Gene cafe roaster Review of the home coffee roaster CBR-101 Best Home Coffee Roaster

One unique thing that sets it apart from other roasters is the off axis rotation of the bean roasting chamber, This adds a little complexity to inserting the roasting chamber but they have made every effort to minimize the difficulty by making nice slide guides. Overall the experience is very simple.

The overall appearance of the Gene Cafe CBR-101, available in either black or red, is simple with only two knobs to adjust the time and temperature. These two knobs also double as buttons to allow to turn on and off. Surprisingly even with the few adjustments you have total control over the roast allowing you to make as simple or complex of a roast that you want. One of the nice features is that mid roast you can change the temperature, you can even add time or stop the roast and go to a cool down cycle.

The entire process from unroasted bean to a fresh cup of coffee is really quick. I found a 13 min roasting time was perfect followed by the standard 7 min cool time. I then dump the roasted beans on a cookie sheet where I blow some of the extra chaff off, I then use my Capresso Burr grinder on the setting between medium and fine, Then spoon the coffee to my Capresso Coffee à la Carte. In all an ULTRA Fresh cup of coffee can be had in just over a half hour.

Cleanup of the Gene Cafe CBR-101 is relatively simple just empty the chaff collector and wash out the roasting container.

Of the beans that I have roasted in the Gene Cafe CBR-101 I haven’t noticed much if any smoke, however, my smoke detector did notice it, there must be tiny particles that are getting kicked up that are quickly detected by the detector, however, my wife and friends didn’t notice it at all.

One downside was the speed at which it got up to temperature. The time to temperature is not programmable and takes nearly 15 min to go from 70F ambient temp to 482F which is where I like for it to be for first crack. Another thing that I would like to see changed in a future version is the ability to switch between deg C and deg F. This should be a simple switch but according to the Gene Cafe rep this is a programming difference between the US version and the international version.

The Gene Cafe CBR-101 is rather expensive selling for $474 on amazon another alternative is a pan roaster also from Gene Cafe. If roasting isn’t your thing at this time you can also check out Speedwell coffee they sell some wonderfully roasted beans from all over the world and have any other gear you may want or need for the ultimate coffee experience. Check out my review video below, I will post some videos of different roastings I have done.

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Disclaimers: all opinions are my own, sponsors are acknowledged. Affiliates are: Amazon

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[SuperDesignguy]

It's been 7 years! Are you still roasting with this machine? Or roasting at all?

[jakke]

You drink coffee the next day after roasting? You should wait at least 3 to 5 days, it will improve your experience a lot. The roasted beans need a little time to degas and lose a little smokiness. Coffee beans are really at their best between 5 and 20 days after the roast. With a little bit of planning, this shouldn't be too hard to achieve.

[studiosinger]

Thanks for your vid, I'm considering buying though I can't really afford it I'm going to write it off for my small business to give away complimentary coffee beans to my customers for the holidays. I was wondering if you could tell me if the plug outlet is sufficient for the electricity draw or if it needs a special one? I'm concerned of tripping the breaker in my apartment.

[clarence_themighty-kid]

Your doing well, i like it.
Question...I was wonderjng if, it is posible to roast .500grams per batch?

[timlock]

You don't preheat? I feel like that would be a necessary step with this roaster.

[tr]

got this roaster, my coffe does not get dark at all. just very light color, no matter what the temp. I'm roasting. Wondering what could be the problem

[seda]

Hi
Does that machine do medium roast ? All videos end up with dark roast. It's a question of time ?
Great video

[ashkanafrooz]

I want to underestand that can this machine work 2 or 3 hours whit out turn of?

[RedSoxFan]

Any idea what the electricity cost is per 15 minute cycle?

[johndoe-owns]

What is the smell like when you are roasting?

[WillyVLD]

Thanks for the clear review!
why the thumbs down? Because of the "critical" note on the F vs C? I liked it anyway!!!