Thread: Coffee Enthusiasts

Originally Posted by richkev

I grew up in Gonzales. Community coffee is a staple in our house. I'm also a fan of the dark roast. Usually get a pound of the dark roast with chicory every once in s while, too. (A pound being only 12 ounces, these days.)

I like Community and Mello Joy (that brand has been resurrected) as well, but for me I fare better with decaffeinated. I've lived in Louisiana over 40 years but grew up in California. My parents couldn't adjust to the strong coffee here but I just loved it. One Christmas they gave me a beat up coffee cup that said "COCKEYED COFFEE" on it.

Starbucks is a favorite and I keep a $10 gift card filled up for an occasional treat. The problem is that it can vary in strength (i.e., too weak), but usually it's terrific.

I've learned to like my coffee without any cream or sugar.

Gentlemen:

I present to you the components of a beautiful morning:





Catoai roasted to 90 seconds after second crack. When prepared in a vintage Silex Vac Pot, it is breath taking. Thanks for looking!

Now that's what you call a coffee maker.

Originally Posted by jfleming9232

Gentlemen:

I present to you the components of a beautiful morning:

How do you like the Freshroast? I'm going through hot air poppers like crazy here and so am going to take the plunge on an actual roaster soon. Since I have very, very little space, I think this is the one I'll go with.

Would you recommend it?

Most of those machines like the Freshroast and the I roast and there are a couple others are glorified pop corn makers. They aren't designed for longevity especially if you roast on a regular basis. They are more for casual use and light roasts. I had the I roast and it lasted about 2 years of regular use. Go to the Sweet maria's site and they explain all about roasters.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Most of those machines like the Freshroast and the I roast and there are a couple others are glorified pop corn makers. They aren't designed for longevity especially if you roast on a regular basis. They are more for casual use and light roasts. I had the I roast and it lasted about 2 years of regular use. Go to the Sweet maria's site and they explain all about roasters.

Unfortunately I'm having to choose between junking a popcorn maker every 3-4 months or a little roaster like that every couple of years. I think the cost will more or less balance out in the long run, and I just hate throwing things out more than I have to.

This is one of the many reasons I wish I had more space so some of the other home roasters would be options. However, for the time being, that isn't the case.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

How do you like the Freshroast? I'm going through hot air poppers like crazy here and so am going to take the plunge on an actual roaster soon. Since I have very, very little space, I think this is the one I'll go with.

Would you recommend it?

Cangooner, If you want to spend a little time and less money, say, {approx $20 or less }, I did it for about $18.
Get an old bread machine and a cheap heat gun {from Harbor Freight and the extended warrentee}.
The machine is used for the agitation and gun for heat source. If gun fails use warrentee for a new one.
Here is a look at the one i made and use. Has lasted years and only two guns so far. PM if you have questions.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/finer...html?highlight=

Paco - I don't know whether to be sorry or relieved that I somehow missed your post earlier! I can just see myself burning the place down with that.

In the end I decided to go with the Freshroast. For me (i.e. pretty low volumes) it offered the best combination of small footprint and reasonable price. I have only done two batches in it so far and so haven't *quite* dialed in the settings for my beans of choice, but it's getting there. I'm happy with it so far.

My favorite coffee right now is Kansas City Blend by The Roasterie out of K.C., Missouri. I can't get it here but will probably tour the factory next month when I visit family in the area.

Very surprised not to see anyone using an ibrik and making Turkish coffee. Since a business trip to Israel a couple years back, it's the only way I have ever made my coffee...
Turkish Coffee - YouTube