up to 250 g and end up with a very uniform roast. More could be done, but depending on the bean the results may varyIf you choose to use a makeshift ducting vent attached to the chaff collector, you might not be able to hear 1st/2nd crack. I usually keep it off until I hear 1st crack, then I slip it on as this is when it will really start to get smokey. I can hear 2nd crack pretty easy without having to remove the vent.The cons:It does need prewarming for about 5 minutes despite directionsThe cool cycle is not great - it takes about 10 minutes to get the beans to about 100-150 (depending on what temp you end your roast at). If i use the cool cycle, my roast ends up a little on the flat end. This could be a problem with me, I am not sure. I would like to hear how the cool cycle fares with other users. My fixes:I use a fan to cool the beans. Just as the beans enter the cool cycle, I do an emergency stop, dump the beans, and place them in a colander on a fan. 250 g cools in about 2 minutes. (I do this part outside)Results:If this were to get stolen, I would buy this again in a heartbeat. It's also about 5 pounds lighter than a hottop, which matters for me.
WARNING
: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead and lead compounds, which is/are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to
www.p65warnings.ca.gov.