
The heat cycle is thermostatically controlled for
consistent roasting independent of environmental variables. It
has
a patented airflow design that recycles the hot air through the
roast chamber. The roaster comes with a nice stainless steel measuring
cup, but it is a bit large. It is a 1 cup measure, and the batch
capacity of this machine is between 4.8 oz by weight (136 grams),
or around 3/4 cup green coffee (which expands around 50% in the
roast process).
|
The Caffé
Rosto Home Coffee Roaster, a straight-forward, well-built machine
that works on a wide range of roasts.
It features a slower-roast design that recirculates
part of the hot air stream back into the roast chamber. This allows
the Caffé Rosto to roast a larger batch than a Freshroast in
a longer roast time ... the resulting cup profile having improved
body. This profile received the praise of George Howell, founder of
the seminal Coffee Connection in Boston and owner of Copacafe restaurant.
Before we describe all the nice details of the roaster,
be aware that this machine is highly influenced by the voltage of
the circuit you plug it into. Yes, we are all supposed to have 110/120
v, but in reality when you measure actual voltage in your house it
can be quite different. This machine really likes 120 volts or more,
and not too much "volatge drop," meaning that once you turn
it on the voltage doesnt go down to something like 108. Think of it
as a big hairdryer. If you have a newer house or good updated electrical
you should be safe. As with all electric roasters, do not use extension
cords or power strips ... these usually drop the voltage. If you do
have voltage problems, roasting dark with a Rosto may involve getting
a Variac, which
is a big expense.
The roaster is similar in its controls and operation
Hearthware Gourmet model but the quality of the parts and chasis are
very high. The roaster features a straight-forward mechanical timer,
a constant hot air roast cycle with an automatic cooling cycle. An
advantage is that it also has an override on-off switch, which I find
very useful...
The roast is easily viewed from the top through tempered
glass (yes, real glass, not polycarbinate plastic). The roast chamber
itself is stainless steel. The coffee rotates in a circular motion
around a central hub, propelled by hot air. Unlike the Hearthware
models the coffee is not roasted exclusively by a rapid hot air stream
that throws the coffee in the air, but also by conduction with the
hot metal surfaces.
We have tested the latest Caffé Rosto extensively
and it can roast at least 4.8 ounces (136 grams) of green coffee per
batch. Bean size and mass will affect the amount you can roast. It
also affects the degree of roast - less coffee actually roasts lighter
since more hot air blows by the green coffee and out of the roaster.
So whatever you do, once you are getting the roast you like, keep
the batch size consistent
We like the development of the body and the roast
flavors of the darker roasts from this machine, but find that the
latest model (which features are more powerful motor and updated heating
coil) do a great job with the full range of roasts.
Remember, the roaster's surfaces are quite hot
during the roast cycle -do not touch! You might need to let the
roaster cool completely before inverting it to pour out the roasted
beans... or use hot mitts. The roaster does get hot while working
so please be careful!
The Rosto is simple and straightforward, but is
fairly sensitive to the amount of voltage it gets, and to the batch
size. If a Rosto is not getting dark enough, to your degree of roast
preference, you actually need to add a little more coffee to the batch.
This traps more hot air around the coffee. You also need to keep the
recirculating vent clean; a brush to remove chaff between roasts is
provided. If household voltage is low (we test our Rostos between
120-122 volts) then it will roast lighter. A Variac can solve this
problem. |
| The roast time will vary depending on the voltage of the
circuit you use. The latest model features an updated, beefier motor
and heating element. Roast times are about 9 minutes to a Full City
roast. The Rosto does a great job cooling the coffee, with an ample
automatic 5 minute cool cycle after each roast cycle. If you have low
voltage, you may want to run the Caffe Rosto off of a Variac
- a voltage controller. The Variac also can be used to "profile"
the roast - an advanced roasting technique to apply more or less heat
at key times to influence the roast results. |
|
Because it does not have a removable roast chamber,
you invert the entire roaster to dump the roasted coffee out ... but
you have to remove the chaff screen before you do this or you will
mix the chaff in with the roasted coffee. Also, there is chaff that
collects under the chaff screen in the secondary chamber. You are
going to want to remove this chaff after every 2-3 roasts, and a shop
vac would be the best way to do that.
For More Caffe Rosto Information, and adjustments,
tips and tricks, see our Caffe
Rosto Tip Sheet -updated 12.4.03 |